Product Review - Huawei Mobile WiFi

I recently was located for a reasonable period of time in an area with poor mobile and WiFi connections and it got me thinking about mobile WiFi. A sailing friend, Marcus, has used a system for sometime and I recalled the conversation with him at anchor one summer evening.

The result was a quick search on Amazon (other on line retailers are available) which turned up the Huawei E5330. There is actually a large number of devices available but for cost and reviews quality this seemed to do the job, certainly as an experiment.

The small package duly arrived with Amazon's customary efficiency and I had included the purchase of a 2Gb EE data sim card.

Huawei E5330 Mobile WiFi unit

The unit is small 9cm x 6cm and comes with a USB charging lead for it's internal power which is similar to a mobile phone battery. The lead is the same USB configuration as any SMART phone which is handy.

The sim card inserts just like a mobile phone and on the inside cover is the security code, that can be changed once you are up and running.

The lights from left to right show..signal strength, WiFi , Power, don't know, and a standby type dot that shows the unit is running.

The unit claims 21 Mbps download speeds, which means video and films will run....the battery has a standby time of 300 hours, and most impressively up to 10 devices can be run using the unit at a time.

Both Android and Apple apps are available to manage the device and check status etc,

At the time mine cost £28 but I see they are now in the £30 region. As I mentioned I bought a 2Gb sim on the EE network. - this cost me £6.45 and lasted for 30 days - this is a minor issue - these type of data cards come pre bundled with an amount of data - use it or lose it.

However the advantages are you can use a different provider from your mobile provider so coverage can be more easily assured and with a bit of research, prior to a trip somewhere, I will buy data cards that have the best coverage for the area I am visiting. 

Marcus recommends buying two or more cards so if the 30 days expires or you run out of data allowance, simply insert another card...it's cheaper than topping up the existing card. The 30 days runs from the first time you activate the card so it's worth making a note of the relevant dates so you're not caught out.

I have also come across 6Gb cards that run for 90 days from activation, currently the EE version costs £14.99 - compared to £10 per month to have an extra 2 Gb of data on my phone, this works out far more effective as my tablet, laptop as well as my phone can use the connection.

So far very impressed and I am looking forward to seeing how it works out on the water next season...I'll let you know.

05/12/15

Update : I bought one of the 6Gb cards once the 2Gb had expired - had it for over a month now and still have 4Gb data left at least - going to be pushed to use it all in the time but at £14 or so compared to the £35 it would have cost through Vodafone seems a good deal. Might try a different provider next time as EE seem to have blackspots in some areas I visit but I suspect much the same with the others...we'll see

Review of 2015 season

Well the season seems to be well and truly over, and whilst memorable in so many ways seemed to peter out quite quickly and ended on a sad note.

Overall I achieved 35 nights afloat, starting with the Chichester rallies and then following the move to Ashlett Sailing Club, the Longest day cruise, the epic Falmouth jaunt and of course the Poole rally. In addition some 'interesting' days taking Sharon out for a sail, meant quite a lot of sailing. Not as much as I would have liked and work definitely got in the way, especially during the latter part of the season


Happy memorable events:

Helping out on the Drascombe by Churchouse stand at London and Southampton Boat shows - interesting and fun...apart from the feet from all the standing up...

The Chichester rally, 'blessed' by Ruth and Howard Worsley and their epic adventures with their mast falling down, jib unfurling and several other closely averted disasters - someone must be watching over them.....

The move to Ashlett - sorry to leave Adrian and Richard in Chichester, but it made sound practical and economic sense

The reception at Ashlett - very friendly and welcoming and of course, the regatta

The epic Falmouth jaunt - good company , great sailing and wonderful places.

Poole - the prolonged visit to the pub in the company of , yes, you've guessed it,  Brad and Bob - loosing the dinghy and Adrian's glasses.


Not so memorable events :

Being stuck on the A34 coming home from Falmouth, waiting for the AA  - a 14 hour journey



Sad events :

The passing of Douglas Hopwood, a real gent and excellent sailor who brought humour, knowledge and friendship to all he encountered.



I have still to put the boat to bed for the winter which I hope to do this weekend and then the dinner at Chichester Yacht Club later this month really does bring the curtain down on the 2015 season


2016 - well lots to look forward to including the first outing of Drascamp2016 in July ..lots to do before then.

