Top pieces of kit to have on board

I thought I'd start a small survey by looking at the top pieces of kit we carry on board small boats.
Accepting the must haves of sails, engine, fender ropes etc I was pondering the additional items that could be dispensed with but serve to make sailing that much more enjoyable, safer or generally take the strain.

My top item is the Garmin 451s

I've had mine since I got the boat - over 2 years now - bought with a collection from friends and colleagues when I left work.
I like paper charts, indeed I always have the local one to hand and prefer to look at them for planning and generally seeing the bigger picture. However, the confidence and convenience of the chart plotter is great, especially over long distances.
Several friends have got one or a similar item and some have thought about getting a larger screen version. To my mind the 4.5 inch screen is just right - it doesn't take over or dominate, it just sits there as a reassurance.

Money well spent.

What is your top piece of kit? Use the comments link to contribute to the conversation.

Season Review 2012

Well in spite of the weather I managed to get 38 nights on board Daislebee and 6 on board another yacht - total nights afloat 44 !!

I'm amazed - with all the doom and gloom the rain and the winds we've had this year it has still turned out to be a good season.

Many highs and a few lows:

High's

• Losing and finding the baseball cap
• Rescuing the canoeist
• Rescuing Nick
• Dolphins
• A seal
• overnight in Wootton - a first
• sailing into Lymington - another first
• Good company

Low's

• Too many rough passages
• Too many wet passages
• Too far from home

But a great season none the less

Last Sail of the season ? 23rd - 25th October 2012

The weather, although not sunny promised to be warm and dry so I thought I'd take a chance on a last sail.
Nick had launched on Monday and had spent the day fog bound in Warsash. With the light winds forecast and tide times as they were he planned to meet Marcus somewhere west of Cowes and didn't think they would be coming east.
So I planned to meet Adrian, who could get away for a day and potter in the harbour. So it was I came to be leaving home in the dark on Tuesday morning and driving down the A3 in quite thick fog, wondering if I was doing the right thing.

As usual, on arrival at the marina it was a lot clearer than it had been on the journey and once Adrian arrived we set off in light winds down the harbour, meeting up at Mengham Rithe for lunch.

 A quiet and deserted Itchenor Reach

The wind pipped up during the afternoon and we had a good sail back up the harbour. Adrian had to get back and I elected to use the marina facilities so went back to my berth for the night. - Curry and rice for supper - at last starting to use those tins that have been hanging around for ever it seems.....

Wednesday 24th

Following conversations with Nick, although they had come further east than originally planned  I decided that I needed to start preparing the boat for winter and decided to spend another day in the harbour. As it happened Jeff Lander was planning to sail and we compromised and he came with me.
The day was almost a repeat of the previous one, even to the extent of using the same buoy to tie up to for lunch - however there was a good wind and the sun came out so quite nice really.

 The Winner - even this was quiet

On the way back we managed to try and pinch a little too much ground on one tack and found the plate wouldn't go back down. It was a useful exercise removing the capping to release the drum line that had over run itself.

Up by the marina we ended up playing tag with a seal who kept popping up, on occasions quite near to the boat. He disappeared after more fish and we made our way back into the marina. On the menu tonight...chicken in white wine sauce, with rice...I've got a lot of rice.. followed by fruit salad.... gourmet or what?

Sunset in the marina

Thursday 25th

Sad day - end of season no doubt. I had to face it, all the cushions and bedding were getting decidedly damp so it was time to load them into the car, together with all the other kit that would benefit from a winter in the dry. It  didn't take as long as I thought it would, perhaps I really am getting better at keeping kit to a minimum .. I wish....

 Almost ready for winter

I left her ready to sail in the hope of grabbing another day or two but I suspect I'll winterise her after the November dinner at CYC and that will be it until next season .. roll on.

An amusing boat name

"First of October" (5th - 7th October)

Obviously a bit of a misnomer but traditionally Stewart Brown runs a rally near to the 1st as a end of season event. Last year, much to my disgust, I was travelling up the M1 to take Chris to Uni for the first time whilst the rally attendees basked in hot sunshine at various ports and inlets around the Solent.

This year the terms dates were kinder, and the weather, at times very nice - at other times however it was fairly awful.

