Rally Report by Peter Manning - Rally Secretary

Our second Djunk samling was held once again this year at the Lundsvagen Batforening in Hundvag just outside Stavenger over the weekend of 19th and 20th August 2006.

Five JRA members from the UK made the trip by air and two by boat. Robin Blain headed the UK contingent along with Steve and Sally Peake, Martin Lloyd, Peter Manning and Richard Gardner.

Alan and Gloria Parsons in BADGER, who had spent the summer cruising the Norwegian fjords, ended their cruise at the rally before returning to the UK for the Scottish rally at Kippford.

Five boats attended the rally in addition to BADGER; Arne Kverneland's JOHANNA, Ketil Greve's EDMUND DANTES, Svein Magnus Uland in SAMSON, Edward Hooper in ZULEIKA LOUISE which he keeps in Norway and MALENA, Arne's previous boat.

Although the rally did not officially start until the Saturday, the skippers who had arrived at Lundsvagen by the Friday took the opportunity to sail on each others boats which proved most enjoyable.

19 members met on the pontoons on Saturday morning and after being allocated to the boatsset out for some glorious sailing in the Amoyfjorden. The weather was a little cloudy in the morning but brightened up later on. The wind also started quietly but picked up later to provide some very enjoyable sailing.

The boats met for lunch on a small island just outside Stavenger on which there is a working boat museum. Members were given a tour which contained fascinating examples of the boatbuilders traditional craft. As this is a working museum, there were several examples of small boats in build.

Members swapped boats and spent the afternoon cruising before returning to the Lundsvagen batforening where preparations got underway for the evening social and barbecue.

As there are no formal catering arrangements at the boat club, members brought their own food and drink and got together to prepare an excellent buffet and barbecue which was enjoyed by everyone late into the night.

On Sunday morning members gathered again on the pontoons and arrangements were made for sailing in the Byfjorden. It was decided to return to the pontoons for lunch which was taken on SAMSON's ample decks. After a leisurely break everyone re-joined the boats for a further few hours pleasant sailing back in the Fjord before saying farewell and departing for home.

Although the rally officially ended late on Sunday afternoon, not everyone left. The British contingent and a few others who were not leaving until the Monday decided to hold an impromptu party on board SAMSON. Guests of honour were our hosts Arne and Sven.

During the day, Sally Peake decided to try her hand at fishing from one of the boats and managed to charm quite a few mackerel into her clutches. Gloria Parsons and Sally organised everyone and allocated tasks with Alan Parsons 'volunteering' to gut the fish.

We all enjoyed a superb meal washed down with ample refreshment, thanks mainly to Alan and Gloria's generosity. Our Thanks must also go to Sally and Gloria for all their hard work in the food department throughout the rally.

Thanks must also go to Arne, Sven and all our Norwegian friends and to everyone who helped make this our second Djunk Samling such a great success.

Norway is a magical place, the scenery is spectacular, the sailing superb and the sea and the fjords forever calm. This tranquility was only broken by what appears to be a little bit of friendly rivalry between our Hon Sec and myself. It all started when Ketil Greve took to the water early on Saturday morning. The water proved so warm and inviting that I also decided to take a dip. Unknown to me, the Hon Sec had spotted me and with camera in hand proceeded to capture the event for prosperity.

This would not be so bad if I had a decent body but being quite thin with a little more around the waist than is good for me, the thought of members of the JRA being subjected to such an image does not bear thinking about. Even worse, whilst enjoying a pleasant sail with Edward Hooper on board ZULEIKA LOUISE, he crept up again, camera in hand and proudly announced that we were sailing with our fenders down. Where is your discretion, Sir?

However, revenge is sweet. On Sunday, the Hon Sec was captured on film sailing along with a young lady's unmentionables flying from the guard rails. Later on, revenge was complete when he was captured peeling potatoes in BADGER's cockpit. A fitting conclusion to such disreputable conduct.

For those members who have considered the Norwegian rally but not yet made the trip, I can assure you that you will not regret the experience. Here's looking forward to our next Norwegian rally.

This rally report and related photos have been taken
from the Junk Rig Association Newsletter 48.