Southampton Boat Show - Friday and Sat 11th/12th Sept

Sharon from Churchouse had a problem. Simon was going to be at Goodwood, result of a present earlier in the year and she needed help on the stand. After my time at the London Boat Show earlier in the year I was keen to see the difference between the two shows so duly arrived on Friday morning at Gate A to be presented with my pass and start trying to help sell the dream.

The stand was right by the entrance, which appeared to be both good and not so good...sure people came in and wandered around the first area we were in, but  then they moved moved onto see the rest of the show and by the time they came back many must have been 'boated out'.

That didn't deter a steady stream of visitors over the two days I was there. The weather smiled upon us and the Red Arrows gave a great display. There were some very encouraging enquiries about boats and orders places for covers and other essentials.

Drascombe by Churchouse stand at Southampton

The overriding impression I got was the affection that the Drascombe range, particularly the Lugger, are held in by so many people. So many people came up who had had one, still have one, plan to downsize back to one, grandparents had one, father had one.... the stories went on.

I met the author Sam Llewellyn who dropped by to see Sharon, as well as Catherine Jackson and Jonathon Savill from the new magazine Classic Sailor .

Classic Sailor - a new magazine - wish them well

I had a good look around the new Cornish Shrimper 21, shown round by Ian, the owner of a 21 sail number 007. It looks a lovely boat and I was amazed at how roomy and spacious it was, in spite of a relatively small increase in size from the Shrimper 19. Resoling the kids plimsolls will have to go on hold to afford the asking price though...nice to dream. The other nice thing was to discover he was a reader of this blog,  so cheers Ian...enjoy your boat...

Dining out was an experience especially with Chris and Fiona from Jeckells sails when we visited TGI's with Sharon...but for her sake we won't go there.....

Glad I did the early days...handed over to Stewart Brown for Sunday,  .. and Simon is back for the rest of the week but looking at the weather not sure it's going to be much fun, but hope the sales pick up and the cheque books come out.

Short cruise 28th - 30th August

With days running out I decided to get a quiet sail in before the nights closed in.....Sharon decided she was in need of more lessons so the quiet bit didn't last long.....

We set out on the tide from Ashlett on the Friday morning..with a reef in as the weather promised a little bit of wind...which then died so much so that I took the reef out...10 minutes later I wished I had put another one in...mind you all was remarkably calm from the crew as we heeled at strange angles, but with wind and tide against us, we dropped sail and motored to Newtown Creek for a late lunch. Sharon had heard all about it in various stories from Stewart's etc. but this was her first visit. It did look good in the sunshine.

We continued on the Yarmouth, passing a fleet of Folkboats racing with spinnakers raised..lovely in the sun and were given a fantastic berth in the harbour. We wandered around town enjoying the pier and an ice cream and tried to get into the steak place, 'On the Rocks', which unfortunately was fully booked so we ate in a pub and then Sharon got a taxi to her B&B while I settled down for the night.
The next day, with crew back on board, we visited Lymington and tried to sail to Cowes. The wind died totally and we again found ourselves outside Newtown Creek where we had lunch.
The rain closed in with a vengeance and the skipper was left alone to motor to Cowes whilst the crew read in the cabin. We got a berth in East Cowes marina and went to the bar to dry off and get warm.  Sharon took off to her next B&B whilst I got out of the rain back on board.

Sunday we set off quite early and sailed initially but then had to motor back to Ashlett where we arrived at the top of a big tide...even the pontoon was under water..very strange tying up to cleats that are just showing above the water level.

Moored ..just

Recovery was smooth and I was soon away to catch up with domestic tasks at home.

Ashlett Regatta - Poole Cruise 14th - 23rd August

Ashlett Regatta was scheduled for the Saturday so those that needed to launch gathered on the Friday, mooring up along the pontoon, helping with the set up during the morning and joining in the festivities during the day.

Canoes races, dinghy races and even an umbrella race...won by yours truly (an inflatable powered by a large umbrella - directional stability nil....) were all run during the high tide period before people adjourned for cream teas and preparation for the festivities of the evening.

A hog roast and three bands saw some dancing late into the night.



