Streaker Ramblings - Elford Numbum Race 5 - 5th Feb 2012

Where we live, at the top of Hangleton, Hove there was a snow fall over night. Fortunately for us it only amounted to about an inch deep layer and almost clear roads – the buses were running this morning! Over the downs to the north it looked clearly very white and we decided that the best route to take would be along the coast road (A259) through Brighton, Rottingdean, Peacehaven and Newhaven. Over the hill from Peacehaven and down to Newhaven there was a fair bit of snow/slush between the vehicle tracks and as we turned north to Piddinghoe it was very slightly worse but easily negotiable at reasonable speed.
The lane to the pond appeared to have been gritted – the people at the stables no doubt – and was also quite passable. The Pond itself however was almost entirely coated with Ice and a layer of slushy snow on top of that. There was a small area apparently free of ice over near the east side – well there were quite a few Gulls who seemed to be swimming. The main Ice sheet, near the shores was between ½” and 1” thick – a bit too much for the safety boat to break up. Added to the ice there was a distinct lack of breeze – even ice yachts would have had a problem to get moving.

So it was case of no sailing and ‘Hey Ho’ and off we go – home – via a crispy Bacon Buttie at Weatherspoons in Brighton Marina. Hopefully the current cold spell will clear up early in the week to come and we will be able to sail/race next Sunday.
PS. All along the south side of the pond, on the ice at the edge, was a series of foot prints in the slushy snow covering. I think this may have been from the local, resident, varmint – the Mink – out looking for breakfast.

Alan.S 1700