Solent 9th - 11th August

Chris had been away on his European trip so had missed out on sailing trips. We decided to take a few days out on the boat, leaving younger brother to his drums......
Setting out from Chichester to Ryde, we planned the journey with more attention than normal - the idea was to try and show Chris that it is not just a question of coming out of the harbour and turning right so tides, weather, wind, currents, engine checks, headings, clearance bearings etc - all the things I tend to do myself without the crew getting involved became shared tasks - working towards the day, no doubt, when I get the 'Can I borrow the boat ?' question.......

After all the prep though the wind let us down after about a mile out of the channel and it became a motor with the wind on the nose.

We were due to r/v with Nick P in 'Virginia', who had come out of Warsash but with the lack of wind arranged to meet at Ryde. For some reason I assumed we would be there first and made arrangements with the Harbour Master for two small yachts to berth - only to find Nick tied up and waiting - no wonder the HM sounded confused.
After a few beers we adjourned to the town for quite a good curry and an early night.

The following day we had choices - stay in harbour and take the bus to Cowes to watch the sailing or go over to Portsmouth and show Chris the bits of the harbour Adam I and I visited last time out.

Portsmouth won and we had a great sail across - just the right amount of wind, sun and some spectacular racing yachts heading east.

We made our way up to Portchester Castle for lunch and tried to anchor in the lee, without much success - too much westerly in the wind. So, after a quick snack, we made our way back down the harbour and across to the Hardway SC pontoon where we spent the night and shared a meal with Nick - Chris invented the perfect method for producing garlic bread on board - just the job with a bit of pasta - butter both sides of slices of a baguette with garlic butter and then place them into hot frying pan, turning a few times until it starts to brown.

Hardway Pontoon

The next day Nick had to leave about 09.30 to get the best of the current to sail back across to Ryde to r/v with Peter T who was coming out of Chichester.

We left just after 10.00 against the last of the flood down to the harbour mouth - hoping that this would give us the right window to get across and into Chichester before the ebb began to run too strongly against the wind. BIG MISTAKE.

I should have gone earlier - never mind a little adverse current. By the time we got to Chichester entrance the seas were big and piling up. We made it in but it wasn't comfortable and it was a marginal decision whether to head back towards Langston or across to the lee of the island. Moral of the story - don't be constrained by train times and travel plans - they tend to force your hand.

The sun came out and in the much more sheltered harbour we sailed up to the moorings at Itchenor before the strength of the tide defeated us and we motored back to the marina.

Exploring Portsmouth 26th - 29th July

Adam and I grabbed a few days on the boat and together with Richard G in Egret had a look around Portsmouth Harbour.

We had a slow start, spending the afternoon of Tuesday showing a friend who is interested in buying a Shrimper,  around the boat - hoisting the sails and looking at the engine - that sort of thing - there was no wind to take her out for a sail but I think he found it useful. That evening Adam and I adjourned to CYC for a meal and spent the night in the marina.

The next day was sunny and warm and we got away after a quick coffee and anchored off East Head for breakfast and to wait for Richard to get out of his creek. As it was we stayed there for lunch to get the best of the tide for the run to Portsmouth.

 Crew - general lookout

We took the inshore passage over the Winners - getting down to 0.5 m at one point, but with the plate up we skimmed across and took the inshore route through the submarine barrier

Egret - approaching the submarine barrier

We hugged the shore until the hovercraft came in behind us and then crossed to the small boat passage at the entrance to the harbour.

Watch out for passing traffic

HMS Illustrious was in port - it turned out she was due to escort the yachts at the start of The Clipper Round the World race on Saturday.

HMS Illustrious

Further up the harbour in the beginning of the Fareham Channel was evidence of the post navy cuts tied up and looking very forlorn - not quite the majestic Royal Navy turn out - HMS Exeter, Nottingham, Manchester and Southampton

Forgotten and rusting

We picked up a buoy for a cup of tea and then made our way across the shallows to the area just off Portchester Castle were we spent the night - we had a chat to the Police launch who had come up following a report of some lads in a dory paying a lot of interest to some yachts on the far side of the moorings - unfortunately we hadn't seen a thing.......

Sunset over Portchester Castle

The next morning the sun shone brightly, quickly burning off the mist and revealing Portchester Castle in a different light.

