Club Rally to Yarmouth Harbour – 29 to 31 May 2004.

 

 

After a month of warm sunny weather the forecast for the Bank Holiday was cloudy and damp.  Most of us had berths booked on the Harold Hayles Boatyard Pontoon, which gives direct access to the shore.  Seven club boats arrived at the boatyard at various times and all reported that they had been able to sail at least most of the way.

 

Saturday was spent shopping in Yarmouth with visits to the chandlery and ice cream kiosk on most peoples list, whilst others went for walks.  By evening it was raining a little so the proposed BBQ was postponed until Sunday.  Some of us went into town to eat and others ate on board, meeting up in town at the Kings Head later for drinks.  Despite the weather, the harbour was crowded and as usual all the pubs had standing room only.

 

Sunday we were woken by the sun shining through the hatch. After various chores on board, interspaced with coffee breaks on other people’s boats, the club members set off late morning, in groups for walks.  These varied from taking a bus to Alum Bay with a packed lunch and walking back via the Needles, to a gentle stroll along the front to Fort Victoria for a beer and baguette outside the café, overlooking the Solent.  Whilst there we saw the new 200-foot long sloop leave through the Needles, unfortunately under engine, but she appeared to be about 10 times larger than anything else in the vicinity.

 

By 1730 it was raining again so the BBQ food was cooked on board and we all finished the day on one of the boats for drinks and conversation.

 

Monday started well with a Southerly wind and clear skies.  Most of us had to wait until around lunchtime to leave in the Portsmouth direction so this left more time for walks etc. 

 

We were able to sail all the way back to the Hamble and arrived back in our berth just as the rain started.  We had had a good weekend with pleasant company and wind in our sails.

 

Boats attending.

Andromeda                                         Brassic                                    Fay of Aubin

Island Sula                                          Kamelya                                  Millie

Moon Wrasse                                     Staggers

 

 

Pam Minett.