We had an unexpected two week cruise in September – starting off with a sail to Brighton on Friday 9th September (following the weekend of our WOA Eastbourne Rally). We were meeting up with fellow Sovereign Berth Holders there over the weekend for the SHBHA’s first organised cruise to Brighton. We all had a lovely meal in the Yacht Club, and it was pronounced a great success, to be repeated next year. We decided to sail to Chichester on the Sunday as it was such a glorious day, and we had a WOA Chichester Rally in the Marina on the following Saturday to go to. We had planned to go to Bosham and dry out during the week, but the weather was windy and the tides were all wrong, so decided to put it off until after the Rally. We did return home and pick up the car though, so we would be a bit more mobile whilst staying down there. The Rally went very well, and we had intended to join the walk to Itchenor the next day, but my back was really bad and I couldn’t make it. In fact my back didn’t improve much for quite a few days, and I put it down to the soft topper we have on our bed, plus a few other factors. However we managed to get to Bosham on Monday 19th September to scrub Hurkur’s bottom – unfortunately Eddie had to do all the work!
Sea smooth as silk on our sail to Chichester.
Bosham Quay
He found loads of barnacles on the bottom, and inside the bilge keels masses of Chichester worm – a white worm cast that sticks like buggery! The outcome of all this was that our copper bottom anti-foul is now wearing out, and we need to renew next year with more copper or ordinary anti-foul.
After returning to Chichester Marina on Tuesday, Eddie took the car back home on Wednesday and we sailed home to Eastbourne on Thursday. We had a great sail back with the wind, tide and waves all with us. Came out of Chi lock at 6.45am and came into Sovereign lock at 3.15pm – great going! Just as well because the next day we drove down to Southampton for the Boat Show. Could have gone from Chichester but the weather window was closing so we needed to get Hurkur home. We had a very good day at the Boat Show, meeting up with various Westerly friends as we walked round and attended the Cruising Association reception in the evening. We also splashed out on a proper mattress for the boat (or at least put a deposit down) for next year. Hopefully that will solve most of my back problems whilst on board.
Leaving Chi Marina at Sparrows Fart!