South Coast Shrimper: Solent 'Cultural' Cruise - Sat 10th

The cultural cruise started over several days for some, with Brad and Bob coming over the bay from Poole in Siobhan and Dom Jarman and his crew in Samphire, a Coaster previously owned by Marcus Niner, launch at Bucklers Hard on the Friday.

The rest of us, Tony in Pellew, Robin in his Shrimper and me in Daislebee, launched and set out from Ashlett on the Saturday rendezvousing in Shepards Wharf with the others. It was a brisk sail with a strong westerly tide but caused no problems. Geoff Aston came out in his lugger for some of the journey but headed for home after awhile due to other commitments keeping him at home.

Rafted in Shepards

Friendly staff - charming

We adjourned to the pub that evening and were joined by Marcus who drove up from home, but left us as he had an early start to catch up with us the next morning.

Sunday

A lovely day dawned and leaving Dom behind we set off for Portsmouth. I think we all expected Marcus to be behind us and we were surprised to find him gilling about off Ryde waiting for us in his Drifter Sundance.

We joined up and sailed into Portsmouth and made our way up to Portchester. After waiting on the outer pontoon for awhile, the wind got up and we moved into the club pontoon as the racing finished. A BBQ was in full swing and the club officials were incredibly welcoming and we set in for an entertaining evening, including a visit to a local hostelry later that evening and a quick visit to some oriental culture....to get some Singapore noodles.

Portchester pontoon

Monday

We waited for the tide and set off about midday for the brisk and exciting sail to Ryde. Brad had not been in there before so a first for him.
Robin, Ross and I walked to Seaview which was interesting and then rv'/d with the rest at 'spoons' in the town. A convivial evening.

Robin - posing for a photo

Ryde Sands at low tide - looking west from Seaview towards Ryde

Tuesday

Whilst waiting for the tide a bit of shopping was done and then in inaugural golf championship was held at the crazy golf course by the harbour.

Duly won by the bandit Marcus, it was a lot of fun and has lead to plans to create a cruise around crazy golf locations next year......

We waited a little longer for Adrian who had come out of Chichester in Torridon and as we left Ryde, he was just passing.

A good sail ensued with the wind getting up as we rounded the point heading for Yarmouth.

Tony and Robin arrived ahead of us and as Bard and I tied up in a slightly different area I got a call from Marcus to say his starter cord had come apart and he was drifting so as Tony and Robin came round to join us they were surprised to see Bob and I setting out to sea past them.

We caught up with Marcus and towed him into the harbour, where the harbour master helped him into a berth.

He was soon fixed and we settled in for supper which that evening was fresh tagliatelle, with two pack of those mussels that come vacuum packed with wine and garlic - a few additional prawns and we were ready to go-- of course with some quickly toasted garlic bread... went down well but next time a little creme freche might coat the pasta better.

Wednesday

The fleet split up on the Wednesday with Bard and Bob returning to Poole - apparently they caught a fair sized bass en route - so we had a quick team photo ...

The motley crew

Marcus needed to be home that night so Adrian, Tony and I sailed with him to Newtown Creek and spent the night there

A lovely evening in Newtown

Thursday

Adrian needed to be back to set off after breakfast to get to Cowes or Bembridge - in the event he made it all the way back to Chichester.......

The wind got up later and Tony and I waited for it to die a little before setting off to Lymington where we were due to meet Sharon who wanted a sail.

The wind and tide made for a very rough sail - even fully reefed Daislebee romped along - the wind vane was pushed up the radio ariel and wedged there until I reached the calm water of Lymington harbour where it resumed its normal position.

We tied up at Town Quay and had a fish and chip supper with Andy and Judy Peter who came down for the evening. After they had gone we wandered to the pub on the quay and were shocked at the prices £9.60 for two pints....back in Ryde that would have got you 2 pints and a gin and tonic !!!!!

Friday

Sharon arrived on a early train and after a little shopping we set out. It was a beautiful day and we headed over to Newtown on the tide.