The alternative Dart Rally - 19th / 26th June

Plans changed and changed again and then changed again. Originally sailing to the Dart, leaving Chichester on the 19th - then Adrian kindly offered to trail Daislebee down for me, whilst I pulled his boat, Torridon, and then the weather and reports from those already on the Dart resulted in Adrian, Richard and I spending a week in the Solent where we determined to try and knock off a few first for me, as I had travelled as widely as the other two and it was a good opportunity for them to show me around.
Sunday was spent in the marina as the wind was F6 and above and not good for getting out. Monday saw us down the harbour in slate grey skies but moderate wind and best of all dry.

Adrian and Richard leaving harbour

We headed for Ryde, a first for me and after a very pleasant sail arrived without too much of an incident, although Adrian nearly made friends with one of the forts.

Tied up in Ryde

We visited the flesh pots of Ryde - introducing Adrian to a Chinese banquet and crispy duck ....

The next day, after shopping and lunch,  we set out for Cowes and Newport. Although I've been there before I had never travelled up the river by boat, so another first.

Egret off Ryde

We had to keep close inshore to get the lee of East Cowes point - the water further off shore was quite rough and the wind was head on the whole way. Although we set off in grey skies by the time we were tied up at Newport the sun was shining brightly although the wind was still very strong.

Tied up in Newport IOW

The following day I paid a visit to the Classic Boat museum. Not much of a museum fan usually but this was fascinating, especially the boat, a little bigger than a gig that was dropped to airmen who had been shot down and ditched in the water. 

In the afternoon we made our way down to Shepards Wharf in Cowes to give ourselves more options the following day.

Thursday saw us leaving Cowes for a good sail back east to Bembridge - watching out for Ryde Sands and in Adrian's case the two large white, tall, long, big, easily seen Wootton Ferries ... ask him .......

Fishing Smack off Osbourne Bay

Bembridge saw us at Duver marina where the following day we walked around the harbour, visiting the chandlers and the pub, where Richard proceeded to embarrass a bar maid struggling out of his jumper and revealing rather too much of himself.....

After lunch we planned to leave for Southsea, where we had promised ourselves a curry at the marina based restaurant. Steve Maynard called to say he was on his way over and we thought about changing plans but with the Island race the next day we thought it best to stick to the plan. So after a quick hello, goodbye we set sail for Southsea. Great wind and a swift passage. The curry was good as well.

Saturday had us up early - well for A and R anyway, as we had to clear the sill by 09.30. A good sail back to Chichester with a raft up for lunch and then home to the marina until next time.... Wednesday that will be then ... good fun this retirement lark.

 A good week with several first and the promise of more to come next week - let's have some good weather ... please

Chichester Creek crawl - June 13th- 15th

Jeff L organised the rally and then had to be persuaded to join in..... not really but with the weather forecast there were lots of drops outs and fingers crossed by those attending.
 Richard G , Adrian K and I meet up on the Itchenor visitors pontoon for lunch on the Monday - in glorious sunshine and a decreasing wind. Nick P and Marcus N were making their way from Warsash and Newtown respectively and Ken C planned to arrive the next morning.
We decided to r/v at Hayling Island SC pontoon in the (unfounded) hope that they would be open for dinner. Jeff called to say he was out on the boat but planned to stay on his mooring until the next day - a plan that was swiftly reversed when the three of us steamed passed him and he soon joined us at Hayling Island. After a self catering supper we moved off up Mengham Rithe for the evening - with a beautiful sunset.

The next day was bright and sunny and we had a leisurely breakfast before Ken joined us.

It was then up to Emsworth for lunch, before returning back down the harbour to go 'creek crawling' There was much discussion and debate by 'them in the know' but eventually, as predicted by Jeff, a creek revealed itself on the falling tide and one by one we made our way up - I left Daislebee at anchor and travelled with Jeff - he made me row...... although we soon reverted to engine in the strong current.

Apart from Marcus, who inspected his anti fouling on the bar at the entrance to the creek for awhile,  we all made it up, with Richard progressing almost to the shore line before the rapidly ebbing water forced him to be pushed back down the creek by Marcus and Ken.

The water soon returned and the fleet made their way out and back up to the Emsworth pontoon, where following a visit to the Blue Bell by some of the party for some excellent fish and chips, we spent the night.

Marcus and Nick departed early the next morning and the rest of us made our way back to our various locations within the harbour -I just got caught with the rain in the last mile or so to the marina - not bad considering the forecast.

A great rally with an interesting diversion - now stored in the GPS.