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BLADNOCH  RAFT RACE 20th July 2008

Avast Behind...

Well what a great weekend, I don't know where to begin. I should probably start by thanking Florence and Raymond for their hospitality - what great hosts they are, I honestly don't know how they can be bothered.

The Raft, a classical design this year, expertly refined by our chief designer, specially brought in all the way from Ayr just for this task. It will surely go down as one of the all time greats. I don't think there has ever been such a handsome raft.

The Crew, as keen and eager as ever, however with a combined age of over 350 years perhaps not the most youthful there has ever been, but what we lacked in energy and stamina we more than made up for with our cunning and willingness to bend the rules slightly. I must mention them all – Tom, Kevin, Willie JJ, Steve, Donald, Francis, Jack & Gill.
I don't think there has ever been such a handsome crew.

The Race - the race got of to a slightly early start, which caught some of our older crew unawares as they were still stowing away the provisions. Once we were fully loaded with stores for the voyage we cast anchor and set off in pursuit of the rapidly vanishing completion.

Once into the main channel we unfurled our topsail and main sail, the breeze, which was quite fresh, quickly filled our sails and started to speed us down the river.

We had to shorten sail and flags to navigate under the road bridge. A facility that was built into the design of the raft after much measurement of the bridge and consultation with tidal almanacs.

Such was the speed of this raft, not only had we caught up with the other rafts but we had also passed several before even reaching the old railway bridge. Such good fortune and fair winds could not last and just before taking the lead we rounded a bend in the river to meet a strong head wind.

Despite frantic paddling, some of us even put our tins down, we were drifting perilously close to the rocks.

At this point an old man in small boat offered to tow us back into the main channel of the river. The motor on his boat must have been as old as himself because we had gone no distance at all before it expired.

Unable to paddle our raft and tow the stricken boat we decided we would press on and when reaching safe harbour would send rescue back for him and his son.

The finish was in sight but the wind was beating down on us something terrible at one point and we were in danger of being blown back up the river. The crew down to their last reserves of strength (and tinnys) pushed on and despite losing the cabin boy overboard and being swamped by a small tidal wave which cast our chief designer over the side, made it into harbour only to be told the were at the wrong harbour. We forgot to bring a navigator.

Unable to find the right harbour we beached her down stream.
All this adventure took place in barely 56 minutes truly a record achievement.

Despite the fatigue some of the crew set off back up the river to bring the broken down rescue boat safely into port. The rest set about quickly dismantling the raft before the competition could learn the secrets of her speed.
I don't think there has ever been such a handsome race.,

The Celebrations, despite the physical exertions and the emotional toll of the race, the crew lifted themselves up and washed themselves down for an evening of good food, drink, company and poetry.

The high point of the evening must have been when the crew received their medals and some of the local grog (which is very tasty). Now did I tell you this was a handsome crew?

Raymond when presenting them with their medals was so overcome with the beauty of the crew and their achievement that he kissed each one not once but twice.

It truly was a handsome weekend.

Francis Cuthbert of Daftmill Distillery