Hello everyone, so far I have had a couple of 'nods' from people coming to race. We have currently five 100's at the club and certainly four of those will be racing and I'm trying to persuade the fifth (a novice to the fleet) that he has nothing to worry about!!
If you are thinking of joining us for the day, let me know....I'm sponsoring the bacon buttys in the morning so I need to know how much pig to buy!!!!

James (231)

Hi James. Al Dickson and myself will be there

Fantastic, can't wait to see you both.

J

Please be advised that it's the great north swim that weekend and I guess traffic will be bad. 
Can I suggest anyone coming in from the M6 at Jnc36 follows the road to the roundabout and takes the 1ST turning signed Crook and or Hawkshead Via Ferry. It will bring you out at an almost crossroad. Turn right and follow the road and you will find yourself in the middle of Bowness. The club only a couple of hundred yards away.
Although the road is slower, you will miss BiG queues into Windermere which you will get if you go the main way.
James

I see there are 10,000 expected!  Unfortunately we're staying in Ambleside for the weekend.  Maybe this explains why there weren't many places available to stay.  I think I'll get my boat ready when we arrive on Friday afternoon.  What route would you suggest we take on Sunday morning?

Hi Andy, there is only one main way to Bowness from Ambleside. But an alternative would be to drive to Hawkshead and follow signs for the car ferry. It's the long way round and the ferry costs about four quid I think (havent used it in years) but it's probably better than trying to get past the Low Wood.

James

I see the organisers are suggesting the participants in the swim use the ferries, but I guess everything and everywhere is going to be heaving.  Any chance of a lift in a power boat from Waterhead? :-)

Yes, what they are calling 'the ferries' are actually the tourist boats, not the car ferry. Unfortunately if I understand it correctly, the entire north end of the lake is closed off so we wouldn't be allowed through in a power boat. It will take you about 25 mins to the ferry from Ambleside.

James

 Other option is to head to the club early and have a coffee in Bowness.  I doubt it will get mega busy immediately as the starts are staggered throughout the day.

Yea!! Bacon butties free to competitors at the club from nine!!!!

My wife and I had planned on a quiet weekend in the Lakes
with some great sailing on the Sunday for me, and pottering around the
Windermere area for her. Unfortunately
the swim, which we knew nothing about until yesterday, has scuppered her plans
completely and complicated things for me. In the interests of matrimonial harmony, we’ve now made alternative
plans for the Sunday and so I won’t be able to make the open meeting. For those that do attend, I hope you have a
great day’s sailing.

Ok, that's a real shame, but totally understand. Usually the traffic isn't too bad. But it's just unlucky timing. Maybe next year if we hold another.
James

Greg, I now understand that they may be sending swimmers along the road I suggested, so I'm not sure now what to suggest as the best way in. However, everyone is saying that the traffic is never that bad. So just, if you can, leave a little extra time.  GOOD WIND FORECAST THOUGH!!!!! Wooo

James

Great event guys, thanks! Nice touch getting bacon butties handed out in the boat park. Hope we can pull together another Northen 100 event soon,  even if it's at Windermere I know Ally D and myself would be happy to join in. Good to see your fleet growing and a lot of chat in the club about it, all good stuff.

Our pleasure, and very glad you appreciated the bacon butties!!! As for "a great event", well I'm not so
sure about that lol. That was quite simply the worst racing I have had this season. Windermere can be a bloody awful place to sail sometimes, and it was very bad luck that you and Al traveled all that way for such a fluky, crappy wind that made racing farcical. However!!!!! It's not like that all the time......honestly!
Really appreciate your effort to make it, glad I missed the last race but the Elton John concert was brill!!! 
See you soon,
James