|
- Welcome
- PSYC Event Reviews
RECENT PSYC EVENT REPORTS
Additional Event Archived Event Reports | Taranto Night - Marriott Hotel Taranto Night Dinner Review Saturday 8th November 2025 Marriott Hotel, Port Solent
However, ‘Team Taranto' did a fabulous set up job at the Marriott; Dave and Claire Fortey, John Scott, Alan Bowie, and Jane Nweze made ready for ‘Battle Stations’. Following ‘Grace’ by the Commodore, our ‘Battle of Taranto’ raged in between courses, and at times, the interchanges did resemble a bun fight in a kids’ playground but definitely added to the overall sense of chaos and fun.
I don't think that throwing ‘popper’ shells was quite part of the plan, but improvisation is often the essence of combat success. A very big thank you to all table captains on both ‘sides’, namely Deborah King, Mark Reed, John Scott, David Jump, Paul Depper, Nikki Richardson, Derek Kalinski and John Heaton and also the Bunting ‘Person’, Ryan Morgan, and Alan Bowie, as Captain of Illustrious and very much in command of the telegraph. Your collective efforts made a splendid contribution to the success of the evening. A little more discipline in ‘the ranks’ would have been welcome but obviously not as much fun! I wonder whether the Marriott will have us back.
And finally, Dave Fortey, as well as delivering a humorous script, should now be thinking of auditioning for a role on ‘Blue Peter’ as the sticky back plastic king, given the superb ‘props’ he created for the evening. Taranto Night is ‘enthusiastically’ commemorated by the Fleet Air Arm but, in drawing the evening’s proceedings to a close, Dave brought us back to the reality of the harsh battle, and the courageous men that, again, changed the course of history. And so, with one final 'tap of the gavel’ my heartfelt thanks and BZs to everyone in PSYC for helping make the events of the past two years, so much fun. Susan
Cowes End of Season Rally The forecast promised “cloudy with sunny intervals”. We got rather more cloud than sun for our End of Season Rally to Cowes but that didn't dampen anyone's spirits. Four motoryachts arrived ahead of the fleet on Thursday - Blitz, Ayesha, Riptide & Merlin - and the bright lights of Cowes kept crews amused before the rally started.
Most crews arrived in good time to join our private guided tour of the Sir Max Aitken Museum. Our numbers swelled to 19 members but the 2 guides coped admirably and their enthusiasm for the museum shone through as they explained the history and artifacts of this hidden gem on Cowes High Street.
Three more yachts arrived on Saturday to join the fun. Some crews cheered England’s Red Roses to Women’s Rugby World Cup victory, some roamed the High Street or strolled the seafront, while the rest enjoyed the timeless pastime of yacht-hopping with a glass in hand. Our grand finale came on Saturday night with a club dinner at the Island Sailing Club. As always, the ISC made us very welcome and we all enjoyed an excellent dinner, great company and plenty of wine. Commodore Gail gave a closing speech to end this season’s rally programme, thanking everyone and looking forward to the winter social programme and the rallies to come next year. Sunday dawned with rain sweeping across the Solent. Most yachts had to brave the elements and return home, although four yachts stayed an extra night and returned on Monday in glorious sunshine. A hearty thank you from Howard and Nikki on Riptide to the twenty other yachts that joined the rally - Aeolus, Ammonite, Ayesha, Blitz, Falaise, Happy Place, Highland Lady, Jango, King Hi, Legato, Les Arks, Lucca, Merlin, Moonshine, Mouse Too, Nicknack, Paxi Moon, Reef Knot, Sea Dream & Spree. Eleven under sail and ten under power is a perfect reminder of the inclusive spirit of our club. It was great to get-together and a good time was had by all. PSYC Hamble Rally (Swanick & Universal) 5th - 7th September 2025
The rally kicked off with a pontoon party in the shadow of AMMONITE proudly flying the Club flag. Arrivals were timely and judging by the lateness of the hour when the last of the stalwarts departed, the serial was a success. Saturday dawned bright and clear heralding ideal conditions for the walk to the ‘Jolly Sailor’ pub of Howard’s Way fame. We set off from Universal’s ‘Mermaid Café’ – as cracking operation - and rendezvoused with the Swanick contingent en-route. One of the pub’s outside areas accommodated us all in comfort with plenty’s of refreshments and victuals to meet all needs. We wandered off independently, again in wonderful sunshine, for a lazy afternoon before fronting up at Universal’s ‘Riverside Social’ restaurant for a superb dinner. The size of the group meant we were split between the upper mezzanine level and a select few ‘below stairs.’ It worked well. The food, staff and ambience were great with the wine and conversation flowing in equal measure.
