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Viking Invasion of The Golden Ball (Snatchem's) or "Elvis re-appears at Glasson"

Photographs by Jennifer Johnson

Forecast: Rain, wind and more rain. For once the forecast was right in the sense that it was as bad as they said it would be. The forecasts seem to err on the bad side these days so that when it is as bad as they predict it tends to catch one out.

Last week's enthusiasm had bubbled over by the time Saturday afternoon came round. When I rang up at 14.45 hours to see if it was still on I was told by Vicky that there were lots of people dressed up as Vikings running rampant all over the place. Not deterred by the promise of wet and windy weather the invasion force launched shortly after 16.00 hours. Perhaps extra confidence was provided by the fact that the local Coastguard from Knot End on Sea were paying us a visit. I missed most of the fun on the slip because we were late starting, the carer only arrived at 15.00 hours, but not all of it. I was being bellowed at from all sides as I pumped up the dinghy to "get a move on!" I answered back to two burly Vikings "well carry my dinghy down to the slip while I'm getting dressed". This they did admirably. However on getting down to the slip, desperate to catch up, we noticed that the dinghy was somewhat deflated and the valves looked different to when I'd left them?

The Inspection. Here the invasion force is lined up for inspection by the Viking Queen.

There were lots of photographers milling round and I'd be very grateful if I could have the loan of a few pictures. The lead boats were disappearing round the bend when we eventually got going. After the usual difficulties that arise when one tries to instruct (I think Sue said shout) one's partner we abandoned the traditional Viking oar steering method and resorted to 'left hand down a bit'. Sue kept insisting that everyone's going over the bank and I said don't worry we'll catch them up quickly if we stick to the tidal stream. Some time later, fighting to keep the dinghy, not helped I might add by the modification I'd made to the front of the dinghy to make it look like a longship, off the eastern shore, I said to Sue "you were right all the time, what a stupid idiot I am". I'd forgotten all about the wind in making my assessment of the situation. At this moment the Safety Boat offered us a tow to catch up with the others, which, much to Sue's disappointment I refused, having to fight them off an push the Safety Boat away. More time lost, the other dinghies had disappeared into the gloom. Dennis, Safety Boat coxswain, pointed out that he could see what I was up to, wanted to be last to the bar then I wouldn't need to pay.

Dennis's crew were Pat, Twang, and John, Curlew. John having been 'rescued' from Curlew tied to the racing buoy. It was still only overcast, the rain wasn't to start until we arrived at Snatchem's.

Out of the gloom loomed a true Viking ship. High prow, square striped sail and battle shields down both sides but strangely enough only one oarsman. It was Dr. Syn, Michael Bull, who had emerged from his overnight anchorage at Sunderland Point, taking everyone by surprise. Mike offered us a tow as well but again I declined, being determined to get there as planned, even if we had to give up if we met the others coming back. After all the idea was to have a pleasant cruise up the Lune on a glorious evening at the height of summer. I couldn't accept the idea that I needed a tow, I wanted to get there under my own steam, with lots of help from the tide of course.

I'm sure the leading boats in the expedition force were exchanging friendly banter but we missed all that, perhaps someone will write in about it. Concerned that we were the last, we were escorted all the way from the sewerage outlet to Snatchem's by the Coastguard. Dennis's conclusion proved to be correct. Sue said have you got any money for drinks? In the rush to embark we had forgotten that it wouldn't be free refreshments when we got to the pub. Anne stepped into the breech and bought us a drink and crisps. John gave Sue 50p for a Mars bar before we left. I think everyone enjoyed their visit to the pub, much to the amusement of the regulars. There's not a lot to compare with a warm pub and beer when you're cold and wet staggering up the beach (that's a euphemism for mud and stones). All the costumes, poses and boats were discussed and it soon emerged who were the best dressed crew and boats. It started to rain and by this time we were beginning to feel the cold. I began to wonder if we'd been wise to embark. The wind was considerably stronger than the ebbing tide.

We set off back, this time we, Sue and I, were among the first to re-launch. I thought it would be a good idea, as I'd done on the way up but didn't manage to achieve it, to hug the windward shore and hopefully reduce the effect of the wind on the boat. As on the outward leg I didn't manage it but Dave and Nigel Riley, Za Za, did quite well.

The Safety Boat set off and one by one picked up the stragglers, eventually towing a stream of eight boats. Richard and Vicky, trying out their new sea angling boat, picked up a few more, including us, four in all. I'm not sure who it was, Ian of Jenny?, but one decent sized hard dinghy had by this time put their engine over the back and were towing a smaller hard dinghy. Dr Syn had also put his motor on and was towing Jeff and Lynda. So there we were struggling like several families of ducks battling into the wind and the wind over tide waves. We couldn't see clearly what was happening but the Safety Boat's 'family' were thrashing around in the water. There were a lot of oars flying and it looked like they were 'splashing' each other in true seaside fashion. All this time the Coastguard was hovering around us providing us with a sense of security. In the distance out front was Dave and Nigel Riley rowing away. I didn't see Tony, Tarnimara, who was in a canoe.

