VISA-GB News

60ft Ketch

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:41:00 +0000

One can dream can't one? Just come across a superb 59 foot Ta Chiao CT 54 Luxury Ketch.

Over wintering?

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:34:00 +0000

The days are getting longer, and the sun is even coming out late into the afternoons, it must be time to consider lifting back on to the water and preparing for another sailing season.

Last weekend the RONA Sailing Project and the Discovery Sailing Project held their annual reunion at the Punch Tavern in London, to bring everyone up to speed with this years fortcoming sailing programme. And to use the description given it by the RSP's volunteer co-ordinator 'exciting news!' indeed.

RSP have their usual mix of multi day and week long boyage on Merlyn this year, and DSP are doing similar with some differances. A weekend just for the girls and later on a 'boys own' weekend too. The latter event doesn't seem to be much different to what is usually happening, but hey ho! obviously somone somewhere felt left out after seeing the girls weekend avertised!

Both RSP & DSP are participating with two of their yachts in Blind Week this year, and Julian was there as usual to fill people in on the arrangements for this year. Blind week south is being hosted by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club from Falmouth, and more details are available on his webpage.
DSP's 4Seastream 43 won't be participating unfortunately, in her place is their new Holiday 34 and that will be sailing down in a mini flotilla with RSP's Lady Shona.

There is also some exciting news from Vi-SA-GB, our incorporation as a company limited by guarantee and registration with the Charities Commission of England and Wales is almost complete after what seems to have been a considerable time, and there are plans a foot to hold an initial meeting in the next 8 weeks with those people that would be interested in playing their part and being on the executive management committee.

Watch this space for more details!

Right, I guess that's it, we've all had our bottoms scraped over the long winter break and we're all ready to slip those warps, haul in those fenders and get some good sailing in this year!

Happy sailing!

Catch all domains

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:02:00 +0000

The Visually Impaired Sailing Association of Great Britain can be accessed through http://www.vi-sa-gb.org.uk
http://www.blind-sailing.org.uk
http://www.vi-sailing.org.uk
http://www.visa-gb.org.uk
Fret not! No matter whichever way you are pointed to the ultimate in sailing portals for blind and partially sighted sailing enthusiasts or for anyone that is keen on knowing more about this sector of sailing, supporting the aims and objectives, and or volunteering you need not worry, we’ve domain alias’s in place to forward you all!

rummage rummage rummage

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:25:00 +0000

Log book, portland plotter, and dividers, Shit! They stab you good those things, I need some kind of wallet to keep them in otherwise they’re going to do a good job at puncturing a lung through my kit bag.Hmmmmmm, the stand in commodore has vacated the club house bar for the weekend as he’s frequenting Levenstone, O dear! I do so pity those lovely people on the Lightship, I have recollections of being politely asked to leave one evening so people could go home to their bedsand Yes, that was all Eddy Kitchens doing again!

Anyone seen my kit bag?

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:20:00 +0000

Aha! There it is. Another weeks sailing as of tomorrow, most probably the last week of the season, unless I can grab the occasional cheeky day sail from somewhere. Yep, Discovery, a sea stream 43 from Universal Marina on the Hamble, with a few of my good chums and the odd one or two that I don’t know. The passage plan is still undecided I hear, it would be good to get across to the Channel Islands and perhaps home via Cherbourg, but the wind is particularly unsettled just at present, so nothing can be taken for red till it actually happens.
The in shore forecast from the met office for Sunday/Monday - Wind
Northwest 3 or 4 becoming variable 3 or less, then southwest 3 or 4 later.
Sea state
Smooth.
Weather
Mainly fair.
Visibility
Mainly good.

Meet you in the bar

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:03:00 +0000

Well there we are then, another week, and what a perfect end to all the trials and tribulations that have blown our way, then for a comfortable evening in the VISA-GB Club House bar. Despite only being officially open for two days, it would appear that in the absence of appointing a bar steward, Eddy Kitchen has already gone through a barrel of Best Bitter, and had it not be for the pfaff involved and the time it takes to pour a Guinness we would also find ourselves having to restock that as well.
Whilst some of us have been busy helping to stack the shelves and ensure that the library was fit for business,identifying potential fund raising opportunities and planning our fund raising campaign, our stand-in commodore has been ensuring that he has personally christened the Club House and every single glass we have!

