As usual, some of our friends are spread far and wide. Nancy's latest report shows that Blackwattle is on its way to Tunesia, while Crystal Blues recently reported in from Northern Borneo.
Meanwhile, Richard and Jill on Köln are enjoying their time at the Whitsundays and were last reported at Airlie Beach. They reported seeing Shirena (website) at Turtle Bay last Friday (25/8).
[read comments for the latest reports!]
I'm heading up to Moooloolaba today to help bring Legless back to Sydney. And of course those ashore will be able to follow progress via the Skipr site. Meanwhile, Belage is about to take off North and I understand Peter will also use the system to track their progress.
Just to be clear, the system is available for anyone to use. If you'd like to report your boat's position via Skipr, simply register your boat (here's how) and start using it. It's free and easy to use. The only provision is that you need internet access to be able to log positions. But even if you don't have a "little green box" but only a mobile phone, you can probably find someone ashore who will enter your position at whatever interval makes sense. And if you're on an extended trip north, even just reporting from internet cafes might be fun...
Anyway, the system is there, why not use it?
Photographs often capture the experience of cruising better then words. So here is a chance to share your cruising experiences: enter this year's photo competition. Retrieve all those photos that you have taken over the past twelve months during on-water events, relive some of those enjoyable times that you have shared with your friends in Cruising and enter them in our competition.
You can enter up to three photographs by 6th November 2006. The subject of a photograph needs to be associated with a cruise (taken of a boat, from a boat or during a social function while on a cruise) during the past 12 months (since 1 October 2005).
At the 'First Friday' meeting this month, there was that important moment where we thanked Eoin and Ann Asker for the commitment, care and enthusiasm which they used to build on the success of the Cruising division of the club. As is the tradition, Eoin received a bag of goodies to make sure he doesn't get lost. Eoin's place on the club's board means the club will continue to benefit from his skills and experience. Uniquely, the Cruising VC role makes substantial demands of their partner. Over the past year, Ann's participation and contributions have been particularly visible and appreciated by all. Not only her active participation in Social and Cruising functions, but also her substantial and not always visible "back-office" support was much appreciated.
The Sail Development presentation during the evening demonstrated the young talent which is coming through the club's programmes. If the examples of the Spithills and the Gordons are any guide, the club has a great future. Real cruising and First Friday speaking talent for later in this century!
