Big crowds and strong winds at the Boat Building Academy’s summer student launch


Boat Building Academy launch crowds summer 2011 photos by Tracy Marler

Boat Building Academy launch crowds summer 2011 photos by Tracy Marler Boat Building Academy launch crowds summer 2011 photos by Tracy Marler

Photos by Tracy Marler

For years Boat Building Academy students at Lyme have been amazingly lucky with the weather on their big launch day – but not this time. These shots were taken at the summer launch day on the 7th June. The weather was mean and moody, and although the rain kept off for most of the day, Academy principal Yvonne Green reports that the big issue was wind.

‘Two of the boats couldn’t go in: the harbourmaster saw the Yachting World Dayboat zip through the harbour and decided the Haven 12 1/2 and the Half Rater were staying on the shore,’ she says, ‘but the other ten were launched to the cheers of a crowd of between three and four hundred people.’

It’s a shame about the weather, but what a great turn out!

I gather Yvonne is gathering together photos of the original boats for us. To read about the twelve boats the students build over the winter, click here.

Impressions of the Norfolk Broads, summer 2011, part II: Horsey Mere and the sea


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Tonight we have a few more photos from our trip to the Norfolk Broads just over a week ago (see the previous instalment here). I’m still smiling…

Most of the photos in this post were taken on an unforgettable balmy summer evening at Horsey Mere, which is looked after and managed by the National Trust – and an excellent job they make of it. Apart from the windmill and a little cafe, there are even some wonderfully welcome showers for visiting boat users. It’s a real example of what could be done elsewhere.

I should add that there is also the splendid Nelson’s Head pub just a pleasant stroll away…

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And finally – a walk to the beach just a mile from the Mere. It seems so strange to sail on inland lakes and yet be so close to the sea.

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Voile-aviron sailing explained by Francois Vivier


Voile-aviron sailing explained by Francois Vivier

French boating guru and gifted designer Francois Vivier explains the history and principles of voile-aviron sailing. Even if you can’t follow the French too well, it looks like the best fun! There’s an English explanation here: Francois Vivier website.

My thanks to Brian Pearson for spotting this.