Reservoir Blogs

Great Rivers of the East

2008-05-18T21:11:00.002+01:00

Only a short distance into our pilgrimage and already we are passing areas thick with prayer flags fluttering on a light breeze, yesterdays preparations had gone well with Guru Cornish and Guru Durham passing many donations over the Smalleys’ altar. We had walked the long path to a lesser temple more suited to the novices. Returning to our craft we were happy to see the masters back with many tales to tell even at such a late hour. After we had taken to our sleeping mats, Guru Durham enthralled us with his special chants which can only be done after causing self harm to his very own toes with parts of our own craft’s furniture; with such preparations our journey could not fail.

Our aim was the great holy river of the east: much talked about but only travelled by the few. After passing the first of the flags we came upon an area of great challenge to the quest; many forces were firing upon us but their wrath was absorbed by a magical red-sailed yacht which could sail through the exploding and hissing of many arms with no damage, shielding us from the evil upon the cliffs. As we approached the mystical river the prayer flags became denser. These should be treated with respect as many of those laying out these flags are so frail they are granted payments from the government to help with their incapacity and lack of work. Yet still they come out in all weathers, tending to the flags and the mystical netted dream catching pots they attach under the seas.

At last we were on the holy Tyne, an area joyous with much partying in praise of the gods. It is an area of such warmth and kindness that young ladies feel safe enough to leave their homes at night with barely any need for clothing, and men can be seen shedding all comfort wearing only a t-shirt regardless of painful climatic conditions. As our craft mainly contained novices we were stopped from directly entering the great city but allowed to rest at St. Peter’s; the final approach was only allowed on foot at an hour so early some of the pilgrims from the night before were still on view. Their experiences had been so intense they found it hard to walk or speak and even their complexion had been changed – if only one of us could reach such a state of enlightenment!

Returning to our berth with the blessed bread of Tesco Extra, some onboard spoke of a great ringing but were unable to trace its source. We broke our fast and set off to retrace our course into the mists. After a short while it gave many of us novices much joy to discover Brother Pudsey had been entered by the spirits in such a way as to alter his ability to speak, his movement was much impaired and he had attained the ghostly complexion of the pure at heart.

Much love to Sisters Thornton and Shipley, Brothers Eldwick and Pudsey and, of course, Gurus Durham and Cornish.

Yours, Brother Gildersome

Snow-pen Day

2008-04-24T20:16:00.011+01:00

Our open day this year was on 6th April.

The Bradford branch of the RNLI set up a display to raise awareness and money for the RNLI. Bradford actually has its own lifeboat and has done since 1859. The current boat is one of the fastest in the RNLI fleet and has been involved in a number of rescues. Listen to Martin Chappellow of Bradford RNLI.

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At first, the weather was fine although very cold. However, snow soon started to fall and committee members could be observed sheltering in the clubhouse.

However, the barbecue was out of doors and for some people hunger was a stronger force than warmth.

The day was reasonably well attended despite the weather and some visitors were even brave enough to go for a sail.

Most sailing was done by DSC winter sailors, though...

some of whom showed remarkably little respect for the safety boat and camera crew!

Music: Kevin McLeod

Walkway

2008-02-24T21:56:00.003Z

John has made a new walkway for the jetty to replace one that had been broken during the summer of dis-reservoir. We now have the use of both jetties again which is definitely good news when there is as good a turnout as this week.

Today we had dry(ish) weather and wind. In a generous mood the wind direction could have been described as variable; somehow Alan as OD managed to plot a course that had every mark to windward!

Lunch today was pizza and beans.

Breaking the Ice

2008-02-17T16:40:00.011Z

Today had sunshine and a sky without clouds. The far end of the pond temptingly offered a breeze but the jetties were surrounded by ice. John looked at the ice and said "I'm not sailing in that; it's half an inch thick!"

However, the ice-breaker, sorry, safety boat was launched...

but the boat didn't seem sure that it wanted to go out and break the ice.

Eventually, though, Tony was able to set off to try break the ice in the hope that wind and sunshine would clear the pond.

Unfortunately, although the sunshine was willing, the wind was not and whilst we were eating lunch (chili, chips and peas) the wind dropped completely. Better luck next week?

Sailing

2008-02-16T23:26:00.004Z

The 2008 sailing season has begun with the launch of the Hypo season last Sunday. The weather was warm, the sun was shining, the sky was clear and there was almost enough wind.