View up the harbour

Later Adam and I went ashore and had a look round the castle - coming across the local Hell's Angel chapter

Later that day we slipped back across to the Fareham channel and made our way up to the top , being buzzed by Chinook and Sea King helicopters along the way.

Lunch was taken at the Fareham Motor and Sailing club pontoon where we were made very welcome  with telephones numbers being exchanged with a view to a potential rally location.

We then took the flood down the harbour and out to the Solent and headed towards Langstone.

On arrival we tied up outside Southsea marina until the cill was lowered and we could moor up for the night. A very convivial curry at the restaurant and an early night.

The next day we took the inshore passage back to Chichester and home to the marina - another good cruise with Adam doing most of the boat handling, including reversing into the berth - coming along nicely.

Feeder cruise and Poole Rally 30th June - 5th July

With the Poole rally having being brought forward this year - to try an get some decent weather, and also catch some of the Dart rally attendees on their way back, things were looking decidedly dodgy - No-one ended up sailing back from Poole and the week before the weather looked ominous.

What a difference a few days makes - although plans changed and the intended r/v in Mengham Rithe on the Wednesday night was only partially successful - Peter and Richard made it, Adrian got delayed drinking 'coffee' on someone else's boat in the marina, and Adam and I only got down early Thursday morning, all four of us left the harbour by about 10.30, for the long, tide assisted run down to Keyhaven. Unfortunately the wind was on the nose and it was a motor all the way, but the weather was great, and apart from getting a load of green water over the top just past Cowes at Gurnard we arrived together off Keyhaven and made our way up to the quay.
All was going fine until I went to help Marcus, who had come across from Newtown, tie up along side - slipped - and was suddenly swimming over the side - complete with iPhone in pocket ..... however I pulled it out quickly and handed it up to Adam. I then discovered that I was grazing my knees on the bottom so stood up and walk round to the stern ladder to get back on.
A good wipe of the phone and some WD 40 and no harm done - thank goodness.

The rest of the crowd were already there, Barry and Pauline, Andy and Anne, Dave Q, Nick and Vernon and we adjourned to the pub for grub.

The next day - Friday - we left the quay to catch the 11.00 slack through Hurst - not before I got wet again - only this time is was planned - well sort of. a rock of the boat and a poorly position frying pan meant that I had to wade out to retrieve it from under the boat - the things I do for a cooked breakfast......

The Solent Fleet departing Keyhaven

Some of the fleet off Hurst

Hurst Castle from the North Channel

Dave Q

The sail across the bay was very good with the wind getting up to a low F4 and the Rally gathered in Blood Alley as normal. After a BBQ and drinks the raft which was about 20 boats wide broke up slightly for the night.

Sunset over the western end of Brownsea Island

The following day, after a stock up from Tesco Extra, we joined the fleet out in Studland Bay. There was a Shrimper rally in harbour  over the same weekend and with the Drascombe gang out in force, for once there were more tan sails on view than white.

Marcus off Old Harry

The fleet returned to Blood Alley, although we were sometime behind them having adjourned with Brad and Bob to The Banks Arms - followed by a BBQ on the beach.

The sing song on the raft was a robust affair, brought to a halt at 11.00 for the sake of the neighbours - Bolitho was the chosen party boat, a move which I was to regret until at least lunchtime the next day ........

Sunday was a quiet day, with a short sail over to Arne where we spent the day in the sun at anchor. We made our way over the the haven for the night, intending to join Brad and Bob for a Chinese but following problems with their rear lights on the Jeep, Adam and I ate alone and met them for a drink later on.

Monday saw an early start with a fleet r/v at the entrance of the harbour at 07.30,

Brownsea Castle

The fleet split up at Hurst and we joined Adrian and Richard in Yarmouth for the night.

Sunset in Yarmouth IOW

The next day we set off early again to catch the tide back to Chichester were we left Adrian and Richard and pressed on for the marina - the end of a great rally and a wonderful trip in the sunshine at last.

