Sunshine Cruise

By Ian Sandell

The day dawned dank and dismal. Despite David Groves’ assurance that this would be the Sunshine cruise, there was no sign of it on Saturday, when Jean and I arrived at Sea Holly’s mooring in Gosport. Still, at least it was not cold.

Being the only Portsmouth Harbour boat on the cruise, we planned to leave about mid-day en route to Cowes. We had calculated that the Chichester boats would be passing Portsmouth as we came into the Solent. A call on channel 72 to Ashdown Sailing Club got an immediate response and Jean had an interesting conversation with a boat from Emsworth Cruising Club, who thought we were one of theirs – perhaps he didn’t think anyone else would be silly enough adventurous enough to be out. Emsworth CC boats were on their way to the Folly, so maybe it was they who had booked the Folly Inn pontoon.

Past Gilkicker, we left the lumpy, bumpy sea behind and once the drizzle stopped, we had a good close reach to Prince Consort. We entered Cowes Yacht Haven in close company with Fizzgig and Layla. Lucrece had recently arrived with Eliona completing the line up. As we sorted out berths to fit available power points and extension leads, a Great Northern Diver (you could tell by his accent – boom, boom) put in an appearance. We still had a few hours of daylight and some went for a walk while others fiddled, as you do, on their boats.

Pre-prandials were served on Eliona. Three boats had a pleasant meal in the Union, the others eating on board. A night cap on Sea Holly rounded off the evening. During the conversation, it became apparent that the Chichester boats had endured considerably rougher conditions than we had. A strong south wind had been blowing for some days and it had whipped up quite a sea, which we had been sheltered from by the island.

Sunday morning was a bit brighter and dry. Sea Holly was the last to leave at about 0930 and we had a pleasant trip home. We saw another Great Northern Diver, or the same one was following us. I think that the sun did make its promised appearance, but I blinked and missed it. Still, it had been a very good weekend, with some good sailing in the mild conditions. Thanks to David Groves for organising it but he needs some more practice at predicting the sunshine. Still, the promise did bring 5 boats and 20 members out in mid-January.