The rain came down harder and the waves increased in size but we all made it safely back and poured into the new showers full of the adrenaline and excitement of it all. Only one dinghy made it under there and back, without assistance. Dave and Nigel Riley. Another valiant participant also made it there and back, Tony in the canoe. The best dressed boat was without doubt Mike Bull's Dr. Syn. The best dressed and most impressive Viking was Derek of 'Shona'. Dave and Nigel Riley were also pretty convincing and the many other fine costumes as well, not least our Social Secretary Anne (who has flown of to Greece today to find some sunshine - it was good of her to give up the final hours before departure to oversee the event) and her crew or the crew that Anne was with. Anne was delighted with the efforts of you all.

Whilst all this was going on Peter Gardner, Alma, and Jo Marsden, Weasel, had prepared a fine banquet which was thoroughly enjoyed by all who savoured it. Just the ticket, if you were lucky enough to get one, for a cold and miserable winter, sorry summer's evening. They made a profit on the 'barbecue' of £66,12p for the Club.

There's still more to come. Anne provided background music, whilst we were eating, on her 'squeeze box'. Once all the dishes were cleared away and the tables rearranged the serious musical entertainment began. Anne started off with three folk tunes on her squeeze box (what's the correct name for it?) followed by two encores. Tony took over then and entertained us with some classical jazz numbers, or classical numbers played in a jazz way (sorry I'm not well up on music). Then it was Alice's turn. She sang "When you're smiling". Patrick then played a serious number with Tony backing him. After an interval Tony and Patrick played some more but the highlight of the evening was the other historical re-enactment. Elvis had revived once more in the person of Peter Gardner who rounded off the entertainment.

I'd welcome any other versions of this tale, after all I missed a lot of what was going on. Some members considered the whole event such a success that they want to repeat it next year. What do you think?

Twenty boats in all took part plus the Safety Boat and the Coastguard's RIB.

The Coastguard's RIB was mannd by Station Officer John Bradbury's two sons and another coastguard. John was in the Landrover. We spotted the Landrover near the pylons on the way back.

Ivan sailed up and back in his Laser, Ivanocean, it was quite hairy for him on the way back, so much so, that his capsize off the slip at the end was unintentional. Those of us who watch Ivan regularly know that he loves to capsize just for kicks but this one was for real. Ian's (I think it was Ian's) hard dinghy towing the other hard dinghy ran out off fuel with the slip in sight. Dr. Syn added them to his chicks for the final cable or so. A canoe, twelve rubber dinghies, two hard dinghies, Alison's boat, built entirely by herself (how about a few details or story about it Alison?), a dayboat, Ivan's Laser, Mike Bull's Wayfarer, Richard and Vicky's Sea Angling boat and the Safety Boat, made up the flotilla.

Considering the appalling weather conditions, we think that it was an excellent turnout for a fun event. Probably the highest turnout of boats for one event since the height of the dinghy racing many years ago.

All those years ago there used to be an annual 'Pint to Pint' race for dinghies. I'm not sure if they went all the way to Lancaster, which is well within their scope, but all the crews had what I call a 'Le Mans start'. They each had to consume a pint of alcohol, laid out on a table outside the clubhouse, then drink a pint again at Snatchem's and drink a pint when they got back before the race finished. That's just a guess of what took place, Martin Topping would know better what used to happen but he's on holiday. Presumably this race gradually died out when the breathalyser came into being. The last few 'Pint to Pints' that I remember were divided into two races. A normal race start with refreshment, non-alcoholic being allowed, at the end of the first race at Snatchem's. After a rest, the second race, starting at Snatchem's, was back to the finish outside the OOD box. The winner was the one with the lowest points over the two races, 3/4 of a point for first place and then 2 for second, 3 for 3rd etc.

Comments from George and Avril Chorlton: (George had also prepared a Viking vocabulary, which was atached to the notice whiteboard - I'll circulate it we go next year, knowing George I'd better read it first) What a superb day out. From my daughter on hearing the tale: "sounds as though you where vikings going up and Dunkirk coming back" From our boat: Erik (we where all called Erik in our boat) the flippant (=George) )" passed the pylons, soon be round the bend" Erik the flower pot (the origin of his helmet)(=Derek)" you mean the corner, we've been round the bend all afternoon" Erik the sensible was also in our boat. He had an anorak to put on when it rained! As was Erik the wetarsed and Erik the bedraggled and Erik fullbladder and erik the turkey(did you see what my helmet was made of?) Erik the blind(his specs got covered in spray and he claims to be poorly sighted in ideal conditions) was our helm on the way back

There was also, in another boat, Erik the slightly fearsome, because his helmet had a mask attached, but we dont know who it was because of the mask.

Assuming we do it again next year, Jeff's keen to do so I understand, have you any suggestions? I know rubber dinghies were stressed but there are a few of you who use Mirrors and hard dinghies, they would have been within the spirit of the event and hopefully will turn out if we do it again next year.

 

The Commodore. Alice is one of the maidens but who is the blonde?

 

Preparations. Dave Holden and Damian Perigo getting their Viking ship ready to take down to the slip.

 

Not the last!. Alison and her crew have not made it to the slip yet, nor have Michael and Sue Swarbrick who were even later