Club House open for business

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:24:00 +0000

Gosh! It’s been almost ten days since we had some good news to post, and despite the scrutiny of those builders, the refurbishment of the VISA-GB Club House has dragged on a bit. At last however, I am delighted to announce that all the dust covers, ladders, tressles, and paint tins have been cleared away, the newly layed carpet is looking as it should be on these occasions, and Yes! The club house is open for business. Don’t forget now, it is open strictly to VISA-GB members, so if you haven’t subscribed as yet, you will need to make sure your subscribtion is up to date if you want to make use of all of the facilities.
I’ve seen some of the publications that have been unpacked and are filling the shelves in the library, and I can confidently say, that never before has such a comprehensive range of accessible sailing literature and information come together in one place for the benefit of sailing enthusiasts. What is more, further titles will be added shortly, and it is hoped that issues we are missing and that members may have themselves will be lent to the library using the upload facility which is to be found in the Club Secretary’s Office.
You may find that certain people have already made themselves at home in the bar, which is fine, that is what the bar is for surely. Just try not to detain the Executive Management Committee members too long, they have some serious and much needed fund raising to be getting on with!

VISA-GB Club House

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:20:00 +0000

Great News! The VISA-GB Club House is almost open for members, it's just undergoing a fresh lick of paint, the bar is being refurbished and the necessary stocking up seen to. Then we shall arrange a grand opening event and all the amenities, and function rooms will be available for members with a current subscription to access.

I took a quick peep inside just earlier, and I am very pleased by the library and reading room. I think that this will make for an invaluable resource within the association and something that I am sure will attract plenty of people to subscribe just to enjoy the benefit.A

VISA-GB web upgrade

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:35:00 +0000

We upgraded from a mere home user to a power user with our domain hosting company overnight, and although you may not see any immediate increase in functionality, it now means that the visa-gb.org.uk webpages have a capacity of 1.5GB as opposed to the original 500MB, unlimited bandwidth and a host of other admin facilities which will come in useful as the organisation grows.
The most exciting feature with the upgrade is that we can now add a members only area on the webpage protected by logon and password, so that only members witha current subscription will gain entry to the visa-gb club house.

Watch out for future information and pblogs on that topic

Merelyn

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 07:54:00 +0000

Spoke with Gordy last night. He was held up on Merelyn on the Hamble, been unable to set sail due to a westerly force 7/8. The plan is to slip moorings early today and sail across channel to Alderney and Guernsey. Gordy says that Dizzy Hoppy is on board, and that he was quizzical about VISA-GB's progress, Hmm, interesting. Geoff Bungay and Jean Ellis are onboard too, o yeah, Hahahaha, Happy skipper "I've lost a fiver and found a pound" JJeith isn't skippering, he's injured his back and has been replaced by John at the last moment, so everyone should feel involved and be included in conversations for a change - mind you, Yvonne is crew, so that rules helming out!

Twits from VISA-GB

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:13:00 +0000

Additional Web portals

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:34:00 +0000

We’ve registered further sign posting to the VISA-GB webpages today, http://www.blindsailing.org.uk and http://www.visailing.org.uk will take you straight to the splash page on the http://www.visa-gb.org.uk website.
After all, we can’t be having people wandering aimlessly about the pontoons and marinas looking for us, who knows what trouble they could get into!

VI-sailing

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:33:00 +0000

Its heartening to see so many new arrivals in the vi-sailing club house, maybe it is due to the depressions building in the atlantic at present, but whatever, you are all most welcome.
We have plenty of room for everyone, I’m sure there is space on the members pontoons and still some space on the visitors too. We can all squeeze up a little, the more the merrier!

Webpage maintenence

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 07:19:00 +0000

The visa-gb.org.uk webpage was down for maintenence last night, but we're pleased to announce that it is once more up and awaiting your visit.
Make sure to check out the ***New*** mailing list link where you can enter the VI-Sailing Club house, kick off your deckies and generally catch up with past and future shipmates after a hard days grinding!

