Log Extract for Dolphin No.2 Damsel

An Extract of the Log for “Damsel” Dolphin Sail No. 2

Sally Ridley contacted Tom Hunt in 2009 with information and some photos of the unusual life that Damsel has had. We have contact details if anyone requires them.We are very grateful to Sally for preparing the log and photos and for letting the Class have them.

Damsel’s home was at Oxford, while she was the property of Mr. F.E.Hicks, who was usually known as Ted Hicks. She went up to Rhosneigr on Anglesea for sailing during school holidays. Ted was a schoolmaster at the Dragon School in Oxford. She travelled there by train. In 1952, Ted constructed a cabin on her, so that he could maintain her on the Thames at Oxford, but sail her further afield. Her log [for 1952, 1953, 1954] reads as follows

… Summer 1952

Friday, 1 Aug. Weather S.W. mod. Heavy rain shower in morning & early afternoon & again in the evening. We spent the morning getting stores down to Medley in a taxi and with the school cart. The taxi driver was kind and took his car right across to the bridge, leaving some of his exhaust pipe behind on the way! I went back with the cart, leaving Sally (Ted’s daughter) in charge of the boat & Phyl (Ted’s wife) and I came down together at about 2.45. Spent one and a half hours loading up & finally started, or tried to start, at 5.10, after a good deal of trouble getting the outboard to start. We motored through Oxford with the mast down making a noise like a million bees buzzing. Through Osney lock at 5.25 & Iffley at 6.15, where we put the mast up. John Dunbabin & mother & sister, also Tom Stanier, helped us through & John got us some water. We then motored on as far as the railway bridge.

There we laced on the sails & sailed down to Sandford with a very gentle breeze, passing through at 8.25 & finally tied up half a mile below at 9.0. It has taken us some time to get organised and at 10.30 we are fed and almost ready for bed. Raining a bit. Saturday, 2nd August. Weather. Showery all day S.W. wind strong at times Set sail 8.35 Passed Gerd Somerhof & crew after about ½ mile. Some difficulty getting past Nuneham & Radley owing to trees. A good sail afterwards as far as railway bridge, under which we motored.

Another good sail as far as Abingdon Lock 11am, then motored on to Abingdon, where Phyl did some shopping. Left 12.30 and tacked up past the Abbey Sailing Club in a heavy shower & gusty wind. Culham Cut still under sail at 1.0 & Culham Lock 1.30. Sailed down to Appleford Bridge. Mast down and motored afterwards, but a good lunch, tied up just short of the bridge. A heavy downpour directly after lunch, Clifton Lock 4.15, Days Lock 6.0. Motored down a little way below and cooked supper of fried eggs and bacon on the bank. Left again 8.10 , tying up at Bridge House by Shillingford at 9.10. 14 miles in all. Sunday, 3rd August. Weather as yesterday, but wind very strong at times. Left 10.5. Benson Lock 11.0 then a splendid sail after Wallingford Bridge as far as the Moulsford Railway Bridge 1.5, tacking all the time in a strong wind, with 2 rolls down. Beetle and Wedge for petrol & water at about 3.0, a very heavy downpour here, followed by a splendid sail to Cleeve Lock 4.30. There was racing along this reach, but we managed not to get too involved. Met up with a nice boat “Beta” in the lock, a motor sailer. Goring Lock 5.0 then under motor to the second bridge. Tied up for an evening meal in the long reach before Pangbourne. Set sail again 7.20 Whitchurch Lock 8.0 Sailed on gently till just short of Mapledurham, where we are now tied up, in a calm evening. Hopes for some better weather tomorrow. Monday, 4th August. Bank Holiday. Weather S.W. wind, strong at times. Several heavy thunderstorms. Sailed 9.10 Sailed to Mapledurham 9.25 & then motored down past Tilehurst, then a pleasant sail in a fairly strong wind down to Caversham. Motored under Caversham Bridge & tied up at Salters. I went for milk and to phone Robin Foster, but had only to leave a message for him. Motored on under Reading Bridge & Caversham Lock 12.35. Heavy rain here. A good sail to Sonning 1.35 & Shiplake 2.40, where we hit an overhead wire with the mast (no damage). Lunch just short of Wargrave on the bank. Left 3.50 & sailed on to Henley (heavy rain). Tied up at the town quay & tried to phone the Rambauts, no luck. Started out again, but met Tom & Atti just by Henley Bridge, also Hugh & Stephanie, who asked us up to baths and supper .. very good indeed and a good night tied up at the quay again, though it rained heavily. Tuesday, 5th August. Tom Rambaut joined us at about 9.0, we having asked him to come down as far as Marlow with us. Weather fine with moderate S.W. wind. After passing through Henley Bridge 10.30. we had a lively sail down the Regatta course, with the wind dead aft. Tom steered well & no accidental gybes happened. Hambledon Lock 11.25 & Hurley Lock 1.15, sailing all the time. We tied up for lunch just short of Temple Lock, a very good lunch too .. cold tongue and salad! Moved on at 2.50, reaching Marlow lock at 3.25, where Tom left. Sailed on easily to Bourne End, where we stopped for a new batten & a cup of tea. Left Bourne End at 5.15 Cookham 6.5 then under motor to Boulters 6.55 and Bray 7.35, then drifted with the sails up just short of Windsor Race Course, where we moored in the dark 10.10. Wednasday 6th August. Left in a mist & general hot day haze 9.50. Motored to Boveney Lock, where we caught the telephone wires with the mast – no damage either way (10.10) Windsor 10.45 .

