A splendid Beaujolais weekend brings the 2011 sailing programme to a close!
The yearly celebration for the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau began around 07:30 on Friday 18th November 2011 on a beautiful sunny day. Boats from Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club (RCPYC), Royal Temple Yacht Club (RTYC) and Folkestone Yacht Club left Dover into a choppy sea driven by a southerly wind strength 4-5.
The participating boats were:
Panteleon, Osprey of Newport, Lodore of the RCPYC. Manyana and Marlene of the Royal Temple Yacht Club and Nice Lady of Purbeck from Folkestone Yacht Club.
Courses were set to cross the shipping lanes and there was some good sailing with no interference from passing shipping. However the neap tide was almost non-existent resulting in the fleet being nearer to Calais than Boulogne when they cleared the lanes. Then as they turned towards Boulogne we received a fleeting visit from a French Coastguard Cutter and helicopter wanting to know our destination. On learning we were bound for Boulogne they immediately asked if we were going to the Beaujolais celebrations and wished us well. The fleet arrived in Boulogne some four to five hours after starting and met up with Les Jours, another RCPYC boat, that had crossed over overnight. Marlene of RTYC was declared the winner of the impromptu race being the only boat to sail the full distance. The fleet was made most welcome in Boulogne Marina and we met up with other boats from Boulogne and Calais who were preparing for the return trip to Dover.
The party in the YCB Club House was well attended and the Beaujolais flowed freely accompanied by barbequed herrings and some wonderful pate. A customary Burgee was presented to the President of Boulogne Yacht Club by our own esteemed Vice Commodore. The party carried on into the early hours.
The next morning broke with more glorious sunshine and no wind and very little tide. The British Fleet now joined by the French boats left Boulogne around midday and returned to Dover on a flat calm channel in sunshine that would have been the envy of a midsummer day.
All the boats found berths at Dover with the help of the Marina Staff and at 1900 the crews together with RCPYC Club members descended on our Club for a wonderful convivial evening where more Beaujolais was consumed supplemented by a tasty Irish Stew with dumplings prepared by our own Young Dave Ford and accompanied by delicious French Cheese supplied by our French Guests. The evening appeared to be enjoyed by all especially the music from “Bottles” that had members and guests dancing the night away.
The following morning (Sunday) our French guests returned home again in near perfect conditions. The end to a great week-end.
Dave Ford, R/Comm (sail)