Wednesday

In order to meet the Ashlett fleet I set out on Wednesday. It was overcast with a stiff breeze and coming down the harbour at out of the entrance posed no problems. However, once I had turned for the forts the combination of wind and tide heaped the seas up considerably and it was no surprise that there were only a few other boats out, either plugging west or flying east.

My usual compatriots, Adrian and Richard were coming out either Thursday or Friday, and I had arranged to meet Nick Payne off Ryde assuming he could sail east , which in the wind proved no problem and we met as planned.

After a brief discussion about the merits of Ryde v. Cowes we opted to make more ground westward and set off for Cowes.
The sea had calmed considerably and I was at last able to sail, albeit with a reef in.

Nick went out further than I and took on a big container ship - deciding to give it right of way.

Nick v Grimaldi

A moments loss of concentration combined with a strong gust saw Nick taking a considerable amount of water over the gunwale, losing a mooring rope over the side. He recovered well, bailing out and lowering sail, and together, we made our way into Shepards, where it was altogether more relaxed.

There were a couple of big ships in at Shepards - the closer one in the picture is running as a sail training vessel by a Christian Charity and the wooden masted boat behind was over from the Carribean for the winter and is a charter boat.

At this time of year the evening starts early and after a long day at the helm we adjourned to the Duke of York just around the corner.


Thursday

A delightful sunny and warm day dawned in Shepards and we lounged around or at least I did - Nick was still getting water out of the boat and drying kit. After a walk around town where Nick showed me  Town Quay which may prove useful in future, we set out for Lymington.

Once out of Cowes and facing the full force of the wind from the west I quickly put a second reef in, but as I crossed over towards Beaulieu my chart plotter went down and once in calmer water I dropped sail and motored down the north shore. The sea had been rough enough to break a cup and disconnect the power to the plotter. I fixed this on the way down towards Lymington. Nick meantime sailed blissfully back and forth under jib and mizzen.

Nick's back there somewhere

I met Marcus in the entrance  and together we motored up to Town Quay, dogging the large ferries, where we were joined a hour later by Nick who had sailed the whole way.

Again we adjourned to the pub where we were joined by Andy Peter and the "Birmingham Navy", about 14 men from Birmingham on their annual charter event - more like a rugby tour than sailing but they were having a good time.

That night, exactly on time (01.00 am) the Force 9 gale blew through - thank heavens for the sheltered quay we were on. The rain was intense and the wind very strong - but by 04.00 it was all over and the next morning was bright and sunny.


Friday

A leisurely breakfast in the sun was had, and Marcus and Nick had a wander in the town before we set off at about 13.00 heading for Keyhaven. We all had reefs in (from the previous day) but as we sailed down the channel it became apparent that the wind was much a steadier F 3/4 and so I soon lost the reef and had a cracking sail a across to the Yarmouth side. The water was flat and the only sound the gurgle under the forefoot. However the tide was running and I had to be careful, on the return tack, not to get swept down on Hurst Castle.

In the lee of the spit we meet up with Barry and Pauline in their Longboat cruiser Moonstone and sailed past each other, circling to take pictures.

The Keyhaven advance fleet -
 Moonstone, Virginia and Salicorne

On the way up the Keyhaven entrance I took advantage of the high water and ran all the way up to the back of the castle in about 2 m of water. Then before the ebb kicked in took the left hand arm along the inside of the sea wall. It was eerie, being the the wind shadow of the wall in absolute calm. There was a line in the water where there was  a little wind and then a windy area outside that. As I ghosted along I could hear the conversations of the people walking along the bank and the sound of the pebbles being scrunched underfoot. I could also hear, ominously, the crashing of the breakers and the wind on the other side of the wall....
It started to rain hard so I turned at the top and made my way back to the main channel and up to the quay. We had been joined by Andy Peter who let us into the club and made tea for the cold and wet seafarers who had come all the way from Lymington.
The rest of the fleet, who had set out from Ashlett at about the same time we had left Lymington arrived over the next hour of so and by the time the curry was being served the whole armada was present enjoying the feast.
Adrian and I adjourned to Stewart's boat where I experienced some difficulties with the tap on the red wine box causing the odd mini wine lake in Stewart's cabin......

Saturday

The next day dawned bright enough as far as the weather was concerned but personally I was finding it a little cloudy round the edges - still coffee and a bacon roll sorted that out and by 09.30 the fleet of some 12 boats departed to catch the east tide towards Cowes.
I set off well and was holding my own against the others in the early stages but made the mistake of fixing a mark and sailing for it - in this case the promontory of Cowes itself. I didn't realise but I was losing boat speed and the others who decided to sail for the wind as opposed to a direction were soon leaving me behind.

