OK, folks, it's time to start planning.  In a mere two months time (!) the Tall Ships Regatta will be taking place in Russell, BOI, and we, as usual, will be having a junket to coincide with it.  We had a great turnout last year, but shall we try for the round dozen, this time?

The Tall Ships event is taking place on Saturday 7th January, but, as usual, junks will be gathered together before and after the event.  Please 'register' on this thread if you think you can attend.

In addition

• any boat ready to volunteer for Party Boat Central?
• anyone got room to spare for boatless junkies?
• anyone prepared to provide the bottle of rum that I gave last year, for First Junk Across the Line?  (Or should it be Winner on Handicap?)

All thoughts, suggestions, ideas, offers of help, etc to be posted on this thread, please.  I'll send one email to all NZ members, after which it might be best to use this forum rather than emailing all over the place!

Well, of course, there is no limit to the number of prizes that can be offered!  I had two reasons for the bottle of rum: the first is that it could be presented with the other prizes at the party at the end of the Regatta, the idea being to heighten awareness that there was a fleet of junks taking part in the event.  (As we will be 'racing' in different classes, the first over the line seemed most appropriate).  The second reason was that the bottle could be shared among the other junkies at the Sunday night party.  It was the publicity that was as important as the prize.

Be assured, Bryan, this is not a race as you know it.  The Classic Invitation, in which Fantail could race, is sailed to the Rules of the Road and no-one is allowed to fly a spinnaker or protest.  It's just an excuse for a lot of delightful boats to sail together.  Sure, some people take it seriously and some people just can't help being competitive, but this is definitely event where it is not the winning that counts, but the taking part.

Oh, David, that's very disappointing.  I was so looking forward to seeing you again and Footprints always makes the rest of the fleet sit up and take notice.  You really will have to kick this work habit!

Don't worry Fantail will be racing. Half the crew may hate racing but luckily the other half is keen even if she has to contend with sabotage or mutiny.....I'll put up that bottle of rum

Bryan Tuffnell wrote:Fantail will be there... but, you know...

Anything, anything but Retsina, which is of course banned in BOI due to its toxity, effect on wildlife etc.

Dream on my boy!