Look at these.

 

Well the washing machine arrived and was installed no damage to either the boat or the machine. Delivery men had never been to a boat before and probably hope they never have to again. It has taken a while to catch up with the washing but at last it is all done. 

One of Pauls friends emailed some photos from way way back in the 80’s so far back that Paul has HAIR. It certainly bought back happy memories for Paul and a lump to his throat as this was the best sailing days he ever had.

This is Fly of Halstow a replica Medway Bawley which Paul crewed on many occasion even going over to Calais on numerous “booze” runs. Constructed of Ferro cement, Ray who owned Fly and was an expert on this type of construction was involved in a consortium and with others built 5 hulls which were then fitted out by their respective owners. They were 40ft plus LWL with a bowsprit of about 18ft. The canvas design and rigging was slightly altered from the originals to gain more speed. Fly took part in many of the area’s barge matches more so Medway barge matches also the local LHYC club racing which included round the island (Sheppey) round the towers (Whitstable) and many more made up as they went along.

Can you spot Paul? He was known as the bow man and he was also the only press gang volunteer to go up the mast if need be, the old fella in the foreground is Ray the owner of Fly, the guy in blue by the mast is Pauls friend Les. This was taken after a Medway race at anchor at the top of Stangate Creek waiting for the tide to enable the boats to return to their mooring. The boat breasted up is one of the other Bawleys.

 

Just look at Pauls hair…….

Apart from the anchor winch on the bows everything was done by hand and sailing skills really came into their own it makes you wonder how a man and boy coped all those years ago when these were used for fishing, as you can see there are ropes and rigging all over. It was Ray who taught Paul all he knew about rigging these types of boats, in fact some years later Fly’s mast had to be replaced and Paul along with Ray and John was involved in cutting a new mast and replacement of some of the rigging.

This was taken by a magazine photographer during one of the races, this is Fly under full sail. Paul recalls this incident as if it was yesterday, the skipper instructed the crew to get the “Flying Angel” up and through lack of practise they got into an awful mess. The “Flying Angel” is the largest sail on the boat and runs from the top of the topmast to the end of the bowsprit, for what ever reason the ropes got caught in the sheaves and could not be released from the bows of the boat, so guess what idiot had to crawl out on the “whiskers” to the end of the  bow sprit to release the jam?  Hence he got wet feet and by the time everything was freed the opportunity had gone as the wind for this sail wouldn't have given them any headway. So apart from getting wet feet the whole exercise was a waste of time. Needless to say the skipper then ordered the crew to put up the Spinnaker he was lucky not to go over the side. (do you remember that day Les?)

What happy memories……..