An early start on Friday saw us at Tesco stocking up and breakfasting before arriving at the marina at the same time as Gerry, a fellow Shrimper owner, who was after some ideas for comparison to his own boat.
As we met, Doug Hopwood arrived with his Coaster 'Appuskidu' which he was demonstrating to a prospective purchaser - successfully as it turned out.
Peter Tiplady was already afloat so whilst Adam ferry stored and bags from the car I showed Gerry around.
We needed to get going about an hour before high water so once sorted we set off down the harbour, leaving Gerry to ponder over adjustments and gadgets for his own boat.
The original plan had been to head for Ryde but the wind and the narrow time gate determined that Bembridge was a better option. It was lumpy at first over the Winners but as the depth increased the seas smoothed out and we had a good sail in bright and sunny weather in about F4.
We had expected the beach at Bembridge to be pretty full so we were surprised to find a couple of Seals ashore which with Peter and us made 4 small boast in total. We were soon joined by Jim in his 38 foot cat who just drove up the beach and dropped his bow anchor.
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| Bembridge - High and dry |
Jim set to with a plastic scrapper to clean up his hulls and after a while invited us on board for a look around - palatial is the only way to describe the huge seating area, three double cabins two with en suite and the masters cabin with shower room etc adjacent........ it made Daislebee look like his tender.
Peter, Adam and I barbecued on the sand next to the boats and enjoyed a lovely evening in the setting sun.
Jim joined us for a drink and then departed for the pub where Adam and I joined him later. Jim it appears is a mathematician and had sold his software company some years ago to go sailing. He had sailed to Cyprus round the outside and back thorough the Canal Du Midi and the next weekend was off to Alderney. In spite of this experience as we discussed the merits of a stern anchor but it tuned out he didn't possess one and 'it would be alright, he'd put a couple of fenders out'.
I decided to give my bow anchor a lot of scope so I could drop back behind him as the beach at Bembridge has quite a cross current. In the event I floated before him and at about 01.30 actually found myself nestling against his rubber dinghy - a good fender.
A quick tug on my stern line pulled us clear and we floated off about 6 metres behind him. In the morning we awoke to find him almost broadside on the beach - the only thing preventing him being neaped was my bow line that had kept him at a slight angle. The tide was out so we enjoyed a leisurely beach breakfast waiting for the water to return.
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| Breakfast on the beach |
Saturday
We floated first and so bid Jim farewell and set off for Ryde ahead of Peter. We took the inshore passage, meeting up with a lovely old barge 'Alice' and following her across Ryde sands. We motored as the wind was very light and we we told that Ryde was quite full.
On arrival we directed against the wall which required long lines to cope with the tidal range and in a small boat that doesn't quite match the gaps between the piles it can prove awkward to moor up satisfactorily. The first place was too near the entrance and affected by swell, the second was on the bend in the harbour wall so with Peter alongside would leave a very narrow gap for other boats and as we settled in the third place on the wall, further up towards the HM's office, Peter arrived. As he tied up, a boat departed the far side of the adjacent pontoon. It's amazing quite how quickly a Drifter will reversed around a harbour.
Safely tied up we went for a walk along towards Sea view, enjoyed a cup of tea at the cafe and then came back through the town.
BBQ was on the agenda for supper again and the mini survey I have been conducting on disposable BBQ s puts Sainsbury's ahead of Tesco by a long way - the best I've seen so far is Brad's Lidl purchase.
Sunday
We awoke to showery rain, very heavy at times and were grateful of the umbrella when we took a walk along to see the model yacht racing in the pond by the swimming pool - very competitive stuff.
Adam and I adjourned to a cafe in Monkton Street for breakfast - not a great experience. Peter joined us as we finished and we took an interesting walk along the pier before returning to the boats as the water floated us off.
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| Town of Ryde |
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| Ryde pier |
Peter moored up in the Itchenor Reach as he was taking part in Jeff Landers Creeks rally during the week and at the marina we met Tony who had launched, ready to join the rally the next day.
A good weekend trip and nice to be out with Adam again.