Telephone and shopping, then on to Romney at 12.0, no wind and very hot. Motored to old Windsor 2.10. Sailed on very gently as far as Staines (stopping to phone on the way) Staines 3.45 – here lunch rather late, also a thunderstorm. Left 7.25 Pentonhook 7.50 & then tied up in gentle rain on the Laleham Reach, where we had sailed in the Moths at the beginning of the holidays. Thursday 7th August. Fine early, but mist. Wind S.W. strong & rain later. Left at 8.55 Chertsey Lock 9.10 Held up at Shepperton for some time for lighters and tugs coming through & only entered at 11.0 Called on the Bretts at Halliford – coffee and telephone, all sorts of help over moorings for the night at Richmond. We hear that Francis left Oxford at 11.0, hoping to catch us at Kingston Bridge, so Phyl went by bus to meet up with him there, while Sally and I had an exciting sail down, with 6 rolls in the mainsail for part of the time, passing Sunbury and Molsey Locks & getting to Kingston Bridge at 4.15, where we picked up Phyl and Francis. On to Teddington on the motor, passing through at 5.10 & so to Richmond, where the motor stopped dead with no petrol, while we were just going to shoot the bridge. However, we managed to get her in to a landing & F & I rushed off for more petrol. On we go to Richmond & Sims moorings, where we were made very comfortable indeed by old Mr. Sims & his son. Friday 8th August. Fine early. Rather windy S.W. & occasional showers. Spent most of the morning tidying up & rearranging the boat as Mike is to arrive today sometime. Phyl and the children decided to spend the night at the Bretts & not come down river any further. Mike joined at about 3.0. A drink with old Mr. Sims in the evening. He has been most kind and helpful. To bed about 9.50. Saturday 9th August. Woke 4am. & started to get the boat ready – pouring rain & strong wind S.W. The River Police came to see what we are about! Left 5.30 as advised by Mr. Sims with the last of the flood against us for the first hour or so.

We made 3 miles in the first hour even so, with the motor running very well & using one tankful per hour, about. The rain fell steadily and hard all the way down river. Very little difficulty – the manners of the various tug-masters seem to be very much better than most motorists! We went merrily along with the ebb under the numerous London bridges, finally passing Tower Bridge at 9.0, hoisted our sails, turned the motor off and went bowling down the river with 6 rolls down & going like a train. Passed Greenwich 9.30, but alas just short of Earith 12.0, the tide turned against us & we went very slowly on, then anchored for lunch short of Greenhithe by the cement works at 12.50. A leisurely lunch & a general drying out of wet things followed, as by then the sun had come out. The wind however steadily increased, so that, when the tide turned about 4.30, we decided to find some anchorage at Greenhithe & ran down there at a terrific rate of knots & were very kindly shown where to anchor by someone from The Worcester (5.0). Tea and more drying out & consideration of how to get ashore to send a wire to Phyl. Got a lift ashore with some Scouts from an M.T.B. & got beer as well as sending a telegram to Phyl. Lay quite quietly with a wire strop on to lengthen the anchor warp. Wind strong & had to have an anchor light on, as a tug was expected – the lamp kept on being jerked out by steamer washes. Sunday 10th August. Wind still S.W. and strong – rain squalls. Considered sailing on the morning tide, but decided to wait till the evening, in case it should take off a bit. Motored up to the Worcester to ask if we could use their jetty to get water. We met our same friend as last night, who promptly invited us on board for tea with his wife and daughter. He was Lt. Commander B.N.Knight, retired from the navy after being badly knocked about in the war. Our tea on board turned into lunch, being shown around the Worcester & Cutty Sark & a bathe and shave. Filled up with water and tea before setting off on the evening tide at 4.20 approx. It really was a most hospitable reception. We sailed with the mainsail reefed right down to the hounds & no jib – even then we were tearing along over the tide, which was still running in quite hard. Gravesend 5.30, surprisingly quiet as it was just high water. Tilbury Buoy 5.55, Ovens Buoy 6.5 Lower Hope 6.25 Mucking1 6.33 W. Blyth 6.39 Thames Haven Pt. 6.42 Shell Haven 6.54 All the time running down easily with very little canvas & the wind still fresh. We saw the entrance to Holehaven and turned in for it, but we had not reckoned with the tide & were half a mile down river before we could do much about it. So my error made us spend 2 hrs. steadily hoisting more and more canvas to beat back over the tide. Damsel took it very well and creamed along, just beating the tide. When at last we could turn in, we charged up the creek like an express train. The bar was a bit scarifying, but nothing much to worry about. So down went the anchor nicely in the channel at 8.30 & it has taken us another 3 hours to clear up the mess of water and what not & to feed & get to bed. Monday 11th August. Left Holehaven in clear calm weather at 5.30. Wind W & light, but freshening steadily Holehaven Pier 5.45. Black Can Buoy 6.08, then down the south side of Sea Reach (E. Blyth 6.40) West Nore Sand 7.10, Middle Swatch 7.27 , the tide well under us and going strong Nore Swatch 7.35 Then away across the Cant to Spile Buoy 8.28, W. Middle 8.28, W. Spaniard 8.58, Mid Spaniard 9.07. A long hop across to W. Last 10.23 & then an easy sail into the Horse Channel. Horse Red 10.30, Mid Last 10.35, East Last 10.40, Hook Spit 10.42, South Spit 10.55, South Margate 11.30, Margate Pier 11.50. By now the tide has turned against us, but by pinching it down to the Longnose, we could still have a fair tide to the Downs. The wind steadily freshened and we were running too fast, so down came 3 rolls – even then she went fast down to Longnose, where we hauled our wind and tried to keep inshore in the calmer water – down to 6 rolls. As we came round the North Foreland it was obvious that we would have too much sea to get to Ramsgate, so about turn and back to Margate, a hard beat to windward & entered Margate harbour at 1400, where a yacht club boatman put us on a mooring. Drying out ever since, as everything got very wet. Tuesday 12th August. Wind S.W. fresh to strong, anyway too strong for us, so spent the whole day in Margate harbour, an unpleasant spot if ever there was one! Nothing much to report. Dried out at each low tide, making sleep difficult. Wed. 13th August. Wind S.W. moderate. Left Margate 7.30 Ran down to Longnose Buoy 7.55. Then a beat to windward against the tide, North Foreland light abeam 8.17 A very wet sail with 6 rolls down followed, keeping close inshore to avoid the worst of the sea. Came into Ramsgate harbour 10.15 after having to lie off to let various drifters and a dredger come out. Finally we got the signal, 2 black balls, & came hurrying in and tied up against the wall. Lunch after drying out – fried fish, potatoes and beer. Too much wind to sail again yet. Spent the rest of the day shopping and drying out. Cooked a meal with many onlookers from the harbour wall. Invited aboard Panacea to a late drink of tea in the evening, they being on the way to Calais. Calm evening. Thursday 14th August. Wind N light. Left Ramsgate 10.40 B3 Buoy 11.11 B2 11.34 Wind was mostly very light, but, with a good tide, we were off the South Foreland about 1.0. Called up to the man on duty at Dover 2.30 to report that we were going on to Newhaven, having decided that it was calm enough to sail at night. Motored to Dungeness, where we asked the weather forecast from the Pilot boat cruising off at 7.25. They told us ‘Light variable with some showers’. Dungeness abeam 7.55 and ran out of petrol a mile beyond. Mike to sleep while we waited for wind. This came light Northerly soon after dark. Avoided steamer 23.30, otherwise a quiet night & reefed down during it to about 5 rolls. Friday 15th August. Wind North Moderate. Dungeness low light lost at 0108 Royal Sovereign light visible 1.45. Passed Royal Sov. 0400 Beachy Head abeam 0641 and a splendid sail to Newhaven with the wind forward of the beam and we reached across the bay, tying up inside at 0900. Went ashore and shopped. Telegram to P. Had a cup of tea and left Newhaven 10.30, wind having strengthened to East. Brighton Pier abeam 12.40 and up to Shoreham 1400, where we put in in a nasty sea. Inside we wandered around, trying to find somewhere to moor. Finally we anchored for tea on the sand & went to sleep – much needed! Later moved up the creek and moored at Pinks Easton. Thunderstorm and strong S.W. wind in the evening. Saturday 16th August. Wind variable, light to strong, S.W to N. Left at 10.15 Harbour piers 10.45 in rather a large sea, Naval vessel leaving at same time. 4 rolls, but soon taken out as the wind went light. Worthing 1220 pier abeam Littlehampton 1440. Wind now became strong for a little as a thunderstorm about, so we went in to the lee of the beach for lunch 1600! Left again 1620 Bognor 1705 & made course for the Looe Channel, where we picked up the marks very easily, the Mixen Beacon was visible a long way off & the Pillar and Street Buoys very soon after.

