PSYC Shakedown Rally 4th– 6th April 2025
The sun shone the whole weekend for our first rally of the season, though the easterly wind gave some a lumpy ride over and the cold ensured that many PSYC hoodies were on show. 
The berthing master made sure we were all berthed together, we all took lines and welcomed each safe arrival.
Most boats had arrived by mid afternoon on Friday and drinks and nibbles were served on the CYH veranda as the sun set. Friendships were renewed and new acquaintances made and maybe even a romantic liaison between our very youngest members!
A sunny Saturday dawned and 17 of us took the bus to the Wight Military and Heritage Museum. The bus ride was hilarious, we all scampered up to the top deck, with some quipping ‘Are we there yet’ and ‘Please Miss I need a wee’. We were more like a pack of schoolchildren than pack of pensioners.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of volunteers we could not have a formal tour of the Museum but found our own way round the huge and interesting items on display. The first area was a large display of guns and ammunition followed by a cavernous area displaying an Anderson shelter, shop fronts, workshops and military uniforms. We all recognised pieces from our past with lots of ‘Do you remember this’ and Do you remember that’. Ernie, a volunteer, gave us a fascinating and engaging talk on various guns, handing them round so we could feel the weight and informing us of their uses, trajectories and their dangers. We then moved to another area where many military vehicles were displayed, an ambulance complete with a string of onions for some unknown reason , personnel carriers and tanks.
Some took the bus back to Cowes whilst the rest of us enjoyed a delightful lunch in the Churchill Tea rooms, after which most walked back to Cowes via the 12th Century church and along the Medina. We were joined later that day by the remaining 4 boats.
At 18.30hrs we gathered at the ISC for pre-dinner drinks followed by an excellent dinner, great company and plenty of wine. The ISC, as usual, made us very welcome and we were very pleased to note a PSYC burgee very prominently displayed over the entrance to the dining room.
Most boats left by midday on Sunday with a cold easterly wind blowing on the nose, but all returned safely to their home ports.
Thank you to Aeolus, Astrid, Bathia, Falaise, Gite, High Time, Legato, Lucca, Moonshine, Nicknack, No Faffing, North Landing, Paxi Moon, Pikorua, Pompey Lass, Saskia, Thomas Hardy and Whistler for joining the rally. It was great to see so many faces new and old and a good time was had by all.