In the break between races the boats were tied to the jetty...

whilst the sailors adjourned to the clubhouse for pie and peas.

It's good to be back on the water.

He's got the power!

2008-02-16T23:24:00.003Z

Congratulations to Alan who has recently qualified as an RYA powerboat instructor. Keep an eye on the Denholme Sailing Club website for details of our first powerboat training course...

Catching-up

2008-02-16T23:10:00.007Z

Here are a few pictures that I really should have posted last year.

The end of the 2007 sailing season was marked by high pressure: beautiful, clear days with very little wind.

We weren't able to have a bonfire for Guy Fawkes Night so had to make do with fireworks on the jetty.

The Laying-Up Supper was well-attended with great food as always (especially the curry).

Alan very capably performed his first official duty as Commodore, closing the 2007 season.

Spice of Life

2007-11-09T19:22:00.000Z

If variety is the spice of life the last two sailing trips could not have been better; the first was in early September to a quiet corner of the Norfolk broads with three days of snoozing amongst the reeds and sailing in a nice breeze with good company. If anyone is heading to the broads for a sail I would recommend Martham boat Development Company as an excellent launch site and base, near to some of the best sailing areas. Be ready to operate at a slower pace than normal to get the best out of a trip.

For the next trip the word relaxing doesn’t appear, replaced with the words stress, competition, performance, assessments etc. It seemed a good idea to update and improve some of my instructing methods and the chance to go on a course with the RYA had arrived. So off I went, leaving DSC on Sunday lunch time pointing the car towards the south coast, I was expected at the combined services base on Thorney iIland at 9am Monday. Having to have a passport and passing through an armed guard post to go sailing seems a bit strange. The course was very well run by the top brass of the RYA; I don’t think it would be possible to learn more in a period of three days. We were treated to some of the most exciting dinghies in as new condition, each day started by setting the rigs for the weight of the crew and expected wind speed, mast rake set to within 20mm as we do at DSC on every Tuesday night Many mistakes were made but when it went well, boy, did the water whizz by with the dinghies making as much noise as the power boats. The coaches running the course proved they knew their stuff by only passing those weren’t in a state of confusion by Wednesday evening, so I didn’t come away with any more badges, but loads of ideas for the next attempt.

Yours Tim

Wanted!

2007-10-18T21:43:00.000+01:00

Bradford Ornithological Group (birdwatchers) run an award winning nature reserve at Stockbridge, Keighley and are looking for a small inflatable RIB (or collapsible dinghy) that can be used for ferrying 25kg bags of gravel across a shallow pond to an island. The island was created some years ago to provide a nest site for wading birds and needs a top up every so often. Condition of the dinghy is not important just so long as it floats for long enough to be hauled by hand across a 20 yd stretch of water! It also needs to be small enough to be stored in a small shed so that the local hooligans can't set sail down the River Aire never to be seen again - we don't want to lose the boat after all!

If you have such a craft lying around the house and would like rid of it, we may be able to help! Obviously, we are looking for something for free, but provided it is cheep (!) enough, we may be able to pay a reasonable price. Please email me at the following email address if you think you can help.

Cameron Wilson
boatforbirds@btinternet.com

Training

2007-10-14T10:27:00.000+01:00

The RYA Level 2 training course started last Sunday morning. It was the perfect weather to practice rowing and paddling.

The instructors also demonstrated a novel technique for moving a boat from one side of the jetty to the other.

Breezy Sunday

2007-09-24T21:15:00.000+01:00

Here is the overdue tale of a breezy Sunday at Doe Park and the only men brave (foolhardy?) enough to sail. Whilst most of us were watching the wind whistle across the water, David was ready to brave the elements. There was no shortage of hands to help him rig... After sailing rapidly to the end of the pond and back, shadowed by the safety boat but without a single capsize...

David came back to shore triumphant and eager for another go...

Dan said that, if only he had brought the rig for his daughter's Topper he would be keen to give David a race. Luckily a kind but cautious (well, OK, cowardly - it was me) fellow-member was able to lend Dan a Topper so the race was on!

Dan got off to a fine start, steaming down the pond...

However, it wasn't long before both men were in the water. Several capsizes later, both boats were stuck against the dam wall...

David reefed and managed to get away first. Several more capsizes later, with the lead having changed hands several times, David crawled ashore with a bloodied nose and only one shoe: exhausted but victorious!

