Themed Bembridge BBQ Rally 13th -15th June
We left Port Solent on Friday morning with not a breath of wind, so once again it was motors all the way to Bembridge, most of us arriving around lunchtime. Sadly High Time had to pull out because Sue was ill, (hope you’ve recovered now Sue) and My Valium had also pulled out. However, Adriana, Aeolus, Amelie, Astrid, Happy Place, Highland Lady, Jango, King Hi, Moon Shadow, Moon Shine, and Riptide, with Social Members the Besants, all arrived in the beautiful sunshine, all sceptical that we could possibly have the torrential rain and thunderstorms forecast for 7 o’clock that evening. .
We closely monitored the forecast all afternoon and decided to bring the evening drinks and barbecue forward to 5pm so that the cooking could all be done before the rain started, we knew we had good shelter in the marquee regardless.
Well it did cloud over as forecast, and we did have rain almost exactly as forecast around 7pm - 6 drops in total I think it was although it might have been 7 - and that was it!! Who knew? But no complaints from us.
The marquee had been duly decorated with bunting, Derek set up the music of the late 60s and early 70s, everyone turned up dressed in their Flower Power finery, and a rum punch all round got the party started. There was a good atmosphere (Bembridge had kindly provided us with boards to cover the shingle) and, led by Highland Lady’s Dancing Queen: Thea, much dancing to round off the evening. It’s great that everyone gets into the spirit of themed events.
We woke up on Saturday morning to fierce and cold winds, consistently blowing 30 knots through the marina. Unfortunately this strong wind meant that Scooby and Shoogly Monster who were meant to join us that day were unable to do so.
As we had a beach picnic planned for the afternoon, with shared ‘faith supper’ food arranged we were concerned if it was going to be doable. No one likes sand in their sandwiches! Or sitting out in a cold wind. We were unable to have use of the marquee, so a word with the helpful marina staff suggested we could shelter at the end of the beach, immediately under the sea wall. Derek and I did a recce and sure enough, it was a lovely sheltered spot. So at 4 o’clock everyone gathered in the marina car park, complete with picnic chairs, tables, food and drink - and we set off across the dunes for what turned out to be a very pleasant picnic on the beach in the sunshine and a happy afternoon was spent by all, accompanied by more mellow seventies music supplied by Derek.
Bembridge harbour had their own ‘Gig Fest’ sailing event on that day, and they had invited us all to their live music event on the quayside during the evening - this followed on nicely after our picnic so we all decamped back to the harbour, although we were back to the chilly wind again, we all enjoyed the evening and more dancing (again led by Dancing Queen Thea) kept us warm (along with cosy PSYC hoodies for a number of us!)
Sunday morning was ‘do your own thing’ and as we couldn’t leave Bembridge until lunchtime due to the tide, most of us enjoyed a lazy morning before setting off back to our home berths. Once again we had some strong winds, but as they were on our Port beam the sailboat sailors amongst us flew home under sail and we were almost back at Port Solent before we’d left Bembridge!
Until the next time…….
Julie - First Mate
Astrid