VI-Sailing mailing list

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:16:00 +0000

Your vi-sailing group at Yahoo! Groups is good to go.
Here are the details on vi-sailing:
Group home page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vi-sailing
Group email address:
vi-sailing@yahoogroups.com
Ready to start?
Get the ball rolling by posting the very first group message. Then add photos,
create an event, or whatever. In short, make yourself at home in your new
group.
Simply drop by the vi-sailing homepage now. To keep the online conversation
moving, be sure to invite friends, family, and others who share your passion.
Thanks,
Yahoo! Groups

Saturday 8 August 2009 Goodbye Cowes, hello Outreach II

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 08:05:00 +0000

Woohoo! The sun’s shining and everythin looks set for a fair day. Sadly it is the final day of Cowes week, but after what surely was the most spectacular of all Cowes fire work displays, there’s a buzz to the place this morning which is quite incredible considering the amount of beer and Pimm’s being consumed in the Sail for Gold bar last night. Wow! Wow! Wow! What an evening!
Anyhow enough of this mischief, I’ve my joining instructions to find, check what time I have to report to the Fieldhouse pontoon at Hornet Sailing Club later on this afternoon, and some shit to pack too!

Friday 7 August 2009 The Red Arrows at Cowes!

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:48:00 +0000

Hmmmm, maybe, just maybe, with a high pressure sitting off the South West, the forthcoming plans to make passage to the Channel Islands may possibly come to fruition. Whatever, it’s going to be a heck of a busy weekend in the Solent, and trying to squeeze onto a mooring anywhere either side of the Wight is going to be particularly unwelcome.
Anyhow, we’re all set for the next week, we’re going to vitall up tomorrow, and then who knows, it’s all in the lap of the wind monsters, we’ll just have to wait and see!
Happy days, we’re off sailing again!

Thursday 6 August 2009 Cowes in the pouring rain

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:37:00 +0000

***Stop Press***
vi-sailing@googlegroups.com Is the newly set up mailing list for all matters related to visually impaired sailing. It’s your club house where you can ask questions, canvass opinion, seek advice, and post events and opportunities related to all sailing matters
Simply send an e-mail to vi-sailing-subscribe@googlegroups.com with subscribe as your subject, leave the message body blank and await your instructions or follow the link http://www.visa-gb.org.uk/information.htm/

Thursday 6 August 2009 - And it's still Cowes week!

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:20:00 +0000

Hmmmmmm, You know how it is sometimes, you trail a line out over the pushpit rail in the hope that you’re going to eventually bring on board something special, and you wait for what seems like days and days. You know that there’s interest out there, and you can just imagine the little fish’s discussing it all amongst themselves. "What’s going on here? What’s the motive behind this? Do you think it’s genuine and credible? Just who is this Johnny cum lately?" and then all of a sudden, without any indication at all, grab! Snatch! And the hook has been taken.
Well, I think it’s about time I tried to alay some of the fears that those little fish may be having, that big tough guy of a fish hasn’t been clubbed to death, he showed his curiosity, and is as free today as he was before.
OK, so the VISA-GB hook was sharp and purposefully deployed, it wasn’t soiled by bait and any promises, and if there was a spinner attached to lure one, it was through the information of the webpage http://www.visa-gb.org.uk. But I digress, I promised those that need it some reassurance.
VISA-GB’s transitional executive management committee firmly believe that the forming of VISA-GB will not dilute or threaten the tremendous work that has been done over the course of many
years, but will infact strengthen that work and indeed compliment the fantastic progress that has been achieved in Blind Sailing by so many dedicated and committed people . The aims and objectives of the association are clearly defined within our webpages, and VISA-GB are confident that through the support of members, volunteers and the attraction of additional funding streams, we will be able to enhance the opportunities for all visually impaired sailing enthusiasts.
Yeah, so we’ve upset the fragile eco system within which the bottom feeders may inhabit, but the silt will settle, and they can get on with scratching an existance as before.

Wednesday 5 August 2009 Cowes Week day 5

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:37:00 +0000

Another very barmy dawn, very little wind, and certainly not a day to be plodding around the Solent! Which reminds me, what better than being at Cowes in person then tuning into Cowes week radio.
The link direct to the Cowes week home page has been added to the content of the VISA-GB home page for your convenience, so there is nothing more to do today, but relax, make sure the shore power for the fridge is hooked up, stock up with tinnies and lay back in the warm weather listening to what is going on minute by minute in Cowes! Enjoy!

