Wednesday, June 06, 2007

The Whisky Olympics

06/06/2007

I cannot think why, however, 2007 seems to be the year that I have taken to doing things that I have not tried for years. Last weekend it was a chance to return to Tarbert, Loch Fyne, to spend four days pummelling the old corps at the Bell Lawrie Scottish Series yacht racing, in which I last took part when it was known officially as The Tomatin Trophy, or unofficially as “The Whisky Olympics”. It certainly has changed from the old gruelling shower and loo less five day slog, when clothing had to be burnt and stomachs pumped on the return home, and when no decent gal would have been seen within a million miles of Tarbert. The new image is of friendly and informal competition with families and wives present as well as hard nosed racing yachties, to say nothing of crews being well fettled in mobile loo and shower blocks. It was a pleasant surprise to greet the Clyde Cruising Club Commodore at the bar, rather than having to salute his quasi naval forebear on the quarter deck of some obsolete, dusty Frigate. Race Officers were long suffering and understanding of both the elderly and the inexperienced, whilst the daily prize giving was a cheery affair which also dealt fairly and firmly with unseemly behaviour and gross infringements of the safety regulations, where previously “official” events such as prize giving were the fiefdoms of boring ex-military marionettes. I am not certain that there is enough strength left in the baronial frame to contemplate another visit in years to come, however I can heartily recommend it to others. I send greetings from a warm and sunny Glen Trollaigh, on arguably our first true Summer’s day, now where is my “to do” list, cheers, yours aye, Archie, The Baron Trollaigh.