There was a large barge going through her paces as we approached Cowes

Once I cottoned on to what was wrong I was away again and caught most of them up as they entered the harbour. I decided to sail in and at one point had a ferry ahead and a tall ship behind -I headed for the shallow water of the moorings area and waited until they had passed.

Tall ship coming in behind

I gave up sailing just passed the Island marina, as did Salicorne, Blue Peter and Virginia, and we made our way up to Newport Quay.

 Newport in the distance

Beef and Ale stew with dumplings from Tesco out of a tin is to be recommended - particularly when followed by good beer, good music and good company in the Bargeman's Rest on the quay.


Sunday

Brad would be proud of me, six skippers adjourned to Wetherspoons for breakfast - Andy even had Eggs Benedict.... we put the world to rights over coffee but all too soon it was time for me to depart if I was going to catch the east going tide. I was barely afloat but having said my goodbyes set off down the river.

The sea was dead calm so it was a long motor most of the way although it did get up enough to sail into Chichester and most of the way up the harbour.

I decided to stay on board one last night which although I was tired proved a mistake as the next day ....

Monday

....was pouring rain and I packed up in the wet leaving cushions and bedding on the boat for a little while longer...just in case.....

Another quick jaunt 13th - 15th September

Thursday

Chris has to go back to Uni soon and having had only one short trip way back in May we thought we'd take advantage of the fine weather to get out for a few days. So, for a teenager, it was an early start (06.30) departure from home to get down to the boat before the traffic sets in on the M25.
A good run saw us in Tesco for breakfast, which is becoming a regular ritual, before stocking up with a few stores to see us through. The plan was to use up some of the tins on board but as you will see this was a forlorn hope.....

We set out from the marina by about 10.00 and had a plan to r/v with Nick Payne in Portsmouth. Nick had sailed there from Warsash the previous day in order to have a day sail on a friends 50 ft classic Thalassa ( http://www.thalassa06.co.uk/index.htm)

Old picture of Thalassa

(Nick tells me that Thalassa's new owner has put an 11' bowsprit on her and a taller mast, increasing the sizes of the mainsail considerably. as well alterations to the mizzen. Unfortunately our r/v plans didn't work out and I didn't get any good pictures of her under sail.)

The weather was great, sunny and warn with a F3/4 south westerly. We set off out of the harbour and made our furthest distance around the back of the Isle of Wight to date, turning back just past the Bembridge Buoy.

Lunch was had heaved to off Bembridge before we set off between the forts towards Portsmouth. On the way we made contact with Nick who was travelling up the Solent from Cowes in Thalassa and we headed out again to try and get some pictures, but will all that sail and a spinnaker they shot past us in the distance and I could only snatch some long range shots .

Thalassa in the distance

We headed into Gosport for the night and tried to r/v with Nick but he was engaged so Chris and I caught the ferry across to Gun wharf Quay and had a few beers before going to see the new Bourne film - not as good as the trilogy but entertaining. A few more beers and a visit to Wagamama's saw us back on the ferry and into bed.

Our route - Day one (click for larger image)

Friday

Windy and grey it wasn't that inviting to get up and about but Wetherspoons beckoned for breakfast and so I managed to get a teenager up and off we set, meeting Nick on the way.

We set an 11.00 o'clock departure heading for Cowes. After the sun, warm weather and great sailing of the day before this was more like being in a washing machine and we thrashed our way across to Wootton, leaving Nick who had decided to travel the north shore for a distance before cutting across.

Picking up a buoy in Wootton was like a different world, calm, sunny and quiet. We stayed as long as we could but eventually set off for Cowes, motoring up the lee of the island in much better conditions, passing Nick who was still out in the middle intent on sailing the while way.

Chris fell asleep just prior to Cowes, well, it had been an early start for him (09.00......) and, once in the river, I had a lovely sail up to the Folly where for the first time in ages we managed to tie up on the Folly pontoon itself. Nick joined us but decided to cook on board so Chris and I adjourned to the pub which was getting very busy. After a good meal Nick joined us for the live music, Chris thrashed me at pool and also showed me how to drink a Smirnoff Ice in 2 seconds - why?????.

