I feel I need to share the contents of a box that arrived for the attention of Der Fuhrer, I had expressed an interest in the main sheet spinning thingy he was selling and had asked wether it could be modded to take a spin lock  cleat (didn't see them at the show and was looking for them).

Anyway in the box arrived the following:

Pair of half fingered gloves, Musto, with the legend 'Love' 'Hate' indelibly marked across the knuckles.

Plastic bag thing marked 'Holt SAFTIBAG' (Merlins for the use of I would guess)

Unknown metal thing with markings 'Model B' Tension KG with metal Loos & Co cable dia gauge attached

Shackles Harken Various inc T2 Loop Instruction module

Circlip Spilt Ring Pre-Pack Holt.

Wheel things with holes in them and elastic band to guide rope around x 3

Spreaderbar antiquated hook thing presumably dinghy harness trapeze for the use of..

Spinlock Cleat 2-6mm

The Spinning mainsheet thing with block Harken.

At this point I'm as happy as a pig in the proverbial lots of toys I know not entirely what to do with but will enjoy finding out and am now feeling slightly inadequate with the windsurfing sail I'm swapping but will think of something to make it up, but listen to the other stuff the boy has parted with in what to me is an obvious farewell to all he previously loved..

1) His treasured Womans weekly with extra cross dressing hints in the bonus fifty plus collection.

2) A can of dry lubricant called Mc Lube.

3)Bottle of Scweppes Slimline Ginger Ale

4)30 mini Chupa Chups assorted lollies

5)Fray Bentos Classic Steak & Kidney Pie (Phantom Special Issue)

But here's the sign of total loss of mojo.. He's given away his Hobnobs.

What should I do? You can't take a mans Hobnobs should we put him on suicide watch?

Someone needs to call in and visit him, clearly he's not well..

And to confirm that he sent me an extra large box of matches, if that isn't giving a child a loaded gun I don't know what is..

Time to rally round chaps, the boys not well, however happy I may be with my bumper bundle, he needs help - desperately...

I should have torched that bloody cherub, save the world by one sh*te boat and at least practiced wot I preached... sadly I needed the money to feed my windsurfing addiction you so kindly bestowed upon me.

On a serious note, that spreader bar was from a Magic Marine harness and did at one point find its way onto my v. old maui magic windsurf harness as a lightwind trap harness when L2 sailing at Uni.  If you've got an old DK seat somewhere, it might just fit for your hybrid hiker/trap configuration, iirc the magic harness was an adult medium, (pre hobnobs and pies) so should be about the right size for you.... worth a try at least.

thanks Russy, it's good to know the general public / visiting yachtsmen such as your fine self, still regard it as the windsurf carpark.  

FYI- It's been mooted that a 'sensible' compromise could shortly be announced... so well done to those involved on the committee who are working out a solution for everyone.  Happy times ahead, even the water level's gone up a bit apparently.

 

Corrected that for you, Russ.

... and what a battle that was, though thankfully Thule saw sense before I needed to threaten to instigate a viral campaign of hate and settled with an 'undisclosed sum' for goodwill.  

I now have another Thule roof rack, but a new car with proper rails on it rather than relying on those door frame clamp type fittings.

I still feel if more of you Draycote boys adopted the path of true righteousness and bought into the Raceboard thing for one night a week you'd enjoy sailing perfection as we do.

Whatever glad to know the Samaritans are on the case, I shall just tuck into a tasty hobnob whilst perusing Womens Weekly, there's an interview with David Essex, whom I was once likened to and is also adored by the bread knife, she'll be so excited...

As you know, I tried to race a board last summer, complete waste of time and tbh, if racing's your bag, then probably best do it in a dinghy.  

Draycote could do with a new class really, something a little sexier than Laser that seems to have taken off again recently (not surprising, despite my loathing of it, it's relatively economical and it remains a popular choice)  I've kind of had it with PY racing.  I appreciate the hard work the RYA boys (and Chris) do, and think they've made massive leap forwards this year.  But at the end of the day, PY racing is ultimately about racing a clock, and quite frankly I'd rather just go for a sail and pick the better patches of wind when you're confined to a lake.

Perhaps Russy could arrange something in the autumn for the D-One, I'd come along for a sail regardless and if there was enough interest to get 4 or 5 boats out next year, who knows...?  Draycote would be a good place for a 'medium performance hiking class'- RS100s, RS300s, RS400s, D-Ones, cheap entry level low-rider moths and one-offs, like the ++ which resides there these days.  

Forget about times and PY... just race.  I bet the best sailors would still win.

We have both now joined Llandegffed, where we can enjoy a large stretch of water and W/L racing against Vareos, 100's, Canoes, 400's etc. etc. All for the tiday sum of £40 per year (plus your lake licence) which for a second club seems like great value.

 

Makes you wonder if Draycote could offer a Quarterly membership fee, as we would only sail Spring and Autumn usually.  But even then it doesn't remove the fact there is no W/L racing.

edit- the http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/161752/First-3-D-Ones-delivered-to-Lymington - Lymington fleet looks good mate, finding like minds is hard though, especially in this economy.

On another er difficult note, I hate to bring it up, but we er don't have pies in tins down south, the fire brigade have left now, and the building inspector said the kitchen should be O.K., the lawyer following th ambulance said where there's blame etc..

You didn't mention not putting that pie in the microwave dude..

a Shark 5.0 wave sail, easy uphaul, easy waterstarter, a copy of windsmurf magazine, a brochure for simpsons branded Santa Cruz snowboards (awesome) and an Electra bikes catalogue.

Life feels good when new toys arrive and no one has had to exchange nasty cash.  Thanks Graeme.

Nothing like a good swap.