Tide was still against, but the sea, though confused at times, was nothing very much. Cleared the Looe at 1855 & started to beat up the Solent. We asked another boat, that was doing the same, if they could lead us in anywhere, but they wanted the same thing themselves! So we kept on & in the end picked up the forts, with the idea of going in to Portsmouth or possibly Cowes. Mike worked out the way up the channel and by midnight we were through the forts. Sunday 17th August. Wind still N. fairly strong. Egypt Point 0119 & then we felt we might as well go on to Beaulieu & anchored off the entrance at 0230, where we went to sleep. Moved on about 0800 and sailed along the shore to Thorns Beach, where we saw Phyl, Sally and Francis, Don (Tew) and Tavi (Sally’s dog). Sailing at Thorns Beach, Yarmouth, Cowes, Osborne Bay, Newtown, Lymington, Yarmouth – Lymington. 29th August. Wind light Easterly. Sally crew. Left Thorns Beach 1345. Tacked down to Cowes, where wind fell very light off the Prince Consort Buoy. Motored and sailed in two tacks to past Tank Duke & Esso boats. Ryde Pier then out again past the HMS Formidable & so out through the forts to Seaview. No Man’s Land 1940 & up the channel to Bembridge in the half dark. Tied up to a mooring at 2040. A quiet night with some rain. 30th August Wind S.E. Mod. Rather poor visibility. Left Bembridge after shopping & getting the weather forecast at 1000. Reefed after leaving the channel, 6 rolls by the Fort; rather a wet sail with the wind ahead. Tacked out to Langston Fairway Buoy 1210 – visibility about 1 mile, wind fell light about 1300. Motor and sail in order to catch the tide at the Looe. A long tack out past Wittering up to the Street and Pillar Buoys at 1530. The Looe was quiet with a nasty lop in the overfall, however. Ran down through the Park with the genoa set as a spinnaker. Sally steered for hours on end without tiring. Shelley Rock buoy1800 where we sighted two minelayers off Littlehampton. Winter Knoll buoy 1845. Wind freshened a little and we had an easy run into Littlehampton at 1945, where we tied up at the quay by the harbour master’s office 1/6 dues. Supper of fried fish and chips bought locally! 31st August Clear early. Wind S.W. freshening from moderate to rather strong – sea rather rough. Decided against sailing & spent rather a dreary day in harbour. Littlehampton not a very attractive spot! 1st September Clear morning. Light variable N.W. to start with. Left Littlehampton 0815 with the motor just stemming the tide, which runs in very strongly (6 knots at Springs). A very slow sail round towards Worthing. Sally with a headache, but had a good sleep. Wind suddenly freshened – W. – off Worthing Pier 1200. Reefed before Shoreham 6 rolls. Freshened again – 10 rolls. Sea increasing steadily. Off Brighton 1345. Sea got up considerably. Damsel began planing on the crests. We put up the canvas covers & Sally secured the anchor, which was breaking adrift. Came hurtling into Newhaven 1600 – fairly exciting passage, some of it very fast indeed. Remained in harbour the rest of the day, watching the Cross Channel traffic & two more yachts came in. 2nd September. Wind still strong W. to S.W. Decided not to sail. Shopped in the morning. Rain at times during the day. We were invited on board someone’s boat, whose name I never found out. Both the owner & the boat were fairly elderly & very charming. Weather forecast for tomorrow good. Early night, intending to leave for Dover 0530. 3rd Sept. Wind W. to N.W. clearish sky but nasty dawn. Left 0530 & made sail in the harbour entrance. Had to reef straight away, the wind coming hard from the S.W.. Turned round and put back in again, so yet another day at Newhaven. Now too late to think of going to Oxford via London.

Telephoned Phyl to that effecf, as, if we get held up again at Dover, we may have to stay the winter there; so back to the Solent it is. Sally made a collection of the boats… Worthing, Brighton, Arromanches, Londres, Nantes, Brest, Foremost. 4th Sept. Forecast N.W. mod. winds & so it was. Left Newhaven 1030 – tempted to go to Dover, but resisted it! Tacked all day in a fairly fresh N.W. wind, which faded out towards the evening. We were off Shoreham about 1400, still tacking. The wind then dropped and we had to sail & motor to Worthing; there a squall arrived and we sailed quickly towards Littlehampton on a very low tide, beginning to turn against us. Hit the bottom several times off Littlehampton entrance, finally wrenching out the centreboard winch! Crept into the harbour – wet from the rain and rather cold. Tied up alongside a motor launch at 2000 – no sign of a harbour master. Navy Week still on here & there was a Naval Fishery vessel alongside. Intend to leave early tomorrow. 5th Sept. Wind N. moderate – overcast and rather misty. Left 0730. Fine offshore wind. Bognor 0845 going fast with one or two rolls down. Padgam Lake 0940 (very much ahead of the tide for the Bill at 1200!) Off Selsey 1000 (2 hrs. yet to a favourable tide!). Took down foresail for the tide run off the Bill & 5 rolls down, but still going well over the tide ( Equinox Spring too!). Rounded the Bill 1015 cheating the tide along the shore & occasionally having to get out into the tumble of wind & tide – no water aboard! Roared up the Solent still well rolled down, but with jib up – tried full sail, but she was too pressed. Chichester harbour abeam 1115 – sea rather confused here, but grew calmer as we neared the Forts. Forts passed at 1235. Crossed the measured mile in 13.5 mins – still 4 rolls down 1316. N.E. Ryde Middle 1325 Cowes abeam 1400 & so to Thorns 1450. A glorious sail it was too! Phyl and I sailed her round to Gins in the twilight & crept in through Needs Oar, pushing her over by the withy; up the Beaulieu River in the moonlight & tied her up to Mary Helen to find John waiting on board with a dinghy waiting. ( John and Helen Tew)

