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, by five boats, gave a great kick off to the weekend, with the vast majority arriving on Friday split between 25 boats in Yacht Haven , 10 in Shepherd’s and one in East Cowes. 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. Unfortunately Gité had engine control issues and had to return to port, but all others registered made harbour.
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. Your rally leader took the opportunity to show some potential future rally leaders a first peek at our 2024 program by having an exclusive one to one in my “office”, ( this being one of the tables reserved for the large poster of same) and early interest was noted.
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 style, due south up river to The Folley for a “bite and glass of”. Seats were easily procured ,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 “pree’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 queue.
A fine meal, with complimentary wine provided by the club, 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. The winner of the serious award for either a substantial personal achievement or going “above and beyond “ for the club being awarded to Richard - Yesterday’s Dream who collected a truly one off unique cup to great 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. Certainly the chat on the WhatsApp group said it all. Thank you to all attending, we list boat names below, as it’s the members who make our rally’s the fun that they are.
Mouse Too, Pikoroua, Deja Vu, Indigo, Riptide, Joya, Coral 1V, Old Possum, Grand Cognac, Shoogly Monster, Pompey Lass, Active Day, Ventus, FantaSea, Legato, Reef Knot, Paxi Moon, Cooper Buoy, Memsahib X11, Bright Future, Ayesha, Thomas Hardy,Nicknack, Blitz, Skye Raye, Yesterday’s Dream, Happy Place, Shiraz, Jango, Spree, Lucca, Saskia, Liberty, Quirky Lady, Astrid, Amalie.
Sarah and John
EOS Rally Leaders.