Sunday

The next day the Drascombe contingent set off to Newtown Creek to spend the night before continuing on to Poole.

Some precarious rafting was observed which lead to much shouted comment across the quiet anchorage...

Monday

We set out mid morning to catch the tide through the Needles, taking the Needles channel to try and get a good angle into Studland Bay, I'm not sure it worked that well but it must still rate as one of the best crossings we've had, good wind, mainly sunny and reasonably smooth seas.

The raft grew of Studland but it was then decided we should be further in towards the shore...I'm sure the skipper on the nearby yacht who filmed the mass movement of 8 or 9 boats still rafted together as they motored across the bay with Stewart stood on the middle boat shouting directions, will be the subject of several pub conversations.

Tuesday

The fleet made their way on the flood into the harbour with several of us going round to Cleavel Point to recce the venue for next years planned Drascamp (more of that later). After a days free sailing and visits to the Haven marina and Wetherspoons we gathered south of Brownsea Island for the night.

Just to late to join the raft......

Sunset behind Brownsea

Wednesday

Rain threatened and then held off long enough to make a break back out to Studland before it closed in again. Adrian and I shared a few beers while we put the world to rights and then after a short siesta I was summoned ashore by Brad and Bob. The water was low enough to wade ashore across the sandy bottom, but I took my dinghy with me, pulling her far up the beach just in case.

The rain kept coming but snug in the pub we had a nice meal and joined in banter with the locals, assisted by two young ladies,who were camping nearby and were drying out underwear on the radiators.

All in all this detained us longer that we planned and on return to the beach found the tide was right up to the high water mark...where was the dinghy.

Thankfully with a light wind and rising tide she had moved a few hundred yards down the beach so we recovered her and got back to our boats. More refreshment was taken on board Bolitho, and the main entertainment of the evening was trying to get Adrian back to his boat without one or all falling in. We managed..just...


Thursday

Next day involved trying to find Adrian's glasses which he thought he had dropped overboard. Much studious wading and even the services of a passing snorkeller were roped in...only for him to find them on his centreboard case where he had left them.

The fleet departed hoping to see some activity from the Bournemouth Air Show but cloud was too low and we arrived at Christchurch after a good sail in the strong westerly.


Friday

A bright windy day saw us setting off for the Needles and heading into Keyhaven where we met Barry and Pauline and adjourned to their house for a BBQ and some music. A very nice evening.


Saturday

A good sail to Newtown for a quick lunch and then a romp across to Keyhaven to haul out brought the cruise to an end.

Another great week.

Falmouth Jaunt 13th - 26th July

Plans had been made for sometime but at last the day arrived - set off from work (12th) and drove to Ashlett. I had previously rigged the boat for trailing so a few last minute adjustments and I was ready to go. Delayed departure due to traffic reports but set off about 19.30, heading for Salisbury. The advance crew had already set off - Stewart Brown with Bolitho, Tony Wood with Martha, Marcus Niner had caught the ferry over from the IOW with Salicorne, and Brad and Bob had set out from Poole with Siobhan.

Ready to go

I arrived with out incident - apart from losing the bowsprit fitting, at Mylor Creek Boatyard where Tony was already asleep in Martha on the trailer. I slept in the car.

Prior to launch

So it was at that, whilst waiting for the tide, we found most of the gang in the cafe at Mylor Marina for breakfast, with Brad and Bob planning to join us later. Obtained my fitting and off to rig and launch. I can see shallow gradient slipways are going to be an issue but after a bit of a pull and shove Tony and I got Daislebee afloat with Martha soon following and it was off into the main area of water heading north for a rendezvous in Channal Creek, opposite Turnaware Point.

Mylor Creek Boatyard

The others had launched at Mylor Marina after concerns about the gradient at the Creek yard - they were right... and Brad and Bob launched at their traditional venue in the Percuil River.

So 5 boats meet up and decided to explore up river into Ruan Creek, following our guides and mentors for the week..Brad and Bob...wise..not sure...

Here we rafted up in splendid isolation, and made the first local discovery - no phone signal..amazing how this takes some getting used to.. terrible really.

An evening of conviviality followed but tired an early night beckoned .