Tuesday 4 August 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Excellent! A trip ashore to the Chain and Anchor for a cheeky one is never a waste of time, although the place was markedly quiet – guess that must be due to Cowes week. Funny enough though, did bump into someone we may all know, and over a pint he thrust a oily piece of paper in my hand, and asked me to post it for maximum affect, seeings it wasn’t anything that would resemble currency of the realm, I thought twice of ordering drinks all round and here it is….
Hi All
One space available.
Cost £100
Just had a cancellation for week commencing August 22nd.
If you, or another VI you know of, would like to apply for the place do get in touch asap.
Similar to the annual Blind Week, yacht TOUCAN is being offered to visually impaired (VI) crew for a choice of 3 week-long sailing breaks in the Solent
and/or beyond during August & September 09.
Kind regards
Nick Pomfret

Tuesday 4 August 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:12:00 +0000

Hmmmmmmmm, everything appears to be sitting a bit below the plimsoll line today, the ensign is just perpendicular to it’s pole, and all the brass looks as if it could do with a damn good buff up! Now what did we do with that Brasso? Um, looks as if a trip ashore to our jolly chandlers is in order, which reminds me, when I return I must get back on with collating the list of all the chandlers throughout the UK. Happy days! Perhaps I may need to pop in at the Chain and Anchor and see if any of our sea faring friends are around first!

Monday 3 August 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:53:00 +0000

Fair winds indeed, after all the effort that was put into sending out the circulation the response so far has been most encouraging. I’ll have to make some room on the chart table and get on with penning some letters answering the queries and so on that have arisen.

Sunday 2 August 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:12:00 +0000

Aha! There we are then, if you wouldn’t mind unhooking the shore power before you climb aboard that would be super. Yes, you just throw your kit bag on the port sea berth and get yourself ready to set for slip. One final job, let me see, rummage rummage rummage, I was sure I had some drawing pins in the chart table locker somewhere! Hmmm, no worries, I’ll just have to use the tried and tested reliable gaffer tape for sticking this ‘ere notice to the pontoon support. We don’t want people missing the circular whilst we are away!
……..Well, Hi there!
Thought you may be interested in VISA-GB the Visually Impaired Sailing Association of Great Britain see http://www.visa-gb.org.uk for more details
VISA-GB is an unincorporated not for profit voluntary organisation that has been formed by visually impaired sailing enthusiasts like yourself with the sole purpose of further developing and giving blind and partially sighted people increased opportunities through offshore sailing as equals with independence, liberty and dignity .
VISA-GB is a user led and run association.
The aims and objectives of VISA-GB are:
• To promote Offshore sailing for blind and partially sighted sailing enthusiasts as equals with independence, liberty, and dignity
• To enable blind and partially sighted sailing enthusiasts to maximise their potential in an environment where equality is underpinned through empowerment given by the association and its volunteers to its members.
• To influence and inform sailing organisations, associations, and suppliers of goods to the sailing community by promoting awareness, accessibility, and
confidence around visually impaired yachtsmen and women.
• To develop the skills, expertise, and qualifications of blind and partially sighted sailing enthusiasts in an environment which encourages equality and
independence of visually impaired sailing enthusiasts.
VISA-GB is inviting registrations of interest from visually impaired sailing enthusiasts like you to be considered to be on the VISA-GB executive management committee, to be involved in modeling the shape of the association, agreeing on terms of reference and devising a constitution for the association to adopt.
If you are passionate about sailing and want to be able to sail as equals and want to register your interest for consideration commodore@visa-gb.org.uk

Thanks and good sailing!
VISA-GB
http://www.visa-gb.org.uk

The information in this communication and any attachments is confidential and is intended solely for the addressee. Access, copying or re-use of information
in it by anyone else is unauthorised. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of VISA-GB
or any of its affiliates. If you are not the intended recipient please contact VISA-GB by e-mail to info@visa-gb.org.uk

Sunday 2 August 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Col Fowler) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 12:23:00 +0000

Wow! What an evening! Apart from the bottle of Geneva taking a kicking across the cockpit floor, we managed to accomplish the job in hand and send out the circulation e-mails. Whilst we’re waiting for some responses, any volunteers to crew for me, and we’ll quickly pop across the North Sea to the Netherlands and pick up a replacement for that wasted bottle of gin! Keep the ice chilled, and don’t drink the tonic whilst we’re gone!