So, the Dahab trip happened. Was it an anti-climax? Not really, since it was conducted in a fairly low expectancy way. Weather was nice, sunny all day (no surprise there...) and cool in the evenings, to the extent that I needed a fleece. Wind was a bit pants - Mon ok, Tuesday very light, other days a bit slow in the mornings and better in the afternoon. The Thursday was very strange, with very light winds from one direction, and then about 15.00 it was like someone threw the switch on the fans! Literally within two minutes the wind went from F3-4 to F5-6, but very gusty and full of gaps - I switched to a 4m sail, but was standing up doing nothing in some areas. That could be the effect of the various buildings going up around the bay - they are determined to turn Dahab into Sharm, and then I won't be going there again.
Did my sailing improve? Well, had 4 sessions with Rob North on gybes and stuff, and managed to get around a few at slow speed. Tried lots much faster, and made one or two, but only after I'd slowed down lots in the turn. Some spectacular wipe-outs, including one which removed my cap and sunglasses and left me 10m from the board - rapid swim!! Sunglasses of course gone forever... So I guess it was useful. Don't sound too convinced, do I?
Cribby was there for some of the week - he had to go back to the UK for three days to sort out something with Shawna, court case or summat. Left Charlotte, a BWA hot shot to run his class, apparently with high success level. Met a guy on the bus on the way in, Ritchie, whose mate had not come because his wife's granny had died the week before. So Ritchie signed up with Cribby for the week, which was a good idea I didn't have soon enough really. Maybe in March...
Masbat is the same old place. Ate at Jay's a couple of times, also at El Fanar, once at Al Capone's - won't do that again. Went to the Nirvana curry place a long way down past Jay's - surprisingly good and a big change from the usual food. Strangely never got around to the fish place, don't know why. They've put some typical Arab statues up, of a couple of dolphins in town and something else on the way in - ghastly.
Go some pictures to put up, which I will shortly when I can be arsed. Unfortunately, none of the "new" Masbat :-)