The alternative Dart Rally - 19th / 26th June

Plans changed and changed again and then changed again. Originally sailing to the Dart, leaving Chichester on the 19th - then Adrian kindly offered to trail Daislebee down for me, whilst I pulled his boat, Torridon, and then the weather and reports from those already on the Dart resulted in Adrian, Richard and I spending a week in the Solent where we determined to try and knock off a few first for me, as I had travelled as widely as the other two and it was a good opportunity for them to show me around.
Sunday was spent in the marina as the wind was F6 and above and not good for getting out. Monday saw us down the harbour in slate grey skies but moderate wind and best of all dry.

Adrian and Richard leaving harbour

We headed for Ryde, a first for me and after a very pleasant sail arrived without too much of an incident, although Adrian nearly made friends with one of the forts.

Tied up in Ryde

We visited the flesh pots of Ryde - introducing Adrian to a Chinese banquet and crispy duck ....

The next day, after shopping and lunch,  we set out for Cowes and Newport. Although I've been there before I had never travelled up the river by boat, so another first.

Egret off Ryde

We had to keep close inshore to get the lee of East Cowes point - the water further off shore was quite rough and the wind was head on the whole way. Although we set off in grey skies by the time we were tied up at Newport the sun was shining brightly although the wind was still very strong.

Tied up in Newport IOW

The following day I paid a visit to the Classic Boat museum. Not much of a museum fan usually but this was fascinating, especially the boat, a little bigger than a gig that was dropped to airmen who had been shot down and ditched in the water. 

In the afternoon we made our way down to Shepards Wharf in Cowes to give ourselves more options the following day.

Thursday saw us leaving Cowes for a good sail back east to Bembridge - watching out for Ryde Sands and in Adrian's case the two large white, tall, long, big, easily seen Wootton Ferries ... ask him .......

Fishing Smack off Osbourne Bay

Bembridge saw us at Duver marina where the following day we walked around the harbour, visiting the chandlers and the pub, where Richard proceeded to embarrass a bar maid struggling out of his jumper and revealing rather too much of himself.....

After lunch we planned to leave for Southsea, where we had promised ourselves a curry at the marina based restaurant. Steve Maynard called to say he was on his way over and we thought about changing plans but with the Island race the next day we thought it best to stick to the plan. So after a quick hello, goodbye we set sail for Southsea. Great wind and a swift passage. The curry was good as well.

Saturday had us up early - well for A and R anyway, as we had to clear the sill by 09.30. A good sail back to Chichester with a raft up for lunch and then home to the marina until next time.... Wednesday that will be then ... good fun this retirement lark.

 A good week with several first and the promise of more to come next week - let's have some good weather ... please

Chichester Creek crawl - June 13th- 15th

Jeff L organised the rally and then had to be persuaded to join in..... not really but with the weather forecast there were lots of drops outs and fingers crossed by those attending.
 Richard G , Adrian K and I meet up on the Itchenor visitors pontoon for lunch on the Monday - in glorious sunshine and a decreasing wind. Nick P and Marcus N were making their way from Warsash and Newtown respectively and Ken C planned to arrive the next morning.
We decided to r/v at Hayling Island SC pontoon in the (unfounded) hope that they would be open for dinner. Jeff called to say he was out on the boat but planned to stay on his mooring until the next day - a plan that was swiftly reversed when the three of us steamed passed him and he soon joined us at Hayling Island. After a self catering supper we moved off up Mengham Rithe for the evening - with a beautiful sunset.

The next day was bright and sunny and we had a leisurely breakfast before Ken joined us.

It was then up to Emsworth for lunch, before returning back down the harbour to go 'creek crawling' There was much discussion and debate by 'them in the know' but eventually, as predicted by Jeff, a creek revealed itself on the falling tide and one by one we made our way up - I left Daislebee at anchor and travelled with Jeff - he made me row...... although we soon reverted to engine in the strong current.

Apart from Marcus, who inspected his anti fouling on the bar at the entrance to the creek for awhile,  we all made it up, with Richard progressing almost to the shore line before the rapidly ebbing water forced him to be pushed back down the creek by Marcus and Ken.

The water soon returned and the fleet made their way out and back up to the Emsworth pontoon, where following a visit to the Blue Bell by some of the party for some excellent fish and chips, we spent the night.

Marcus and Nick departed early the next morning and the rest of us made our way back to our various locations within the harbour -I just got caught with the rain in the last mile or so to the marina - not bad considering the forecast.

A great rally with an interesting diversion - now stored in the GPS.