Six boats arrived at a bright and breezy Calshot at about 10:00 for an 11:00 "on the water". Jeff Adams and Pat Briley brought their Wanderer and I am very pleased to be able to announce that after coming with us to Milford Haven as well, they have rejoined the Association. We look forward to seeing you at more events in the future. Steven Vincent and family came, but without their boat. Great to see you and thanks for the photographs. Bob Marshall was also without boat, but persuaded us to arrange an event for Cobham next year. It should be very good (opposite Itchenor, but with more room at high tide). High tide had been arranged for just after lunch together with a Southerly breeze as this would make a trip up the Beaulieu River to Buckler's Hard that much easier. Oh well, one out of two wasn't too bad. The wind was 4-5 Easterly and consequently with wind over tide, the trip to Stansore Point would be lumpy. One of the good aspects of Calshot is that there is always a sheltered area and Alan and Jan decided that with only 2 in their 16, they would stay in Southampton Water and had some good and rather drier sailing. We arranged for lead and trailing boats and the rest of us left with picnics down the Solent. Pete Mussell agreed to be "Tail-end-Charlie" as with Mark Craig out on his home-made trapeze (see Steven Vincent's photographs), he could easily catch us up if required. We had a fast and wet run to Stansore Point where Pete had an altercation with a cruiser, which resulted in a quick dunk for him and Mark, but no damage to boats or crew. We arrived at Buckler's Hard in good time and having paid our landing fees, tucked into our picnics. I am always impressed by the selection of good salads that Christine Roy brings with her on our events. My pork pie and tomato looked a bit sad in comparison. The renovated village has a pub and this may have been the reason that some crews were a little tardy when it came to head back once the tide had turned. Steven and family had driven round to meet us and he cadged a lift back to Calshot. The wind had now veered to the West and this gave us a fast broad reach back once we had negotiated the lines of boats moored on the river. Ray Brown was soon off with his spinnaker flying as were Jeff and Pat, but the rest of us were not far behind arriving at Calshot at about 17:00. A quick shower, change and then a walk (or drive for some) to the Jolly Sailor at Ashlett Creek for some good pub food.

On Sunday the wind had dropped and as some crews had long journeys, we decided to go across to Gurnard Beach on the Isle of Wight. Unfortunately, the wind dropped even more and we ended up having lunch on Stansore Point. Pete showed us some good anchoring-with-line-ashore technique, which was not easy as the waves were breaking and pushing the boat all over the place. Once back at Calshot, we hosed down the boats, packed up and were on our way soon after 17:00.

Angela and Bruce