Dutch sailors visit Folk week
Dutch Toerzeilers 2011
WHITBY FOLK week had some Dutch visitors who sailed into town to enjoy the festivities.
On their 22nd annual visit, 29 members of the Dutch Cruising Association joined in local pub sing-a-longs, the Caleigh and the Morris dancing which they found very intriguing.
Among the boat skippers was Commodore Joost van Meeawen who helped to organise the very first visit in 1989.
He nearly didn’t make the trip because his boat Matumba developed engine trouble the day before they were due to depart.
And also returning to Whitby was Carel Carton who, despite being 71, sails his 11 metre yacht single handed.
He copes with the 40 hour journey by having two alarm clocks and sleeping for 20 minutes at a time.
On Tuesday evening Whitby Yacht Club held an informal reception and barbecue for the visitors.
Keith Gowland (Rear Commodore Cruise) presented Robert Moring the leader of the Dutch party with a 2012 Frank Sutcliffe calendar and a new club burgee.
In response, the yacht club was given replacement bottles of the elixir ‘Juttertje’ and a Ymuiden club pennant to add to their existing display in the recently refurbished club house.
The Dutch visitors also commented on how much they appreciated the improved navigational lights to the port and the marina shower block facilities.
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Weather for Whitby
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
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