Bench

2007-07-30T21:57:00.000+01:00

John has made a new bench for the waterside; it is a thing of both beauty and comfort. In due course, the bench will have a plaque dedicating it in memory of Roland. The bench was installed on Wednesday and, on Sunday, was well-polished by the behinds of Denholme SC. Here are Tony's photographs of the bench and a busy Sunday afternoon at Doe Park.

Thanks, Tony, for the pictures.

Yorkshire and Humberside Youth Sailing event

2007-07-05T22:06:00.000+01:00

This Saturday (7th June) Doe Park will be hosting a YHYSA Travellers event which has been urgently relocated from Ulley Sailing Club. Ulley Reservoir has, of course, been closed due to flood waters threatening to breach the dam. All young sailors are welcome. The event costs £6 for DSC or YHYSA members. For all others, there is an additional fee of £10 for YHYSA membership. Sailors need to be rigged and ready for a briefing at 10.30 AM.

Due to the YHYSA event, there will be no DSC racing on Saturday.

Training

2007-06-18T21:24:00.001+01:00

An RYA training course is underway at Denholme SC with plenty of new sailors on board. Here, Tim is explaining the principles of capsize drill. This was followed by Tim tipping participants into the water - not so bad for Tim as he was wearing a wetsuit but little chilly for the trainees. Luckily the sun was shining and the day was warm.

There were several boats on the water; a wonderful sight after the desolation of the last year. Old DSC hands supported new learners.

This year we have gained two new instructors. Andy's photograph was featured in the entry about Doe Park reopening so here is our other new instructor: Mark. Congratulations to both of you!

The tide is high

2007-06-18T21:08:00.000+01:00

The deluge of the last few days has almost refilled the pond.
Unfortunately, on Saturday, although there was water there was absolutely no wind.

Kept ashore by the calm, a lonely sailor gazes disconsolately across the water.

Pond-filling weather

2007-06-15T13:06:00.000+01:00

According to ITN, Bingley was the wettest place in the UK yesterday with 2.8in (71mm) of rain in 24 hours. Let's hope that some of it found its way into Doe Park Reservoir.

Here's more on the serious state of weather and water in the area, from the Telegraph and Argus.

The work at Doe Park

2007-05-27T20:43:00.000+01:00

Here are the latest developments in the construction work at Doe Park.

Boats on the pond

2007-05-27T18:36:00.001+01:00

Not enough wind but still a very welcome sight!

Doe Park is open!

2007-05-26T22:50:00.000+01:00

Today, Doe Park re-opened. Unfortunately, the contractors have not quite finished so it still looks like (is) a building site as this view from the clubhouse shows.

Doe Park Water Activity Centre and Denholme SC shared the water today so there were both paddlers and sailors. Kayaks and canoes were managed by Chris from Doe Park Centre.

Alan, fresh from a holiday in Greece and one of our newest instructors, Andrew, took care of the sailors.

For the first time boats were rigged (note the new surface of the dinghy pen)...

and launched.

It was certainly good to see boats on the water at Doe Park again!

Barbara did a great job cleaning and managing the galley.

Unfortunately, we were not able to offer a barbecue as we had expected to. Apparently Bentley's, the contractors, had offered to provide food for the event but at the last minute withdrew the offer. However, we managed with crisps, chocolate and biscuits from a last-minute run to the Co-Op.

All in all, it was a good day, with plenty of visitors trying out the centre and some very happy Denholme sailors, pleased to be home.

Thanks to all involved in today especially Steve, Louise, Chris, Barbara, Alan and Andrew (apologies to anyone I have not mentioned). There are more photographs in our Flickr Gallery

Thanks to Alan and Andrew

2007-05-15T21:56:00.000+01:00

Andrew and Alan helped at an open day for people with disabilities at Pugneys Country Park. We have received the following letter from Wakefield Council:

I thought I would drop you a line to thank your members of the club for their help during the disabled open day at Pugneys Country Park on the 22nd of April. You will be aware the day was a great success, it is estimated that over 250 disabled people and their carers, from organised groups and individuals attended taking part in canoeing and sailing.

The event emphasises the regional importance of Pugneys as an accessible watersports centre and this can only be achieved in partnership with organisations such as Denholme Sailing club and its members.

Once again many thanks to yourselves and your members attending the open day.

Service Director, Sport and Active Lifestyles

Did they make it this time?