... SUMMER 1953

31st July. Launched on John Graham’s trailer at Thorns at 1230. Afternoon spent fitting out – one rigging screw missing, but all else well. Took in some water during the afternoon, but not as much as expected. Sailed about 1730 with Ian Tew as crew – engine only as far as the yard at Lymington. John came round after supper to fetch Ian. Drinks on board Fedoa till about 2230. 6mi. 1st August. Woke early & cleared up. Finally went shopping about 1030. John & everyone turned up about 11.0. Sailed from the yard 12.15. Uneventful voyage to Thorns arriving just in time for lunch at 1345! John’s birthday.

Helen helped me pack up & mended the foresail, which I had stupidly torn. Sailed at 1515 for Seaview or Bembridge. Wind light to mod. W. Tide against, so took a long time to get anywhere. Cowes Week just beginning & many craft about. Anchored off Seaview 2030 & went on shore by rubber dinghy. Phoned Phyl . 26 mi. 2nd August . Sailed from Seaview 0945 Wind light N.E. Very slow and hot passage to Chichester harbour. Bar buoy at 1300. Long beat up to Emsworth in a freshening wind. Met Phyl, Francis & Sally and Keith Taylor at Emsworth at about 1600. Some difficulty in finding moorings, but got one for the night. I slept on board, in case we had to move. 3rd August. Met a Mr. Randle in the early morning, who showed me a mooring belonging to the Slipper Club, which we took gratefully. We all sailed down to East Head to try to connect with John Clay, whom I had promised to meet. We failed to find him at first, so sailed on to Itchenor & then back again & finally anchored at East Head. John sailed by in Fairwind K 544 & I hailed him. Had a sail, but not enough wind to plane. Back to Emsworth in the evening on to the new mooring 15mi. 4th August. Phyl & I sailed in morning to East Head – lunch at Sandy Point – poor holding for anchor. Down creek to other side of Thorney Island. Passed Island Sailing Club – tried to find the way across to Itchenor by narrow channel, but failed. ( Channel does not in fact exist). Back on mooring about 1900 16mi. 5th August. Wind S.W. fresh to mod. Sailed in morning with F. S. & T. to East Head for lunch, then out to Bar Buoy and back. Reefed all day 4 – 6 rolls. Back on moorings at 1800. 6th August Wind W. veering N.W. light to mod. Sailed at 1215 – explored the way to Church Buoy by Langston – remember leave large post (part of some obstruction) to port on way up. Sailed down to Mill Rythe Buoy & up the Rythe as far as where it forks – lunch at anchor in mid-channel on the way up. Sailed thence to Bar Buoy & on towards the Nab – breeze veering more N. all the time. Met G. & T. Taylor in a Scow on the way home. Back on moorings about 1715. A good day P.F.S.T.T. 12 mi. 7th August. Wind W. & S., light sea to nil. Sailed 1245 – tacked down to Sandy Point in 1 hr.& out to Bar Buoy – course W. for Bembridge – allowing for N. going tide – brought us straight to the Warner Buoy. Unable to get into Bembridge – tide too low – ran down to Sea View & anchored just south of Pier remains 1630. P. S. F. T. all went ashore & reported having seen A.R.’s (Tony Retey’s) car. This proved right & I met Dolly on the beach & as we sailed out, we met Tony sailing too. Course E. back to Bar Buoy again, allowing for tide – this time, S.-going. Visibility not good & it was only after putting on the motor for ½ hour that we were able to pick up the entrance & Bar Bouy. Motored back to moorings, giving a tow to a boat called Wiffler. Damsel on moorings by 2100 – a very good day’s sail. 26 mi. 8th August Sat. Wind E. to S.E. mod. To light, decreasing. Got a lift to Damsel with Peter Cruikshank – sailed about 1200 – quite a sea of wind against tide at Sandy Pt. (1300) – a splendid sail across to Sea View in 1 hr. 10 mins. – met A.R.there & had lunch after a bathe. Tried to get to Bembridge afterwards, but wind had gone too light & the tide was too low. Had to motor some of the way back – though, for a time, the wind increased a little. On moorings about 2115 – K.T. caught a mackerel. 26mi. 9th August. Wind S.E. light – mod. – very fine & warm. Dallas & Eileen Brett & Martin came. Sailed down to East Head for lunch & some sailing in the afternoon, with a very lazy return in the evening – moorings by 1930. Little else to report 12mi. 10th August. Wind light N.to N.E. very fine and warm. Sailed to East Head for lunch – bathed all day & sailed back in the evening 9mi. 11th August. Repaired centre-board winch & fitted spinnaker halyards. No sailing. Wind S.E. mod. 12th August Wind S.E. to S. mod. Thundery shower in afternoon. Sailed 1130 & beat down to Sandy Point & out on to the bar, looking for mackerel. Wind died as shower came up – so came inside again. Tried out spinnaker – good.. Out again over the bar at about 1600 & after meeting George Paechter in a Firefly. Went out to within ½ mi. of Nab Tower. Caught 2 mackerel on the way back. Wind died again in the evening & we had to motor up to Emsworth. On moorings by 2100 & cleared up by 2120 (22 mi. ?). 13th August. Wind fresh W. fine – did not sail. 14th August. Wind S.W. light to mod. – fine. Sailed 1030 over bar against the tide & wind all the time – a long tack across to Horse Sand Fort. Went about & sailed to the Nab – passed by HMS Zephyr, also tug towing Frigate F.73. Rounded the Nab 1845 approx. & laid course back to the harbour entrance with spinnaker set. A school of porpoises played about under the boat for some time – we tried to photograph these without success, as they always came up to blow just at the wrong place. Up to the bar buoy about 2030. Here we saw a boat aground & asked if we could help, but not wanted. However, as we went on, we saw her crew kedging inshore to even shallower water & so went back & showed them where the deeper water was & also the channel in which they had got wrong. Owing to this it was dark by the time we were off Hayling I.S.C., so we had to grope our way up to Emsworth 4 ½ mi. away. All went well & we were moored up by 1030 after really quite an easy passage up under motor for the most part. 30mi. 15th August. Emsworth Regatta. Did not sail. 16th August. Emsworth Slipper Club Regatta. Wind S.W. to W. Raced in Cabin Cruiser handicap. Marker points Sweare Deep – Church buoy - Sweare Deep – finish. Came in first, but failed to save two mins. Of time – placed 2nd on corrected time 5mi. 17th August. Sailed about 1200 to East Head (motor partly), anchored there & then on to Bosham – very fine afternoon – beat back to East H. & ran easily back to Emsworth by 1900 14mi. 18th August. Sailed down to Sandy Point & out to the bar buoy. Tea in Maughan Rythe & a good sail home with genoa as a spinnaker. 12mi. 19th to 26th August. No sailing, strong S.W. wind. 26th August. Sailed with Michael out beyond bar buoy & back, good breeze, dying away in the evening. Decided to go down to Sandy Pt. for the night & start home next day on early tide. Left Emsworth 2210 & tied to a buoy in Maughan Rythe about 2300 – calm night. (260 mi. total so far) 27th August. Thurs. Wind light N.W. Sailed 0530 & made our way out to the bar buoy in semi-darkness & a strong ebb tide – after a bit of a mishap with the small white 3-tonner near us. There was a heavy overfall on the bar, which was rather eerie in the half light. Sailed along merrily, but with little wind, out to the Looe channel, passing Street & Pillar buoys. The Looe was very quiet & what wind there had been fell very light soon afterwards, so that some motoring was necessary to keep going, though tide carried us on well. We cleared the Park at 0830 & were off Littlehampton soon after 0930. The wind freshened from the West to S.W. as the day wore on. Brighton was abeam by 1330 & soon we were reefed right down & using the drogue – coming in to Newhaven at 1600. Left again at 1900. Wind moderating. Beachy Head abeam 2025 – Royal Sov. 2240 rather a lumpy sea. Dungeness visible by 2345 & Royal Sovereign below horizon at 0020. 