Finally the club has actually managed to achieve a mass launch and recovery from the new slipway! I say a ‘mass’ launch – there were three boats, but it’s a start. The weather was beautiful, the wind was fair and the water was going in the right direction – what more can you ask?
Well, cold beer and a picnic, I suppose and we even had that. The trip up to Bury went very well with two boats under sail and oar – Yes we can – and an escort with an outboard, who assumed the duty of Press Launch; photos attached. Sailing the Arun does require that you are easily able to lower your rig while afloat and there are areas under the trees and chalk cliffs where the oars have to come out, but it also shows that the internal combustion engine is not mandatory and the peace without it is sublime. So much so that a horse in the field up by Amberley Bridge was quite taken aback and spent several minutes rubbing his eyes in disbelief and scampering nervously about.
There used to be a ferry at Bury and we were able to take advantage of the steps there to tie up and climb up onto the manicured green, gathering around a bench on top of the dyke, for a real Edwardian picnic, minus the jackets, ties, flounces and boaters of course; got to get the sail and oar bit right first.
The return trip also went reasonably well with a couple of caveats. The tide does leave the slipway quite early and boats have to be lifted up over the drop at the end – it’s a somewhat muddy business. Oh and don’t leave you car parked in the field if there is any chance that you’ll be back after six o’clock, otherwise you’ll have to go and collect it the next morning…
Like I did!
Chris Waite
Chairman Arundel Boat Club
Don’t forget the next shot is Greatham Bridge and return, with barbeques in tow, starting from the slip at 11.00 on Sunday 25th July.