2007-05-15T20:54:00.000+01:00

So we were off again in search of the Farnes. We had tried turning south with no successes; looked as though it was time to head north. On Friday we looked out from the walls of Hartlepool Marina to see rolling swells, some over one foot high, so we ate, drank tea and went to our bunks ready for an early start. At first light on Saturday nothing happened as we were all asleep, but by 10 we were off, heading north, drinking tea, sometimes going faster than an old man can walk.

The word was out the Denholme boys (and the girls who aren't paid up members but we will keep that quiet) were on tour, One by one the towns pulled down their shutters and would not let us in, posies were placed at marina walls with orders to throw fish guts and small children if we should try to enter. We used the cunning plan of sailing an oscillating course with intermittent use of the engine and sails to throw them from our scent; by early evening North Shields was ours.

After a night entertained by Scooch who came so close to victory we did manage an early start with a very pleasant sail back to Hartlepool. Our crew of 7 became 8, not by anyone giving birth but a delivery from the RNLI. After a short stay he left, jumping over the side a couple of miles from land telling us to sail on, confident his mates would find him once he raised the alarm (and they think dinghy sailors are mad!).

We were not ready to return to dry land but time had run out. How can a weekend pass so fast? Many thanks to Calvyn and Mike for yet another enjoyable trip and good luck in the Baltic this summer. Want to sail on Black Diamond after they return from the tall ships races? Then please get in touch.

By Tim

Progress at Doe Park?

2007-05-05T14:55:00.000+01:00

I went up to Doe Park today (5 May) just to see how things are doing. The water level is still well down below the tower and it looks like there's at least another good month's worth of work to do just to tidy the place up. They have yet to lay the new road surface along the dam wall, and the car park looks like a bomb site. I noticed that the contractors have put a new slipway in from the council pen, which they are starting to resurface by the looks of things.

Anyone know anything for definite about when we'll be sailing again? Spring Bank looks a bit optimistic to me - unless the contractors are going to really push the boat out :-)

Cameron

Coniston

2007-04-23T21:01:00.000+01:00

The pictures don't tell the whole story. We had the first rain for weeks (and making up for lost time). Between the periods of total calm there was some pretty good wind. The towing didn't work as the engine on Tim's fancy boat, um, failed. Luckily for everyone, that's when the wind picked up!

Coming back in, we saw these:

But in the end we all dried off in the cafe with a cup of tea and some of Anne's birthday cake.

Thanks, as always, to Tim for organising the day!

The Farnes

2007-03-13T19:52:00.000Z

So in the quest to sail closer to the kettle we dabbled again with the dark side, the type of sailing where the kettle can come too. If I fitted a gas ring on the mirror will I need a boat safety cert? What about class rules? Well the first choice went wrong. We would have been OK on plan A: going for a sail on Fri. night, but when we arrived at Hartlepoool it did seem a good idea to stay put. We were off early on Sat heading south towards the Farnes; 3hrs 15 min later we passed the entrance to Whitby. This is rumored to be a record for Black Diamond – I bet they say that to everybody. By now it was getting a bit wet and it wasn’t rain. We had a bit of a sail south of Whitby trying to find a bit of shelter and then motored in to Whitby as soon as we had enough water, a short wait for the bridge and then into the marina . The most important discovery Sat night was that very expensive fish and chips taste like the cheap ones but you have to queue up to get them. Sunday was a very pleasant return trip. I am just glad we didn’t sail into Kafiga landing that would have been daft. So we still have the unfinished task of finding the Farnes. If you fancy this then please get in touch, we might be able to book another weekend before Black Diamond leaves for a summer in the Baltic and points north. Thanks to all who sailed; what other sailing club would provide a driver for those who are getting a bit past it and are not capable of driving themselves? You should see how Stephen tackles mini roundabouts just brilliant.

by Tim

Force Eight

2007-03-11T22:05:00.000Z

Tim really has decided to go for wind in a big way for his trips this year with forty-five knots on Saturday. However, we all enjoyed the trip and had a wonderful, if wet, sail. Here are a few pictures; hope that Tim will provide a proper write-up soon.

More photographs in the Flickr Gallery

Going through the bridge at Whitby

Direct link to video

Many, many thanks to Tim for organising the trip. Thank also to Skipper Cal and all Sailing Northeast. Oh, and thank you Ronwen for the fruit cake!