This probably accounted for his late start the next morning....

Saturday

Tied up at The Folly

The day dawned fine and without a breath of wind. We were under pain of death to be back by late afternoon and Nick needed the height of tide at Warsash to haul out so at 08.00 we set off motoring down the river.

Folly Reach

Nick - motoring though Cowes

In spite of the diesel chugging away inches from his head - thump thump thump - Chris didn't stir util 10.30 or so just after I passed Ryde.........

Nick set off across to the North Island and I had a delightful motor towards the forts.

It was so calm that once Chris was awake we cooked breakfast on the move on my recent mod of a bridge deck table over the engine cover.

Breakfast on the move

  The wind never got up enough to sail and still keep our deadline so we opted to motor to East Head and use the time saved to have a break before setting off to the marina where we got buzzed by a Lancaster bomber that we saw link up with to smaller planes in the distance , no doubt a Spitfire, Hurricane combination doing an appearance at Goodwood, up the road. Very loud and impressive skimming across at mast head height it seemed.

Lancaster over Chichester marina

We set off for home and made it in good time, in fact as I walked down the garden, guess what flew over - yep, a Lancaster, Spitfire and a Hurricane - now I not saying I drive fast but I have got to attend naughty boys driving course next week.....

Two day Jaunt - Sept 6th and 7th

Early departure from home (06.30) gave me a trouble free run down to Chichester and being ahead of schedule I treated myself to breakfast at Tesco before stocking up with supplies and heading to the marina.
Roger and Anita Whiffen arrived mid morning and set about rigging 'Little Dipper' whilst I drank coffee and read the paper in the sun.
Adrian arrived and got to work sorting out 'Torridon' and once all was ready we negotiated the queue for the lock and were heading down Itchenor Reach towards East Head.

Jeff Lander was at anchor there, enjoying a quite lunch... at least until we arrived. The three of us rafted alongside and had our lunch whilst waiting for Richard Goldsmith and John Boston to come out of their creek.

Once they emerged we bid farewell to Jeff and set off out of the harbour. The wind was south westerly with a bit more south to it so we managed a sail down to the submarine barrier when it died completely and we resorted to engines to give us a chance of getting to our planned destination - Cowes, in time for supper.

On arrival at Shepard's we found the rest of the gang, Barry Fudge and Pauline W, Andy and Anne Cooper, and Dave Quick. Rafting alongside them the wine boxes and nibbles were soon out and the party in full flow.
The nights have drawn in too much now for sociable BBQ's so we adjourned to the pub for a very good evening.

The next day dawned bright and quite warm with a gentle westerly breeze.

Early morning at Shepard's

I had commitments on the Saturday that I was under pain of death or worse to get back for so leaving the rest of the fleet to carry on to Newtown Creek for the night, I set off on the return journey.

With tide and wind under me I had a great sail along the island looking at the various houses, ports and inlets along the way.

Norris Castle - East Cowes

Click on link for more info - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norris_Castle

Kings Quay 

Wootton Creek

 After a rest and late lunch at East Head I set off back to the marina and home.

Itchenor Reach in late afternoon sun

A lovely couple of days - good weather and good company.

Some arty style pics

Bolitho

Egret

St Jovhill

Virginia

Solent Cruise - Sunday 19th to Saturday 24th August

Sunday

An early start from home (05.30) in order to get down to the marina in time to beat the queue for the lock on what promised to be one of the best days of the summer. I met up with Adrian and Lawrence and by 08.00 we were out of the lock into the Itchenor Reach.
Adrian stopped off to sort his boat out whilst Lawrence and I pressed onto East Head where we both anchored in shallow water. I needed to take a look at my propeller as power was down and fuel consumption was up. So with face mask and snorkel I braved the water which actually turned out to be quite warm.
I was amazed - the prop was almost 2 inches thicker over the blades and had a great horizontal stalactite about three inches long coming from the boss/shaft made up of encrusted barnacles.  No wonder performance was down.
I got to work with the scrapper and they were soon removed - it just shows what can grow in 4 or 5 months afloat.
Lawrence's prop was the same so I scrapped that for him whilst I was in the water.
Meanwhile Adrian caught us up, Richard came out of his creek and Steve M joined us in Spray, together with Chris and Meryl. Lunch was taken and we then set off for a first for me, a night in Wootton Creek.

