Farewell to an old friendEulogy for Maurice Marshall, delivered by Club Commodore Tony Rogers...
Maurice suffered from a strange and lifelong affliction that some here will recognise, and may indeed also suffer from – he was addicted to boats. It may be difficult for those not so afflicted to understand how this can affect one’s life. The main symptom is an irrational habit of throwing money at marinas; yacht chandlers and any business related to boating. B O A T, after all, stands for “bring out another thousand”. Anyway, Maurice caught the affliction and had it badly. He started his boating as a diehard sailor with a yacht with the wonderful name “Skedaddle”. – We who move on the water under engine power refer to these hardy types as “rag and pole” men. I am glad to say he latterly saw the light and converted to the “Tupperware Navy” by buying a motorboat called “Venture”, and, along with Ann, joining the Albany Motor Yacht Club in June 2017. Maurice put his knowledge of navigation and seamanship - essential when you are bobbing about in a vessel at the mercy of the wind and tide - to excellent use as Chief Navigation Officer for Albany MYC when we undertook our cruises beyond the non-tidal Thames. His detailed passage plans were a work of art, produced as computer spreadsheets with every waypoint marked with its GPS co-ordinates, and bearing and time to the next one. The Prussian general, Helmut von Moltke might well have had Maurice in mind when he said, “No battle plan survives the first contact with the enemy”, and so it proved with one of Maurice’s passage plans where the Albany fleet left Teddington, the start of the tidal Thames, on their way downriver to Chatham, only for Maurice and Ann to run aground within the first half mile! I am glad to say my wife and I were able to pull them off, and no harm was done, except to reputations! Later that evening, when safely moored at our destination for the day, Maurice shared a very nice bottle of Merlot with us, something that became a regular feature of club meetings. Maurice was an excellent raconteur and would often regale us at club meetings with stories of his career spent “blowing things up”. I recall at one of my first club meetings listening to him give a talk about the SS Richard Montgomery, a WW2 cargo vessel laden with ammunition that ran aground and broke her back at the mouth of the River Medway. He delighted in informing us that much of her cargo was still aboard and considered too dangerous to remove, and that if she detonated, Sheerness and Southend would both be obliterated, and a tsunami would race up the Thames as far as the pool of London. He added in his mischievous way, “I’d really like to see that!-and nobody would miss Sheerness anyway!” It was Maurice who proposed that Albany MYC should hire a “Le Boat” to cruise the Venice Lagoon and outlying islands in September 2022. This became a wonderful trip that has gone down in Albany folklore. Sadly, he was unable to join us, as he had, by then, suffered a disabling stroke, but he was keen to be kept up to date with events on the cruise via his computer and WhatsApp. Despite his disability, Maurice attended Albany club meetings whenever he and Ann could, and it was always a pleasure to share a bottle of Merlot with him. I am delighted to have had the opportunity of sharing AMYC cruises in company with Maurice and Ann, and to have counted them as great boating friends. Farewell Maurice – Wherever you may sail in the afterlife, “may the wind be forever at your back, and the sun upon your face” The members of Albany MYC, wish you Fairweather and God Speed, old friend.
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Cruise to Chatham for the Rochester Sweeps FestivalOf the three boats originally intending to join the cruise, two started out on Thursday 1st May from Penton Hook, namely Scotch Mist and Laird Tommy. Unfortunately, Chris and Lin had encountered engine problems with Enterprise and had to withdraw (though they visited the festival by car, staying at the Ship and Trades pub). Scotch Mist welcomed aboard Sally and Geoff as crew (as well as “permanent crew” Donny & Jasmine, the two Italian Greyhounds) The two boats had a gentle afternoon cruise down to Teddington, where we immediately booked a lock down for 6.15am the following morning. Teddington Launch Lock has been out of service since last year. At the present time, passage is only possible through the barge lock, and this is creaking under the strain! On the day of travel, the lock was only available 9am to 5pm, and for a 90-minute window before high tide. As HW was at 0645, this enabled us to lock out at 0615, giving us the benefit of the ebb tide down through London. The day dawned bright and clear, and both boats negotiated the lock successfully, and began a most enjoyable cruise downriver, through the sights of London, in perfect conditions. It was particularly pleasing that sally and Geoff were able to enjoy their first tidal trip in such ideal conditions. Both boats arrived in Chatham in the early afternoon after a seven-hour run, and were allocated berths close together. That evening, John and Geraldine went into Rochester to meet up with Chris & Lin and watch Sur Le Dock perform. Tony & Sharon and Geoff & Sally ate at the Ship and Trades. The following days were spent visiting Rochester for various festival events, including the concluding parade on the Mayday bank holiday Monday. The weather gods smiled, as a forecast thunderstorm skirted the town with hardly a drop of rain. Scotch Mist set off for home on Tuesday, again in ideal conditions, leaving Laird Tommy and crew to linger a few days more in Chatham. Tony had planned the return journey to arrive at Richmond lock as free flow started around 9.30pm, with the intention of locking up at Teddington around 10pm in their 90-minute window before HW. This meant the stretch from Richmond to Teddington was navigated in the dark -a task made much easier by having a good chart plotter to keep us in the middle of the river! A precautionary telephone call to the Teddington lock keeper, however, gave us the news that, as of 5pm that day, the lock would no longer be available outside of the 9am to 5pm time! Thank you, Environment Agency!!! In the event, the lock keeper gave us permission to moor on the pontoon for the launch lock for the night .This was achieved with Sharon lying on the foredeck, directing a torch beam at the pontoon. Luckily, this is a floating pontoon, so there was no need to worry about tidal height changes. We were thus able to enjoy a good night’s sleep and got the first lock up sharp at 9am the next morning for a gentle cruise back to Penton Hook. John and Geraldine, aboard Laird Tommy, took a much more leisurely trip back, with stops in Kingston, and Weybridge along the way, returning to PH in time for the Tuesday club meeting. Thank s to everyone who participated for making this a really enjoyable event. Special thanks go to Geoff and Sally for their expert help as crew. This was especially welcome, as it was the first tidal trip for the Commodore after his accident last summer, and he is still adapting to life on one leg around the boat.
Games day at Weybridge MarinersThanks to Mandy, on Sunday 27th April, Albany MYC were able to enjoy the facilities of Weybridge Mariners for a buffet lunch and a practice session on the skittle alley, plus a session of giant Jenga. This event was very well attended and proved to be both relaxing and enjoyable. It was blessed by good weather, enabling us to make full use of the splendid balcony at WMC, overlooking the river. Many thanks to Mandy for the marvelous buffet lunch, and to Roy Nash (WMC Commodore) for opening and manning the bar. Several Albany members, no doubt fueled by the beer, have now joined WMC (though their primary loyalty remains with Albany). This should make the planning and organisation of similar events in the future easier.
Easter Cruise to Bray Marina - 2025The Easter cruise to Bray took place over the weekend of 17th-22nd April. Four boats and crews took part, Scotch Mist, Laird Tommy, Enterprise and Kerry Anne. Chris & Lin aboard Enterprise set out earlier and arrived at the overnight mooring at Baths Island, Windsor, with no other boat in sight. By the time the other three boats arrived, there was barely a spot to be had. This resulted in Scotch Mist attempting to moor in a very tight spot close to an overhanging tree. This was abandoned on the second attempt after Sharon was almost impaled. Luckily, injuries were minor (Sharon bruises easily, anyway) and after a few (very) cross words, a much easier mooring was found outside the leisure centre. The Commodore had booked a group table at the Windsor & Eton Brewery tap room for supper, and the evening was spent ploughing through mountains of chips and sampling the many craft beers on offer. We made an early start the following morning (Good Friday) for the short hop to Bray, where we had reserved moorings. As often seems to happen, a wind sprang up from nowhere just as we were mooring stern-to, but all boats got in safely. We all admired Phillip’s single-handed boat handling skills aboard Kerry Anne. The moorings were close together, which made for a good social atmosphere. Saturday activities included a comparative Hot Cross Bun tasting, followed by a quiz, set by Sharon and won by John & Geraldine. David and Linda joined us for lunch and stayed for the evening meal at the Mediterranevm. This was enjoyed particularly for the beautiful evening weather, and the tranquil river scene which we could see from the restaurant’s new enclosed terrace. Sunday dawned bright and sunny – ideal conditions for the Easter Bonnet parade. Sadly, Phillip had to depart early and was unable to compete. The prize for the best bonnet was awarded to Chris. Sharon then had us decorating eggs and making boats on which to float them. These were then launched from the pontoon and judged on their flotation ability. The Commodore’s boat immediately capsized, depositing his egg into the marina depths, thus disqualifying him. A similar fate befell several other entries. but overall, the Albany egg fleet was a great success. We were joined, briefly, in the afternoon by Sally and Geoff and Sally’s mum, an amazing lady in her nineties The day ended with a meal aboard and silly games. Club boats made their own way back the following day.
