I don't do regular updates of my blog. Although I tried to set a rule for myself to post an update during major regatta's. Already a month ago I participated in the Australian Nationals and I didn't do a single update, so in that sense I broke my own rule.
My excuse was that there was no wifi available, not in the village nor at the yacht club. The only access I had was via Nick his mobile account, due to the scarce availability of MB's I had to choose between skyping with my daughters or posting pictures and updates. Thanks again Nick for letting me use your mb's, the girls were very impressed by my tiger imitations, more than my housemates I think...
Thanks to an earlier blog post about my issues with housing I got an reaction of Mark. Thanks to him I had a great week in a villa in mount martha with Mark, Nick, Allen & Tracy. They introduced me to the joys of the rum squad and to the true moth spirit, as home builders. The self build moth of Allen with twin wands which are cross connected with half of the flaps and which has a canting rig was particularly impressive!
If you followed the nationals you already knew that the waves were big for a moth regatta and the wind was erratic.
My results were very bad. I started of with trying to let the boat sink... It was my first time in a Mach2 and with a bladerider you do not have to tape the boat.... I learned a lot during the regatta, about sailing in waves and about sailing and setting up a mach2. In the process I also suffered a number of bruises not in the last place my ego :-) but that is what you get if you show up ill prepared and not fit.
It was great to do some sailing again and to learn from a very competitive Australian fleet. Also thanks to Andrew (Mason) and Simon for ensuring the boat was complete and ready every day. And thanks to Andrew to supplying tips on mach2 setup and for renting out a boat.
Currently i'm in the process of replacing the bladerider and I try to make time to prepare for Garda. Although instead of training or working it is great to spend time with the girls. As you can see on the picture the next generation is getting ready! On the way back from Australia we visited friends in Hongkong and one of the days we were invited on a 40 footer. We couldn't get my eldest daughter of the wheel!
Looking forward to see many people I met in Mornington again in Garda!
However tomorrow I will start with some ice skating as it is currently freezing -10 in the Netherlands.
- Posted using BlogPress from my ipad, so forgive me for any typimg mstakes...