28th August Fri. Course S.E. At 0310 Dungeness was abeam & by now the wind fell light. A light flashing 3 confused us for a long time, as we failed to realize it was the S. Foreland! We met a large number of fishing vessels. As the dawn came up, so did the wind & we had a nice S.W. breeze when off Folkestone at 0615 & the tide was now against, so that we did not have an easy time getting up to Dover in a confused tide rip. Entrance 0900. Tried to anchor in Camber – no holding. Moved off into harbour on a mooring opposite RCPYC 29th August. Dover – too much wind to sail. Rolled a lot. Mike ashore – floodlit castle. Wind S.W. strong – increased steadily all day & by afternoon it was uncomfortable on our buoy in the outer harbour. Decided to move into Wellington Dock. Went in with very much reefed mainsail, no jib and the motor full on! By this method we got to windward fairly easily, though rather wetly & were soon snugly tied up to a tug, an old Thames barge, an ex-landing craft & a very decrepid motor launch. Slept long and well. 30th August. Still fresh S.W. Had to hang on in harbour with nothing much to do, but get the weather forecast from the pub – York House. 31st August. Wind still fresh S.W. though a little better than yesterday. Took a long walk out to the Western arm of the harbour to have a look at the sea. A small-looking fishing boat was coming in round S.Foreland & seemed to be doing fairly well, but when she came into the dock & we talked to her owner, a huge man & his wife, it turned out that she was 6-tons & the waves off the foreland were 6 to 7 feet high. 1st September. Woke early and went out to inspect weather at 0400 – not much wind & the sea had obviously gone down a lot – however the glass was falling & we were uncertain; but the men on the lock gates were in favour, so off we went at supposedly 0500, but it was some time before we could be let out owing to a tow coming in from seaward – a broken down motor ship. We were kindly given a tow out to the harbour entrance by Gypsia RCPYC, clearing by 0600. There was some sea in the entrance, but nothing very bad & we were soon clear of it with a light S.W. wind hurrying us along to the S.Foreland, which we had abeam by 0620. The wind held well till just short of Deal, when it failed completely, leaving us slatting about on a beautiful sunny morning, but only drifting with the tide – so it was on with the motor for about an hour, until the wind filled in again from S.W. & carried us along nicely with the spinnaker set past Ramsgate. Broadstairs was abeam at 1030 & the N.Foreland at 1045. The wind freshened a bit as we rounded Longnose (11.15) & we had to put in a tack or two in order to make Margate, where we put in for more petrol at 1135 – meeting “Taffy” alongside the pier, who had helped a bit last year. Mike went ashore & I hung about, looking after Damsel & talking to Taffy & admiring his new launch, which he had been given by his brother. We left again at 1300 & then began a fine sail across the Thames estuary. Margate Hook beacon 1400. West Last 1430. Middle Swatch1735 , all the time travelling about Damsel’s maximum speed. We just nicely held the tide to Holehaven, where we anchored at 1900, after a very good day’s sailing. 2nd September. Sailed 0630 Wind S.W. freshish. This was an attempt to get up the river a bit before the tide changed. The wind thought otherwise, however, freshening rapidly & finally bursting our foresail for us! So, after trying to sail on under mainsail only, we gave it up & returned to Holehaven. Stayed at anchor the rest of the day, hoping to be able to sail with the evening tide. This was obviously hopeless by 1500, when the wind steadily increased, instead of decreasing. We were asked to tea on board Sunfish, which was pleasant. 3rd September. Another attempt at 0530 & again Sea Reach was too ferocious altogether. Came back to anchor in same place. I went ashore in the rubber dinghy. Phoned Phyl and did some shopping. Wind dropped a little in the afternoon – sailed at 1445 – sea moderate in Sea Reach & a beat all the way. Motor gave out at Holehaven entrance, so we had to do some very quick sail-setting, so as not to go on the lee shore. Set the genoa after a little, as we made not much ground with mainsail (very reefed) alone. Things went better after the tide turned & though we had our moments, especially in the wash of the “Queen of the Channel”, reached Greenhithe at 2000 & asked if we might moor. Sub Lt. Colin Steed was most kind & let us lie alongside Worcester & gave us supper & a wash etc. – peaceful night. 4th September. Called at 0445 by night watchman from Worcester. Sailed at 0530 – very little wind & soon the motor was in use – visibility very poor all the way up to Tower Bridge & there was a good deal of traffic, which was apt to look more alarming than it really was. Remember 4 shorts & 1 turning to Starboard & 4 shorts & 2 turning to Port. Tower Bridge at 1000 & Hammersmith at 1200. There was some rain on the way through, but nothing like last year! We tied up at See’s boatyard & I went into London to get a Thames Conservancy licence, which was quite easily done, but a nuisance. Motored off again at 1600, after painting on names & trying to fix an outboard guard – not very successful. The tide was against us for the rest of the way, so it was 7.30 before we reached Teddington. Moored above the lock & I phoned Phyl & Eileen (Brett). Francis is to join tomorrow & Mike goes home. 5th September. Left Teddington. Motored up easily to Halliford arriving just before 1300. Francis swam out to meet me. Stayed there the night, after a splendid bath, lunch etc. 6th September. Left Bretts at 0845 – beautiful day, but little wind. Francis & I motored most of the way. Timing Shepperton 0905, Chertsey 0950. Penton Hook 1045, Bell Weir 1200, Old Windsor 1245, Romney 1400, Boveney 1510, 1525 lunch 1630 Bray, 1725 Boulters, where we were in trouble with a steamer – no damage however. 1830 Cookham 1930 Berthed just short of Marlow. In all we have done some 25 miles today. 7th September. Left our mooring place at 0900 – very heavy dew in the night & the morning was quite perfect with a light easterly & not a cloud to be seen. We have motored most of the day, in order to get along quickly, sometimes with the mainsail up & sometimes not. Francis had a bathe in the Regatta reach at Henley. Timings as follows:- 0915 Marlow Lock, 1025 left Marlow, 1055 Temple Lock, 1106 Hurley, 1230 Hambledon, 1315 Henley, 1410 Marsh, 1450 Shiplake, 1545 Sonning, 1635 Caversham, 1825 Mapledurham, 1915 Whitchurch, 1930 moored in Pangbourne Reach. Rang up E.P.H. in the evening. 8th September. Woke to a thick mist & very cold. Left 0800. Goring 0850. Shopped in Goring. 0920 Cleeve, 1105 Wallingford & bought petrol. 1145 Benson Lock, 1200 Shillingford Bridge, 1240 Day’s Lock & here we met E.P.H., 1345 Clifton Bridge & lunch. 1430 Clifton Lock, 1530 Culham, 1615 Abingdon, 1755 Sandford , 1809 Iffley, 1855 Osney 1915 Medley.