Wootton Creek from Royal Victoria SC walkway

We arrived in good time and Richard and Adrian picked up a mooring. I elected to anchor - buoying it as recommended due to old ground tackle etc.
Lawrence decided on the Royal Victoria SC pontoon, after each attempt to come alongside me caused us to drag.
I dinghyed across to R&A for a BBQ supper but with all the fresh air and the early start bed was soon beckoning.

I awoke at about 03.00 am feeling movement and shouts from Richard got me out on deck to find myself gracefully drifting down the harbour......

I re set the anchor, as well as the GPS alarm, and settled back down for the night.

Monday

The next day dawned bright and fine (see top picture) and as we didn't need to move until lunch time I made my way round to Lawrence on the pontoon for a wash and brush up. Richard and I then walked to Wootton Bridge for supplies.

View from Wootton Bridge down the creek

Lawrence and I departed just before 14.00 and had a great sail until we reached Cowes when the SW produced a nasty chop and increased in strength as we moved into the western Solent. We could see the Ashlett fleet strung out ahead.

By the time I reached Newtown I had had enough and downed sail to motor to Keyhaven.

There we anchored in the bay inside the entrance and enjoyed a BBQ watching the sun set.

Keyhaven anchorage - Daislebee in foreground

Some of the fleet - dawn at Keyhaven

More of the fleet - Photo Nick Payne

Keyhaven bay - Photo Nick Payne

Tuesday

We got under way the next day and headed out on the North passage for Poole. The wind increased and it became quite a slog across the bay.

Once in the harbour the water was rapidly dropping so I went round to the shelter of Goathorn and had supper before making my way round the islands to join the rest of the fleet behind Furzy Island.

In hind sight I should have stayed were I was - the dinghy dropped off it's short leash and the painter wound itself round the prop - in doing so it the dinghy was pulled hard into the stern of the boat and the port sponson rapidly deflated.....

Bed............

Wednesday

It got worse in the morning - trying to sail off my anchor the main sheet got caught around a cleat and I manage to sail broadside across the main raft...... thankfully Tony was up and about and pushed me off so I could sail into shallow water and sort the prop out. I had also knocked the throttle leaver off and had to fix that as well.

Later it transpired that Lawrence had an engine problem as well - red charging light on and a very lumpy tick over - eventually diagnosed as air in the fuel but no matter how much we bled it it only improved marginally.

Fleet off Furzy Island in the early morning

As lazy day followed where we were joined by Brad - large bass in hand and then Marcus caught one which decided us upon fish and chips for supper and introduced us to Marcus's culinary delight of refried chips from the Fish and Chip shop - ok but I wouldn't leave home for them. Tescos Extra doesn't do a great line in fish so I had to make do with salmon fillets.....

Having purchased the supplies during a visit to the marina I joined the fleet at Shipstal Point for the feast. Perhaps it should be called Shipstal rocks - beware the area just off the beach to the left of the house - there is an area of rocks and boulders which the fleet landed on - no damage thank goodness but we pulled back onto a nice flat area of mud once we re-floated.

Rocks at Shipstal Point - Photos by Brad

Deeper water anchoring at Shipstal

Thursday

Tony and Lawrence had stayed in the marina and set off about 09.00 to use the good forecast to get back into the Solent - Steve M and Tom R set off earlier from Shipstal where they had stayed in deep water. It transpired later that Steve went round the south of the IOW and had a catalogue of adventures himself.

The main fleet set off at about 13.00 and had a great sail to Christchurch - Stewart B caught himself 5 mackerel and had a lesson in filleting from Marcus as we lay at anchor in the lee of Hengistbury Head.

Nick and I decided to walk up to the Head and test his new dinghy at the same time - much to the merriment of the raft - it may be a two Nick size dinghy but not a Nick and Dick size....

Nick's rubber ring with floor

Friday

An early 06.30 departure was called for but our rude awakening was rewarded by the sight of several dolphins or porpoises swimming around the boast as we crossed the bay towards Hurst.

St Jovhill

Bolitho on a charge

Andy and Judy peeled off for Keyhaven and the rest of the fleet made for Newtown - I pressed on trying to catch Lawrence who had been waiting in Yarmouth for the fleet to come though the narrows.

After a long sail I got into Chichester Harbour and made my way up to the marina. Typically it decided to belt with rain as I sailed up the last reach so wet and tired I tied up in the marina.

