So the rendezvous was set for Shepards Wharf with a number of boats leaving Ashlett on the tide on Saturday 1st Sept, with Richard and Adrian joining us which gave a fleet of myself (Daislebee), Robin (Moonfleet) , Jim (Hippo), Tony (Pellew), Ian (Moksha), Richard (Egret) and Adrian (Torridon).
We were also joined by two intrepid skippers and crew - Geoff Aston in the Lugger "Melody" and Charles and Jan de la Fuente in their Lugger "Loulie".
Charles and Jan had booked B&B, both at Cowes and Yarmouth - Geoff planned to sleep aboard for a night before heading for home.
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| Fleet in Shepards |
Sunday
A bright day dawned and the tide allowed for a lazy morning before the stream would take us into the Western Solent with a variety of plans.
First things first, Robin and I helped Charles take his lugger round to a slippery slipway and try and fix a leak where is depth sounder fitting was letting in water. After much playing around we managed to slow the flow to a dribble and returned to Shepards to join the rest of the fleet.
Ian had had some trouble with his centre plate jamming and was contemplating returning to Ashlett to sort it out, until it was pointed out that if he couldn't he would be stuck without our help - in the event the issue cured itself.
Geoff left the fleet and made his way home via Beaulieu, but the the rest of us set off for destinations further to the west. The majority were heading for Newtown Creek, Charles and Jan had their B&B booked in Yarmouth, and an intrepid few, well Robin and and myself, pressed on to Alum Bay where we met up with Marcus (Drifter Sundance), Andy (Coaster Blue Peter) and Tracey (Norfolk Gypsy Carpe Dieme).
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| Charles and Jan in Loulie |
A pleasant but rolly night was spent at anchor, but was more than made up for by the wonderful colours the sunset and indeed sunrise cast on the sandy cliffs.
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| Sunset looking towards the Needles |
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| The coloured sands of Alumn Bay |
Monday
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| Morning in the bay |
Another lovely day, with little wind to start with saw the fleet depart Alum Bay to round the Needles and the start of our trip round the south side of the island.
The wind was southerley and so we had to head quite a long way out into the channel on long tacks to make it round St Catherines Point before the tide changed. In the event the expected overfalls amounted to nothing and as the wind moved round we had a fine sail along the south east coast of the island, passing Ventnor and Sandown before rounding the point at Foreland and heading for Bembridge where the rest of the fleet were assembled,. They had taken the inside passage through the Solent.
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| Bembridge Harbour |
A few elected to eat on board but some of us wander up into the village of St Helens and had a nice meal at the Vine pub.
Tuesday
Another fine day, no wind and a leisurely start was taken with Marcus, Tracey and myself walking around the harbour, visiting the second hand chandlers that always promises a bit you know you don't really need but ...
We continued up into Bembridge Village and bought lunch on the way. The return journey was via the ferry at the point and shortly after we all set out for Chichester.
There was little wind to start with, although by the time we reached the Chi beacon we were all enjoying a fine sail. There was a lot of drift wood in the water, a fact we were alerted about by the aptly named 'Slinger' Woods.
Some elected for a tea stop at East Head, by which time I had my cruising shute up and pulling well. I tried to head close to the wind and sail past the anchored fleet - all I actually did was alarm a anchored yachtsman who thought, in a poorly timed gust of wind, that I was going to ram him...closer to the truth than comfort allows.
The fleet eventually convened in the little harbour of Bosham, a first for me and we rafted up using the fender boards provided in a group at the far end of the run.
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| The fleet in Bosham |
NOTE TO SELF - LEAVE LONG LINES
Yes, in spite of letting out what I thought was enough slack on the mooring lines I was alerted, whilst in the pub, to the fact I was hanging off the harbour wall. What made in worse was Jim's boat had partially dried out slightly underneath my boat. Could have had two badly damaged boats.... Thankfully lines and cleats held - testament to the quality and although it took until 03.00 am to re float and I could return on board safely, all was well in the end.
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| Yes that is light under the keel - about 3 foot of it ..... |
Wednesday
I seem t recall it was another lovely day, but after the vents of the night I have to confess I wasn't much interested. We cast off about 08.00 to avoid drying out and made our ways to various parts of the harbour. I picked up a buoy and promptly went back to sleep until midday. Adrian and Richard had to make it home and Tracey needed to be back at Newtown so the fleet was gradually reducing in size.
The rest of us did however have a plan, and that was to r/v at the Emsworth Visitors pontoon for the night.
I set off for Itchenor and a quick stop at the harbour masters pontoon before setting off for Emsworth. En route I saw a few of the fleet and eventually we were all tied up safe and snug.
After some tea and cake, Robin, Ross and I took Moonfleet up to the quay at Emsworth and went shopping for supplies. Fish and chips from Emsworth for supper and very nice too.
Thursday
Another fine day which saw the fleet, after another visit to Emsworth, set out for Portsmouth. Most took the outside route, but looking at the tide and the beach I went for the inside route about 40 metres off the shore.
We had planned on Hazlar but they were having dredging work so we swallowed hard and went into Gosport Marina, to discover they had a minimum length which added to the expense but heh ho!
We made up for it with a visit to the Gosport Chinese - Sharon had some kit to drop off so joined us, along with Glenys and we managed to make sure Ian didn't break the pact by moving onto main courses too quickly - you can continuing ordering starters within the set price - until someone orders a main course - when you all have to move over to the main course menu.
The evening should have drawn to a pleasant conclusion then, but we decided to have a quick drink on Tony's boat - a boat that was moored very loosely, in fact so loosely that when I stepped aboard I promptly did the splits, dropping and smashing a bottle of wine and falling into the water - wonderful.... the only good news was I saved my phone from a dunking.......
Friday
A variety of plans were put forward for our last day out..none of which were stuck to. In the event Marcus, Robin and Ross and myself ended up in the Royal Victoria Yacht Club in Wootton Creek. They were very accommodating and we had a very nice lunch and a few beers in their garden.
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| Royal Victoria Yacht Club |
The others went to various points east and west before we r/v'd at Ashlett - those that live there pulled out, with some difficulty due to the lack of a pontoon at the moment. Marcus stayed afloat to head off for Newtown on the tide the following day.
A convivial club house cook in took place to finish off the cruise in style.
A really good, if eventful cruise. (unfortunately the events of the week lead to further embarrassment at the Poole dinner, but more of that later)
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