... SUMMER 1954

23rd July. Left Bossom’s at 1955. Motored with mast down Osney Lock 8.20, Iffley 2055. Blowing mod. S.W. – rain at times. Moored by Iffley Mill Corner 2125. Things very muddled as yet. 24th July Saturday. Blustery S.W. wind, but some sunshine & rather warm. Left mooring at 0855, Sandford 0910, Abingdon 1030 Culham 1130, Clifton 1200, Day 1305, Benson 1400. Stopped at Wallingford for petrol & bread. There was a queer crowd of people here waiting for the steamer, I think. Left 1500, Cleeve 1605, Goring 1630, Whitchurch 1750, Mapledurham 1840. Saw a party of QAS girls (Queen Anne’s School) & asked about Sally. Anwyl Edwards there. Arrived Caversham 1930. Phoned QAS. Sally was to have come down, but would not, in the end, because she was inhaling. Supper with the Sea Scouts, very hospitable indeed & very good company. Moored at their landing. 25th July. Breakfast with the Sea Scouts. It began raining during this. Left at 10.0 and motored down to Reading Bridge, where we met Sally, Liz & Prue in the a.m. Left again at 11.15 a.m. Sonning 11.40, Shiplake 12.10, Hambledon 1355, Henley 1500, Temple 1520. Moored at Marlow for petrol – we ran out within 100 yds. of the bridge. Arrived Cookham 1745, Boulters 1920. Moored at 1940. It rained all day and we are very wet. Very good supper. Telephoned to Eileen Brett. 26th July. Left Maidenhead 0830 27th July. Damsel moored at Dunally Lodge 28th July Ian McConville & I rejoined at Dunally. Got things ready during the afternoon and finally, about 1730, met Alan Walling & wife at their house, but did not stop for long. Moored at a Canoe Club raft above Richmond Bridge about 0930 ( Man fishing, who caught a great many fish). 29th July. Left moorings at 0430 to catch the bridge open. They were winding it down as we got there, but we managed to get through before the last arch came down. Stopped at Hammersmith Pier, but the man on duty suggested we went on to Fulham, as he had no room. Easily down to Fulham before the tide & were allowed to moor alongside. Ian went shopping for food & I for gear at Watts. Troubled a good deal by the wash from the traffic. Left at 1400, just before the tide turned. Motored uneasily down to Tower Bridge & put the mast up as soon as we were through. Began to sail a good way before Greenwich & had a splendid run down. Saw Jack Tate ( Teddy School) ( St. Edward’s, Oxford) on board a Destroyer moored in the Pool. Splendid sail all the way down – called at Worcester, but Knight had gone. However saw old friend the Boatswain. Set spinnaker off Gravesend & ate up the miles down to Shell Haven. Anchored in Holehaven 2100. Telephoned Phyl. Late supper with Allan Walling’s Riesling to wash it down. 30th July. Woke to overcast sky with some W. wind – mod. Tide no use till after 1 o’clock, so we stayed in bed till 10.0. Motored over to Lady Lou for weather forecast, as own radio had ceased to function. Moored alongside for some time. Noon forecast not good, but we decided to have a look. Sailed 1330 – reefed at creek entrance – wind strong & some sea. Decided to go on. Sea better on N. shore. Timings W. Nore Sand 1500, Mid Swatch 1517, N. Swatch 1526. Wind lessened a little & we shook out 3 rolls of the 5. Spile Buoy 1620, Middle 1640, W.Spaniard 1650, Mid Spaniard 1658. Set large jib as spinnaker. W.Last 1814, Hook Spit 1830, S. Spit 1845. Set spinnaker off Margate 1945. Off N. Foreland 2030. Beat up to Ramsgate & entered in the dark at 2130. Altogether a splendid day’s sail. 31st July. Lay in Ramsgate all day for shopping & to catch the evening tide for Dover. Wind fresh Westerly. Left 1630, but the backstay went, pulling the strop up from the deck. Put in for repairs – moored in the harbour. Helped Humbug, who had run aground & then asked to drinks in Dora. 1st August. Sailed 0630. No.2 Brake buoy 0730. Wind very light, so motored Deal 0800, Walmer 0845, S.Foreland 0915 – off Dover, where we called to report that we were going on. The wind freshened from the East. Set spinnaker & at 1100 Folkestone abeam. At 1400 the wind veered steadily round to the S.W., increasing to a mod. breeze. The tide was steadily against us, so we motored & sailed towards Dungeness, dead in the eye of the wind for the last few miles. It was 1730 before we were up to the lighthouse & by then the wind & sea were both rising. We considered going in to Rye, but it would have been too low water to get in. Sailed in behind Dungeness again to get the forecast – bad – fresh S.W winds. A local fisherman suggested anchoring in the lee of New Romney & we got ready to try it, but it seemed very exposed, so we turned tail & headed back to Folkestone – a splendid sail with the genoa as a spinnaker, but the tide was against us and it was fully 2150 before we got in. Fouled some fishing lines as we came in & after some pother, lay alongside a motor-boat for the night. 2nd August. No sailing. Wind fresh S.W. & a considerable sea running. Shopped & walked along the sea front. 