PSYC Rally to Yarmouth Easter weekend 2022
What a surprise for early Friday morning, a phone call from Nigel Padbury to say his wife was unwell, he was supposed to be leader and hoped he would be along on Saturday but could I make sure everyone arrived today. I did not have a list so he brought one with copies of conversations with the harbour office and mentioned the drinks for the evening to be in the Yarmouth Sailing club. So we set off trying to make best use of the tide and a little wind just to help a bit but still motoring most of the way, a full half hour of pure sailing. We tried a new technique of motoring at most economical speed as recommended in a recent magazine which for, Shiraz, turns out to be about 5.6kt; seems to work, 5.5kt at 1600 rpm while 6kt requires 2000 rpm. When we arrived in Yarmouth I explained the situation to the Berthing/Harbour Master on the way in and he was quite pleased to know there was a list and he would be over to see me later. In the event I was not on the boat when he stopped off but I went to the office later. I was running around checking who was in, who was still on the way, news of any other drop outs (is that the right phrase?) and making sure all knew of the drinks arrangements. About 7pm people started to drift off to the now correctly identified Yacht Club but soon rumours started to return that they couldn’t get in as we also found. It appears it was quiz night for the club. It is possible that we could have returned later for drinks, time undetermined. Apart from 2 people that had arranged for dinner at the Royal Solent YC and another group that had booked dinner at another local pub that left several groups of members wandering the town looking for somewhere for a drink and possible food. We, and a few others had already decided to eat on board and it was getting slightly chilly so we retired to our boats and had a cosy night in.
Saturday turned out a lovely day. We were a bit tired but like a lot of others decided on a walk and we set off west along the coastal path stopping at the fort for a cup of coffee. We had intended to walk on a bit further and so we did for a while but decided an afternoon siesta was more preferable so we turned around and walked backed. Drinks on the pontoon were an excellent affair and nearly everybody attended. There was lots of banter and laughter and congratulations to me as rally leader, which I definitely did not think I was, and though Nigel had not turned up there was Nick and Gail to organise the evening meal and drinks and take over. The idea was to stagger off in small groups so as not to overwhelm the restaurant but in the end there was a rush en block, I think everyone was hungry. We re-arranged some of the tables because of absentees and made sure no one was sitting at a table for two only. It was very good and all had a good time.
It was another lovely day on Sunday and more walks were planned. We opted for a walk up the path to Freshwater but, rather than go all the way, we tuned off and called in at the Red Lion for a cup of coffee. The restaurant itself was fully booked for lunch but several members had managed to get tables; we stayed outside. Another impromptu drinks gathering was arranged on the pontoon and more boat inspections. There were a lot of boats there with some rafting and spread around three sides so I apologise to Stuart and Angela who somehow did not get the message about the drinks.
It was an early-ish start on Monday to catch the tide and make free flow at Port Solent. Everybody seemed to extricate themselves well from the various rafts and get away more or less on their planned time. This was a large rally with 23 boats and in the end 38 to dine at the Kings Head. Thanks to Sundowner, Nicknack, Jango, Jomima Six, Pompey Lass, Coopers Buoy, Teau in the Water, Memsahib XII, Mouse too, High Time, Bright Future, Legato, Thomas Hardy, Pure Spirit, Fandango, Dorothy lee, Skoolie Too, Shiraz, Enterprise, Astrid, Living the Dream, and Valiant. I hope I have included everyone.
