NEWTOWN RALLY, 26 May

The weather was bright with a fresh E wind as Stuart Jones (Tideway) and myself (Tarpon) sailed in company from Keyhaven. On reaching Newtown we had a short sail around the river followed by lunch, after mooring in Causeway Lake.

Returning to the entrance to Newtown, we met John Buckley (Nimrod) with crew (see article ‘What Happened to the Way & Arun exercise — autumn 90’) and Jack Ashworth (WW Potter). Both beached on the spit. We later made for our usual spot just upstream from Shalfleet Quay. Jack left us to return on the falling tide to Keyhaven. Then members drying out were Don & Dave Alexander (Mirror 16), Richard Hignett (Foamcrest), Stuart Jones and myself. Peter Bick (Roamer) moored opposite the quay, and early evening saw the arrival of Peter Glover, punting his Mayfly over what water was left in the creek.

As light faded, we strolled the ½ mile to the pub and were met by Phil Nash and son (WW Potter) anchored in Westernhaven. Jim Smith, John Buckley, with crew and John Quantrell (Dabber) joined us later. In all, 12 members in 9 boats attended, 6 boats sailing from East Solent. I later learned that Liz Baker (Black Swan) arrived Sunday lunchtime.

POOLE HARBOUR, 9 June

With NW wind and an overcast sky, 3 boats launched from Rockley Point in Poole Harbour. Stuart Jones and myself beached at Shipstall Point for lunch, Don and Dave Alexander took a different course. Leaving Shipstall, we set course for the venue, detouring to circumnavigate Green & Furzey Islands and take in the coast along Goathorn Point. We 3 boats beached on the south side of Redhorn Point. No sooner had we brewed up, when we were asked to assist in mooring a cruiser stranded above the HW mark since the January gales. This proved to be an interesting operation which was successfully completed.

Ray & Anne Thornton and their 3 children arrived after sailing their Seawych cruiser from Christchurch, followed by Richard Hignett sailing from Keyhaven and Liz Baker and John Quantrell in John’s Dabber sailing from Southampton Itchen. We welcomed new members Chris Morris and his wife who were camping at Wareham and sailed down just to greet us and then left to return to Wareham on the tide.

We gathered driftwood and lit the barbeque fire, assisted by Ray’s 3 children. Richard had also brought an instant barbeque. The wind caused problems with the barbeque, but this did not spoil our pleasure at meeting at this beautiful spot. Disappointing not to have met any local members!

FOWLEY ISLAND, 30 June - 1 July

With a gale warning and rain forecast for the area, this rally looked like being a non‑starter, but the island is within the semi-sheltered waters of Chichester Harbour and 5 boats made it to the island. Phil Nash and Bob Morrison each arrived in their WW Potters, Dave and Don Alexander, Richard Hignett and I made up the number. Richard measured the wind as force 5 gusting 6, and I reckon a few gusts were full force 7, although there were also many lulls down to force 4 or less. During the night, it really blew up to gale force, and low-lying Fowley Island was not a good place to be! In the morning the high tide was a full 2’ lower than the night before, and some of us had problems in getting out of the shallow lagoon.

A memorable sight was an ex-naval pinnace (or gig) with reefed lugsail main and mizzen, scudding along at a good rate of knots.

OXEY LAKE, 21 July

This report was thanks to Stuart Jones. A record attendance of 13 boats. Weather hot with E force 3-4 breeze dying away to a calm at around 1800 and then picking up to a steady f2-3 E.

Boats pulled up on the west side of the beach, all but 2 members electing to go to the pub. Several members decided to drag their boats back with the tide to dry out on level mud. Sunday brought an E f5 wind; those beating back to the east must have had a wet slog.

COWES, 4 August

It was a very hot weekend with a good breeze in the afternoon. 10 members in 9 boats attended. All except Ray Thornton beached in our usual spot just south of the Folly Inn. As the evening cooled, we all met up at the pub. Ray Thornton and Richard Hignett had brought their dads as crew. Andrew Spolten joined us late evening in his new home-built Swanscombe Dory, which he sailed from Wootton Creek. We reflected that of the 9 boats attending.

HURST SPIT, 8 September

I was unable to attend this rally or arrange for a stand in, but have picked up the following: 9 boats attended, the weather was good, but this year driftwood for the fire was scarce, possibly due to lack of storms. Richard Hignett, who was unofficially due to demonstrate his simple cooking, arrived complete with wine and steaks! All had an enjoyable evening.

BURSLEDON, 29 September

The rain was tipping down when I arrived at the Jolly Sailor by car, not expecting many members to turn out in those conditions. The first member to greet me was Liz Baker — yes, she had sailed Black Swan from Chichester, and had spent some time sheltering from the rain under the M27 motorway bridge before finally mooring upstream. We soon found other members. John Perry, John Buckley, Peter Clover, Ian McCreery and Jeff Wright had all arrived by car, but both Johns had boats on trailers. We had a pleasant evening, but were unaware that also in the Jolly Sailor were Don, Dave & Tracy Alexander, arrived by car, also Len Wingfield and Dave & Jenny Jones, who were camping the night aboard their boats. For members not familiar with the area, the quietest mooring is upriver of the road and rail bridges, but to get there one must lower the mast and row under the bridges. This always splits those attending by boat — above and below the bridges.

A well-attended last rally despite the conditions.