After all the poor weather recently, some of the southern based Drascombe Association members met up for a dinner in Chichester Yacht Club. As last time I spent the night on Daislebee. I thought, without the cushions, it would be uncomfortable on one of those thin air mats but I slept through til 7.00 and spent an hour or so sorting the boat out before getting some breakfast and the papers. Peter Tiplady arrived at about 9.30 and we set off motoring down the harbour into a brisk westerly. Passing the Bosham channel entrance we hoisted sail and had a great sail down towards East Head. The sun had come out and there were quite a few dinghies and other yachts enjoying the day. We decided to go across to the lee of Hayling Island for lunch but got too busy chatting to notice we were crossing into the shallows in the middle of the channel. As a result lunch was spent sitting in the middle of the harbour trying to appear nonchalant and as though we planned to be at anchor on the last hour of the tide. The Topper and Lasers were buzzing past us on a few metres away but 8 inches means a lot apparently especially when it is referring to lack of water under the keel.
We were soon on our way again and continued to the far side of the harbour before turning and running back up the harbour.
All too soon we were back in the marina exchanging notes with Adrian Kneller about his new forestay arrangement. Then it was off home, praying that no -one would tell me the result of the rugby. A good day, in good company
