28/06/2014

I set off from Tyneside at around 8.30am for the long drive to Thrapston Boating Station, where I was welcomed by Lt Neil Hartwell, the CO.  I arrived just in time to see cadets coming off the water for a delicious lunch of pizza, sandwiches and fruit. 

It was a great turnout with cadets from 10 different units from Eastern Area, most of whom were either sailing or windsurfing.  There was a short delay getting on the water after lunch as we waited for a thunderstorm to pass, but soon after I was heading out in a Laser 2000 under the watchful eye of Jarvis, who showed me the potential of this great stretch of water and we had great fun tacking up the lake and then running back down with the spinnaker set. 

The weather improved steadily as the afternoon progressed and by the time 4pm came round the rain had stopped and the sun had come out.  Unfortunately I had to leave at this point but there was lots more fun in prospect as there were plans to hold some races in the evening.

Tomorrow will be my last visit during the 'Sail the UK' week and I will be joining the team at Twickenham.