The forecasts gave ‘heavy rain and winds SW Force 3-4 gusting 5-6’, so I was not optimistic about the attendance, nor even quite sure, in those conditions, of getting there myself from Warsash. David Jones sailed over after spending the night in Ashlett Creek in his 16’6” Beaufort, and we both set out double reefed. However David had trouble with his new storm jib and fell out of sight astern. As host for the rally I had to push on while I could with the last of the ebb, but was slowed by the steep Solent chop. Carrying a working jib which could be roller-furled in the worst gusts helped. It was such a wet sail that the spells of heavy rain made no difference, except to visibility. Anchoring in Newtown entrance at low water, I feared that I might be the only one to reach Newtown, so was delighted to see a 13’3” Enterprise helmed by Steve Bradwell sail in from Pitts Deep. (Another sail and oar man like myself). Waiting for depth of water to reach our Shalfleet Quay venue, we walked one of Newtown Harbour’s lovely nature trails, and as we returned David Jones sailed in. (He had lost the ebb, and had been sailing against the wind and the tide, but at least that gave him the benefit of smoother water). At our venue we found that Chris Jenkins in his 15’ Potter, and Derek (Jason) Millbourne in his 16’ Star Trekka had come in on the morning tide. (Jason’s boat is a mini-yacht with a small cabin but large dinghy-style cockpit. He has amenities such as television, and virtually lives aboard the whole summer, having about one day a week at home).

The rain now held off for the rest of the week-end, and it was so lovely that we all ate sitting in our boats with a view over the river, in preference to the Egon Ronay recommended New Inn. Next morning David Jones was so enchanted with Newtown that he decided to stay on for the afternoon tide, spending another night at Ashlett Creek, accompanied by Jason. Steve and I sailed back to Warsash together on the morning tide. We did not race — oh no, the DCA Elders would not approve! — but after three hours sailing to windward, changing positions as we each unreefed, we arrived within fifteen seconds of each other.

A very rewarding weekend for those who braved the conditions.

Hurst Point 30th June - 1st July

Again the forecasts may have deterred some members, rain and westerlies up to F5 or even 6. In the event the weather was lovely, except that the winds did increase to about the forecast level each afternoon, and heavy showers could be seen inland. David Jones again launched on the Friday and spent the night in Ashlett Creek, leaving at 7am for the long beat to windward. This paid off handsomely and he carried the tide nearly all the way beating into moderate winds. I launched at Warsash at 9am but the increasingly heavy conditions forced me to reef down eventually to 35.5% of full sail area, and I had a very hard time making progress to windward, not reaching Hurst until 7pm.

At Hurst Point I found David had been joined by Keith Holdsworth, who had launched up the creek at Keyhaven. Keith was in his own design 11 footer, ketch-rigged with standing lug mainsail and a hybrid mizzen. As the emphasis is on camping comfort it has no centreboard, simply vestigial bilge-keels for windward work. It performs surprisingly well in smooth water. The fresh conditions moderated later in the evening, and Keith and I were well-sheltered in the lee of Hurst Castle. Jason Millbourne, living aboard his 16 foot fast mini-yacht was up at Keyhaven, but Keith walked the two miles round the shingle hook to rendezvous with him at The Gun. Unfortunately I was too shattered after my long hard sail to join them.

The morning again brought light winds initially, David slipped out of the narrows with the ebb, bound for Poole and Jay continued with his protracted cruise, scheduled to last to September. I left Keith at Keyhaven and had a fast passage back with the wind increasing to F5 again, but fortunately with me this time. Len Wingfield