We woke on the Sunday to find Cornish mizzle...uggh..thankfully it didn't last long and exploring our anchorage at low water was interesting

Aground - Ruan Creek

The view from the raft - with Marcus in the distance

Once the water returned we headed back down the river to Channal Creek where we met up with John Boston in Pamela, Ian Cowie in Moksha and Judy and Andy Peter in Blue Peter - the fleet was complete.

We dried out in a little pool area at the top of the creek and later that night made friends with a bat who tried to share the cabin... 4 grown men running for cover as this strange creature appeared....

The rest of fortnight passed in a whirl of anchorages and creeks so I have marked most of the locations on the rough map below and will focus on the main events.....

Malpas

The Heron at Malpas was an early stop in our stay down there...a good time and a slightly sour note. The group arrived at the pub to be confronted by a slightly lack lustre reception, but we soon established that it was the first week of the new licencee so understandable jitters..old military service backgrounds soon broke the ice and the food was very good ....and we had a very good evening there.

View from the Heron

The only sour note was the reception we had on the quayside pontoon, Having tied up on the Visitors pontoon we were ferried ashore in good style by Brad with his small dinghy and engine. Most landed at the gravel slipway but on the last journey we set a party of less nimble passengers ashore on the seemingly available pontoon linked to the shore...only to be met by a man demanding money of the 10 meters walk along the deck..we paid up and made light of it but it all seemed rather grasping and desperate.....but we didn't let it spoil the evening.

Truro

No visit could miss out on the full trip up to the capital city of Cornwall, and so it was we followed each other up the very narrow and shallow creek on a rising tide, deep into the heart of the town, tying up outside Tesco. The creek was barely navigable as it twisted and turned though the lock gates and passed flats and offices as it meandered it's course. Here we were met by Sharon from Churchouse and one of her daughters, complete with Kyle, her grandson. They had stopped off at Crantocks in India Queens and came armed with a box of the biggest pasties you have ever seen. These were very kindly distributed amongst the fleet and were very nice too.

Truro in the distance

Tied up at Tesco

We tied up where we could and waited for the water to rise before getting properly moored up. The locals as well as holiday makers gathered to take pictures and chat. Various expeditions to explore the town, including the cathedral, Betty Stogges brewery and Wetherspoons were undertaken, before the crews gathered to depart back down towards Falmouth.


Helford and Gweek

Another places hard to ignore and we set off from St Mawes on an overcast morning with a fresh wind. It was a delight to set the boat on one tack and what the miles tick off quite rapidly, with no other boast to criss cross your path, no wash...just sit back and sail.
We anchored off Helford Sailing Club and used the dinghies to get into the pontoon. We were made most welcome and had a very nice meal, and were chatting away quite happily before Bob pointed out the if we were to forego a starter and dessert and just go for the lobster main course, the bill would be about the same.....8 lobsters duly ordered for the following evening.....

Lobster for 8 please

The following day we explored the river all the way to Gweek and then returned to Helford SC for the night..where we were sat in the middle of the club so that everyone could watch us enjoying the lobsters. Very nice.

View of anchorage from Helford Sailing Club

Falmouth itself

We spent a couple of days/nights in Falmouth, which included visiting the Front where large quantities of beer were drunk..most bailed out but some...no names required..continued on to another pub and then a bar in Falmouth..a good time was had which involved returning to the bar to collect items of clothing the next day...enough said.

The good thing about the Front, apart form the wide range of beers, was the fact that food could be brought in and consumed.....which was handy as the best fish and chips I have had for ages were available in the Harbour Lights that was actually above the pub itself.


Anchorages - various

There were many many delightful anchorages we moored in over the two weeks... here are just a few

Cellars Beach - opposite St Mawes.  A lovely quiet anchorage, which we later found out was private, but the owner, or at least her husband had just bought a Drascombe Lugger, so he came over for a chat rather than serve eviction notices.

Percuil River - at the junction of Trethen Creek and Polingey Creek. another gem, sheltered but beautiful in the sun and apart from our lot very quiet - the creeks are fun to explore on a rising tide - Trethen in particular meanders up to a white house and the small bridge across the road.

