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Where have we been.... Cowes End of Season Three days of wonderful sunny and calm weather from Thursday was the back drop to a truly marvellous End of Season rally in Cowes.Some early arrivals on Thursday gave a great kick off to the weekend, with the vast majority arriving on Friday. Due to a spillage of diesel and a touch of lock keeper loss of focus Fridays departure from Port Solent was something of a cross between The Keystone Cops and the starting procedure for the LeMans 24hr race! That won’t be forgotten in an hurry. Friday night’s Drinks on the Veranda at CYH had over 70 members enjoying the wonderful view and the convivial conversation taking place. With our PSYC bunting and banner on dispaly below the tables and chairs set out with nibbles the cozy atmosphere was enhanced by the lights twinkling above the deck. 19:45 saw 26 of us enter the iconic Call It What You Want restaurant, which PSYC had booked out, ( others making their own arrangements ) for a night of truly almost raucous fun. The owner Mark took great care of us all and provided outstanding food and drink in his own inimitable fashion. Your rally leaders had five ‘puddings’ each ( those in attendance will understand ) then weaved our way back onboard. 12:30 Saturday heard the inimitable sound of the famous PSYC Moose Calls announcing the gathering of 18 tenders around Red Pile 14 in CYH . We then proceeded, in true Armada styleto The Folley for a “bite and glass of”. After mooring up quite snuggly, to have a restful glass or two with super views of the river as we sat on the new decking enjoying the still excellent weather. Folks made their way back as they wished with only one break down and one empty fuel tank but as ever the club made sure we left no one behind. Saturday evening at 19:45 had 74 members gather in the main dining room at The Island Sailing Club having had “pre’s” on the balcony taking in the world famous views of Cowes and across the Solent up Southampton Water. We were graced with the elegant departure of some huge cruise ships as if almost on cue. A fine meal with wine , led to either the highlight or lowlight of the evening ( depending on your view) being the first ever PSYC awards ceremony. The Boaterist of the Year awards or BOTY’s for short, had three winners in various interesting category’s collecting their unique BOTY Spoons , Reef Knot and Shiraz being present. Richard - Yesterday’s Dream who collected a truly one off unique cup to applause. Sundays weather turned with gusting 6 Easterly winds giving a bumpy ride back to Port Solent. Many pictures were exchanged of boats making wet headway. One returned late Saturday in fine conditions while others waited till Monday when the gusting 7 wind became a westerly which made the return more agreeable with wind also being with tide Sarah and I were proud to organise the EOS rally and being given benign weather we trust all had a fabulous time. Thank you to all attending, as it’s the members who make our rally’s the fun that they are. Sarah and John | Where have we been.... BEMBRIDGE 6-8 Sept The popularity of Bembridge Harbour as a rally venue was shown again, when the event filled up within a few hours of registration opening, with a complement of 5 power, 6 sail and 23 ralliers. A very windy forecast for the opening day lead to four skippers deciding to arrive a day early. But the MetMan got it wrong and we had a very lumpy crossing. Conversely, on the Wednesday The Solent was like a mill pond, which delighted some but not the yachties. We were one person down early on - a covid related casualty – and then Happy Place had to retreat to base due to engine troubles. But everyone else, suitably freshened up, joined the hosts for a 6.30pm PIMMS RECEPTION by the marquee, prepared by Carole. Our numbers were swelled, having earlier spotted a recently-joined member coming by, independent of the rally, and he and his two friends were made most welcome during the evening. So much so, that they too are going to re-join the Club and go to rallies. The impressive new bbq equipment was then fired up to prepare a BYO MEAL and noisy conversation flowed all around, with the mild evening and high water adding to the ambiance. Darkness came and we were still at it, aided by the lighting set up by the office staff. The following morning, in very hot conditions, fifteen hardy souls set off on THE ST HELENS DUVER COASTAL WALK. Even at exactly low tide, being close to neaps meant that the water was not quite far enough out to be able to stay on the sand all the way and a testy scramble across slippery rocks faced us at one point. Some however took a short inland detour, whilst one took off her shoes and socks and mingled with the horses in the shallows and we all met up on the far side to continue to Seagrove Bay. After a steady uphill trek, we arrived at The Vine Inn, on St Helens Green and lingered for very welcome refreshment. The group then returned to the harbour, choosing either to cross The Duver or via The Causeway to a well-earned rest. For the evening RALLY MEAL, we all returned to The Vine Inn for pub grub, having spread table reservations to avoid having to pre-order meals. Some opted to walk and the remainder boarded hastily re-arranged pre-booked return transport. [Don’t ask!!] Pleasingly, Happy Place had checked in during the afternoon, having received miraculously prompt service and was able to be with us. On departure day, with a falling morning tide, three crews left early, more waited for the bar to clear and two were extending their stay. During the afternoon, Mike was greeted by a 92 year-old gentleman who had noticed the club logo on his shirt and said he had been a member in the mid 1990’s. He later came down the pontoon, excitedly picking out the club burgees and reminiscing – he remembered Tony Firth. A further surprise was the opportunity to witness HMS Queen Elizabeth leaving Portsmouth Harbour in the early evening and then The Waverley passing by on her travels. Thanks to everyone* for your good conversation, cheerfulness and harmony and to the committee members present, for ‘being there’. And, of course to the berthing staff, who were helpful and polite and a credit to the Harbour Office. Let’s do it again next year and hope for equally sunny weather. Richard and Carole [Thomas Hardy] *Saskia, Gite, Shiraz, High Time, Lucca, Vivace, Happy Place, Legato, Paxi Moon, Pikorua |