The fleet set out from Ashlett on Thursday...not ideal conditions for 3 skippers with new boats or indeed the first sail of the season ..challenging would describe it..Siobhan trailed from Poole to join us at Ashlett for the weekend.
Usually pleased to achieve 5 or six knots under full sail - 5 knots under jib alone !!!! The trip from Ashlett to Cowes normally take 90 minutes or so...not just over an hour....
We arrived at Shepards Wharf to find Sundance already in residence. The voyage across produced the need for the usual sail readjustments together with some breakages that required fixing, before adjourning to the Duke of York just up the road form the marina.
We opted for a quiet day on the Friday so motored up the Medina to Newport with the rising tide and spent a quiet evening in the Bargeman's Rest, listening to the live music.
The next day was an early start to escape with the tide,stopping for breakfast half way down the river just above the Folly. We then took the easterly tide across to Portsmouth.Nick in Isabella departed early for home (Ashlett) and some repairs.
Tea was taken at Salty's cafe at Wicormarine where we meet up with Simon and Sharon from Churchouse and then we made our way round to our hosts at Portchester Sailing Club. Sharon crewed for me, so it was unfortunate that the heavens decided to open a heavy squall passing through with very strong winds. She stayed below to keep dry whilst I tamed sails and moored up. Sharon and Glenys Cowie fetched in fish and chips (thank you both) for the fleet who made themselves comfortable in the bar of the club. We were joined by Little Dipper crewed by the St Deny's gang.
The next morning we again had to be up and about early to avoid drying out on the club pontoon so we moved off onto unused buoys but the sun was warm and no wind so we lazed in the sun ...shorts were even briefly produced. The wind soon filled in and we set off down the harbour. At the entrance there was a big crane and divers to negotiate, apparently getting ready for dredging the channel for the new aircraft carriers.
We set off back towards Cowes, where Sundance continued to her home port of Newtown. The rest of the fleet after a night in Shepards crossed back to Southampton Water to haul out.
A cold, bright and at times wet rally... but very enjoyable all the same. Thanks to all who came, tried to come or supported us from a distance.