Albany MYC Christmas get-together at Warner’s Hotel, Runneymede 8th-9th December 2024Sixteen members of Albany MYC were booked into Warner’s newest venue in the Runneymede Hotel, arriving on Sunday 8th December, leaving on Monday 9th. Unfortunately, Chris Barry had to cancel due to a bout of ‘flu, leaving 15 members to enjoy what Warner’s had to offer. Members gathered from 11am onwards and made good use of the bar for drinks and lunch. Tony & Sharon, John & Geraldine, and Russ & Mary signed up for an archery session in the afternoon, with Sharon displaying a hitherto unknown talent for the sport, scoring several good “bulls”. Other members went for a swim. At 5.0pm, eight members gathered in the bar for the pub quiz. This consisted of two rounds, one identifying celebrities and locations from their photos, and a second of 20 general knowledge questions. The Albany team finished joint first. The winning team was decided on a tie break question which was to guess the combined age of the five bar staff. Remarkably, Albany won with an answer only three years out! The prize consisted of the “Runneymede Rubber Duck” and a copy of the Magna Carta scroll. Everyone gathered at 7.15pm for dinner. It had been decided that this should be a “black tie” event. Albany certainly scrub-up well! The meal itself was very good. After the meal, we gathered in the theatre for a show and dancing. The Commodore even managed a dance with Sharon– an emotional moment, as he had promised her, he’d dance again after his accident earlier in the year. A few tears flowed, especially when the whole group gave them a “strictly come dancing” group hug as the music finished. At the end of the show, Albany comprised almost the total audience remaining. How’s that for staying power! We then adjourned to the bar, where there was more, impromptu, dancing to the accompaniment of a very good singer. The following morning, members gathered for breakfast, wearing their best Christmas jumpers. Special thanks must go to our Vice Commodore, John, for organising such a successful event, especially as it was not without its problems – Warner’s at one point trying to charge us twice for the rooms!
Interclub Skittles Match at Weybridge Mariners Club, 29th November 2024AMYC” fielded” a team of nine players for the three-way, challenge, skittles match versus Weybridge Mariners Club (WMC) and the Dunkirk Little Ships Association (DLS) held at WMC’s clubhouse on Friday 29th November.
As we were the smallest contingent, we “borrowed” a couple of players to boost our numbers. The match took place over two rounds and the average team score over the two rounds was calculated to determine the winners. There was an excellent buffet meal provided during the interval. Albany finished in a creditable second place behind DLS. The Commodore extended the club’s thanks to WMC for their hospitality and organisation, with special thanks to Rob Fry for organising reserved parking for himself ( as this was the first event he had attended with his new prosthetic leg.) MTYC End of Summer Ball - 2024Two boats were attending from Albany Laird Tommy Zephyr Friday 6 Sept Zephyr and Laird Tommy left PH just before 2pm and headed for Sunbury. Chertsey lock we had to prepare and open the gates but as the boats entered the lock keeper appeared and carried on the process for us. The other 2 locks were manned. We moored at Middle Thames Yacht club on the Bankside towards the weir end, outside the clubhouse. We relaxed in the clubhouse with a coffee. We had decided to have a BBQ for our evening meal using the facilities at MTYC but we had taken our own food and coals. The club had a committee meeting in the evening and Dennis sorted out the electricity supply for us, as they have now gone to smart metres and a pre payment card, which we paid when we left for what we had used. Unfortunately in true British style it rained during the BBQ so after we finished the BBQ we retired to Zephyr for desert and a night cap or two. Saturday 7 Sept After a morning coffee in the club house we decided to catch the ferry and take a walk to the Walled garden for a spot of lunch. The crew from Laird Tommy managed to obtain the last 2 baked potatoes for lunch at the envy of the others. A leisurely afternoon and then we dressed up into our black ties and ball gowns for the evening Ball. Robbie & Jill joined us for the evening meal and dancing. Once the Ball was over Robbie & Jill left to drive home and then the 4 of us retired to Laird Tommy for a few night caps. Sunday 8 Sept MTYC very kindly offered to cook a full English breakfast for all the people that had stayed on their boats and this was ready at about 10:15. Which was very enjoyable. After breakfast we both decided to leave and head back to PH. The only lock manned was Sunbury for the return journey.
