We left Port Solent on Friday morning with not a breath of wind, so once again it was motors all the way to Bembridge, most of us arriving around lunchtime. Sadly High Time had to pull out because Sue was ill, (hope you’ve recovered now Sue) and My Valium had also pulled out. However, Adriana, Aeolus, Amelie, Astrid, Happy Place, Highland Lady, Jango, King Hi, Moon Shadow, Moon Shine, and Riptide, with Social Members the Besants, all arrived in the beautiful sunshine, all sceptical that we could possibly have the torrential rain and thunderstorms forecast for 7 o’clock that evening. .

We closely monitored the forecast all afternoon and decided to bring the evening drinks and barbecue forward to 5pm so that the cooking could all be done before the rain started, we knew we had good shelter in the marquee regardless.

Well it did cloud over as forecast, and we did have rain almost exactly as forecast around 7pm - 6 drops in total I think it was although it might have been 7 - and that was it!! Who knew? But no complaints from us.

The marquee had been duly decorated with bunting, Derek set up the music of the late 60s and early 70s, everyone turned up dressed in their Flower Power finery, and a rum punch all round got the party started. There was a good atmosphere (Bembridge had kindly provided us with boards to cover the shingle) and, led by Highland Lady’s Dancing Queen: Thea, much dancing to round off the evening. It’s great that everyone gets into the spirit of themed events.

We woke up on Saturday morning to fierce and cold winds, consistently blowing 30 knots through the marina. Unfortunately this strong wind meant that Scooby and Shoogly Monster who were meant to join us that day were unable to do so.

As we had a beach picnic planned for the afternoon, with shared ‘faith supper’ food arranged we were concerned if it was going to be doable. No one likes sand in their sandwiches! Or sitting out in a cold wind. We were unable to have use of the marquee, so a word with the helpful marina staff suggested we could shelter at the end of the beach, immediately under the sea wall. Derek and I did a recce and sure enough, it was a lovely sheltered spot. So at 4 o’clock everyone gathered in the marina car park, complete with picnic chairs, tables, food and drink - and we set off across the dunes for what turned out to be a very pleasant picnic on the beach in the sunshine and a happy afternoon was spent by all, accompanied by more mellow seventies music supplied by Derek.

Bembridge harbour had their own ‘Gig Fest’ sailing event on that day, and they had invited us all to their live music event on the quayside during the evening - this followed on nicely after our picnic so we all decamped back to the harbour, although we were back to the chilly wind again, we all enjoyed the evening and more dancing (again led by Dancing Queen Thea) kept us warm (along with cosy PSYC hoodies for a number of us!)

Sunday morning was ‘do your own thing’ and as we couldn’t leave Bembridge until lunchtime due to the tide, most of us enjoyed a lazy morning before setting off back to our home berths. Once again we had some strong winds, but as they were on our Port beam the sailboat sailors amongst us flew home under sail and we were almost back at Port Solent before we’d left Bembridge!

Until the next time…….

Julie - First Mate
Astrid

Summer Soiree Weekend
6th - 8th June

  Soiree Weekend Event Report 

Friday 6^thJune: Harvester Pub Night

Friday evening saw the start of our Soiree Weekend, with the Pub night in the Harvester, where between the usual chatter, the weather forecasts were checked hoping the predicted rain and wind would not ruin the planned events for the weekend

Saturday 7^thJune: ‘Bailando a lo Grande’ -  Cuban Latino Fiesta

With apologies to those of you who speak Spanish, PSYC really did ‘dance up a storm’ during its Cuban Latino Fiesta at Oyster Quay.

To say ‘it rained’during the approaching hours of the party would, quite frankly, be an understatement. Torrential rain, thunder, and some lightening, set in during the late afternoon. A ‘missed’ phone call from ‘Susan’s Cruising Cuisine’caused this Susan’s pulse to quicken, with immediate thoughts of how to feed the 70 people planning to attend, or actually would they even still come?

I needn’t have worried. In true PSYC style, nearly everyone made it, underscoring the resilience of our crew members.

One or two had, understandably, decided to abandon certain outfit choices, give the inclement weather, but those who did all added to the general ambiance of the evening - Carol Haigh and Nicky Burdett certainly showed us how to do it in style.

A group prize would also have been awarded to Teri Kirk and her party all of whom were in fine fettle and also celebrating her birthday.

The food truck was again a ‘sell out’ and dancing to the Latin and Cuban ‘beats’ proved to be a fun work out for many of us.

All in all, a very successful evening, and the rain finally stopped as we did a ‘salsa’ home.

Once again, many thanks to Deborah and Chris Queen who so kindly make it possible for PSYC to use Oyster Quay’s splendid marquee.

Susan

Sunday 8^thJune: ‘POP UP’ Tender Rally 

Well it turned out to be a tail of three halves for our Summer Soirée weekend from a weather point of view! 

The last event of our three event weekend being the Pop Up Tender Rally to The Crate seemed to nicely evade both the previous two days weather and the forecast being a bit rubbish for the Sunday. The wind was not anything like as strong as forecast and during the afternoon out came a pleasant sun to warm the heart. 

With the call of the PSYC Moose being heard around the marina, the first wave of tenders gathered near the lock at 13:00 or so to await the next lock out. Five intrepid boats proceeded through in fine style and perfect seamanship. Following the rally leader via the designated marked channel further Moose calls were made to passing yachts, which after some serious looks of surprise, if not shock to hear a Moose on the water, hats were doffed as we proceeded to The Crate at Trafalgar Wharf, now part of the Premiere family of marinas. 

After safely mooring up we joined a very substantial contingent who had either walked or driven ahead. 24 merry and fine sailors and one fabulous dog Alonzo, gathered around our PSYC reserved tables to take in much needed refreshments of many kinds served by the lovely bar team. 

With terrific views down to Portsmouth and across to Port Solent, and the sun making frequent appearances, the hungry bunch took advantage of the very generous discount offered to us for The Crates food offer including their jolly good pizzas. 

A fine singer guitarist gave us two hours of just super music, not too loud and not too head banging ( which I believe to be a phrase the young ones use ) playing some great classic hits with a modicum of “the modern” thrown in. A fresh contingent of two ribs and another tender joined us to bring our total number to 36.  And excellent turnout considering the forecast was pants. 

Much great conversation amongst old and new members alike made, as always, the afternoon go along merrily. Eventually folks started to return back to home base. 

Your author was happy to lend a tow line to one of our group (no one ever gets left behind) who after getting his engine running and leaving the pontoon then had it play up! With the tide state being only just after low, the muddy banks were rapidly approaching to ground us but the tow was successful, and half way back to Port Solent lock the engine decided to spring back to life. As always those involved are to remain nameless. 

Anyway, once Dave of Sea Dream had exited the lock and steamed merrily up the fairway your author returned to his mother ship and made the fabulous discovery that one of our club had posted a super video on YouTube of our rally. That’s a first and a most welcome one. My thanks to the crew of Moonshine for taking the time and trouble. The more the merrier.

YouTube Video Link - please note this is a link outside of the PSYC website

My thanks to all the 36 attendees for another most enjoyable tender rally. More to come in the season and any member who would like to help out and run one I’d be delighted to help. They are really very simple and easy to run.