Cruise to Royal Festival Hall

Saturday 22nd May 2010

The annual cruise to the Royal Festival Hall takes the sailors through the heart of London, passing the iconic landmarks of the Battersea Power station, MI6, Thames House (the 'spooks building'), the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. How many dinghy sailors have this opportunity and on a perfect day with temperatures in the mid 70s and a decent North Easterly breeze. All four Visions, two Enterprises, one Laser and two safety boats set off at about 13.30 from the club to sail the 7 miles under 13 bridges to arrive at the beach just beyond the Charing Cross pedestrian bridge.

London Eye tourist ferries and various other commercial traffic was surprised to see the fleet but apart from a few sound signals ***** ( I do not understand your intentions!) nothing untoward to report. Passing under the bridges especially those at Westminster can be tricky because of the disturbed wind, so helms needed to be alert - it wouldn't be a great place to capsize even if it were to provide good spectator sport.

With an hour before the turn of the tide, the sailors had time to rest and down a pint at the Royal Festival Hall. Mike Ridley and Gareth Wear appeared on the beach to help us off - just shows the spread of the club!

An idyllic sail back without incident saw all back at the club pontoons at 19.00 in time for a tidy up and another pint.

This event on a day like this is quite a privilege - a rare opportunity to be caught on camera in these surroundings as the pictures show. Many thanks to Chris Crosland for organising the event

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by Peter Hallett

Photos by Liz St Clair

Copyright © London Corinthian Sailing Club, 2010