Upper reaches of Percuil River

St Just Creek - at first glance, especially in a prevailing southerly, and a strong one at that, this doesn't seem to offer much. The yachts moored in the main body of the creek were pitching and rolling and it looked as though we would have to abandon the plan to stay there over night, but armed with knowledge of a previous recce I passed through the boats watching with interest and the cliffs drew close on my port hand and the sand back started to loom ever closer on my starboard hand. The gaps was about 20 meters and I slipped through turning sharply to starboard to be confronted with the lovely church at the head of the creek. The raft duly formed and we were treated to a scantily clad mermaid swimming past the raft, with three spaniels in echelon formation swimming around her. We all admired the spaniels.....

Church at St Just

Larmouth and Cowlands Creek  - About 2 miles above Turnaware Point,  Larmouth was lovely, totally secluded and sheltered we settled on the soft mud and had a very good night tucked away with only the fish plopping in the water and birds for company.

Rafted in Larmouth Creek

The following morning we explored Cowlands...each selecting their own preference from the many lovely houses along the waters edge.

Cowlands Creek

Incidents.......

Apart from the extended watering session, Sharon's dunking must rate as the funniest moment..not that she probably thought so...

Simon was delivering a boat so they planned to spend a few days in the Falmouth area, having a bit of a break ...hence the pasty delivery at Truro. One of the days was spent sailing with us..Simon went with Tony on his Coaster, Stewart took one of his granddaughter's, Hannah,  Sharon went with Brad and Bob and I took Lauren and Kyle.

We all meet up at a beach south of Carricknath Point, which itself is south of St Mawes. I was on dinghy duty and having taken both girls and Kyle to the beach, returned to collect Sharon. We rowed without incident to the shore and I turned the dinghy to face the waves. I explained that the waves came in a pattern and on the count of three she should step out of the boat. This she did...well almost did... forgetting momentarily that she had two legs, and failing to move the second one Sharon promptly sat down in the surf. I'm sure either myself or one of the girls could have helped her...had we not been crying with laughter..which of course didn't help matters much..combined with a dunking of a £600 iPhone it probably wasn't a top moment for Sharon...but....it was funny.

Leaving was easier than arriving.....

Final night

Those that stayed the course.. seven or so in all, tied up at Mylor on our final night and went to the pub for a curry . we won the quiz.. being the only team  and accepted the prize of a bottle of wine as well as generous Port servings...before retreating to Stewart's boat of a night cap. We had in the poor weather decided to berth indie the pontoon from the prevailing wind and waves, but in the morning the wind and waves were so strong that they were blowing over the pontoon and dumping on the boats moored the other side..which was us...next time must remember to turn and face the wind as well...would save getting soaked as soon as I came out of the cabin.

Last night

A great fortnight, in great company....lovely place to explore,,especially in small boats that can take the ground

Longest Day cruise - Monday 22nd June to Friday 26th June

Cruise locations

Click on map to enlarge

1. + 2.  Monday 22nd  June

High tide was 15.00 and so I prepared Daislebee for her first launch at Ashlett. Not all went to plan as it became obvious that the trailer is not set up properly for launching and the slip at Ashlett is a lot shallower than the marina one.

With a lot of heaving, pushing and pulling she was in the water and the by about 16.30 the fleet set sail - Stewart in Bolitho, Nick in Virginia, Jim in Hippo, Tony in Martha , Peter in Siesta and John and Sandy on Bon Amiee  - heading for Newtown Creek where we meet up with Marcus in Salicorne, and were joined by Adrian in Torridon, Richard in Egret and Andy in Blue Peter - we spent the night rafted in the Western Haven

3.   Tuesday 23rd

With the larger fleet assembled we set of in lovely weather for Ryde. the wind was great until we reached Cowes and then died completed just as the tide grew stronger.. so it was a longer trip than expected but in the weather it was great being out on the water. John and Sandy had to depart en route due to a plumbing crisis/
The next days activities were the subject of much debate - did we stay until the afternoon tide or have a very unDrascombe like early start - early start won the day for most - with Peter and Tony having to depart for Cowes the rest of us left at about 07.00 in a very windless morning heading for Bembridge.

Bembridge Sands towards the forts and Chichester

The wind picked up and we had a good sail across to Priory Bay where we had coffee and enjoyed the sun. Some elected to fish but Stewart, Jim and I headed towards Whitecliff Bay on the south eastern corner of the IOW. We completed what was a cracking sail and had tea in the lee of the cliffs.

