Eling Creek Rally
Saturday 28th June 2003
The very first time I ever set sail in the Solent I was fifteen years old and that was more than fifty years ago. During those fifty years I have spent many a pleasant time exploring various places in the area but this is the very first time I have ever been to Eling creek.
What a wonderful surprise. It was like something out of Brigadoon.
As Blue lady was appearing in a boat show this weekend Barbara and I cadged a lift on Tramp Royal. We arrived at the top of Southampton Water at approximately HW Not being too sure where we should be (what yellow crane’s David?). Anyway a quick call to ‘Brassic’ confirmed that we were in the right spot and so we picked up a handy mooring buoy. On the face of it not a very salubrious area amongst all the container ships with the noise and activity associated with these areas. One also got the impression that it was possible to go further up river but low tide revealed that this would have been a mistake. So we settled down to a pleasant afternoon of sunbathing and waited for the other boats to arrive.
This rally is an annual event for Guildford CCC. And we are invited by Eling SC. Being a first timer it was difficult to find the ESC. All I could see were piles and piles of containers. Anyway it wasn’t too long before other boats arrived who new the procedure so we just jumped in the dinghy and followed them. It was quite a long journey for a dinghy especially as we had four adults, a dog and all the BBQ equipment aboard. Apart from a couple of wet bums we eventually made it.
The village of Eling just appears out of nowhere. One minute we were surrounded by containers the next rural England at its prettiest. We gently meandered up to the far end of the creek where the pontoons for the club are situated. On our way we passed ‘Brock’ stuck in the mud, I am smugly satisfied to report that David of Brock was boasting in the club last Tuesday that because he was bilge keel he was able to sail up the creek to moor and sit on the bottom at LW. Boy, was he up the creek! I also thought it was very wise of David’s crew to abandon him and cheer him on from the balcony of the club every foot or so as the tide came in.
The hospitality we received from the members was very welcoming and definitely one of the happiest clubs I have ever visited. Within a matter of minutes we were made to feel that it was our club. They provided us with snacks, salads for our BBQ and also laid on music for us. So it wasn’t too long before the atmosphere was partyish and the dancing in full flow.
It was a truly great evening thank you Eling and most of us will eagerly await a return visit. I hope we didn’t upset your neighbours by singing our farewell songs as we left.
Did David manage to get Brock up the creek? No he didn’t. He anchored and threw out a kedge and joined the party. I haven’t seen him since so for all I know ‘Brock’ is still up the creek.
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