ATYC Rally to WEST INDIA DOCK - Friday 23 Aug to Tuesday 27 Aug 20243 boats were joining the ATYC rally this year from Albany. Enterprise lll Laird Tommy XX Blue Dimension Thursday 22 Aug Enterprise was the first to leave PH at about 8:30 and headed to Teddington. Laird Tommy left PH at 9:45 Once both moored up at Teddington, afternoon drinks were consumed on Enterprise. The evening meal was enjoyed at the Tide End pub. Friday 23 Aug Blue Dimension joined us at Teddington mid afternoon and this time drinks were consumed at the Bankside. Something very strange happened at about 18:30 all went quiet and you couldn’t hear the weir. When we looked over the level of water on the weir side had risen to the same level as the river which allowed about 4 canoes to ride straight over from the river onto the weir side. After a short period then the weir side level fell and the noise of the weir running started again. Evening meal was left to each boat to organise and Russ & Mary and their 2 guests had a meal at the Anglers pub. John & Geraldine joined them later on for a drink. Early to bed for early start the next day. Saturday 24 Aug At 04:30 lock in had been booked so the 3 boats duly lined up and entered the lock in the pitch black. Enterprise led the way with Blue Dimension in the middle and Laird Tommy bringing up the rear. While we were in the lock we saw a large seal swimming in the water beside our boats. It took until about 5:45 to 6:00 before you could start to see anything as the darkness faded. All was going fine till we approached Hammersmith bridge and then Enterprise and Blue Dimension realised that due to the very high spring tide they didn’t have enough air draught, so had to wait. Laird Tommy decided to carry on and managed to get under Hammersmith bridge with only about 2 to 3 inches of space, duly watched by the crew as we went really slowly through. As we were early going through London there was very little traffic on the river. Laird Tommy arrived at West India Dock first at 8:30 followed a little while later by Enterprise and Blue Dimension and we all rafted against each other while the lock filled up with all the other boats on the rally. The lock was closed at 09:45 as the tide was falling very fast but fortunately all the boats had arrived. Each boat club were given 1 or 2 spaces on the Bankside in the dock, so Blue Dimension moored first and Enterprise rafted alongside and Laird Tommy moored Bankside behind them. Then just for a change, we had some drinks and nibbles on Enterprise. At 3pm we had the opportunity to go and see Massey Shaw fire boat which was used in 1940 to assist with the Dunkirk evacuation. Unfortunately one of the engines is completely stripped down for repairs but we were allowed to walk round the fire boat and go inside the engine room. The 6 of us brushed up into our posh attire to attend the drinks reception at the nearby hotel followed by a 3 course meal and dancing late into the evening. Sunday 25 Aug In the morning Geraldine, John & Russ returned to the hotel for a full English breakfast. ATYC had organised a couple of displays for us in the morning. How to rescue a stricken boat by rafting out while afloat on the water. Showing us that the boat under power should have its stern further back than the stricken boat by about a mitre to allow for steerage and control. Also throwing a rescue line to someone in the water. ![]() In the afternoon a session on boat handling and rowing with about 6 people on a KataKanu, 2 canoes joined together. Along with a couple of races, which I think was won by PHYC. Also the Canal Project staff showed us some knots and slicing along with some rope throwing. Then there was tea, coffee and cake on the pontoon. Followed by a glass of wine. The evening was spent aboard Blue Dimension and food was pooled together from the 3 boats along with some alcohol (of course). Monday 26 Aug 9:30am 7 PHYC boats plus 1 prepared to leave in the morning as they were heading out on an East Coast Cruise. The rest of the rally fleet were leaving in the afternoon at about 3pm Some of us took this time to go for a little walk round the dock and found a small area selling some street food, which we had for lunch. The fleet of about 30 boats were arranged into 2 groups of 15 boats, so we didn’t all leave the dock at the same time and cause problems in London with the busy ferry traffic. This had been requested by the PLA/VTS along with a few other restrictions at late notice, and they advised that they would be watching our behaviour (as there had been a few boats speeding during the 2019 rally). Once we were out of the busy London section Andrew (joint chair of ATYC) phoned the PLA/VTS and they congratulated us on our behaviour. A couple of boats were spoken too on the route into WID as they were cutting the corner and on the wrong side of the channel. Albany boats were in the first group to leave the lock in the afternoon. The speed of our return was controlled by the lead boat, so the taller boats could navigate under Hammersmith bridge and then time our arrival at Richmond Weir as the sluices were raised.
We had a slight wait at Teddington to enter the lock as a couple of boats were already using it. Laird Tommy and Enterprise were in the first lock in and we were able to moor at Teddington and then Blue Dimension in the second lock in was also able to moor behind us. Enterprise and Laird Tommy pooled their food for the evening meal on Enterprise and Blue Dimension decided to eat out at the Tide End. Then we all had a night cap on Enterprise. Tuesday 27 Aug We departed Teddington in the morning and made our way back to PH marina. BBQ at Penton Hook Marina on Tuesday 13 August 2024Present: John & Geraldine Russ & Mary Philip Geoff & Sally Martin, Emilia, Edward & Toby This year the sun was shining and there was no indication of rain being forecast, so different from last year. People brought their own meat or vegetables and drink. We started cooking just before 18:30. Rolls, salad bits, coleslaw, potato salad, sauces and meringue & strawberries and cream were provided. We all eat well and had a good social evening with the odd drink.
We did miss the flame thrower to light the BBQ and its owner and also Sharon’s potato salad. |
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December 2024
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