Greetings from Garda

Sorry for the silence up to now. Lots to do, no internet connection and very very hot out here in Garda. And trying to have a bit of a holiday too.

Worlds now in full swing at Fraglia Vela Malchesine (Malchesine Sailing Club). With six races completed the qualification series is complete and the fleet now splits into silver and gold for the remaining nine planned races.

For the Scots the news is as follows

Alexander 15th overall (Gold Fleet)
Samantha 56th overall (Gold Fleet)
Jessica 59th overall (Gold Fleet)
Joanne 79th overall
Dean 90th overall

Racing is very tight on a difficult race course with not many options so starting is critical and eyes "out of the boat" to spot the swinging wind. There has been sufficient wind in the afternoons to keep everything on schedule but more like an average Force 3 than the 20 knots we all hoped for.

Weather is hot, very hot.

We arrived after our 27 hour drive to a major thunderstorm and torrential downpour but it has been mostly dry since. Weather last week was 20-25 degrees most days but has topped 30 this week and not much cooler at night. Yesterday whilst re sealing Samantha's self bailer in the dinghy park (she was full of water by race three) I had to have an assistant mopping the perspiration from my eyes so I could see the bolts!

There's not a lot to break the tedium for us parents but it makes a change to be buying ice cream and cold beer rather than coffee and hot chocolate. Seems a shame to be hiding in the shade all day but the frazzle factor makes other alternatives unthinkable. Lots of German sun worshippers here and they are very very brown.

No wind at all on the lake as I write this. (11.30 local time, 10.30 in UK) but the wind is expected to arrive on schedule about 1pm and racing will start shortly thereafter.

Will post a personal blog telling the story of our travels thus far once the kids are all afloat.

G.