Supper was in CYC were Adrian, Richard, Lawrence and I were joined by Steve who told us his tale of daring do around the south of the island.


Steve's tale

Evidently having had an early start Steve and Tom had arrived off the Needles in good time. Having checked the tides and times Steve left Tom to carry on the Newtown Creek and set of southwards. The weather and wind were set fair for this passage.
He arrived at the new harbour of Ventnor, describing it as small, full of small fishing boats and very smelly.

Ventnor Harbour - Photo Steve Maynard

having waited 5 hours for the turn of the tide he set off again and tried to sneak into Bembridge, only to succeed in bending his rudder, forcing him to anchor off Sea view until the morning.
The next day back in Bembridge he was able to released, recover and repair his rudder and the sailed across the Chichester.


Saturday

A day of tidying up and drying out before setting off of home.

9th - 11th August Trip to Bembridge

Having just got back from holiday I didn't think I'd be able to escape so soon but opportunities created by  problems with a software update and good weather were too good to miss so 14.00 on Thursday saw me with Lawrence in his Shrimper Felicity waiting to leave the marina. For some reason there was a queue and we were about an hour behind schedule for our planned r/v with Richard G at East Head.
As we drew close, having had a cracking sail down the harbour in a reasonable wind and fantastic sunshine I called him on the radio and we agreed to go straight out across to Bembridge so he upped anchor to meet us.

Best laid plans ... and all that.....

I should have known it was too good to be true - no sooner had we got half way across the Winner sands - the fog rolled in. Lawrence and I pressed on hoping it would improve but by the time Richard called to say he was turning back we were already of the same mind - three plus hours in fog and a busy shipping lane to cross - not a good idea.

We rafted up inside East Head and consoled ourselves with a beer, or two... The mist rolled in around us - not too bad but perhaps you would call it atmospheric. The BBQ was lit and the feast prepared - until the BBQ went out and the frying pan came into it's own.

Friday 10th

The day dawned sunny and bright with no hint of the mist remaining. Following breakfast we set off in a good F3 easterly for Bembridge again. A great sail across - warm with flat seas and brilliant sunshine.

Felicity - with Lawrence

Egret - with Richard

We took the usual advantage presented to shoal draft cruisers and slipped past a few larger yachts waiting for sufficient water to enter the harbour and moored up on the beach on the port hand side as you enter the harbour - kedge anchors are a must here with a strong eddy that tries to turn you parallel to the beach.

Bembridge beach

The Harbour was busy with the local sailing club in full swing on what appeared to be the last day of an holiday activity week complete with prize giving and speeches. Lawrence decided to depart after lunch leaving Richard and I to visit the excellent chandlers.

Once the club activities had concluded, the harbour returned to its normal relaxed state.

We lit another, more successfully BBQ, and enjoyed some local sausages on it, before settling down with glass in hand to admire the sunset.

Sunset at Bembridge

Saturday 11th

Another fine day but much more wind and this time right on the nose for our return trip.

Bembridge exit

We motored all the way and Richard was soon some distance ahead. when drama occurred...

Drama...

I was about a mile from the Chi buoy and about 3 miles offshore when I spotted a canoeist paddling in the water. It was sufficiently rough for me to have sympathy for him and I did wonder if he was ok this far out  - I then spotted his two mates and was about to ignore them when the first canoist capsized - I watched as he tried to get back into his craft but could see he stood little or no chance in the strong wind and waves.

I turned and motored round to him and offered assistance which he quickly agreed to  - I suggested he cam on board me and we would see what we could do about his canoe. As I circled again getting a line ready and the boarding ladder down, his mates arrived but couldn't do anything to help him get back in. He was beginning to tire so I drifted down to them and helped him round to the ladder. The canoe went on a line astern and we started to head back towards Chichester.

It turned out he was an ex soldier training for a fund raising trip for children with diabetes - their plan is to canoe from Southampton to Land's End. We had to laugh, the capsize training was due to take place the next week....... He and his mates were trying to get to the Nab tower and back again to build up strength and confidence. I won't name him here but their website is http://www.kayak4kids.co.uk/

I wish them well in their trip and fundraising efforts.

Once I had dropped him at Hayling Island Sailing Club I joined Richard for a quick lunch before continuing up the harbour and heading for home.

A lovely couple of days with a bit of excitement thrown in.