THE COMMODORE

When we sold Shiantit was not without misgiving that we should be unable to get sufficient sailing, but we need not have worried, I just wonder how we are going to fit it all in. This year I have seen the real Club at work; not the London committee meetings that are essential for its function, but the meeting of members from around the world enjoying themselves together.

Our first call was the Maine Rally where we were overwhelmed with American hospitality. Larry White has reported on that event in the Newsletter but I must add that it typified what the club is all about. Nine foreign (non US) boats had made the effort to fit the rally into their cruises so that we had a truly international gathering. As I have previously remarked, this is the very essence of blue water cruising, a long passage and then a secure harbour with the camaraderie of like-minded folks with whom to gam and swap information, and where old friendships are cemented and new ones made. We love that coast so much that we have bought half a Cornish Crabber (sight unseen) in partnership with Harvey and Pam Geiger, in which we hope to visit many more of our members.

After the US we went on to North West Spain to the rally organized by the indefatigable Alfredo Lagos. Alfredo can accurately be described as the club's oldest friend since his father was a colleague of Hum Barton before the formation of the OCC, and from the outset his family have looked after our interests in those waters. The rally was the usual gastronomic tour of palacios and castillos but with some very good sailing in between. I was amused to hear Alfredo introduce me as what my limited knowledge of Spanish interpreted as `El Commodore the Commodore of the World'!

I write this just before leaving for Australia to attend their Spring Dinner in Sydney, and this to me really brings home the nature of the club. Autumn has set in here and boats are coming ashore, but `down under' they are just fitting out, and in between we have a veritable armada of members wandering the tropics.

We are lucky in that we have a good excuse for calling on members, but I exhort you all to remember that we have a unique fellowship around the world, most of whom would love to show you their patch, so do take advantage of any opportunity to cement the bonds within our far-flung membership.