Poole Rally 23rd-24th August
The Poole Rally over the August Bank Holiday weekend was supposed to start on Friday, following on from the Lymington Rally. Most of the boats signed up for Poole were in Lymington on Friday morning, but Storm 
Lilian had raged along the South Coast on Thursday, so a group decision was made that the seas on Friday would still be untenable. So GITE, RIPTIDE, BRIGHT FUTURE & POMPEY LASS stayed an extra night in Lymington and the official handover of bunting from GITE took place on Dan Bran on Friday afternoon in time for pontoon drinks in the shelter of RIPTIDE’s cockpit.
HAPPY PLACE decided to brave the trip from Port Solent to Poole on Friday and David’s Fitbit recorded he had been ‘swimming’ on the flybridge of his Princess 52, due to waves breaking over him! Sighs of relief from the smaller boats sheltering in Lymington! SPREE, who had taken shelter in Studland Bay on Thursday night, joined them in Poole on Friday night to start the rally.
Saturday morning dawned calmer and the two yachts, BRIGHT FUTURE and POMPEY LASS, set of early from Lymington to catch the tidal flow past Hurst Castle. The two motor yachts, RIPTIDE and GITE, left at a more leisurely 10am as Poole Yacht Haven had told us in no uncertain terms that berths would not be available until midday. The sea was still choppy but we had a great view of the powerboats on the Cowes Powerboat Race, especially those more inshore on the Cowes-Poole Race.
All boats arrived before midday and spaces were found for everyone except BRIGHT FUTURE who had to hang around in Poole Harbour until the tardy crew on the yacht in their berth reluctantly left at 12.30. Pontoon drinks were held on a breezy dock in the marina and then all 14 of us walked the short distance to RNLI College for dinner. We were joined by Hugh and Marion from SHIRAZ who arrived by car and we enjoyed a delicious dinner in the Riggers Restaurant.
On Sunday the rain cleared for a bracing walk around Poole Bay for an excellent Sunday Lunch at the impressive Parkstone Yacht Club restaurant. Once again pontoon drinks were held in the shelter of RIPTIDE’s cockpit as strong winds continued to blow.
By Monday the front had passed over, the rain had cleared and patches of blue sky could be seen. All boats left Poole in the morning and headed back. The seas were still swelly until we reached the shelter of the Solent, but with wind and tide behind us the yachts enjoyed a great downwind sail.
Thanks to all who braved the less-than-glorious Bank Holiday weather: RIPTIDE, GITE, HAPPY PLACE, BRIGHT FUTURE, POMPEY LASS & SPREE. We were rewarded with a very sociable weekend.
Howard & Nikki - RIPTIDE