We had a maximum of 15 boats and judging by the smiles and warm words, a good time was had by all! |
Should you ever decide to hold a ‘Taranto Night’ Dinner, don’t underestimate how long it takes to make up at least 100 cardboard biplanes, particularly when a discussion ensues, late in the day, as to the relative aerodynamics of planes, either with or without propellers, trajectory, and likelihood of reaching target (Thank you John Scott and Dave Forety); not to mention the small matter of inflating over 30 helium 'barrage' balloons.
In the first few waves of attack, some ‘Italian’ tables were rather overzealous with their gunfire, and ended up short of ammunition; they did, however, very kindly send the British planes back without the need for sprightly reconnaissance and retrieval. (By the way, congratulations to whoever landed their plane on top of 824 Squadron’s table plane).
Andy Cassel Brown with 'fun' as his middle name, did a sterling job of rallying his Italian Fleet. His sense of style and dress, line delivery, both scripted and unscripted, was impeccable, ably assisted by Angie...did anyone else think of the film 'Love Actually’.
By Friday, the harbour was busy with arrivals. Sixteen more yachts, sail and motor alike, mustered smartly in the South Basin of Cowes Yacht Haven. Before long, our pontoons were humming with greetings and lines being tossed ashore, with mooring up being ably assisted by the helpful marina staff.
Once an 18th-century sail loft, the museum is packed with maritime treasures and was restored by Sir Max in 1947to display his personal collection of historic and nautical artefacts. Spanning the entire length of the museum is the 51ft gaff from the racing yacht Britannia, sailed by royalty between 1893 and 1936. There are artefacts relating to Nelson, many fine paintings and several models of yachts, junks, clippers and yawls. There are various navigational instruments and other items of nautical memorabilia. Sir Max entertained dignitaries and sailors alike here under its oak beams —a more atmospheric dining room could scarcely be imagined.
Shortly afterwards, we all assembled for sundowner drinks on the Veranda at Cowes Yacht Haven, a great chance to catch up with old and new friends. Some 29 of us then gathered at Murray’s Seafood Restaurant in the High Street, where we had booked the back room for our private use. This family-run restaurant served us well with a wide choice on their 2 or 3-course set dinner. The delicious fish soup was particularly popular as was the great choice of fish and seafood, all washed down with several bottles of wine.
On Saturday we had our customary tender rally to the Folly for lunch. Although overcast skies deterred some skippers, four tenders loaded up with passengers and 13 of us braved wind over tide to make the trip down-river to the pub. Full marks to King Hi whose small dinghy carried 4 adults, a small child and a large dog — proof indeed that where there’s a will, there’s buoyancy!
The
weather ‘gods’ were kind for the weekend given the preceding week was
less than ideal for outdoor activity. The ebb tide caught one or two by
surprise but generally speaking ‘parking’ went well. The bulk of the
membership were accommodated at Universal Marina with a select few at
Swanick. It’s about a 15-minute walk alongside the river between the two
with zero lighting for those transiting after dark!
Sunday
saw a number of boats electing to leave early due to concerns about the
weather and tides. This meant a VERY select band gathered at 0930 for
the walk to Swanick’s Brick Museum. To say the visit exceeded
expectations sums it up rather well. Bricks may not strike the reader as
being the most interesting of items, however, our guide brought the
subject alive and the process, beginning at the end of the 19th
century and operating until the late ‘70’s was fascinating. Altogether a
very worthwhile and well hosted visit. We were back onboard for about
1230 with all boats underway just after 1300. The trip back was
unemotional with plenty to see along the way with the Sunday sailing
activities in platforms to suit all tastes.