Posted by Robert Thompson on July 15, 2003 at 21:15:13 from 212.229.58.245 user robert.
Those who didn't witness the Return of the Great Aunt on Windermere last Saturday missed a treat - glorious weather, an inspiring location, but most of all the joy of meeting friends and Ransome enthusiasts again. The GA arrived in Scarab and was welcomed by the assembled hunting horns. She was suitably scornful of Colonel Jolys' attempts to keep his dignity while being chastised " Tin trumpets, Tommy!" Dick and Dorothea looked on with interest.
Many many thanks to Jim and Judy Andrews for hosting the event and to all those other committee members for helping to make the day so successful.
The GA wetted the bows of Hirondelle with water from her home port (Holly Howe Bay, Coniston) suitably laced with a little ginger wine. The company then helped to launch her into the foreign waters of Windermere. For a ship over seventy years old and recently dried out she floated beautifully and shipped no water aboard at all!
Event photos can be found here- I hope!