Chichester Marina Rally 23rd - 26th May 2014

My first rally and sail of the year....so I was determined to make the most of it.

Scuttling off from work early on Wednesday afternoon saw me shopping in Tesco for last minute supplies and on the boat by 5.00 pm. As usual getting everything sorted took longer than planned and I decided not to head out into the harbour for the night and succumbed to the lure of Chichester Yacht Club for supper...and very nice to.

Thursday

Today saw the arrival of Tony W in Martha, Brad in Siobhan, Chris in Calidris and of course Peter in Siesta, so another day spent in the marina catching up before adjourning to CYC again but this time, having been entertained on Siesta we all settled for a drink.

The marina in the sun

Brad and Tony - note the sparrow on the stay next to Brad 

Friday

The bulk of the boats arrived today - but the sad news is that the crews setting out from Ashlett have been thwarted by the weather and the outlook doesn't look good so I suspect they won't make it this year.

The rain kept it soggy but it was the wind that was the main feature - and some of the people coming from further afield have understandably called off.

The sparrows became a feature of the weekend - landing on the boats looking for food and feeding quite readily from the hand.

When we sat down to our 'formal' dinner in the yacht club the assembled crowd was - one Drifter, one classic wooden long boat cruiser, one Lune Whammel, one Shrimper, 5 Coasters, 3 Luggers and two Dabbers - if my memory is correct we had 20 at the dinner.

Saturday

The day dawned bright and a little breezy, but not too bad at all. We were joined by John in his Long Boat  Cruiser 'Lucille' and held the briefing  at about 09.20. The plan to sail to East Head was explained and I also covered the issues concerning the lock. Armed with that the fleet set off. I had Chris Conrath aboard and we had a very good sail down to the end of Hayling Island before returning to East Head for lunch.

A selection of photos - you can click on them to open them

After lunch we made our way back up to the marina and set up camp for the evening festivities - Brad brought a great tent and Bill brought his 'fair ground attraction' band stand.

The Band Stand

Setting up the BBQ with a little helper

The band in action

Brad's excellent tent

Before the rain...

 The Ashlett crews came over by car and it was great to see them and lovely that they made the effort - as the rain came in the Dunkirk spirit took over and I understand a great time was had by all.


Sunday

Almost too good to be true, Sunday was bright and with slightly more moderate wind. Buoyed up by this and the confidence gain the day before we extended the sail down the harbour past East Head and up to the visitors pontoon at Emsworth.

Various

The tide calmed and we set off for home with a vague plan to stop off at East Head for a cup of tea. However en route Ken and I saw the creek halfway own the Emsworth channel invitingly filling with water so we pushed up and visited the seals basking in the sun at the top.

Seals - basking

 Draggletail towards East Head

Some hauled out that evening but the majority waited until....

Monday

....when in between some quite heavy rain they hauled out and headed home.

The rally went well in spite of the weather and we were blessed with fine weather for Saturday and Sunday in the end.

Chichester Harbour Rally - 2nd - 5th May 2014

Many thanks to Tony Wood for looking after the rally for me - wish I could have made it.

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Report by Tony Wood

Photos by Andy Cooper

Thursday 01 

 I arrived early, to beat the holiday traffic, at Chichester Marina to launch coaster Martha. The weather was sunny, if a tad cool, with a NE wind. I was joined by Peter Tiplady and by early afternoon we were both ready to roll. We decided to have a lazy afternoon sail and to overnight in Mengham Rithe. Nice sunset and a quiet evening telling sea stories.

Friday 02 

            Peter and I had a lie in, followed by a leisurely breakfast. We then set sail for the Itchenor Pontoon to meet and greet the arriving Drascombers. A brisk sail down saw us arriving at about midday. Throughout the afternoon we were joined by Marcus, Nick, Richard and Adrian. An early evening planning meeting was called, bolstered by fugal use of OSH (Old Speckled Hen) lubricant. The committee decided on setting a sail plan for Bembridge the following day. BBQs lit and, frying pans at the ready, supper was created.         

Life Boat station at Bembridge

   

            A phone call to the later launching Ashlett crew and they were very happy to go with the cunning plan. Especially as it saved them a long flog against into a strong spring tide. So, the Ashlett crew set out to overnight at Sheppard’s (Cowes) and to join at Bembridge. The Itchenor half of the rally settled down to a evening of lively debate on Duck Poo pontoon .

  

In depth discussion

The Cowes crew later retired to the local hostelry to enjoy an evening of Prayer and Dancing.

               

Saturday 03 

            By general consent we decided on a 1000 sail from Itchenor. So at precisely 0900 !!, in true Drascombe tradition, everyone, apart Adrian who was having a late breakfast, sailed for Bembridge. It was with a falling wind that many of us found ourselves becalmed and having to motor. However late afternoon saw a rising sea breeze from the South. So much for the NE forecast. This gave at least a good sail into Bembridge. We all rafted up and dried out on the beach closest to the Pilot Inn.

 

Rafted on the beach at Bembridge

               

            There was then a great call for sundowners. This was accomplished though the production of Gin bottles salvaged from various Drascombe Hulls. It was also the start of the “Great Gin Debate”. Is the taste of Gin determined by: the cost; the condiments; the distillery or did it all taste the same when mixed with tonic. After a long debate and many tastings there was no definitive answer and it was decided to adjourn the debate to a future date whilst we carried out further research.

              

Gin discussion

            The only damper on the day is that post the privatisation of the Harbour at Bembridge there is now a fee to park on the beach. The Bembridge fee taker took £9 off each of us after a long squabble. Some members were distinctly unhappy about this charge.

 

Pay to lie on a beach!!!!!

         

Sunday 04 

The following day the group again split into two factions; most voted to stay at Bembridge enjoying the walking, scenic views and an evening meal at the Pilot Inn. Nick and I formed the breakaway party spending the day sailing. Downwind in a good 3-4 we made Chichester and tucked ourselves away in Hayling SC Creek. We had evening meal on board with a small beer in the SC.

 I have to say the beaches at Bembridge do take some beating even at £9 a shot. The crew on the beach especially enjoyed Peter’s dingy handling technique demonstration.

Beach at Bembridge

Peter's impromptu swim

This created much mirth and leg pulling in the Pilot Inn that evening

Discussion about Peter's breast stroke

Monday 05 

The Rally dispersed at lunch time, the Ashlett Crew sailing directly to Ashlett. The Chichester crew enjoying a close hauled trip back to home waters. Nick and I escaped from Hayling Island to return and recover our Drascombes. The weather, had in general, been a little cool but very sunny. Several of us will still be peeling our faces come the next Rally. Thanks to all that attended and I hope you all enjoyed it as much as me. See you at the next Rally unless I get ……………

The gun