22 Apr 2011

Jenny Skylark launch day diary

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Early Sunday morning, 17th April: boats waiting on the beach before the excitement begins. From left to right: the 1920 Jolly Boat recently donated to Portobello by the Broughty Ferry Rowing Club; Icebreaker, our first boat; Boatie Blest and Boatie Rows, from Cockenzie/Port Seton. Image (c) Max Blinkhorn

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Boatie Blest and Boatie Rows resting in the boatyard after rowing over from Port Seton on Saturday, a tough four hour pull into the wind and waves.

 

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Our new boat about to leave the workshop where pieces of timber and sheets of plywood were transformed into a creature of beauty. Image (c) Max Blinkhorn

 

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Out of the door… Image (c) Max Blinkhorn

 

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On to the trailer - paparazzi everywhere as usual! Image (c) Max Blinkhorn

 

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After a quick trip along the High Street, she reappears at the east end of the Prom. Image (c) Max Blinkhorn

 

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Stepping out. Image (c) Max Blinkhorn

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A few words to the multitude from Andres. Image (c) Max Blinkhorn

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The old Portobello Amateur Rowing Club trophy is returned to Porty by the Royal West of Scotland Amateur Boat Club. Image (c) Max Blinkhorn

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Royal rowing clubs have a smarter uniform than commoners' clubs. But Ali's delighted we've got our trophy back! Image (c) Max Blinkhorn

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When we launch a boat in Portobello, what do we do? For goodness sake, We all join in! (For Quentin Blake fans.) Image (c) Max Blinkhorn

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And the multitude follow the boat along the Prom. Image (c) Lee Kindness

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The trusty Quad brings the boat onto the beach for the first time. Image (c) Max Blinkhorn

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Somewhere in there, Jenny Skylark is being named, blessed and launched. Image (c) Lee Kindness

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Mo testing the rum before naming the boat Jenny Skylark with it. Image (c) Max Blinkhorn

If anyone has a photo of the actual launch ceremony - which involved fire and spirit - let us know!

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Mo helped build the boat and is not going to miss the maiden voyage. Image (c) Max Blinkhorn

And they're off…
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Image (c) Lee Kindness
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Image (c) Lee Kindness
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Image (c) Lee Kindness
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Image (c) Forthsailoar 
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Icebreaker salutes new playmate Jenny Skylark. Image (c) Lee Kindness

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A bit of milling around with the waiting boats. Image (c) Lee Kindness

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And then the first race, won by Jenny Skylark. Thank you Port Seton! Image (c) Lee Kindness

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Icebreaker and Jenny Skylark Image (c) Lee Kindness

And other boats, just messing about on the water…
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Image (c) Lee Kindness

And hanging out…
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Image (c) Lee Kindness

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Image (c) Lee Kindness

And the curragh from Tollcross came out too. You can just make it out on the water in the background of the video below.

And to end with, the view from the water: