September Solent Cruise 8th - 13th

After a late finish at work I scampered out of London and down to Chichester , arriving about 02.00 am!!

Monday 8th

Soon asleep I set the alarm for 07.00 and was up bright and early enjoying lovely weather as I headed down the harbour. Most of the fleet was departing Ashlett on the late morning tide, with others setting out, or waiting at strategic locations around the Solent.
The easterly wind and a strong westerly spring tide carried me along to Cowes at a brisk rate and I could see and hear the Ashlett fleet as they came out past Calshot. Adrian was in Shepards Wharf, Cowes and was soon joined by Stewart B towing in Martha who had had an outboard failure which Tony decided to get fixed straight away rather that spoil the rest of the week. So it was a reduced fleet of Hippo, Siesta, Blue Peter, Salicorne, Skua and Virginia as well as Daislebee that rafted up in Newtown Creek that evening. The sunset was superb.

Newtown Creek in the evening sunset

Skua and I separated from the raft after dinner and pick up a buoy for the night.

Tuesday 9th

Another lovely day and we needed to be out of Newtown by about 09.30 to get the best of the tide. I had enough time to meander slowly up Clamerkin to the very far end, seeing all the wild life up and about in the early sun. Jim followed me and we then ghosted back down towards the entrance in a freshening breeze. The engine had to come on at the entrance as there seemed to be about 4 knots of tide that I needed to overcome. Out in open water I has a comfortable sail in the sun across the coach the others in the Beaulieu river.
As many of you will know there is a long east west run from the entrance, parallel with the main Solent - looking carefully at tide times and tables I managed to cut across the shingle bank and had fun with Adrian trying to out do each other as we made our way up the river, past Buckler's Hard and up to the head of the river at Beaulieu.

Hippo heading up to Beaulieu

After lunch we made our way down river with the flood beginning to run. We decided to pick up buoys and anchor (forgetting the rules within Beaulieu). No sooner had we sorted lines and fenders out than the harbour master was alongside moving us on. The beauty of the river is outweighed by the rates they charge, even in the small area where anchoring is permitted, which is back down on the straight run towards the entrance. We spent a pleasant night with a short period of uncomfortable motion as the tide reached it's height.

Wednesday 10th

The morning dawned bright and sunny but in spite of entreaties Terry decided to leave us and head back to Ashlett to haul out. The rest of us headed over to Yarmouth.
Peter and I walked up the hill behind Fort Victoria and had a great view of Keyhaven and the Narrows. The tide was rushing out and three or four yachts were stood still battling the current.

That evening we spit into two groups - five of us opting for the 'On the Rocks' as and end of year treat with the others dining across the road in a pub. Adrian had been enjoying drinks on Richard's boat earlier and was the source of amusement as a result  - although he was banned from having any red wine.

The hilarity continued when we adjourned to the Kings Head, where the resident guitarist was very 'appreciative' of Adrian's offer to accompany him on the piano. He packed up shortly after ( planned apparently...) and left Adrian to empty the pub alone.... but could we left him do it by himself...oh no...John B fetched his banjo ukulele and together they ensured that when time was called it was only the Drascombers, bar staff and the goldfish left in the pub....

Thursday 11th

We arranged with the harbour staff for the bridge to open at 11.00 and we passed through and drifted on the tide up to the top of the year. We spent lunch up there and then drifted down for a afternoon bridge which allowed us out in the Solent to sail for Keyhaven.

The Yar bridge

Leaving Yarmouth we encountered a fierce tide which resulted in the 'L plate' story. We all got swept down to the west but managed to counter the current by pointing high and using our engines. Adrian, on the other hand, remained blissfully unaware until  I phoned him. He almost reached the cardinal marker and had to hug the northern bank to creep in over the tide.

We all made it into Keyhaven but I managed to get caught on the hard standing sill as the tide ran out. It was the lowest tide I have ever seen there but it was useful to see the lie of the land.



Friday 12th

We sailed for Cowes and with the strong tides and a fair wind it was a great sail, especially as it was probably my last visit to the western Solent this year. The tide turned just as I got to Cowes entrance which caught out some of those behind me who had to battle to make ground over it. We tied up in Shepards Wharf and ate in the pub. Adrian's boat was duly decorated with 'L plates' fore and aft in recognition of the brief visit to Christchurch he so nearly had......

Saturday 13th

In order to get the right tide into Chichester Adrian, Richard and I left the fleet early . I sailed over to the 'northern island' to get a closer view of the tall ship sailing into Southampton for the Boat Show.

The wind pushed me along to Chichester where I continued to the marina to tie up. I hope to get out again this year but this may be the last trip of the season.