Day Sailing to Stockholm
Roger Saunders, a former research scientist and keen sailor, gave a presentation to Bishopsteignton Probus Club about his day sailing to Stockholm.
He described the routes he has taken, expanding the strengths and characteristics of the places where he moored, from sailing facilities and range of shops to the beautiful scenery nearby, including or perhaps especially the quality of the restaurants and sources of good beer.
Throughout his presentation, he smiled broadly every time he commented on the challenges he faced and overcame during his sailing trips, as well as the many interesting things he saw and did.
He painted an exciting picture of his sailing trips and amongst the many photos he shared, he commented on the architecture of many churches, including their unique characteristics.
He offered a historical perspective, including an insight into tactics by Russian tsar ‘Peter the Great’ whose army burnt and killed all that they could see when invading Sweden. He commented on an 11th century church in Rodenhaven, the architecture of which was ‘very Danish’, reflecting the long-term occupation of Sweden by the Danes on more than one occasion in history.
The bulk of Roger’s presentation focussed on his sailing to Sweden, with perhaps the most important advice being that if you intend to go sailing, you must prepare and plan very carefully in advance, including the need to have the necessary charts.
This was especially important along the coast of Holland in areas like Middleburg where there are sandbanks which are regularly shifting, which meant it was not just charts that he needed, but charts that showed the current situation.
RIGHT: John Tuddenham (right), former Probus Club chairman, gave the Vote of Thanks to Roger Saunders (left).