On Saturday August 2nd, Thirteen ASC members, seven boats, four canoes, three dinghies and two dogs all decided to ignore the less than ideal weather forecast on Friday and even the light drizzle on Saturday morning to head for Bucklers Hard. Once again the enthusiasm and optimism of ASC members paid off and soon after leaving the creek the drizzle stopped and the sun came out. Not exactly a scorching August day but the short trip around to the entrance of the Beaulieu river turned out to be one of the best sails of the season. Ripping Yarns were having such a good sail that they considered sailing on west........ to Yarmouth or beyond?.

As we crossed Stanswood bay we met up with Ian Round and his family fleet, Ian on his laser, Marina in a canoe, Sebastian on a sailboard and Marcus in an Oppie, now that's a real watersporting family!!!!

At the entrance to the Beaulieu we dropped off our first canoeist. Richard demonstrated a perfect sea-launch off the back of Kouba and then tried to paddle his fun boat at 5 knots to keep up with us!! In the end he resorted to a short cut thru the sedge and gave a great impression of a mud skipper!! We were slightly concerned that Bucklers Hard marina would be full of Cowes week over-spill plus it has a reputation for being a bit expensive, However the staff were amazingly helpful ( thank you Jamie) and found us a space on the midstream pontoon where we could all raft together. The reputation for being expensive also seems rather undeserved given that the cost was certainly very competitive with Cowes or Yarmouth ( £12 for a 26ft Centaur / £15 for a Moody 31 /£18 for Kouba)

By early afternoon all the ASC fleet were secured and the attempt to find the fabled Palace and Ice cream shop at the source of the Blue Beaulieu was mounted by a suitably mixed fleet of small craft, (truly PIMS O'Clock!!). Initially the Pico seemed to be the most efficient vessel, using the power of the wind to make headway against the strong outgoing tide. However trying to tack against the tide in a fickle wind proved to be beyond my ability, so after accepting a tow from Richard in his fun boat, Ade then took over the Pico and I joined Pam in the "blue bludger" ( a two man Tarpon canoe). Fortunately for my ego Ade faired little better and ended up walking thru the foreshore mud while towing the Pico in order to find better wind! In the meantime Maggie and Jude (in the "Golden Battysnitch"...ask her about the name!!) made excellent progress towards the fabled Palace at the head of the river. However the prize for shear determination must go to Jim in his inflatable . He made really amazing progress rowing his inflatable up river against the tide. Not to be outdone, Geoff, Ed , Sue and 2 dogs gently pottered past all of us in Geoff's "hard tender" which he had towed from Ashlett behind Brill. However in retrospect we have decided to impose a suitable forfeit (to be imposed at a later date) for excessive use of their outboard!! Finally it was decided that despite the prospect of an ice cream in Beaulieu the tide was going to beat us and we turned back ( some sooner than others !!) lured by the prospect of refreshment "back at base". Drifting back down the river with the tide was both relaxing and quick !!!

The Master Builders house does not take bookings to eat in the Pub so we were advised to arrive early to beat the rush.. By 6:30 13 of us sat down to an excellent evening meal which was followed by a really convivial evening in the beautiful setting outside pub in Bucklers Hard village where we were joined by Tim Woodcock, who had some superb pictures of the boats arriving earlier in the afternoon. New members Ian and Jennifer also decided to drive around and join the party , bringing the final count for the evening to 16 members. We really look forward to 2 new boats joining us for the Ryde carnival cruise at the end of August.

        

Early (ish) Sunday morning proved the forecasters right and we woke to some more light drizzle. However it didn't dampen our spirits, it soon cleared and we enjoyed an excellent downwind sail in 18 - 22 knots which made it interesting to pick our way thru the various Cowes week racing fleets as we headed east just inside Lepe spit cardinal. While 5 boats headed back Ade and Pam headed off to Lymington at the start of their holiday and Geoff headed up the Beaulieu river with his ultimate destination undecided. Thanks to everyone who decided not to be put off by the weather forecast: Ade & Pam on Vienna, Jim in Hippo, Geoff in Brill, Ed, Sue & the dogs in Fruit Bat, Lou and Neil on Binah, Steve & Jude on Ripping Yarns. Its the enthusiasm and support of the members that makes the cruising program so much fun. For the cruisers there are still 4 more trips planned this season Over August bank holiday the more adventurous are hoping to get to Littlehampton, following that we have 3 short trips which are suitable for everybody: the Ryde Carnival cruise is the last weekend in August and is great for all the family. Then in September we have trips to the Folly and to Ealing SC, as always everyone is really welcome. See the website, notice boards or cruising program for details. For the paddlers that did not make it, you missed a good afternoon on the river and we will certainly organise another combined cruising and paddling trip ( paddle up to the Horse and Jockey) before the end of the season.