Air Vice Marshall Geoff Taylor was so keen to sail to Wooton (last time he took the "company plane"!!) that in true Brill fashion he set off on the midnight tide on Friday night just so that he could get there ahead of everyone else and bag the best spot on the Jetty.
It was a brave attempt but Geoff did not reckon with the enthusiasm and determination of Mike in Dawn run who had set off even earlier, evaded the pontoon police in the Hamble and then bagged a free mooring in the power station.
The weather on Saturday morning was pretty un-encouraging heavy drizzle with visibility so poor that we could hardly see the Jetty and the rain was really stinging as we motored out to Kouba. However by the time we had cast off the rain had almost stopped and there ware a few patches of blue in the sky.
The forecast was for a NE 4 but in fact all we ever saw was 8 or 9 knots from the East,and we enjoyed a pleasant lunch as we sailed gently over to Wooton.
When we arrived it looked initially like we might have a significant problem finding enough space for our 9 boats and a similar number from the Seal association. However after some careful rafting to try to maximise space and make sure we had boats of similar depth next to each other the "lunchtime" visitors to Wooton decamped and we had lots of space for everybody.
The Seal rally had booked ahead and had bagged the whole of the main clubhouse for their dinner, however "Gail force catering" came to the rescue and set up a table for us all to enjoy an splendid evening meal. Unfortunately for everybody I was able to find the now "infamous" book of "Comic and Dramatic monologues" and so the rest of the party were subject to various members giving renditions of "The Battle of Hastings" and of course "SAM SAM, pick up tha musket !"
By midday we were back at the boats and setting off for Ashlett, with a good Easterly on the starboard quarter we had a good sail back (but do please look out for "windward Bavaria's" who don't keep a lookout as they slowly bear down on you.
However it would appear that the lure of Newport was too strong and we did not see them in Wooton. Pity..... any caravanner turning up with a craft like this would be given a really warm welcome !! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Given that this was the last cruise of the season the traditional afternoon social event consisted of both hot & warming "winter Pimms" and refreshing and fruity "summer Pimms" thanks to Chris, Jude and Maggie.
Foolishly before turning in there seemed to be a general agreement that we should all go for a walk next morning. What this plan did not account for was that the wind would pick up overnight and blow straight into the creek giving a number of members a rather bumpy night
However by 10.30 about half of the party set off, ostensibly to have coffee with the Monks of Quarr Abbey ..only to realise it was Sunday so they would be rather busy !!!
Anyway en-route we met up with some big horses, some very small horses and some sheep that looked like they were pretending to be dead!!
We were led to believe that the caravan sub-sub-section were also planning a rally and we hoped that they might join us using the convenient ferry link to Wootton, however it seems that they were much more adventurous and were determined to maintain the true spirit of sailing. We snapped this picture with our conceled camera as one of their caravans motored down the creek.
I understand that buoyancy tests for caravans and motor-homes are planned over the winter (please park in the marked area on the slip!!)
Overall I think everybody who did come sailing seemed to have a good time and congratulations for making the effort to join in are due to the crews of : Dolphina, Chrangil, Lucky Girl, Walkabout, Touchwood, Dawn Run, Brill, Ripping Yarns & Kouba.