What a difference a few days makes - although plans changed and the intended r/v in Mengham Rithe on the Wednesday night was only partially successful - Peter and Richard made it, Adrian got delayed drinking 'coffee' on someone else's boat in the marina, and Adam and I only got down early Thursday morning, all four of us left the harbour by about 10.30, for the long, tide assisted run down to Keyhaven. Unfortunately the wind was on the nose and it was a motor all the way, but the weather was great, and apart from getting a load of green water over the top just past Cowes at Gurnard we arrived together off Keyhaven and made our way up to the quay.
All was going fine until I went to help Marcus, who had come across from Newtown, tie up along side - slipped - and was suddenly swimming over the side - complete with iPhone in pocket ..... however I pulled it out quickly and handed it up to Adam. I then discovered that I was grazing my knees on the bottom so stood up and walk round to the stern ladder to get back on.
A good wipe of the phone and some WD 40 and no harm done - thank goodness.
The rest of the crowd were already there, Barry and Pauline, Andy and Anne, Dave Q, Nick and Vernon and we adjourned to the pub for grub.
The next day - Friday - we left the quay to catch the 11.00 slack through Hurst - not before I got wet again - only this time is was planned - well sort of. a rock of the boat and a poorly position frying pan meant that I had to wade out to retrieve it from under the boat - the things I do for a cooked breakfast......
The Solent Fleet departing Keyhaven
Some of the fleet off Hurst
Hurst Castle from the North Channel
Dave Q
The sail across the bay was very good with the wind getting up to a low F4 and the Rally gathered in Blood Alley as normal. After a BBQ and drinks the raft which was about 20 boats wide broke up slightly for the night.
Sunset over the western end of Brownsea Island
The following day, after a stock up from Tesco Extra, we joined the fleet out in Studland Bay. There was a Shrimper rally in harbour over the same weekend and with the Drascombe gang out in force, for once there were more tan sails on view than white.
Marcus off Old Harry
The fleet returned to Blood Alley, although we were sometime behind them having adjourned with Brad and Bob to The Banks Arms - followed by a BBQ on the beach.
The sing song on the raft was a robust affair, brought to a halt at 11.00 for the sake of the neighbours - Bolitho was the chosen party boat, a move which I was to regret until at least lunchtime the next day ........
Sunday was a quiet day, with a short sail over to Arne where we spent the day in the sun at anchor. We made our way over the the haven for the night, intending to join Brad and Bob for a Chinese but following problems with their rear lights on the Jeep, Adam and I ate alone and met them for a drink later on.
Monday saw an early start with a fleet r/v at the entrance of the harbour at 07.30,
Brownsea Castle
The fleet split up at Hurst and we joined Adrian and Richard in Yarmouth for the night.
Sunset in Yarmouth IOW
The next day we set off early again to catch the tide back to Chichester were we left Adrian and Richard and pressed on for the marina - the end of a great rally and a wonderful trip in the sunshine at last.
