Page 19 - Folk Boat Year Book 2021

Folkboat Week Ditty 2020 by Christine Hartley-Webster

This Folkboat week was quite a test
But brought out all the very best.
The RSYC got it sorted,
This Covid virus was well thwarted.
They kept us safe within our bubble
And sanitised us with no trouble.

We couldn’t quite believe this time
Had 33 boats on the line.
Although the forecast looked severe
And tides were very strong, I fear.

In harbour Sally had a fright,
And pulled the main with all her might.
Cloud Cuckoo’s halyard was stuck up
She exhaled softly and said f—iddle
But David Fox with hooks and cane,
Came to her rescue - freed that main.

The Sunday races were quite fine
Though all had hairy starts each time.
And tacking up the shore , I fear,
We must owe Jos a large cool beer!
Blue Mist last year was almost sinking,
Enough to drive a man to drinking.
This year they tore both jib and main
And had to go back home again!
They rose at five to reach the fleet,
And there, their joy was made complete,
No tacking up the shore that race,
Straight to the buoy to win first place.

Last winter Mistress was stripped clean,
She’s re-caulked, painted- looks a dream.
But cross the Solent in a chop,
Poor Colin needs a pump and mop.
‘cos Mistress like a sieve was leaking
Tim searched the bilge ‘cos he was seeking
That bilge pump float switch, which was stuck-
He lay for hours to hold it up.

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