Two homes, two clubs, Andy Jones Reflects
The question is - to what lengths would you go to avoid a full winter in the UK? And how far would you go?
When our daughter and son-in-law decided to settle down in NZ and give us grandchildren, the answer was easy - spend 3 months December to February away visiting them. Admittedly, being retired, we have to follow US fiscal policy and just raise the debt ceiling, but no-one has come calling yet.
So we make our journey from Congleton (just south of Manchester) for what is now our third summer in Taupo.
On our first visit, I had not been sailing for quite a few years, but how can you resist the lake? So I dropped in to LTYC and was warmly welcomed by everyone. Unfortunately I tried to sail the same way up as you would in the UK, which of course is hull upside over here - I’m sure I invented new ways of capsizing a Laser. I love how everyone helps each other out in this club, and of course the setting is surely impossible. Each year we feel more and more ‘at home’ here; getting to know more faces via school runs, kids parties as well as the club of course.
I am proud to be a member of our club and I’m happy to have this opportunity to say a big thank you for your welcome, tips, advice - and forgiveness!
Andy, we are more than proud to have you as a member of LTYC and we are looking forward to creating more magical sailing memories. We’ll be sad to see you go but look forward to next year already!
Some of the Congleton sailing competition back in Andy’s English home
Andy trains hard during NZ winter back in England, ready to give the LTYC sailors a challenge during our sailing season
Andy Jones, the man, the legend of Congleton sailing and part of our LTYC Whanau - we love having you with us Andy!