4. The fleet gathered later in Bembridge harbour using the pontoons on the re furbished marina. Signs of the work were all around, extended jetties etc and an impressive dredger digging deeper channels alongside.

The fleet on the left and the dredge on the right

Panorama of Bembridge

The following day saw the fleet or what was left after various departures head for Portsmouth.

Cuauhtemoc

Scale......

5.  On the way across we passed a Mexican ship Cuauhtemoc  and headed up the harbour where we found ourselves being made most welcome but the officers and members of Porchester Sailing Club, We tied to their pontoon overnight and visited their bar for a couple of pints...you know how it is....the setting is industrial on one side and flanked by Porchester Castle on the other...quite strange.

Porchester Castle

The following day those that were based at Ashlett returned and hauled out...ready for the next adventure

New Home for Daislebee - Ashlett Creek

Ashlett Sailing Club is part of the Esso Sports and Social Club and is home to many south coast Drascombers.
Having been at Chichester Marina since I bought the boat I was sorry to be leaving as I have many happy memories of setting out and returning there, and hate to think of the amount of beer Adrian and I must have got through...waiting for the tide.....

But it is a fact that any event in the Solent requires an extra day at both ends to cater for the long haul back to Chichester...that coupled with the lack of time I have to pop down to the boat and the sheer harsh economic reality for the difference between the costs of Chi and Ashlett  made it an easier decision.

So it was after the Marina rally I hauled out and dropped the mast to get her ready for trailing. It didn't take as long as I thought as we were soon on the A27 heading west.

It only took about an hour - as opposed to the 1/2 day to sail it, before I was pulling into the compound. I found what appeared to be a vacant space that was ideal for access to pull in and out with the car and having settled her down set off for home.

The distance and time to travel are almost identical so it is hopefully the start of a long and happy association with the club.

Chichester Marina based rally 22nd - 25th May 2015

The rally, based in Chichester Marina got off to a very uneventful start. Launching for those who came by trailer passed without incident and after drinks on one boat or other the group gathered in Chichester Yacht Club for the evening meal.  The collective included skippers and crew of Dabbers, Luggers, Coasters, Long Boat Cruisers, Shrimpers and Deben Lugger, a Lunne Whammel and a Red Fox 200 - all very welcome. Some were sleeping aboard, other camping in the field behind and some in caravans and motor homes on local sites.

Sharon, from Churchouse boats made me a lovely presentation for my birthday of a cartoon character, drawn by Bob Heasman of a remarkable likeness of Sharon and myself sailing Daislebee with L plates displayed

The blue and yellow flag indicates 'difficulty manoeuvring'

Saturday

With the tide taking us down to East Head most of the fleet headed that way for a leisurely lunch. There was a little drama as a Coaster arrived with its mast laid neatly along the cabin, and then tried its best to get neaped on the beach ..but with assistance from Richard Goldsmith I managed to get ashore and help them float and they headed out to the raft for final adjustments.
The fleet that sailed from Ashlett joined us having crept into harbour late the night before.

Alex's Deben Lugger

Possibly the youngest crew

Keep your lines ready

The weather was fine with a good wind and the fleet headed back to the marina for the BBQ. The band played and we were joined by some other boat owners who curiosity at our rag tag bunch had intrigued them.

Sunday

Another fine day which saw the fleet spread out with the Ashlett crowd planning to stay out in the harbour to get a good start the following day. Several of us negotiated the Thorney Channel and saw a couple of seals before rafting up for lunch.
I had a guest helm, Glenys Cowie, whose berth in Moksha was taken by Sharon GH.

Guest Helm

Douglas H

Monday

The Ashlett fleet departed en route to the Weymouth Festival...and the majority pulled out in preparation for the journey home. Peter, Tony and I sailed to Emsworth. En route I drifted up on of the rithes and did some seal watching.

At the Pontoon there was nearly a diplomatic incident with a large white yacht who wanted us to move so he could come alongside the deeper side of the pontoon. When we pointed out that the depth of water was the same on both sides he refused to believe us and resolutely parked his  40 foot yacht  in a 25 foot space at the end of the pontoon..

International incident over we adjourned for drinks and supper.

