On Sunday 18 May, ‘Cachalot’ arrived in Ramsgate to join the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships as they gather for the 85th Anniversary Return to Dunkirk this week.

Steve and Mark departed Suffolk Yacht Harbour, Levington at 0730 to take the ebb from the River Orwell out to Medusa. Their passage took them across Black Deep and south to Ramsgate where they arrived at 1800, having motor-sailed all day! On passage they were caught up (and overtaken) by Harvey in DLS ‘Elsa II’, a 32’ Thornycroft motor cruiser built in 1929. He had left Harwich at 0930, sending Beverley some great photos of ‘Cachalot’ early afternoon with the comment, ‘I caught up with a beautiful sailing yacht!’ By Sunday evening many of the boats based along the River Thames had already arrived or were expected into Ramsgate by Monday afternoon. The Royal Temple Yacht Club, hosting the ADLS gathering for the Return, laid on a welcome buffet.

Monday morning found Beverley at Matlock Bath Station to catch the train to Ramsgate, arriving 1500 to stay at the Bedford Inn, an excellent small hostelry close to the harbour. There would not be room on ‘Cachalot’ for her once Simon arrived from Dundee on Tuesday afternoon to crew with Steve and Mark. Also arriving on Monday was ’Maid Marion’, a 39’ Cornish lugger celebrating her 100th anniversary this year and in David Hunt’s family since 1965. She reached Ramsgate just as the sea state began to deteriorate after her passage from Harwich, having left Ramsholt on the River Deben on Sunday.

By Tuesday 20 May most of the 65 boats registered for the 85th Anniversary Return had arrived at Ramsgate. The DLS fleet ranges dramatically in size and type of vessel from the 26’ motor-yacht ‘Firefly’, the diminutive 1911 sloop-rigged racing yacht ‘Moonraker’ and Lifeboat no. 8, known as ‘Lady of Mann’, both just 27’, to ‘Bluebird 1938’ at 107’ and  92’ Sailing Barge ‘Pudge’. The two oldest boats in the fleet are ‘Cachalot’, 1898 and, just six years her senior, Sailing Barge ‘Greta’ built in 1892. There were parades and an air display in Ramsgate to entertain everyone as visitors gathered in the beautiful sunshine to admire the fleet, although there were still a few who were anxiously scouring the various weather forecasts for the week . . .