Second thoughts

My planned 3 days on the boat was severely curtailed due to strong winds - it all started well - down to the boat on Wednesday, some provisions from Tesco and a visit to Cover to Cover to check out their spray hoods. Funny how many of their catalogue pictures feature well known Drascombes and often their owners as well....

I was away down the harbour just after lunch, but had already abandoned plans to cross to the island, hoping that the forecast winds would not be too strong within the harbour.
Crossed paths with Jeff Lander in his lugger 'Lugworm' on the way down and had a quick shouted conversation - I think he may have been trying to warn me .....

East Head was deserted and after supper I rowed in and had a walk around.

The sand gets wind blown into some fantastic patterns.

There was a old clinker 'gentlemans' motor yacht in the bay and he provided the evening's entertainment by rowing to the shore with his black dog, a lab I think, and managed to keep the dog in the dinghy until he hauled it up the beach so the dog could get out without getting wet. They set off for a walk and eventually reappeared at the top of the dunes - whereupon the dog tore down the beach after some gulls, straight into the water - accompanied by much shouting and cursing from his owner, who then rowed back to his boat with a wet, sandy but happy dog . Deep joy on that boat no doubt.

The wind got up over night and at about 5.00 am the man and his dog departed and shortly afterwards so did I  - thinking that the wind over tide conditions when the tide turned would be truly horrible, so in bright sun but with heavy clouds gathering I set off with a scrap of jib out doing 5 knots......

To avoid getting soaked I ducked into the Bosham Channel and in the lee of the trees picked up a buoy, where after a brief return to my bunk I had a very leisurely breakfast.
I then had my first go at working on the boat - yes, working - money for gainful employment working - that type. The table and my 'Comfort Chair' as recommended by Richard G worked wonders and I got quite a lot done on the current project - until the battery on the laptop ran out. I had left the inverter in the car so that put an end to that but I did a few odd jobs around the boat before setting off for the marina at low tide.
The wind and accompanying waves in the main channel were horrendous  - surfing up between boats with the dinghy being flipped over and over until the painter wound up tight - thankfully I had already taken the seat out.
In the calm of the Itchenor Reach I sorted it all out and on the approach called up the marina to lock in - from the time it took them to respond they obviously didn't think anyone would be coming in or out that day.....
Getting in the berth looked as though it would be hard work but I slipped in very neatly - getting some applause from some on lookers - just as well I didn't make a hash of it then.

I helped some chap who had run his trailer wheel off the edge of the slip way get it out again. He had a smaller boat than mine and much lighter to - he was planning to meet some friends who were launching at Fareham,  outside Langston and go across to the Island... he must have been 70+  - I told him it was like sailing in a washing machine but unperturbed he set out for the lock once he'd finished rigging - I hope he was ok.

So I earned some brownie points by coming home early - I'll save them up for next time .......

Chichester Rally - 29th April - 2nd May 2011

After several months of emails, registrations, discussions with farmers etc the first day of the first Drascombe rally of the season was upon us. Based for the first time at Chichester marina there was a large number of boats arriving - most by trailer, some by sea and others lucky enough to be resident at the marina already.
The Royal Wedding didn't seem to put people off, although some arrived early and adjourned to the Yacht Club to watch, whilst others arrived later once the proceedings had concluded. The biggest difference the wedding made to most was the almost total of absence of traffic on the roads. - I've seen the M25 busier at 04.00 am.....

In all 31 boats, skippers and crew arrived and were safely launched and tied up in time for the meal at Chichester Yacht Club that evening. After the meal, following a brief welcome, all round introductions and a toast to the happy couple, some of us sat back to watch and listen to the thunder and lightening swirl around the marina, whilst others who left a little earlier got wet on the walk back.

The following morning dawned bright and sunny but with strong winds from the NE (F5/6). Following a briefing that broke a promise that we were not going to Dell Quay, and some advice about the lock, the fleet set out under jib and mizzen or well reefed mains to go to ..... Dell Quay.

This was useful, as some needed a shake down sail to sort the boat and others were new to their boats and wanted to find out a little more about them in open water before getting involved with moorings and crowds around Itchenor.

The fleet then made it's way to Bosham, were a few landed briefly before being scared off by the £6 charge and the rapidly reducing water levels. Lunch was taken on buoys or at anchor before most of the fleet set off back towards the marina. A few intrepid souls headed down towards East Head but reported that the journey back was a tough one, against the wind.

Veronica and Bob kindly brought the trestles and ladders later that evening so that the traditional ladder BBQ could take place - which went very well and was accompanied by music from the usual suspects and a presentation to Josh Hill by Stewart Brown, of the Churchouse trophy that is awarded annually to the individual who most personifies the Drascombe way of life. Well deserved Josh.

Sunday was a repeat of the first day - good weather but strong winds so Dell Quay was favoured again. Lunch for some was taken on a dragging anchor in what little shelter the harbour offers in a strong NE and was followed by a sail down the harbour and a motor back again. The yacht club appeared to be the favourite for most for a evening meal although some hardy souls had another BBQ.

Monday proved too much for most with even stronger winds - a few did venture out but most came back in quite quickly, apart from Douglas H who seemed to think the wind was just right for him.

The sea arrivals departed by train to collect trailers - discretion winning the day, whilst the others pulled out one by one and set off for home.

A very enjoyable weekend all round 

Friday / Saturday 22nd / 23rd April - The Bembridge stink ?

Together with the boys I grabbed a couple of days on the boat during the half term break. The weather was fantastic as we set out for Chichester and the journey down the A3 was a pleasant change from the usual M3/M27 route I take.
Arrived in good time mid morning and got the boat ready to depart. As is usual I cast off from the pontoon, fired up the VHF and called up for a lock out. I should have realised, with half term, bank holidays and good weather combined, but it still came as a shock to receive the reply "Certainly sir, if you can take number 36 in the queue, we'll call you when ready"...... Still we had a nice lunch tied to the pontoon and once out of the lock a motor down the harbour to East Head.
The delay had taken us closer to high water so I was able to slip across the sands without going the long way round - much to the consternation of the yacht that followed us.. but didn't have the advantage of a lifting keel.......

The wind had got up and we had a pleasant sail across to Bembridge. The result of the queue to get out of the lock could be seen at the Duver marina where they were rafted up 3 or 4 deep.

We opted for the beach, and with the tide running took some time to set the stern anchor in the best position as we dried out. We were soon lighting the BBQ and settling down on the upturned dinghy to get the burgers and ribs going. Adam managed to demolish a whole packet of crisps that were meant to be shared but the food was on ready... and that was when it happened.... the most awful stomach churning smell drifted across the beach... where it came from wasn't clear but I can't think it was vegetation being revealed by the falling tide.. chief suspect was a yacht moored near the entrance, which may have opened it's holding tank.... but the smell did persist for quite a time so the jury is still out on that one.

Several pints ( for me) in the Pilot Boat and we were ready for bed.

Midnight saw us afloat and I moved out onto a buoy before getting up again at 07.00 to leave the harbour before it dried. The sea was glass like with absolutely no ripples and after a quiet motor round towards Priory Bay I was busy trying to get some of the sand and seaweed off the boat.

When the boys eventually surfaced we had breakfast drifting slowly across the bay. The motor back to Chichester was strange - glassy sea, table out in the cockpit complete with cups of coffee that never moved and a good read of the papers whilst Ray, the autohlem did his stuff.

Back at the marina a good tidy up and off back home- early enough to earn some brownie points.