'Sirene' was sold in 2009 and 'Chantue' (Contessa 32) was bought to replace her, we had one too many very rough passages in Sirene, which is a very wet boat. We collected 'Chantue' from her mooring off the Medway Yacht Club in November and had a boisterous sail back round to Eastbourne that weekend. I have always wanted a boat that would look after me when I'm too tired (or too old) to look after it, I think I have found it,
So far we haven't performed very well in the RIR with her in the last two years, our fault not hers, last year we were 40 minutes late crossing the start line, which didn't help. This year we will be sailing short handed so depending upon the weather the spinnaker is unlikely!
Chantue nearing the end of the 2011 RIR off Norris Castle
Aldershaw Tiles has been very busy as well, with many churches under our belt, another project at Hampton Court Palace and many other notable jobs including the re-roofing of many of National Trusts properties in West Wickham.
We have mostly completed the modernisation of the works now, the next project is to instal biomass (log) boiler heating for the Dryers. Fuelled by home grown Chestnut and birch from our own sustainably coppiced woodland not only do we save £6000 a year in Gas we attract a significant RHI payment for doing so.
The Real Tennis court at Hampton Court Palace
'Stag & Huntsman' Hambledon
