Lymington Dan Bran - Bright Future

Yet again the weather turned out not to be as forecast. Luckily we had a lovely gentle sail over to Dan Bran on the Thursday along with Pikorua and were surprised to find Ismana already happily berthed. The rest of the fleet arrived almost all together around midday on the Friday after a fairly windy and very cold sail (or a slighty warmer motor-ed). Lymington Harbour had given us nearly all of South pontoon and their berthing plan so via the WhatsApp group members were informed of where to berth and which boat to raft on, only 2 abreast, and help was at hand for each incoming boat. Most stayed around the pontoon in the afternoon trying to get warm with pontoon drinks at 18.30 hrs. near Bright Future. Dining was own arrangements and most went to the Mayflower for a delicious dinner. Westray was the last to arrive at around 20.15 hrs and luckily Legato was on hand to assist.

Saturday was beautifully sunny, but a cold wind blew around the pontoon – not very April like at all. The morning was free to walk into Lymington or around the Keyhaven Marshes. At 13.30 hrs. most crews gathered around Bright Future for the Scavenger Hunt. Teams were formed, rules were read and as the foghorn sounded they were off. They were tasked with photographing various items around the area including 3 items on their sail over to Dan Bran. For example, a transit, a menu, a marsupial, a defibrillator, the highest SSR number when all the numbers are added together, neoprene and a reflection of a team member.  There were 37 items to photograph in all and most items were not too far away, but some teams went all the way up Lymington High Street in search of a marsupial (found in a toy shop) although  there was a huge stuffed kangaroo in the window of a house near Bath Road Park! It was fun to watch all the headless chickens running around asking do you mean a Transit or a Transit van? The choice was theirs. All team members had to report to the Mayflower pub garden at 15.00 hrs otherwise they would lose points. Bathia arrived on the Saturday just as the hunt got started which was fortunate as Rob and Katie had been coerced  to adjudicate the scoring. Photos were examined, discussed and disputed, bribes were taken and eventually all the clues scored.

At 18.00 hrs we gathered again for pre-dinner drinks and the Grand Prize Giving.  The Motor Boaters (Saskia and Lucca) came in third, largely down to Mike failing to take a photo of a date even though Hilary was pointing at it! Pikaleg (Pikorua and Legato) came a close second having found all the clues but finding a lower SSR number and Ismana won having found all the clues in record time – they were back in the Mayflower by 14.36 hrs.  They were duly presented with a magnum of champagne. At 19.30 hrs we strolled over to the Haven where we enjoyed a fabulous meal, great company and plenty of wine.

Sunday dawned again sunny, cold and with a North-easterly pinning us onto the pontoon. Some went early to catch the tide, some went later when the wind was a bit gentler and some, with discretion being the better part of valour, decided to stay another night.

Thank you to all for joining the rally, it was refreshing to see so many faces new and old and a good time was had by all.

Jane & Alan - Bright Future