Wind forecast

This weekend we've got a club Laser training lined up at Lauwersoog. Looks like it's going to be a survival course with 30 knots of wind and 4 metre waves on Saturday. Must remember my gloves and hat.

Gold

Gold
Originally uploaded by Sadlr

Today was the final day of the 2010 season at the VWDTP. Claudia and I had another good day in the 16m2, keeping the Klein family on their toes for the first half of the race before a couple of Sailhorses got between us and them and they got away. Still, another second and a great finish to a season in which we've had a lot of fun and learnt a lot about our new boat.

On the other side of the lake Em was battling it out in the final two races of the Optimist Mini Cup series. She had been calculating all week how well she had to finish assuming that Dennis won both races. As it was she finished 1st and 3rd today, giving her 1st place overall for the season, a gold medal and her name on the Optimist B Mini Cup. Well done Em.

Congratulations too to Pim [Smart Pimmetje] for his 1st place in the Optimist C Mini Cup.

CWO3

CWO3
Originally uploaded by Sadlr

Under the watchful eye of Club Commodore Peter Nannenberg, Em gets her CWO 3 diploma from trainer Tom. Well done to all the kids who got their diplomas and thanks again to the team of trainers who have taught them so much this year.
After the ceremony the Mums and Dads had to leave and the kids had a Hawaian party.

Thanks too to Charlotte and Sascha for organising the thank-you presents for the trainers.

sofa/bed

sofa bed
Originally uploaded by Sadlr

Having finished the cupboard under the stairs - this had to be done so that the ceiling can go up next week - I started on the sofa. As well as there being ten lockers for heaps of storage Dave and Mariska wanted two people to be able to sleep at right angles to each other. By removing one part of the backrest the sofa turns into two full size single beds - as if by magic.

fridge

fridge
Originally uploaded by Sadlr

With all the walls finished earlier this week we turned our attention to the furniture. Peter set to work in the kitchen and is here putting in the first cupboard for the fridge/freezer.

Half way up, half way down

Sunday's race saw us get a good start. We tacked to the right early on what looked like a small shift, but the wind continued to go left. The boats on the left were lifted to the windward mark and we sailed the long way round to the first mark, rounding eighth.

With the sun shining and 7 or 8 knots of wind we had a great sail and gently worked our way back up to 5th place at the finish, not quite able to join the battle for 3rd and 4th place.

Later we all sat out in front of the clubhouse and discussed the difficulties of setting up the gaff mainsail, with all it's possible adjustments and all the string s required . So much still to learn.

Drysuit

Drysuit
Originally uploaded by Sadlr

If Em is to sail during the winter months in her Optimist she has to have a drysuit. To check the size we borrowed an old suit from Dennis. Of course Em insisted on trying it out in the harbour. All the air inside the suit finds it's way to the arms, causing much hilarity.