Thursday 25th, with fine sunny weather and a good breeze astern, saw three of our members arrive a day ahead of the main flotilla arriving on the 26th in similar excellent conditions. With 16 out of 21 craft mooring up, in some cases in very confined spaces we mostly rafted three deep on the river side of the visitors pontoon.
Very lively and most enjoyable ( and well dressed ) drinks on the pontoon by Liberty began an excellent evening. Pre’s in The Yachtsman’s Bar at The Master Builder’s led us to being seated on four named grand tables of eight being Endeavour, Victory, Mary Rose and Boaty McBoatface. Good food, fine wine and a few rousing words celebrating our victories over the French and Spanish by warships built in Buckler’s Hard 500 years ago ensured a great evening.
Saturday the 27th , at just gone noon , saw an intrepid bunch set out to walk to Beaulieu along the delightful and scenic path led by our friends from the good old USA , Warren and Judy ( Pleasure ). It’s not for me to note those who lost the path - you know who you are. Five more boats arrived during the day with some quite delicate handling skills needed particularly for Spree and Thomas Hardy as we tried to squeeze the proverbial quart into a pint pot ( you can work out the metric equivalent yourselves ). My thanks to those skippers and crew. One of our members seemed to have a nuclear submarine escort for part of the way. Now that’s a first for PSYC. !
Saturday evening started with drinks on the pontoon relocated to “The Grand Marquee“ which kicked off an evening of pure fun and joy. Charcoal bbq’s were lit as we chatted and enjoyed the stunning views both up and down river. A small group bbq’d a Suckling Pig ( head chef Richard of Yesterday’s Dream ) which fascinated Lord and Lady Montagu who dropped by for a chat.
Alex our singer guitarist ( so much better than Bruce Springsteen and half the price ) started the first of his two 50 minute sets at 19:30 and proved to be an enormous hit with the members. During his second set the four sea shanties he was asked to learn , song sheets for which were provided, almost lifted the roof off “The Grand Marquee” with everyone from aged 8 to 88 singing along and dancing. He has promised me that he will learn Hotel California for the next time he appears for us ( re Active Day ) A conga line was formed and even those not part of our rally but listening to the music joined in. Cathy I just can’t remember who started the line……………
Sunday saw the continuation of the marvellous sunny wether although early signs of the gusting force 6 that awaited us Monday started to appear. Eleven intrepid tenders gathered at 12:30 to make their way down river to Gins Farm RSYC. After a small delay, Iapetus getting their crew and outboard all together in one place at the same time , a fine armada set off. A site not seen since the last time we set off to Normandy to free the French for the second time.
Drinks seated outside kicked off a fine Sunday Luncheon equalled only by the good company and superb views. Remarkably all made it back up river ( some 25 mins ) at the obligatory 5 knots. I did the Brian Hanrahan trick - I counted them all out and counted them back again.
Sunday evening saw a couple of fine boat parties that went late into the evening. Your rally leader was on Skye Raye and had a fine time.
Sincere thanks to Penny ( Gite ) and others for rallying around helping Alison with a medical issue. The club spirit really showed thru.
Monday saw nearly all boats depart in very challenging F6 conditions blowing us onto the pontoon and our rafting neighbours. Given the tide run as well, this was a moment to concentrate in full.
Sarah and myself would like to thank all the skippers and crew from those below making this rally a very special occasion;
Mak 11, Shoogly Monster, Adriana, Magus, Gite, Reef Knot, Pompey Lass, Shiraz, Riptide, Pleasure, Yesterday’s Dream, Coya, Iapetus, Liberty, Blitz, Skye Raye, Pikotua, Active Day, Fabiola, Thomas Hardy, Spree.
Port Solent Yacht Club - A Serious Yacht Club, that doesn’t take itself too seriously. 
John Heaton / Sarah Corrigan
Rally Leaders - Beaulieu 2023.