I have been amazed by the numbers of people viewing the blog . Entries are usually dictated by visits and adventures in the boat which itself is dictated by the weather - so as you can imagine, this year the posts are down a little but I hope this will pick up once the promised change in the weather arrived later this month.
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Cornish Shrimper - Daislebee
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Wednesday, 18 July 2012
Creeks Rally 4th - 7th July
Jeff Lander's Creeks Rally held over the 4th - 6th July proved a great success. The weather even bucked the trend and produced glorious blue skies and sun on one day at least.
Tuesday - I arrived in the mid-afternoon to find Peter T launched and ready but Chris C having trouble with a leak in his starboard keel which forced him to recover and abandon the rally. We had a BBQ on board Siesta and planned to get away in good time the next day.
Wednesday - The rendezvous at the entrance to Snow Hill Creeks saw 12 boats, skippers and crew, rafted up in the entrance. Peter T and I arrived late and decided lunch was in order, whilst Richard G took the fleet up the creek and round the inside edge of East Head. The weather dry and bright with the occasional mizzle but nothing to dampen the spirits.
On their return we made our way across the harbour to the back of Hayling Island Sailing Club, were most of the fleet managed to follow Jeff's instructions to keep next to the Sparks Marina pontoon, except for yours truly who managed to make himself into a cardinal mark for the fleet to turn round, running aground at the entrance. Thankfully I was very soon joined by Roger and Helen on Bundy Bear who just wanted to be sociable......
We adjourned to the sailing club for an excellent meal before turning in tried but happy. I resolved to move once afloat as I was on the edge of the channel and didn't want to find myself leaning the wrong way down a steep gradient later that night. As it was I fell asleep, waking at about 01.00 am. I decoded rather than risk moving to an equally steep area in the dark I would move to Mengham Rithe and pick up a buoy.
Tuesday - I arrived in the mid-afternoon to find Peter T launched and ready but Chris C having trouble with a leak in his starboard keel which forced him to recover and abandon the rally. We had a BBQ on board Siesta and planned to get away in good time the next day.
Wednesday - The rendezvous at the entrance to Snow Hill Creeks saw 12 boats, skippers and crew, rafted up in the entrance. Peter T and I arrived late and decided lunch was in order, whilst Richard G took the fleet up the creek and round the inside edge of East Head. The weather dry and bright with the occasional mizzle but nothing to dampen the spirits.
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| Snow Hill Creek |
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| Hayling Island Creek |
Thursday - The day dawned a little grey and being afloat already I decided to explore Fisherman's Creek by Sparks marina, with little success so I waited until I could join the rally in the creek and we all departed for the Emsworth Channel - destination the Royal Oak at Langstone.
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| Fisherman's Creek |
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| Bundy Bear near where I was aground |
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| Hayling Island Creek |
The day developed into a very hot and sunny one. I left Daislebee on the Visitors Pontoon at Emsworth and embarked with Jeff L in his lugger where we and an intrepid few made our way via small channels to the Royal Oak for a pint.
The return journey saw drama when Bundy Bear reported that she'd lost her centre plate. Richard G was dispatched to offer assistance and confirmed that the whole plate had fallen through the slot, snapped it's webbing and had been lost somewhere in the northern area of the harbour.....
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| Northney and Langstone creeks |
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| Outside the Royal Oak |
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| Vernon and Tony on the raft |
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| Elizabeth and Richard round the corner |
We all returned to the Hayling Creek for another night of socialising - Bundy Bear moored at Sparks to facilitate an early pull out and visit to Churchouse Boats for repair.
Friday - The dawn dawned wet and grey and with tide pressure on some Jeff closed the rally and the boats dispersed to moorings and slipways apart from Siesta, Virginia and Sky Lark who ventured out and over to Bembridge for a few days.
Good to see new faces - welcome to Roger and Helen, Julian, Hazel and their friend Pat, and Tony.
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Where is Summer?
It is so frustrating, sitting in the office working away, with the sun shining, blue skies and warm temperatures in the full knowledge that when I plan to get out on the boat - Thursday/Friday this week for a few days, the wind is F6 and rain forecast. I don't mind being in the office in the rain, why is it all the wrong way round.....
