Vince Williams and Jon Goodson opened our season for us with a very informative and entertaining presentation about the “Idle Women” of the Grand Union Canal.  Vince and John told, to a full club room, how the “Idle Women” came to be. How in the war years, amidst great danger they ran the narrow boats down the canal between Birmingham and London. Often carrying munitions. They had a modest amount of training yet needed great skill and strength to manage the boats. Their conditions wer...

Andy & Nicky Gibb have sailed their boat Intrepid of Dover, a 40 ft Westerly Oceanlord across the Atlantic 3 times and completed a circumnavigation in 2007.

They sail with family and friends who join and leave the boat at various stages.

Nicky graphically and enthusiastically described how they sailed one of these stages across the Pacific Ocean. Their route was through the Panama Canal to the Galapagos, then to Marquesas, Tahiti, Samoa, other Pacific Islands and on to Australia. She told of t...

This, the last meeting of 2008 is an oppportunity to meet up for a Natter & Noggin and look forward to 2009.
There will be a small charge of £5 per head. Menu: Pork baps with apple sauce/seasoning and vegetarian quiche, onions and pickles. Pavlova, trifle and mince pies followed by coffee and mints.To keep us entertained Alan is organising a "nautical" Beetle Drive and to round off the night there will be a mystery raffle. Everyone is encourage to bring a long a small prize wrapped up so no o...

Do you have a question relating to boat electrics that Ron can address at our next meeting? If so email here or use the contact menu, your question will be passed on to Ron and he will try to include your topic.

Tuesday  saw a very welcome return of Mike Streets and Chris Bassam to MCCC. Mike and Chris have now had six years cruising in the Caribbean and during that time have covered the area in great depth. 

We heard some fascinating details of life out there living amongst the Islands: how often entering each island requires entry and exit formalities to be completed as they are often different countries. Members were given some good tips about anchoring and how in all those years Mike and Chris ha...