A full season already

Prior to the Summer Cruise this year I had managed to cram in quite a lot of sailing. Usually in heavy weather and without Gillian on board. The pre summer cruise season started with a chilly solo sail to the Beaulieu and ended with the boat being fitted out with a Lithium battery set up.

End of March

A solo sail to Beaulieu River where I anchored overnight. Took a little effort to get the anchor to bite.

April – ICOYC Rally

Five days sailing around the Solent with Mike and Carol Kefford. First day was to Beaulieu which should haev been uneventful but when we departed we were hailed by a Joint Services Sailing Boat – Victoria 34 – that had gone aground. So far aground that they waded out to Purrfect Tale to hand us the line. After 20 mins of trying to pull them off we gave up but not before the rudder was damaged having popeed the bearing. Fortunately MoD paid for the repair. After Beaulieu we went to Lymington and had supper at RLymYC, then to Cowes and finally to Gun Wharf Quays in Southampton before returning to the Hamble. I also tried out the new cruising chute. Not exactly successful. First of all I put it on upside down and then when taking in the sail twisted and we were unable to let out or bring in. But nevertheless an enjoyable week.

Easter Cruise

Another blowy outing in 26Kts+. But managed to get to Lymington and all 12 boats made it. Saturday we walked to the Chequers Pub and in the evening had an excellent group supper at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club. Sunday was a sail to Royal Southampton YC on Beaulieu River for traditional Easter Sunday Lunch. Pat and Neil were on board. We had to hang off one of the mid-river pontoons for the evening which was when my old batteries packed up. But new Lithium batteries were on order!

Late May – Cherbourg Rally

The weather forecast was okay for going out but not great for coming back. Neil and Lili joined me late on Thursday evening and we decided that rather than sail to Yarmouth that night we would have an early start and depart on the Friday morning – a very early start 0400! But we arrived at the Needles channel just as the others were departing and we had a sail across more or less in company. On the Saturday we visited the market, then a wine tasting event and a pontoon party with the RAFYC before supper at the Marina restaurant. Sunday was a bit of a lazy day with an outstanding meal at Au St Michael where the steaks were cooked over the open fire. The return trip was very windy and the sail up the Needles Channel was pretty horrific and messy. A full saucepan of ham and pea soup ended up all over the saloon floor.

Early June – ICOYC Cruise

We had 10 boats with participants from Seattle, Annapolis, Sydney and Japan. I had Danae and Tom Hollowed on board frot he whole week. It was again blustery. On the trip from Beailieu to Lymington, a block on the foredeck for the foresail sheared necessitating to balancing on the foredeck to tie up. Gillian had come down on the Saturday night for a party with Jules and Sarah in their village. We had booked a room in the Beaulieu Arms for the evening and re-joined the boat on the Sunday morning. We had supper at RLym then in Cowes at the Royal London and finally in Gunwharf Quay at an Italian and a local pub next to where the fishing boats came in. A highlight was the visit to the Mary Rose and the Victory.

June – Motor Boat Cruise to Lymington

Teri, Penny and Gabrielle joined me for a cruise to Lymington. Yep – again the weather was blustery. This time the pin in the vang sheared. But on the Sunday we had a lovely sail back down the Solent with the cruising chute up and working!