Ocean Village Rally 13th May – 15th May
We left Port Solent early Friday morning and soon decided that we needed at least one reef in the mainsail! The forecast was a F4 – F5 SW (on the nose) and it certainly was with a very bouncy sea.
Arriving at our berth we found that at least two other vessels were already tied up and having lunch. The weather was sunny with a cool breeze, so the pontoon drinks started outside then moved rapidly inside the poop deck of Memsahib XII with members from 4 boats attending (one couple had an early dinner booked). After drinks, the rest of us headed back to our boats to cook shortly after 7.30pm and it seems most of us had an early night.
Saturday was a lovely day, of those in the marina already some went shopping at West Quay, some walked around the old city of Southampton and some did a few jobs about their boat. The last two boats arrived, taking a little longer than first planned as someone had turned the wind off!
Mike told us that the bar at the top of the hotel next to the marina was a perfect place to watch the cruise ships go out at 4.30pm but unfortunately the hotel restricted this area to residents. But all was not lost as Mike and Hilary were advised by a staff member to “go to the terrace bar”, so a group of us did just that. We couldn’t see the cruise ships but we had a lovely view of the marina. The drinks were “exquisite”, the company was fun and the sun stayed out. A quick dash back to change for the pontoon drinks at 5.30pm (some of us managed tea and cake first).
We assembled near “nicknack” for pontoon drinks and photographs, that was the crew from all the 7 vessels that made it. Originally, we were expecting 12 boats but due a selection of reasons including ill health and engine trouble sadly, some did not make it.
At 7pm we headed to Banana Wharf for our evening meal whose staff seemed confused by our numbers? We had been in three times over the last two days to change the number of dining and tables required. However, all was well and we were given with two large tables close. The food was ok and the service (on our table at least) was very good.
Stuart and Julie on Ayesha joined us this weekend - it was their first PSYC rally and we sincerely hope they enjoyed the fun and friendship, and will come on future rallies?
On Saturday night there was a lot of discussion as to what time to leave in the morning, rumours were circulating about big ship movements, and the possibility that QHM would close the harbour entrance? In the end we left at 7am, had a lively sail back, F4 -F5 on the nose, well reefed again arriving at Port Solent to find free flow had just started. The downside was we were soaked, as the forecast rain came in early, but that’s sailing!
A big thank you to Ayesha, Bright Future, Legato, Memsahib XII, Mouse Too and Saskia for joining us on nicknack, and making our weekend so pleasant: we are looking forward to seeing you all again soon.
Nick and Gail
Nicknack
