WOOTTON CREEK A fine but windy day heralded the first rally of the season. Stuart Jones and myself, in respective boats, arrived lunch time after an overnight stop in Newtown Creek. We were greeted by Don and Dave Alexander. Richard Hignett had also arrived earlier and had taken a bus into Newport. We welcomed new member Mark Tingley in his Roamer followed by Geoff Wright and crew Julian.

After lunch, we took a walk down through the holiday camp to the creek entrance; the tide was low and it was possible to see the many rocks on the west side of the entrance. Early evening saw the majority sitting on the bank next to the boats eating fish and chips as John Perry arrived with crew Josephine rowing! We all gathered later in the pub at the head of the creek and were joined later by new members Charlotte Bailey and husband. A pleasant evening enjoyed by all, and with the tide flooding till late Sunday morning we could all have a lie in before setting sail for home.

CHRISTCHURCH Thanks to Richard Hignett for the information on this rally. The weather was good on the Saturday, wind light. Members who attended were Len Wingfield, John Perry and Josephine, Jack Ashworth and Richard Hignett, who all sailed from Keyhaven, Don Alexander launched from Warsash and Dave Weinstock was on his way to the Solent from the West Country in his Wharram cat Tikki Sunrise. Most members took the opportunity to sail right up to Christchurch and return on the tide. Ray Thornton popped over in his inflatable. The car park was used as a meeting place.

NEWTOWN CREEK Again thanks to Richard for this information: the weather turned out to be better than forecast, and meeting up at the pub were Richard Hignett, Mark Tingley and Geoff Wright with crew Julian.

HURST SPIT The usual barbecue was attended by 11 members in 8 boats.

COWES I did not attend myself but understand that the following members attended: Len Wingfield, Phil Nash, Ray and Ann Thornton, Jack Evans, Mark Tingley, Geoff Wright, and Julian. Most members forgathered at the Folly Inn late evening.

BEAULIEU RIVER I drove to Bucklers Hard and arrived to find Len Wingfield, John Perry and Josephine, Mark Tingley, Geoff Wright and Julian, and Laurence Killick, rafted up on the inside of the ferry pontoon as directed by the harbourmaster. Most members took the opportunity to sail up to the abbey, returning on the tide. While we were all in the Carpenter Arms, Richard Hignett arrived but was unable to see any members’ boats, so stayed aboard overnight, only to meet up on the Sunday morning.

ELING CREEK Richard informs me that he arrived first and was met by Mark Tingley, who had arrived by car. The Anchor pub does not serve food, so the pair drove to Ashurst for a meal. On their return they met John and Josephine, Liz Baker and John Quantrell who had sailed from the Hamble in Liz’s Mirror. Len Wingfield, who had sailed from the same place, missed the tide and was forced to beach about a mile downstream, which meant a walk along the shore. A good turnout for the last rally of the season.