Tuesday

Peter and I crept up the the quay at Emsworth to get some provisions and collect Sharon who wanted more time on the water. Back at the pontoon bacon rolls and coffee were taken before we set off down the harbour. Another first for Sharon was achieved when we stuck our heads out to see, going as far and the Bar beacon - her first time in open water.

Returning to the marina I had an early night ready for hauling out the next dyt to take Daislebee to her new home.

Chichester Harbour Rally 1st - 4th May

Friday 1st

The rally started in the usual way with boats arriving on trailers - the first rig for some, of the new season, new engines being started and new kit being made ready. There was only one arrival by sea, the intrepid Tony Wood had set out for Ashlett on the Thursday and had a interesting journey along the coast.
The rest of the Ashlett fleet decided to abandon the plan to sail round and any plans to sail at all as the weather grew worse.  Douglas Hopwood and Ian Cowie trailed round and launched at the marina.

We were joined by new faces, David McWhirter brought his bright yellow, and huge gig Tra Bhui which attracted a lot of interest, Adam Norman, in his Coaster Jester, Aidan Stowe in Rob Cat II and the unforgettable Howard Worsley and his wife Ruth.

Sharon from Churchouse also joined us to watch launching and we went for a motor down the harbour to charge my batteries, which she seems to enjoy.

Later the rally split into several parties and evening meal was cooked and beer and wine consumed.


Saturday 2nd

The day started very well, sun and a reasonable wind and many set off for Dell Quay on the last of the flood and enjoyed a good sail. On the way back down Howard had had one of his 'episodes' and gone aground with his rudder getting stuck. He managed get free before assistance arrived and most of the fleet set off down the harbour.
One or two decided the marina was the place to be but 4 or 5 of us arrived at East Head for lunch, meeting Richard Goldsmith in his Cornish Coble.
Howard had an 'episode' with his mast, and a fore stay pin failure which resulted in him and Ruth coming into the shallows at east Head to rectify...unfortunately on a falling tide he was in danger of being neaped  so Richard kindly put me ashore to help ...in water 2 inches deeper than my sailing boots but heh ho...... got him off and partially fixed so he made his way to the raft to complete the repairs. We had to be quick as we were starting to run out of water ourselves.
Once all sorted we motored across to Mengeham Rithe where Howard, Tony and I pick up a buoy for the night - Peter T and Adam made there way to separate buoys.
The evening meal was very good - steak, egg and chips and we settled down for the night after some wine and a dram or two.
Then the washing machine started and lasted until about 04.00 am - we must have got the springs just right because there was no boat clashes just a lot of pitching and rolling....but we survived and woke the next morning to grey misty conditions.
In view of the weather and the outlook I decided to cancel the rally and we all made our way up to the marina to join that had remained in comfort.
Ruth and Howard kindly bought breakfast and we adjourned to our berths to get some rest.
Tony decided to trail back to Ashlett so hitched a ride with Ian to collect car and trailer.

Ruth, Howard and Tony

The others departed during Sunday although the sun came out and Monday was a lovely day so I snatched a quick sail before turning for home - saving the two days leave for another time.

Lets hope the weathers better next time......

First rally approaching

The first May Bank Holiday rally is rapidly approaching. What with work and other commitments I seem to be behind schedule but have sent out the rally notes to those who expressed an interest - the usual suspects but also some new names amongst them which is good.

General plan is to r/v on the Visitors pontoon on the Friday ad then see where the wind and weather take us. Bembridge is a possibility and with 18 or so boats planning to attend we will need to think where we can go without finding there is no room at the inn.

Some are planning on staying out during the week so it should be fun - hope the weather is kind to us.

Second outing and the CYC dinner - 27th February

Sharon was going for it again - Friday saw us down at the marina and heading out through the lock. Another bright and sunny day with a nice F3 westerly. We motored down to the entrance to the Thorney Channel which gave us a nice long tack across towards East Head. Sharon held the boat head to wind whilst I raised the main sail. As the boat bore away I turned the engine off and Sharon found herself at the helm of a boat under sail for the first time. We had covered the various points of sail as we travelled down the harbour and once she worked out where the wind was coming from Sharon was quite at home, even when a passing wash hit us at the same time as a gust causing the boat to lean and move about. No sounds but I thought I detected a whitening of her knuckles on the tiller. We soon had the jib unfurled as well and were having a cracking sail, We tacked and gybed in the empty harbour until we decided that lunch was the order of the day.