3rd August. Good early morning forecast – which I got from the Radio Officer on Folkestone Harbour Station. Left at 0720. No wind, so motor on & went straight out to Dungeness, getting it abeam at 1000. No sign of any change in the weather, so we decided to push on for Newhaven. Still no wind. At 1255 we could make out the Royal Sovereign & came up to her at 1530. The crew gave us the latest forecast – light variable & asked us to post their mail for them. This they handed out to us in a net. It had now become obvious that we would not have enough petrol to get to Newhaven – however, by dint of sailing when there was any suspicion of wind, we just made it last out & we only used the last drop a mile or so out from Newhaven. Off the Seven Sisters a pigeon came aboard us & we gave it a lift into Newhaven & the man on the West Pier took care of it. We actually arrived at Newhaven at 2225. Letter from Jim. 4th August. Left Newhaven at 0900 N.E. wind, but this soon went S.E. & very light – some spinnaker running. Brighton was abeam by 1040. Then the wind fell away & some motoring was necessary. Later the wind came S.W. & looked as if it might get stronger – but, no good, it fell away again. The visibility was very bad & we had some trouble picking up the Mixon, but not much. The sea went completely glassy by the time we were up to the Looe 1900. We were clear by 1930 and up to Hayling Island S.C. at 2215. Crept around to East Head & moored up there. During the day we caught 2 mackerel & saw a large size tope just outside Chichester Bar. 5th August. Left anchorage at E. Head 0845 & had a close reach across to Sea View, where we anchored for shopping. Left about 1230 & sailed steadily through Spithead & the Solent, passing Cowes, where it was Regatta Week. Celtic passed us very close. Anchored off Thorns 1700 & Sally arrived almost the same time. She, Helen and I then sailed Damsel round to Lymington. Ian & I slept aboard. 6th August. Shopped in the morning after a very wet night. Drinks aboard Gadwall. Left at 1310 for Yarmouth & beat across in a freshening breeze. Lunch there & then a run back to the Beaulieu River. The breeze strengthened all the time & we even planed at times! In through Needs Oar & moored alongside Mary Helen at Gins. Sally & I sleeping aboard. 7th August. Woke to S.W. strong with a lot of rain. Went ashore with Ian & the children for breakfast at the Tews. S&I went for a walk along the shore & then John put us aboard again just before lunch. Ian left for Oxford & Norway. Sailed up to Bucklers Hard for lunch & then motored up to the brickworks afterwards. Went ashore again – 2 in the rubber dinghy. Glass rising again at 1730 8th August. Wind S.W. light. Motored down to Bucklers Hard – petrol, food & telephone. Sally sailed her down to the Beaulieu entrance & then a splendid spinnaker run to Portsmouth. Left 10.05 arrived 1300. Met Jim in afternoon. Beat across to Seaview. Wind strong S.W.. Looked in at Bembridge, but anchored finally off Seaview. 9th August. Left Seaview 0715 – rather unpleasant conditions & beginning to blow from S.S.W.. Soon through the forts & off Ryde. Rain began between Ryde & Wootton Creek – steady downpour & Jim & Sally got very wet – self asleep in cabin. Arrived Thorns 1100 – all very wet. Helen let us dry out in front of the fire & gave us lunch. Sally sailed on afternoon for Keyhaven with Edward Tew on board. Off Lymington it came on to blow again, so we put in there. John came for Edward & Sally. Jim & I slept aboard. 10th August. Wind fresh S.W. No sailing. Sally & Don Tew came to coffee on board & John later on. Jim & I lunched in the town & went for a long walk by the saltings. 11th August. Fine morning. Wind S.W. mod. Sailed from Lymington for Thorns 0900. Reefed in the river, as the wind was stronger than we thought. Tacked down wind once and anchored off the beach. Sally & Francis came aboard. S. swam out to us. Went across to Newtown in fine style – a reach all the way. Explored up the river as far as a caravan site & then came back about ½ mile & anchored for lunch. The Bedales boat anchored astern of us. We had a fine lunch of meat, potatoes, tartlets, cheese biscuits & coffee & then went to sleep. The Bedales boat had trouble with their anchor & Francis had to dive for the tripping line, which he did most efficiently. Some trouble ourselves getting away, as we went aground! A really splendid sail across to the Beaulieu river in a fresh wind & rather a steep & confused sea. Tied up alongside Mary Helen & S & F walked back to Thorns. Jim & I went up to Bucklers Hard for food & a drink. Shop was shut, but a kind man in Freedom of Poole gave us eggs, milk & bread. Tied up to Mary Helen for the night. 12th August. Rained a lot in the night & was still raining & blowing mod. S.W. at 0530. Decided to sail round to Lymington after discussing other possible methods of Jim getting there! Left at 0600 – just scraped through the Needs Oar & had a close fetch all the way to Lymington against the tide. Wind quite fresh & streaming with rain. Arrived Lymington about 0830 – spent a great deal of time trying to sort out all the sodden clothes etc.. Sally & Francis came & Jim left. Dried out a good deal in the afternoon. Sally slept on board. ( We walked back to Thorns & she got her things & a bike. I only went as far as the farm & rode the bike most of the way back!) 13th August. Sunny, blowy morning – glass rising. Had a late lie-in, then a fine sail across to Yarmouth, in quite a heavy, wind against tide, sea. Sailed down the island coast in the shelter, then charged across to Thorns. Sally went ashore there & Francis joined. He had been having splendid sailing in Ian’s scow in the morning. We sailed across to Newtown for tea. Sea still heavyish & the wind fresh. Came back again with a splendid breeze – real “de luxe” sailing. Francis ashore & Sally & I sailed back to Newtown – tide against & the wind dropping. We got carried down towards Cowes by the tide & had to use the motor. Anchored near the entrance. No water. We had upturned the cans in the afternoon. I paddled over to Lothian in the rubber dinghy & begged a canful. Eggs and tinned peaches for supper. Quiet night. 