Dover Reflections, and a Heavy Heart

Dover Reflections, Yacht Club Tales, and a Heavy Heart

This morning dawned with a gentle invitation to slow down. Still recovering from the intensity of our Dover arrival, we embraced a lazy start, allowing ourselves time to process the events of the previous day. We sat together, the gentle rock of Halcyon Sea a soothing rhythm, reflecting on the lessons learned from our first real passage. The conclusions we reached, while perhaps self-evident to seasoned sailors, were important milestones for us. Tracey acknowledged the need for greater involvement in passage planning, recognizing that a deeper understanding of the day's overall strategy would undoubtedly ease any anxieties. We also agreed that our onboard communication could benefit from some fine-tuning – clear and concise dialogue is paramount when navigating both close quarters and challenging seas. And the flying chopping board incident served as a rather dramatic reminder of the importance of meticulous pre-departure stowage! A heavy wooden projectile hurtling across the saloon is definitely an "adventure" we'd prefer to avoid.

Having gathered our thoughts (and a few stray items), we ventured ashore for a walk into the heart of Dover. Our destination: the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club, a venerable institution where we hoped to soak up some local maritime flavour. We enjoyed a refreshing drink and a tasty roll, striking up conversations with some of the club's welcoming members. They regaled us with tales of the club's upcoming move from its current historic premises to a new building on Marina Curve. It was fascinating to hear about their efforts to meticulously document the history of their current home, photographing each room as it stands. They even spoke with fondness of preserving tangible pieces of the past, hoping to salvage a carpet adorned with the club's emblem (a generous donation from a former commodore) and a beautiful stained-glass door bearing their badge.

As it was St. George's Day, the club was offering a rather tempting special: a drink, a hearty beef roll, and a traditional hot cross bun for a mere £10 – a true bargain! We shared stories of our own sailing club back in Fareham, finding common ground in the camaraderie of the sailing community. The Dover members generously offered invaluable advice on departing their busy port and suggested the best routes for our next leg to Ramsgate. Our stroll around town was somewhat curtailed by Pepper's presence, limiting our ability to explore the main tourist attractions. However, the simple pleasure of stretching our legs and soaking in the local atmosphere was enough.

Returning to Halcyon Sea, the aroma of a simmering curry soon filled the cozy saloon as we discussed our plans for tomorrow. We decided to extend our stay in Dover by another day. A couple of boat maintenance tasks needed our attention, most notably our temperamental navigation lights. Additionally, the wind forecast didn't look particularly favourable for a comfortable passage. Friday, however, held more promise, so we opted for a slightly delayed departure.

As the evening drew to a close, a shadow of sadness fell upon our little floating world. We received the news that Tracey's dear friend, Alistair McLaughlin, had passed away that morning. Alistair, affectionately known as "Storky," was a towering figure in the sailing community, not just in Scotland and his local haunts but across the entire UK. He was an inspiration to so many, selflessly sharing his vast knowledge and helping countless sailors, in his own unique and often quirky way, to hone their skills on the water.

The picture we share today is a cherished memory of Tracey hiking out on an ISO dinghy, with a typically focused Alistair at the helm. Tracey had lost her confidence on the water after a difficult experience, and it was Alistair, with his no-nonsense attitude and unwavering belief in her, who helped her rediscover her love for sailing. This particular photo captures a joyful moment during one of our early cadet sailing adventures, a "pirate raid" from Prestwick to Troon, culminating in a well-deserved treat of fish and chips on the beach for everyone. Such happy days, filled with laughter and the thrill of the wind and waves.

Alistair was a highly respected sailor across numerous classes, but during Tracey's time in Scotland, his true love was the RS300. Tracey fondly remembers watching him maneuver the boat with an almost balletic grace, carving through the water as if he were skiing. He was an incredible talent to witness and a formidable competitor, amassing a remarkable collection of trophies up and down the country. He will be deeply and sorely missed by a vast network of friends and fellow sailors. Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.

Fair winds and following seas, Storky. Sail on.もっと詳しく