Alternative Sailing

A new addition at Luc-Sur-Mer yacht club is a fleet of sand yachts, which given the extensive sandy beaches makes and interesting alternative to the typical Lasers, Picos and catamarans.

During the Easter break things were fairly busy most days, the winds were mostly chilly from the east or north east, so roaring around the sand was perhaps more appealing than being cold and wet in the water, that said there were also boats out most days at Luc and nearby Langrune Sur Mer.

Despite the often brisk winds, sand sailing seemed to be quite slow, especially getting started where the "cars" often needed a push to get them going, presumably to overcome the friction.

 Gybing around the mark, quite a few stalled,  the course was still off the wind it was difficult to tell if they were trying to point too high or not sheeting correctly. Also it occurred that perhaps these were small area training rigs?

 Either way they all seemed to be having fun and it was nice to watch over coffee, from the comfort inside the beach front bar

Slippper Spirit

Members from the Emsworth Slipper SC launching the Slipper Spirit Celtic longboat, taken the week before the Hamble River Raid guessing it may have been a training session especially given the matching green polo shirts.

 Looks like a fine boat for rowing around the harbour.
 

La basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-Délivrande de Douvres-la-Délivrande

Built in the late 19th century as a replacement from the previous Norman chapel that server the village previously. Clearly the then replacement with a significantly larger modern church wasn't considered as an act of vandalism.

That said the church demonstrates it's affinity with the nearby coastal villages and the importance of fishing.

The church is richly decorated which speaks in part of the wealth of the town presumably the masonry is in the local Caen stone.

The carving on these pillars is so delicate and exquisite as this close up shows. The definition on the faces of the figures is incredible.

 

Interesting Tender

Interesting tender, probably doesn't need those davits,  hence parking on the swim platform.

 

Rocket ship

Three of the guys at Weston SC had their 18 foot skiff out at the weekend, and what a beast, there's enough exotic composite in there to qualify for carbon capture. 😂

 Note the interesting launching trolley absent wheels, the crew just picked it up and carried it into the water.

The conditions were a bit breezy, the day started off at a gentle 5 to 8 knots, but kept building steadily up to 24 knots.

I was busy preparing our boat when the skiff got away, and by the time I'd got my camera and down to the slipway they were almost out of sight.

Counter Stern

Spotted his counter stern, traditional day boat, in the yard recently. 

Clinker built with a very pronounced sheer and some lively lines strongly defined by the planking

With both a bowsprit and bumpkin, the sail area is very well spread for and aft, presumably with a relatively short mast. There's a long boom which doesn't quite extend beyond the stern, so perhaps there's a mizzen hiding somewhere?

 

Victory in Europe - 80 Years

 80 years ago following long years Britain and the free world celebrated the end of the war in Europe.

For some reason the celebrations appear to have been somewhat more modest than during the 75 year celebrations during COVID when socially distanced street parties were encouraged.,  It hasn't prevented from some of the good people of Sarisbury putting on a fine display by the green with these fantastic knitted (probably crochet) figures of the three services.

The newly planted display dinghy decked out with bunting and thetelephone box book swap suitable decorated.

 

 Opposite the war memorial at St Paul's.

the Imperial War Museum carries a good summary,

8 May 1945 – VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) – was one that remained in the memory of all those who witnessed it. It meant an end to nearly six years of a war that had cost the lives of millions; had destroyed homes, families, and cities; and had brought huge suffering and privations to the populations of entire countries.

Millions of people rejoiced in the news that Germany had surrendered, relieved that the intense strain of total war was finally over. In towns and cities across the world, people marked the victory with street parties, dancing and singing.

My mother was then a 19 year old serving in the WAF,  I remember her stories of celebrating in London, my dad who she hadn't even met at that time was serving at sea in the Adriatic, sadly there are all too few left today who remember those days first hand but we can carry on those memories, it's important that we should not forget.