14th August. Motored across to Thorns & bathed there. Lunch with the Tews – salmon and ice cream! Don, Ian, Francis & I then sailed over to Yarmouth to shop. Back again in the evening with a fair tide & not much wind. Sally & I motored round to Gins for the night – through the Needs Oar in the dark! 15th August. Glass 1002 Fair. Sailed round from Gins to Thorns with Francis & Edward in Edward’s dinghy, but we arrived a bit before them. F. S. & I sailed down to Keyhaven – much rain, but it stopped by the time we got there. Lunch-cum-tea at 3.0. We then sailed down to the Needles – fine big rollers coming in. Waited about there for a bit & then ran back to Thorns. The wind dropped just short of the Piles. Anchored off the beach. 16th August. Glass 1009. Fair – no wind. Got stores from Lymington in the morning. Sailed with Sally & Susan towards Cowes & back in the afternoon. Good breeze, but the tide against on the way there. 17th August. Glass 1012 Steady. S.E. wind. Light 0900. Freshened later. Left Thorns 1150 – just able to lay Egypt Point. Steady sail against the tide down to the Forts, reefed at times, rain on the way. Sea got up a lot after the Forts, so decided to sail into Seaview instead of Chichester Harbour. Anchored off the pier remains. 18th August. Fresh S.W. wind – no progress. Met Alan Donaldson, who lent us their dinghy. Bad night, as the wind came in strong from the N.W. Picked up a mooring, but had to let it go later, as we were in danger of fouling another boat. 19th August. Glass rising 1012. 0930. Left Seaview, after seeing Alan Donaldson, at 1015. Wind N.W. mod. Reacched the Pillar & Street buoys at 1215. Looe was quite quiet, though some sea just inside the buoys. Bognor abeam 1320 – wind freshish & Damsel going fast. Littlehampton abeam 1430, Worthing 1615, Brighton 1830. Wind went more aft & we set the spinnaker. Newhaven reached 2100 in the dark. 20th August. Left Newhaven 1025 after shopping. Wind N.W. Beachy Head 1225 – wind backing to W. & then S.W, Royal Sovereign 1400 – spinnaker set. Dungeness 1930, Folkestone 0345, Dover 0530 (wind died away & there was trouble with the motor). 21st August. Shopped & slept. Moored alongside trawler Toreador & Risor. 22nd August. Goodish forecast. Sailed 0800. Course 123 degrees for Calais. It came on thick & rather unpleasant soon after leaving Dover & wind freshened a little.. Ran before mod. N.W. to W. wind with first spinnaker, then “big belly” then spinnaker again. Sighted French coast 1230 about a mile too far to W. Sailed up inside the banks – passed S.W. Rideus buoy 1350. Made Calais harbour 1510. Stayed in the Avant Port for an hour or two & then moved inside near to Halcyone & again Toreador. Good night. 23rd August. 0655 forecast not very good. Moved out into Avant Port – tied up to buoys opposite Yacht Club du Nord. Returned into dock later & moored alongside Halcyone. 24th August. Rained & blew all night. Dried out by Halcyone’s fire. Glass unsteady. Rain steady. Wind steady. Boat unsteady! 25th August. Blew very hard in the night – cleared up during the day 4.0 p.m. Glass rising still. Wind blowing still from N. 26th August. Wind considerably less, but still rather strong. Halcyone didn’t want to sail & we were very doubtful, so everyone bathed instead. Wind dropped still more in the evening. 27th August. Little or no wind. Went out through lock at about 11.0 – anchored in Basin de Paradis. Halcyone offered a tow, which we accepted. Both boats had all sail up & they their motor too, so the miles went by quickly. Fog in mid.-channel. Much signalling by Donald MacFarlane – even “Heave to or I’ll open fire”. Arrived off Dover at about 5.0, where we slipped the tow & sailed in. Some difficulty with the Mail Boats, which appeared in and out in rather an alarmingly short time. Passed the Customs & tied up alongside a motor cruiser at P.O.W. pier. 28th August. Sally left for Oxford 0946 train. Fair – light N.E. Left Dover 1010 and beat steadily round the Foreland 1210 Walmer, 1430 Broadstairs, 1530 Margate, where we anchored, as the tide was foul. Asked to lay alongside motor cruiser. Saw Humbug again & also Taffy, in a speedboat this time. Cruiser offered to tow us up in return for help with navigation Left Margate 1830 Margate Hook 1930, Mid Last 1955, West Last 2007, 0215 anchored off Holehaven. A good course – as far as West Last then right across to Shivering Sand Fort & the main channel. 29th August. Left as the tide slacked and began a long beat up London River. Strong S.W. wind & we got very wet. Lost our best tide about Dagenham, when we put on the motor and used the slack to get up to Tower Bridge & then to punch it up to Lambeth Pier, where we moored until 2230. Left there for Richmond – tide still foul. 30th August. Arrived Richmond ½ tide at 0230 about. Waited for bridge & finally moored at Canoe Club at 0430. Went on again at about 0900. Moored at Tough’s Yard at Teddington. Returned to Oxford by train. 3rd. September. Phyl & I picked up Damsel at Teddington & left at 1300. Fine day. Wind W. ………. 7th September. Phyl & I and Richard Wallace left Oxford by the 8.5 train. Picked up Damsel at Freebody’s & left at 10 a.m. Mapledurham 1055 – fine & warm. Whitchurch 1140, Goring 1245, Cleeve 1300, Benson 2.00.