Dreaming of Merlin Rockets

[chris]

I've tried to follow up the South Wales merlin but with little success. Apparently it was advertised in the South Wales Argus a week or two ago. I gather it is all complete even with cotton and other sails and trailer. number in the 800s . It might be worth contacting that newspaper to see if they can trace the advert.

[Stephen Hawkins]

Chris,

What are your plans for this weekend with regard to Bough Beech?

Cheers

Steve Hawkins

[davidh]

Steve,

It would be great if you could make it down to Bough Beech, you'll certainly get a good idea of what is out there.

Not sure what Merlins will be in attendance, we'll be there with the Smokers but there will probably be a good selection of the earlier variants

D

[chris]

Steve
I would like to go to Bough Beech but I am crewless. If you would like to crew I would very much appreciate it. I will probably take 507 ( a Holt Riant) as it's already on the trailer. I travel from Frome (south of Bath) A303, m3 etc, and could meet you somewhere but that's probably not on your route.
You would be welcome to do some helming to get the feel of her as well. Everyone who has sailed her likes her and would be a good recomendation for your needs I recon.
I think there will be a few other Merlins of a certain age there too so would be a useful research trip too.

[Stephen Hawkins]

Are you going on Saturday only?

I also have a son that I would like to bring along (to keep him out of trouble and that way only leave my daughter with my wife) He is a Cadet helm, and can handle a spinnaker of the 'chuck' variety. He has been sailing for 6 years and is sub 9 stone.....If that matters.

It would be a good opportunity to see more than one Merlin.

Steve H

[chris]

Yes saturday only.
Your son more than welcome too.
Meet you there?

[Stephen Hawkins]

Chris,

Now its time to be really cheeky and ask you to come via Swindon and pick us up

I can assist with fuel......As I will be saving a packet..

I am on the bottom left right hand corner of Swindon, near where the A419 joins the M4, if you come up via Devizes/Avebury? (Post code: SN3 6AT. House Number:112)

Some detour I know, but I have to ask.

Steve Hawkins

[chris]

It would make my journey well over three and a half hours so I'd rather not if possible. could you get down to say fleet services? or maybe someone else may be closer for Swindon. Rupert?

[Stephen Hawkins]

Yes I know what you are saying. Its over 2 hours from me with the crazy route that Multimap has just given me.

A 7 am start should get us there in plenty of time for 10 am as long as the M4, M3 and M25 are not too bad.

I am not mad enough to ask the wife for a lift to anywhere at that time of day

[chris]

Great
Look forward to meeting you.

[Rupert]

Sadly, I won't be there I'm afraid.

[chris]

Steve

Mervyn Allen has just phoned me to say he is crewless too. He's bringing merlin 1357. So can we make a definate double booking for you and your son please?
Mervyn runs the Vintage Merlin wing and is a good person to talk to about all things merlins and may well have contacts for old merlins for you.

[Stephen Hawkins]

Yes,

One of you will get a fat crew(me) and the other a sullen teenager

But my son is warming to the idea. He has a Cadet (2771), a mid fifties example, currently and we had planned that he would be with Cadets for another season....So he had eyes on my old Miracle to move on to next year.....I have put his plans into disarray....But you never know what my happen.

Cheers

Steve

[chris]

That's great Steve, Both merlins are Holt boats mine is 1954 vintage, Mervyns is probably late 50,s So out of the same stable. ,
Don't mind who salis with who,
many thanks.

[Stephen Hawkins]

I plan to be there well before 10 am, but we all know about best laid plans of mice and men.

My mobile is 07511135033, text me and then I will have your number in case there are any issues on the day - it will only be traffic.

Cheers

Steve Hawkins