COASTAL CRUISE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31316, 11 March 1967, Page 23

COASTAL CRUISE

Beasly County Back

The 20ft cutter, Beasly County, which left Lyttelton a year ago for a coastal cruise, and for its crew of three a working holiday, returned to Lyttelton this week. On the return trip from Blenheim the cutter sheltered at Port Underwood for three days. The three were Miss J. Harris and two Fryer brothers. They said the cruise had been a sound experience and they had learned much about sailing. When the craft originally left Lyttelton in March last year, she suffered a number of setbacks and had to be towed back into Lyttelton twice before she finally got away.

Mr Edmund Fryer, who is co-owner of the Beasly County with his brother, said that calls were made at Wellington, Napier, Gisborne and finally Auckland- By earning money at the ports of call, they were able to enjoy a satisfactory working holiday. Miss Harris said that she took jobs in hotels at times. Most of the time was spent in Auckland and one of the brothers went to Australia.

On the southbound journey to Lyttelton, calls were made at Gisborne and Blenheim, but the Beasly County grounded on the Wairau bar and this delayed her return for a fortnight. During this period, the brothers returned to Lyttelton and worked in a local shipyard where they were formerly employed. Miss Harris stayed in Blenheim.

On the last lap from Port Underwood to Lyttelton, the Beasly County ran before strong northerlies, with no sail set at times. The Beasly County met a head wind near Lyttelton heads, causing a 24hour delay. The three voyagers agreed that a 20ft cutter was too small for such a long coastal trip, but they all looked fit and well, and the cutter appeared to be in first class conI dition.