Still I will make the most of it - should finally get the last metal works measurements and fitting sorted out with Cover 2 Cover who promise that they will have the full spray hood ready for fitting by the 2nd July. As of then it is, hopefully, several long cruises almost joined together, with brief intervals at home.
Looking forward to seeing the gang out on the water - Poole looms large and the weather always seems to be ok - no doubt this year will be the exception but determined to enjoy it whatever.
Will keep you all posted on progress.
Still I will make the most of it - should finally get the last metal works measurements and fitting sorted out with Cover 2 Cover who promise that they will have the full spray hood ready for fitting by the 2nd July. As of then it is, hopefully, several long cruises almost joined together, with brief intervals at home.
Looking forward to seeing the gang out on the water - Poole looms large and the weather always seems to be ok - no doubt this year will be the exception but determined to enjoy it whatever.
Will keep you all posted on progress.
Monday, 28 May 2012
First Cruise of the season May 24th - 27th
Chris came down from University for a summer job interview so he extended his stay and we took the opportunity to get out on the boat - and what an opportunity it was. Wall to wall sunshine , even in the strong winds and rough seas we had at times.
We set out from Chichester at about midday on Thursday and had a gentle sail down the harbour - the wind became so light our ETA at Cowes became 22.00 so on with the engine and a pleasant motor sail got us to Cowes for about 18.00. Richard and Steve, who had been out for a few days, called up to let us know they were bailing out due to adverse winds and unbreakable commitments so it was a merry band of three boats, Nick in Virginia, Marcus in Salicorne and Chris and I in Daislebee, that met up at the pontoons up at the Folly. After a meal in the pub we adjourned to Daislebee to consume some Rebellion ale.
The next day, Friday, dawned bright and sunny. We had a leisurely start which included lowering my mast to sort the lights out - it looked as though I was sailing sideways as the lens had turned in its mounting. Once the tide had eased we set off down the Medina with a single reef in deference to the forecast, bound for Keyhaven.
It was the Old Gaffer weekend at Yarmouth so we saw some lovely old ladies on the water as well as some younger models that turned a few heads.
With the wind from the east we had a great sail down, stopping in Newtown creek for a late lunch of mussels in garlic with French bread. As we tied up at the quay we were greeted by Barry and Pauline. We met up with Andy and Judy and took advantage of the Friday night curry event at the club.
The next day - Saturday - had been forecast F7 easterly so the morning was a pleasant surprise with F6.... instead. We took a walk around to the point to see what the conditions looked like. The Gaffers were out and plenty of other sails so we decided to go across to the island to seek some shelter from the full force of the wind.
It was very rough getting across but not too bad coming up the north shore of the island past Newtown. Marcus headed into the creek up to his mooring as he has a commitment for the Sunday, and Nick had tried to sail so we arrived just after lunch in Cowes and decided to sail up to Newport for a look around.
We came back down again at about 16.00 and met Nick coming in past Shepards Wharf - there was no room at the inn and East Cowes was very busy so we decided to go up past Island harbour and anchor for the night. En route we stopped for provisions finding a very useful public pontoon on the East Cowes side, located between the big ferry and the chain ferry, where attended boats can stop briefly to take on provisions - Waitrose and other shops are a 5 minute walk. You may have to bribe young fishermen with a beer - hearts and minds at work....
We anchored out of the main channel and christened my new BBQ attachment which worked very well...once the BBQ decided to light...
We gently took the ground and with food and wine in equal quantities the world took on a very warm feeling...it was not to last...drama was not far away....
Nick decided that a stern anchor was required and donned waders to recover his anchor to re deploy behind us.
All was going well up top the point when we decided that recovering the anchor was not quite so important as recovering Nick, who , having got near the bow of his boat became totally stuck in the cloying mud of the Medina.
Virginia and Daislebee parted company at the mouth of the Median and we sailed gently past a crowded Osbourne Bay towards Chichester - the wind dropped to almost nothing and we were forced to motor quite a lot of the way. On the plus side we got to the marina before the rush and earned some valuable brownie points by being home in time for a family supper.
Another great adventure with great weather,great company, a little drama and a happy ending - what more can you ask for.
