Musing from the Members (sorry over 18s) Bar . . .

It's too cold and windy to muse from the balcony. So by popular? request herewith the first of the off the cuff newsletters for 2008. So what is there to talk about that hasn't already appeared on our super 10 year old website? Gerald New is always the first with the real news!  

However he is based in Spain so wasn't here to see the HISC children and parents (mainly Mums) paddling through the lake to the Children's Christmas Party. Gather it was a huge success (kept well away!). Did Santa (Bev) arrive by RIB towed by Seahorses?

I can now report that the Lake is no more. Carol and team have invested in a very efficient pump with extensive piping and now at the first sign of a puddle they can pump it away. However be careful not to fall down the open manhole in the middle of the car park. Plans are afoot to make a more permanent and safe installation of the pump. I have to say that an electric pump with a float switch similar to those we use in yachts bilges would be more practical.

I was amused to receive two congratulatory emails concerning the excellent results our 29er sailors achieved in Melbourne. The first from Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club congratulating their sailors and an almost identical second from Tracey congratulating our sailors. It seems that HISC and IBRSC have teamed up successfully.

Success by other top HISC sailors are reported on the website. Lizzie Vickers is still battling it out with the three other Laser Radials Girls to be chosen for the Olympics. Lizzie who finished 9th with a second in the medal race at the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta has given it her very best shot but unfortunately Penny Clark, who is a specialist lightweather sailor, finished 3rd in Miami and looks most likely to be the GBR selection for Beijing with one more regatta to go - the Laser Radial Worlds in Takapuna New Zealand.

Have you heard the latest Tractor saga? Yet again our tractor has been in trouble. This time while placing the new moorings on the beach ready for laying, it came to an embarrassing halt- no traction, caught on the sand well below high tide mark on a rising tide. A quick call and Hayling Lifeboats tractor came rushing to the rescue - another soul and tractor saved! The HISC tractor which had a stripped drive shaft spline, is now thankfully back on station. Incidentally I hear that the Lifeboat tractor has almost as many breakdowns as ours. Maybe we can rescue them next time.

While on the subject of moorings, well, they were mentioned in passing, I can advise that the much anticipated Mooring List for 2008 has been published. Not a lot of change - we would need a serious cull of older members to achieve that! But I did hear that ex Commodore Dave Nicholls, who acquired a solid cruising boat last season, is considering joining Emsworth Slipper as he judges that would be nearer to his newly assigned mooring. All dinghy sailors will be delighted to hear that the launch dates for the cruisers has now been agreed 25th March to April 11th. So you will get your car park back eventually.

Super picture on the website of our Nautical Nurses rowing (well not actually when the picture was taken) in mid Atlantic. Fantastic achievement, they have already rowed 2056nm so far and have 500nm to go. They are averaging over 40nm a day and hope to arrive in Barbados in ten days. Very brave. Not something I would fancy doing at all.

Gales. Those amongst you who are landlubbers - eg don't live on Hayling Island - may not have noticed that we have had a succession of strong gales in recent weeks. Yes we are still here not blown away just yet. Last Thursday we had force 10 actually in the harbour 53 knots and we have had several 24 hour stretches of force 7-8. Max today as I write this is 43 knots Force 9! Chimet give all us OAPS hours of pleasure!

No damage that I can see but a huge amount of extra sand. The beach stretches three quarters of the way out to the Pontoon head. Lots of sand to be removed from the dinghy park and around boats left on the beach. Thanks to the Beach refreshment on the front, HISC has grown by at least 10 meters out to the NW. Walking without a care in the world down the Causeway last Saturday I was approached by a silver French car, window was wound down and before I could dodge behind the nearest illegal camper van, Barry Kitchener Blaydes grabs me by the scruff of the neck and advises me in 'polite terms' that I am to be on parade to clear the Solo Park next Saturday 9th Feb. We need strong men he tells me. OAPS like me I mumble? Be there and earn a slice of Jane's cake I am told!

Chris Gordon has asked that all hands are needed for clearing the sand etc on Saturday 9th and 16th Feb. Bring a shovel and barrow if you can . . . free soup for the workers.

See you there!
Anthony Penfold