Idle B'gger Cruise VI 2009
By Anthony Davey
3rd September saw the crew gather in St Peter Port for the VIth annual Idle B'gger Memorial Cruise. Here is the log...
Thursday 3rd September
AD and AB catch early Aurigny flight from Gatwick which arrives on time, catching out JW as they are left waiting curbside. All is swiftly forgiven on learning that IC arrived the previous evening and tacKtic already awaits us almost fully provisioned on the pontoon. Ritual worship swiftly ensues at the Forest Stores' altar to all things pig. Overcome with excitement the weaker elements of the crew allow themselves to be swayed on estimated daily pig intake. The Idle Bugger team are reunited much to AD's obvious delight after missing out last year.
Swiftly on board, bits stowed and much discussion about weather conditions as forecast not promising - wind W F7 gusting 8, sea state rough. Head out from SPP at 13.05 to 'have a look'. Skipper orders crew to be harnessed and after a couple of dry runs St Martins becomes the 'point of no return' and we head off towards Jersey at 13.55. Scratch crew have total faith in skip's judgement! Fast progress (despite speedometer under reading) with IC manfully helming in big swell. Uncomfortable and wet (only one wave broke over us though), AD turns temporarily green after volunteering to go below to secure an errant Coke can - big mistake! Arrive off Corbiere at 16.10 then St Helier at 16.30 and eventually moor in marina at 17.15 after waiting for Condor. Set about drying out cushions etc. Scrubbed up, the boys set off for an enjoyable dinner at Bistro Rosa. Quite an early night after a long day! 30 miles sailed.
Friday 4th September
Despite being quite sunny in the shelter of the marina, the forecast is not good echoing yesterday's conditions. In common with several other boats, the team decide to stay put for the day, hang out the cushions to dry and explore Jersey after a very leisurely Calvers' breakfast. Armed with an excellent ice cream (recommended by the skipper - more food!) the team catch the 13.00 bus to St Aubin's Bay. Jersey buses are not built for passengers of Calvers' proportions. Unaware he gently brushes in passing the head of a Jersey matron, who mutters, moans and pats her perm all the way to our destination!
Mr Big
After a spot of shopping and a walk out to the Fort, the IB team catch another bus to the stunning St Brelade's Bay. AD is determined to dip a toe in the water (ill advised) so after indulging him the team retire to the Crabshack for an excellent light lunch. AD, only slightly influenced by something crisp and white, shows concern for a windsurfer in difficult offshore conditions. Fortunately the cardinal neither retreats nor advances during lunch!
The team agree, much to John's delight, to return to St Aubin's à pied. JW displays dodgy navigational skills by declaring the well formed steps and path only lead to a bench, thereby ensuring the team pick their way through the headland scrub to the amusement of passing walkers. AB, lost without his GPS thingy, struggles with a printed tourist map so the team tentatively seek directions from a group of Germans returning from ze bunker. Unconvinced the team follow their instincts by taking off after a girlie jogger who leads them down the hill to St Aubins closely pursued by ze Germans.
Early dinner at Salty Dog in St Aubins was a bit disappointing. The red was sent back and the team get the impression they are regarded as the troublesome table. Taxi back to the marina where buckets of wine are enjoyed by all whilst sorting out the world's political problems.
0 miles sailed, lots walked!
Saturday 5th September
After destination deliberations and refuelling (nothing compared to Tickled Pink's £10.5k top-up!), the team set out at 09.30 from St Helier on course for St Malo passing west of Minkies. Fortuitously they pass (10.10) close by AD's distressed windsurfer so he can reassure himself as to the cardinal's welfare. A good sail (F4 NW sea state moderate with residual swell) passing Minkies at 12.45 and final motor into St Malo arriving 17.15 (BST of course) to await the 18.00 lock.
Raft up on visitor pontoon and meet Harry (dog) and Billy (owner) who after years of sailing now cruises from Jersey in luxurious water caravan complete with satellite TV (England beating someone) and every type of electrical convenience. Too much for French electrics which repeatedly blow when tacKtic attempts to plug in. Thank heavens batteries well charges after motoring!
Dinner at Entre Deux Verres is excellent as always with interesting menu. The boys are amused by the French approach to circumventing the smoking ban - all the staff just walk outside together for a fag - sod the customers! Walk around, drink in bar then back to tacKtic to discuss anabolic digesters - why? Boys realise they have their own very special Calvers model on board; food in, methane out.
40 miles sailed.
Sunday 6th September
An unintentionally dynamic start! Drowsy, the team awake with just 8 minutes to race to the 06.00 lock. Make it, get through, get dressed and find buoy to recover with breakfast.
Set off 07.00 for a wonderful sunny sail west - destination to be decided en route. Wind SSE F3 subsiding, sea state calm. Up goes the spinnaker and a few tacks put in to keep the team on their toes; after all AD cannot be allowed to listen to his iPod undisturbed all day.
Arrive Treguier 16.00 and pick up a bouncy finger in the river marina. Washed down, the team head off up the hill to the main square in search of food on a Sunday evening in France. Settle for a perfectly acceptable if unexceptional meal in a forgettable restaurant (love the fake flowers and corny prints!). On post-prandial stroll back to the marina pop into 'Les Plaisanciers', an unprepossessing modern bar. AB and AD accept pool challenge from deux jeunes and much to everyone's amazement at the end of the evening emerge victorious thanks to a French foul pot of the black in the decider! Idle Bugger honour intact, the pair repair to tacKtic for a low key late night celebration.
52 miles sailed, many balls potted.
Monday 7th September
08.20 depart from Treguier on high water slack tide. Motor up the estuary with breakfast on the go. Some concern about the amount of surplus pig on board due to the wimpy behaviour of some of the crew. Achieve open water but wind S F1 occasionally 2 with still some residual swell. Reluctantly crew decide to motor to Guernsey. 18.00 arrive SPP and after short wait on pontoon head into QEIIM.
Day cheered up by Sally joining the boys for traditional last night dinner at Absolute End. Good food, empty restaurant. IB respectfully toasted, of course.
55 miles sailed, total trip 177 miles.
Tuesday 8th September
Calvers booked on an early flight back to reality. tacKtic is given her customary scrub 'n tweaks and left gleaming on the berth. AD & AB fly off in the evening after enjoying the Whittle's home hospitality.
Once again, all thanks to John, a wonderful escape from reality and suitable tribute to the Idle Bugger. After much discussion it was agreed this was the 7th IBMC, the 6th on tacKtic, so records and teamwear will be corrected in 2010. Can't wait!
