The Westerly Owners' Association - South West Group

Fitting-out weekend to Guernsey – a rather long weekend!

The story really starts in earlier July 2007 when George and Rachael Curnow and Ian and Jo Munday were visiting Guernsey in their boats – Goldeneye and Pisces. Following a channel dash from Salcombe to St Peter Port in a rather small weather window they rested a few days on the island and explored the western coast on bus and foot. During this time they came across the L’Eree Bay hotel, a quiet little hostelry near the Northwest tip with stunning views to the Hanois Light and the open sea. Rather taken with the setting and the friendliness of the management, a seed of an idea was planted in George’s mind of organising a winter weekend for the SW Group for the traditional early spring fitting out weekend. Despite our best advice and counselling he decided to pursue the idea and the early attempts to get him sectioned under the mental health act failed too.

The Westerlys

So it came to pass that, knowing full well the risks of the vagaries of the weather and the ferry operator, 54 intrepid Westerlys met up at the Condor Ferry terminal in Weymouth on the Friday morning. The group included some serious heavy hitters from the main committee with our Vice Commodore Brian Easteal and Denise and Christine and Richard Bull. So keen were the command level of WOA to witness this bit of winter foolishness that even the Commodore himself was due to fly out solo on the Saturday morning to join Moira who came over with us all by sea.

A sporty but rapid crossing of two and a half hours in a brisk Westerly 6 -7 was experienced; and I am pleased to report that nobody disgraced themselves. As with all things Curnow, the organisation was impeccable and we all were hosted by the Guernsey Yacht Club for lunch and then picked up by transport various, and taken to the L’Eree Bay Hotel. Guernsey Yacht Club were extremely friendly and became our second home on the island during the stay – so if you are visiting Guernsey do drop in on them and mention WOA for a warm welcome. A number of members also experienced the new accommodation of the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club in Guernsey and they were treated royally too – so we have made some good yacht club contacts for future reference.

L’Eree Bay Hotel	All on the bus

So on to the hotel we went. This, at £27/night per person BB and evening meal, surpassed all expectations. A few snags for some with heating and hot water but soon resolved by the friendly and ever attentive staff and the general view was that this was an adequate 2 star hotel with 4 star service and food. They looked after the whole group extremely well and we looked after their bar profits with equal attention!

Saturday dawned bright, brisk and clear and groups of Westerlys took advantage of the excellent public transport system on the Island (60p for all journeys) and explored, walked, lunched and had a great time.
Brian’s new tie!

Sunday was a wild day where a few hangovers were blown away towards Alderney by the brisk 8-9 Southerly. This wind and sea state was to affect our stay in a significant way in the end. The Sunday evening Gala dinner was excellent and we were entertained by our guest George Gaudin, who had travelled over from Jersey to meet up with us. George gave us an informative seafaring talk on the ways and history of the Channel Islands early Icelandic fishing fleets and the men who sailed in them.
Also attending the dinner and generally hosting us on the Island was David and Pat Evans, a Guernsey Westerly couple. We thank all of these local Westerlys for their help and assistance.

It was on Sunday that we learnt that due to the weather the Condor fast ferry had cancelled and that we would be experiencing a slightly slower passage home. So on Monday the Westerlys embarked on the Commodore Clipper along with all the freight lorries and a team of young school hockey players in a similar situation. With comfortable cabin accommodation and a smooth crossing this ship is to be recommended and actually the slight extension just added a bit more social involvement to the trip.

Arriving now in Portsmouth on Tuesday morning our 53 Westerlys (one had chosen to fly home) embarked by coach to finally complete the circle back at Weymouth by lunchtime.

So the great adventure ended and what stunning organisation by GC it was. With a flexible approach, everything fell into shape and we all agreed that a great time was had by all. It just goes to show that sometimes genius is born out of insanity! So where to next year? I’ve seen him looking at some brochures on Skidoo driving in Iceland…. And I’ve hidden them!