We set out from Chichester at about midday on Thursday and had a gentle sail down the harbour - the wind became so light our ETA at Cowes became 22.00 so on with the engine and a pleasant motor sail got us to Cowes for about 18.00. Richard and Steve, who had been out for a few days, called up to let us know they were bailing out due to adverse winds and unbreakable commitments so it was a merry band of three boats, Nick in Virginia, Marcus in Salicorne and Chris and I in Daislebee, that met up at the pontoons up at the Folly. After a meal in the pub we adjourned to Daislebee to consume some Rebellion ale.
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| River Medina - Folly Reach at dawn |
The next day, Friday, dawned bright and sunny. We had a leisurely start which included lowering my mast to sort the lights out - it looked as though I was sailing sideways as the lens had turned in its mounting. Once the tide had eased we set off down the Medina with a single reef in deference to the forecast, bound for Keyhaven.
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| Chris - leaving Cowes |
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| Marcus |
It was the Old Gaffer weekend at Yarmouth so we saw some lovely old ladies on the water as well as some younger models that turned a few heads.
With the wind from the east we had a great sail down, stopping in Newtown creek for a late lunch of mussels in garlic with French bread. As we tied up at the quay we were greeted by Barry and Pauline. We met up with Andy and Judy and took advantage of the Friday night curry event at the club.
The next day - Saturday - had been forecast F7 easterly so the morning was a pleasant surprise with F6.... instead. We took a walk around to the point to see what the conditions looked like. The Gaffers were out and plenty of other sails so we decided to go across to the island to seek some shelter from the full force of the wind.
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| Keyhaven Quay |
It was very rough getting across but not too bad coming up the north shore of the island past Newtown. Marcus headed into the creek up to his mooring as he has a commitment for the Sunday, and Nick had tried to sail so we arrived just after lunch in Cowes and decided to sail up to Newport for a look around.
We came back down again at about 16.00 and met Nick coming in past Shepards Wharf - there was no room at the inn and East Cowes was very busy so we decided to go up past Island harbour and anchor for the night. En route we stopped for provisions finding a very useful public pontoon on the East Cowes side, located between the big ferry and the chain ferry, where attended boats can stop briefly to take on provisions - Waitrose and other shops are a 5 minute walk. You may have to bribe young fishermen with a beer - hearts and minds at work....
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| Public pontoon - East Cowes |
We anchored out of the main channel and christened my new BBQ attachment which worked very well...once the BBQ decided to light...
We gently took the ground and with food and wine in equal quantities the world took on a very warm feeling...it was not to last...drama was not far away....
Nick decided that a stern anchor was required and donned waders to recover his anchor to re deploy behind us.
All was going well up top the point when we decided that recovering the anchor was not quite so important as recovering Nick, who , having got near the bow of his boat became totally stuck in the cloying mud of the Medina.
As he tired, and the tide began to approach, we decided to abandon efforts to extract him and his waders and focus on him. So bare foot Nick was hauled aboard and the rest of the evening and much of the following morning were spent trying to rid boats and kit of black sticky mud.
I'm happy to report the waders were saved as well.
Sunday was another scorcher - with much less wind so felt incredibly hot.
Virginia and Daislebee parted company at the mouth of the Median and we sailed gently past a crowded Osbourne Bay towards Chichester - the wind dropped to almost nothing and we were forced to motor quite a lot of the way. On the plus side we got to the marina before the rush and earned some valuable brownie points by being home in time for a family supper.
Another great adventure with great weather,great company, a little drama and a happy ending - what more can you ask for.
Friday, 11 May 2012
Chichester Rally 4th - 7th May 2012
They're a hardy lot Drascombers. This was proved by the large attendance figures at this year's Chichester Rally. Held over the early bank holiday weekend in May and based in Chichester Marina, (1 Drifter 22, 3 original Drifters, 15 Coasters, 1 Gig, 2 Long Boat Cruisers, 1 Long Boat, 5 Luggers, 1 Scaffie and, er… hmm, 1 Cornish Shrimper) -
30 boats, in total, took part with over 50 skippers, crew and visitors attending, with some new faces and new boats.
Friday, itself, was grey, cloudy and cold, with a few showers but undeterred boats were launched and tents erected, not only on boats but also in a field adjacent to the marina.
A welcome dinner was held in Chichester Yacht Club and Roger and Anita Whiffen shared their Golden Wedding celebrations with us, providing a lovely cake.