Having progressed so well it seemed a simple task to sail into the East Head anchorage - furl the jib and then come up into the wind whilst I dropped the anchor. Very professional - shame no one was about to see Sharon at the helm.

After lunch we departed the same way, raising the main head to wind as the anchor was recovered and then bearing away to deeper water.

With a rising tide we were soon making good ground up the harbour.

Sharon at the helm

We avoided buoys and boats that were apparently 'coming towards us' and sailed all the way to the end of the channel leading to the marina.

Once through the lock there was some discussion about who was going to reverse into the berth and I lost - but Daislebee was reversed in very tidily and we were soon tied up and chatting to Peter and Emma Tiplady who had come down to collect an anchor I had borrowed sometime ago.

We drove to the hotel and meet up with Stewart and then Brad and Bob who were already in the pub...no surprises there.

A taxi later to the club and we were soon enjoying the meal and drinks with old friends. All too soon the night was over and we were all back at the hotel heading for bed.

Lady Drascomber

Sharon from CBL is really going for it - not only has she set herself the challenge of overcoming a fear of water and learning to sail - she is also going to run a blog about her experiences.
This could be tricky if I make any mistakes, or rather , when I make mistakes, that I wouldn't include in my blog but what's the betting.........

The link is on the right hand side and also here

http://ladydrascomber.blogspot.co.uk/

Good luck to her - soon have her helming a Lugger......

First Time for everything

About a year ago Sharon, from Churchouse Boats, casually asked me if I could teach her to sail. "Oh yes of course" said I, not for one minute thinking she was serious.

Well with Stewart B as a father in law - you'd have thought the solution was obvious and then I thought back to the time I tried to teach my youngest son to drive and swiftly handed over to a driving school and could understand where she was coming from.

Well, during the stint on the CBL boat show stand at London, earlier in the month, she worked on me and when I mentioned that I was visiting the boat to check on her the following week Sharon decided she would come down for a look as well.

So it was on a very cold but bright and sunny Friday morning that we rendezvoused at Chichester marina. When I say cold, there was ice on the water that broke as we motored out of the berth with Sharon at the helm, resplendent in her new wet weather gear.

A sheet of ice extends across to the main fairway

The helming started with "My side...Your side" translated to Port and Starboard. We were soon down at the lock - another first for Sharon and out into the harbour. There was no wind but with the sun it actually felt quite warm as we motored down the Itchenor Reach.

She was soon identifying Port and Starboard marks, getting to grips with cardinal marks, tidal flow, neaps and springs as well as taking business calls.

Sharon had her first go at "ferry gliding" and successfully put us alongside the Harbour Masters pontoon gently enough  to save an egg from breaking.

The proud Skipper

After a visit to the office we set off again and found a buoy for lunch in the top end of the Bosham Reach.

A gentle motor back to the marina and Daislebee was safe in her berth with neither her or Sharon any the worse for the experience... in fact next time apparently it;s up with the sails...not bad for someone who has never been on a small boat before.

Churchouse Boats - Drascombe stand at London Boat Show

Some months ago Sharon from CBL jokingly asked if I fancied helping out on the Boat Show stand if Simon went to the Düsseldorf Boat Show. I said yes and thought no more about it until just before Christmas when she reminded me at the CYC dinner in November.

So there I was on the stand for a couple of days helping out. It was great fun. Many visitors had stories to tell, dreams to share and it was lovely to be able to share them.

There were many genuine interests in buying  a Drascombe or parts for one. The trial sail idea went quite well with many people expressing an interest in a test that will hopefully lead to some sales.

Tony Wood joined us for the Thursday and added to the fun with his unique character and humour.

The evenings were fun. Sharon introduced me to people from other companies like Jeckells and Anglia Yachts and we shared many laughs over a pint or two.

My sympathy for sales people was raised however - I could hear myself repeating the same patter over and over again - and nothing quite prepares your feet and legs for the very thin carpet they use at the show......

Saturday was the busiest and we had good morning but I had to leave at lunchtime to get to Birmingham for an appointment.