I know it rains a lot in Scotland I've lived there for most of my time since I've been over in the UK, but there's been some heavy weather down in Cowes too. 5 day boats that are moored on buoys at the entrance to the Medina during the season sunk when strong winds blew in, all you could see were the tops of their masts like sticks in the water, even I had issues with my fenders riding up fortunately the live aboard chap at the other end of the pontoon was on hand to move some around so I didn't come up against the wooden edge.
When the sun comes out it is lovely here and last Saturday or the one before, my skipper & crew arrived for a surprise run up to Lymington. Apparently we were going to go with the tide & head to Portsmouth but after a few texts that went out of the window. The wind was light and I didn't realise but they were behind schedule & were meeting friends for lunch. The fact that the tide was also going the wrong way didn't help much either, but with the engine purring along I got them there for 1400, at least all my systems had had a good run, so was pleased of the rest - having been met, they wandered into town from Berthon, typical men up front the ladies lagging behind. The sun was out and I have never been in here before, it is pretty and lots more boats, this is where my crew took the Grand Soleil from at Easter to Cardiff, the last time we had good weather.
Whilst they had the opportunity they filled my fresh water tanks and with that done we sauntered off back down river to the Solent, we followed a ferry that crossed with its sister ship in the channel. They form part of a dance it seems as they pass each other at a wider point, then turn in . However the tide had turned and once more it was on my nose, despite the wind strengthening, it was on my nose too, so I was tucked in as tight as my keel would allow along the northern coast line of the New Forest passing the entrance to Bucklers Hard & Beaulieu before cutting across the main channel to behind Gurnard Point to keep out of the tide on the other side. As we arrived at my berth there was a small yacht tied up in my space so I was drawn close by and the occupants thought that it was a visitors berth not realising or seeing the 'private' painted on the post nor the Norse King signs made up & fixed to the pontoon. Still there was space on the other side so my skipper just tucked me in there and said he would be back in the morning to switch round once they'd gone.
This he did only to find the original yacht had gone but replaced with a similar sized motor cruiser. When asked how long they intended to be the answer was one of surprise as I was now in their space ! Still the people the night before had explained to both them & the Harbour Master what was happening, so all was ok. Prior to leaving, my skipper arranged some fenders just of the horizontal in between my normal ones, this is so that should the winds pick up like before they'd assist in helping keep the pontoon off my side.
My skippers application to put me in to the Queens Diamond Jubilee pageant on the Thames wasn't successful, it was 3 times over subscribed, so I think I may be heading to Brighton that weekend. The Round the Island Race at the end of June means I may be taking people out to watch some of the action, I hear it gets quite busy in the Solent. There may be a trip across the channel over to France for a while too.
