Bavaria Owners - Easter Rally
Good Friday April 10th - Poole to Yarmouth
Jill and I arrived at Parkstone Yacht Club at 08:30 for the 09:00 launch where we joined Richard and Chris the crew of High Spirits. We delayed our departure from Poole when High Spirits reported engine problems. The problem, a jammed starter motor, was resolved and we set off at around 10:30.
The weather was cloudy and once we reached Bournemouth Bay the wind freshened to a SE F4. Calero and High Spirits both took the offshore route from Poole Bar Buoy to the Needles to make best of wind and spring tide.
After a very pleasant sail we arrived off the Needles. The wind dropped and the tide had turned so we made to motor close to the Isle of Wight shore arriving at Yarmouth shortly after 13:30 hrs.
During this time, tragically, a light plane crashed near Petersfield. Solent Coast Guard were involved and imposed a “Silence” on Channel 16 for Emergency Working. For the first time since I started using DSC VHF Radio. DSC working proved invaluable as we were able to communicate with both High Spirits and the Bavaria Owners Association using their MMSI identities. DSC operation proved to be a real benefit and I would recommend that all crew use this when they can. (Sorry “Sky” we heard your call but were unable to reply because we did not have your MMSI or you ours.)
We berthed with a fleet of Bavaria yachts at the Harold Hayes pontoon at the end of Yarmouth Harbour by the bridge. This was a new experience. These are walk ashore facilities and are cheaper than the Yarmouth Harbour walk ashore. We had power and water but had a long walk to the normal shower facilities. Jill made the long treck to take a shower (Yarmouth. Can you please give us more than 6 minutes for our shower tokens?)
It started raining and and the Bavaria crowd retired to the Harold Hayes Rope Shed for wine and nibbles. . High Spirits joined us for a drink on board. The Royal Solent Yacht Club was fully booked for dinner so we went to the George Hotel for a splendid meal overlooking the Solent.
Saturday April 11th - Yarmouth to Southampton Ocean Village and the Hamble
We left Yarmouth at 10:00 for a leisurely drift down the Solent. The weather was overcast and winds light. The Bavaria racers were gathering outside Yarmouth as we decided to motor eventually raising our sails off Newtown Creek. High Spirits caught us up on their way to the Folly Inn for the Parkstone rally.
At 13:45 we arrive at Ocean Village where Liz and Ali joined us. During a gentle motor down to the Hamble we enjoyed an M&S lunch.
We refueled at Warsash where we qualified for 60% fuel duty. Finally we motored up to Swanwick and back before berthing behind Mrs Eau in Port Hamble.
Jill and I joined in the Bavaria Wine Tasting before making our own way with Liz and Ali to eat at the Dreamweaver Thai Restaurant in Hamble.
The following morning we discovered we had won the Wine Tasting and a prize of two nights berthing at Port Hamble. (Thanks Geoff.)
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Easter Sunday April 12th - Hamble to Osborne Bay and The Folly Inn
On Sunday we awoke to a damp overcast day. Liz and Ali went for a newspaper while I explored Force 4 (formerly Aladdin’s Cave) chandlers. I managed to restrict my purchases to 4 screws!
After a Full English breakfast we set off in light airs in the hope that we might make Gosport for lunch. For a while we drifted around avoiding a racing fleet in the East Solent. Clearly we were not going to make Gosport so we made for Osborne Bay where we anchored for lunch.
At around 16:00 we weighed anchor and motored to Cowes and up the Medina to The Folly Inn. We berthed on a river mooring choosing to pay the £2.00 each (ouch!) taxi fair to the inn.
For dinner the Bavaria Owners managed to muster 50+ for dinner. Good food and table dancing was enjoyed by all.
Monday morning saw an impromptu Tender Polo match between a number of Bavaria folk. I am not sure who won but most got a good soaking.
Monday April 13TH - The Folly Inn to Poole
Monday at last showed signs of sunshine. We arose for a leisurely bacon and egg breakfast, yes again. At 10:30 we moved to the Folly berth to replenish our water supplies.
With the other Bavaria yachts we said our farewells and dispersed to our various home ports.
Eventually the mist cleared and the sun came out. There was to be no wind for the rest of the day. Our initial passage was against the tide. At Gurnard we picked up a favourable tidal eddy and we arrived at 13:00 in Newtown Creek for lunch. (Sorry Liz. I promise not to make a habit of dropping the boom on your head)
After lunch we made for Poole choosing again a passage via the Needles to pick up the tide. We made over 10 knots SOG in the Needles Channel and arrived with many others back in Poole at 17:30.
Many thank to everybody for a great weekend out. High Spirits for your company. Eternite for your organisation. Playtime and the rest of the Bavaria Owners for your company. Last but not least my fellow crew on Calero for your contribution. I hope you all enjoyed it. We did.
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V14.0 21 June 2011 12:37