Wednesday

The five crew members drove down in two cars: Beryl and Dave in one (they did the “Tesco run” Click & Collect to provision the boat), Jude and myself (accepting Mark’s kind offer of a lift), in the other. We also had to do a mini “Tesco run” ourselves, because “muggins me” forgot to pack a sleeping bag! As we approached Port Hamble, Skipper Jude did a quick on-line search for sleeping bags available at Tesco. All that was seen was a “Little Elf” sleeping bag. We decided that a duvet (they had plenty of those) would be a safer option! I bought one and indeed was as snug as a bug during the rally.

Our five charter boats were all ready for boarding early in the afternoon. Apres le Vente (Wendy Wilson), Fleur de Lis (Colin Garnham-Edge), Mon Ami (Allen Busby), Modernistic Lady (Simon Maycock), and of course D’Artagnan (Jude Holden).

We did the inventory checks on D’Artagnan, noting any gel-coat damage as we went around, and later Jude did the safety brief. Because of the wet forecast that day, Jude had booked a table at Banana Wharf (fortunately only a few steps from the boat in heavy rain), where we dined. I enjoyed a classic “Spag Bols”. Other boats cooked on board or ventured into Hamble village for dinner.

Thursday

It had seemingly rained all night. At least, whenever I was awake I heard it - sometimes the lighter stuff, sometimes the stair-rods variety. At 0900 HRS we had no rain, but the wind forecast was not good (not enough of it).

A cooked breakfast was decided on and Mark, who was a volunteer Sea Scout Master, did the honours with a nice fry-up. As he was cooking, he talked a little about life (including the cooking part of it) on expeditions. With a big troupe to feed, they used paella pans because they could hold so much.

Later on we slipped lines and made for Gunwharf Quays. En-route to this pocket handkerchief marina (alias, motoring) we were thoroughly rained on again.

A sad/nostalgic note was struck when it was time to call up the Portsmouth Dockyard. Authority, to ask permission to cross over to Gunwharf. For so long, the call had been QHM, but now of course, we had to address the King’s Harbour Master (KHM).

We learnt later that Sea Myth and Mon Ami had lunched in Osborne Bay en-route.

With the exception of Billy on Louis B who was in Gosport, and Wendy on Apres le Vente, who were at Chichester, all the boats including Sea Myth joined us in Gunwharf Quays, and we were all welcomed by the helpful marina staff.

Being Gunwharf Quays, there were plenty of opportunities for retail therapy! We ate at Las Iguanas that evening and several boats met up for drinks at the Old Customs House.

Friday

Our time at Gunwharf might be remembered for incessant fire alarms. A lot of building work was going on, and maybe the automated alerts were being constantly tripped.

All boats had been booked into Cowes Yacht Haven for Friday night, but the weather forecast suggested that this day was to be the best sailing day, so six boats decided to make a longer passage and made for Yarmouth instead, ourselves included. We slipped lines at 10am. A much better day today, and a sailing one too.

Most boats extended their passage to include views or the Needles or Hurst Castle, before mooring in Yarmouth Harbour. Several boats headed for dinner at The Bugle Coaching Inn. Having seen Saturday's forecast, Apres le Vente also decided to head to Yarmouth even though it meant pushing the tide in the Western Solent. They made it just as the sun was setting and had a fantastic meal in board by all accounts. [It was - Ed]

Saturday

We had more than enough wind for the sail across to Lymington, and put two reefs in the mainsail. We had rain again though. Motoring in rain or sailing in rain - what’s your bugbear?

A wet afternoon in Lymington gave time for exploring the shops, craft markets and pubs. [or retiring to my bunk - Ed]

The Rally dinner was held at Lanes of Lymington, a charming venue which was a converted church, and which was multi-levelled but in mezzanine fashion, so all was in view. We approached this hidden gem, appropriately enough, at the end of a long lane.

This year it was not a Fancy Dress event (boo! for some, hooray! for others). Had it been Fancy Dress, with a Shakespeare-related theme, we would have been spoilt for choice for “Juliet Balcony” locations.

Beryl said Grace and after the dinner, Commodore David thanked our hosts, and made his Speech.

[It was an excellent meal - Ed]

Sunday

All boats left Lymington fairly early on Sunday morning to catch some of the favourable tide with a downwind sail, aiming to get back before the weather was due to deteriorate in the afternoon. A fender overboard exercise along the River Hamble delayed our arrival but it was successfully rescued before refuelling. Surprisingly, the sun shone whilst we moored and disembarked boats at Port Hamble.