Ocean Village replaced Gins Farm
Friday 14 and Saturday 15 May 5 boats & 13 crew
A rally was originally booked to Gins Farm in the Beaulieu River but having sent the menus the RSotonYC then advised that they had just sold nearly all of their visitors’ moorings and would now only be able to incorporate two PSYC vessels on the pontoon, others could use either an exposed anchorage a mile downstream or the Beaulieu marina a mile upstream of Gins Farm. This was not helpful and it looks like we now have one Solent destination fewer now.
Alternative locations were explored which could accommodate us at short notice and Ocean Village emerged as the only possibility. In the end we had just five boats attending.
We all had an almost windless motor all the way to Ocean Village but were rewarded by every vessel being accommodated nearby on the same pontoon enabling socially distanced drinks without inconveniencing other boaters.
Saturday was a free day for members to explore Southampton or, in our case, indulge in some retail therapy at the West Quay shops.
Although the weather was decidedly autumnal The Real Greek restaurant was well sheltered in a courtyard below West Quay: we booked for an earlyish dinner before the temperature cooled. We had tables for 4 and 5 and the meal was much enjoyed by all, even by the youngest member (Summer, 3) in Sundowner’s crew.
On Sunday most vessels left soon after 9 am to catch the fair tide down Southampton Water, through the Solent and up Portsmouth harbour. Most of us had a grandstand view of the first arrival of the new liner Iona and its traditional salute from the attending fire ships. We were back in the lock less than 3 hours after leaving thanks to a F5/6 westerly wind which started to blow as we passed Hamble spit and carried us quickly home.
Thanks to Andiamo, Bathia, Sundowner, Shiraz for the flexibility and keeping Nicknack in good company.
Nick Leaver
Have fun and stay safe
Each skipper is responsible for the safety of their own boat and crew