John Christie, who had travelled down for the day, then made a speech and presentation of the Hans Vandersmissen award to Jim Hopwood.
30 boats, in total, took part with over 50 skippers, crew and visitors attending, with some new faces and new boats.
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| Feeder cruise en route Ashlett – Chichester Photo – Andy Cooper |
A feeder cruise from Southampton (Jim Hopwood, Andy and Anne Cooper, Dave Quick, John Gingell, Douglas Hopwood, Stewart Brown, Ian Cowie and Peter Tiplady) which was joined by Marcus Niner in his Coaster who had sailed from Newtown IOW to join the others on the "north island", arrived in the marina on the Thursday afternoon, with other trailer boats arriving during the course of the Friday.
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| Feeder cruise arriving at |
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| and in Chichester Marina Lock Photos - Andy Cooper |
Friday, itself, was grey, cloudy and cold, with a few showers but undeterred boats were launched and tents erected, not only on boats but also in a field adjacent to the marina.
A welcome dinner was held in Chichester Yacht Club and Roger and Anita Whiffen shared their Golden Wedding celebrations with us, providing a lovely cake.
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| Happy Anniversary – Roger and Anita Photo – Andy Cooper |
Saturday’s weather was more of the same and the original plan for a shakedown sail followed by a rendezvous in Bosham were amended once out on the water with many of the fleet taking up the offer of food, drink and, most of all, warm shelter at Dell Quay Sailing Club.
It remained cloudy and grey, but largely dry for the remainder of the day and in spite of the elements the evening saw the barbecue in full swing, using the now familiar ladder rack system.
Stewart Brown presented the Churchouse Boats trophy to Roger and Anita Whiffen in recognition of their long association, over 30 years, and boundless enthusiasm for Drascombing exemplifying the spirit of the Association.
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| The Ladder Rack BBQ Photo – Andy Cooper |
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Roger and Anita with Stewart Brown presenting the Churchouse Boats Trophy
Photo - Andy Cooper
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Stewart Brown presented the Churchouse Boats trophy to Roger and Anita Whiffen in recognition of their long association, over 30 years, and boundless enthusiasm for Drascombing exemplifying the spirit of the Association.
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John Christie (Drascombe Chairman) presenting Jim Hopwood
with the Hans Vandersmissen award Photo – Andy Cooper
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John Christie, who had travelled down for the day, then made a speech and presentation of the Hans Vandersmissen award to Jim Hopwood.
The band played on and the singing and merriment went on until the barbeques finally stopped giving out any heat. Several different parties started on various boats and the carousing continued until the early hours. Indeed I was quite surprised to see some faces at the briefing the next morning...
During the afternoon there was a steady trickle of departures as skippers and crew decided to beat the Bank Holiday traffic.
Monday started with rain but it soon dried up and the sun came out and it was warm with a good breeze, making it the best day of recent weeks. Two stalwart Lugger skippers, Robin Carter and Ross Archer, together with their crews, explored Bosham quay and adjacent roads that were under water due to the height of the tide.
By 6.00 pm all the last of the fleet had departed on the journey home.
The weather had been poor and could easily have put a huge dampener on the whole event, but the people who came along all pulled together to make it a very satisfying and enjoyable event so my thanks to all of them and, next year, I'll book the weather.
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| “The Motley Crew” Photos – Andy Cooper |
Sunday was also grey, cloudy and cold, but many boats went out, including the Southampton fleet who headed to Cowes to catch the tide into Ashlett the following day. Once again for those remaining in the harbour, Dell Quay Sailing Club proved a useful stop over. Others took the opportunity to walk in the surrounding countryside.
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| Walking in the fields |
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Sailing in the Dell Quay
Photos – Andy Cooper
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Monday started with rain but it soon dried up and the sun came out and it was warm with a good breeze, making it the best day of recent weeks. Two stalwart Lugger skippers, Robin Carter and Ross Archer, together with their crews, explored Bosham quay and adjacent roads that were under water due to the height of the tide.
By 6.00 pm all the last of the fleet had departed on the journey home.
The weather had been poor and could easily have put a huge dampener on the whole event, but the people who came along all pulled together to make it a very satisfying and enjoyable event so my thanks to all of them and, next year, I'll book the weather.
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