Easter Cruise to Bray Marina 2025

Easter Cruise to Bray Marina - 2025

The 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.

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Club boats made their own way back the following day.