Wednesday 15th – Thursday 16th June
We moved onto Hurkur yesterday in anticipation of leaving this morning but the wind was too strong, so will try again tomorrow. Saturday is our WOA South East Cluster Brighton Rally and some of the boats from the East Coast Group were in Sovereign Harbour on their way there. The intention was then to carry on to the WOA 50th Anniversary celebrations in Portsmouth afterwards. Pure Joy and Falcon were on the visitors berths, and Sharina came in later, who had sailed from Dover. They had a horrible passage, it took them about 12 hours with big seas all the way. We all had a drink in the Yacht Club later, and planned our sail in company to Brighton for the next day.
We got the 8am lock on Thursday morning, along with the Falcon, Pure Joy, and Titan of Dart who were also in the marina. Sharina had left on an earlier lock. Sea was slight with up to 16 knots of wind, but round Beachy Head the sea was higher although the wind wasn’t any stronger. We arrived at Brighton just after 12 noon, and had a very confused sea outside the entrance. We had to squeeze past the dredger going in, so a tense few minutes! The Marina staff came and helped us all in and had allocated us berths fairly near to each other, although our pontoon was a bit short, but we managed.
Friday 17th – Saturday 18th June
Overcast and showers today, so glad we made it yesterday. Morning Mist and Travelling Light (another East Coast member) left Sovereign on the 8am lock and Blue Diamond on the 10am lock (thankyou Marine Traffic!) and the first two made it before the downpour but poor BD go caught in it as they waited just off Brighton entrance for the dredger to manoeuvre. Thunderstorms started in the afternoon, and everyone gathered in Brighton Marina Yacht Club in the evening for drinks and dinner. We had a new member join us called Lisa (a Brighton berth holder) with her friend Ruth. It was a very good evening with 20 people attending, 8 if whom were from the East Coast.
Saturday was the day of our pontoon party, and we had a few more join us – Southern Storm from Eastbourne, and Concerto from the East Coast. We held it in the Training Room again as we have done in previous years. Unfortunately Sue and Kevin on Astra, who had helped organise the event, couldn’t join us as Kevin had been taken ill. The party went well though and continued on for about 3 hours.
Sunday 19th – Tuesday 21st June
Left Brighton at 7.30am today heading for Gosport. Most of the other boats left too but they went into Littlehampton whilst we carried on to Portsmouth with Sharina ahead of us, they had had an early start again. Weather picked up to a Force 5, and it felt more like a 6 going through the Looe Channel, but once we were in the Solent it all calmed down. We tied up in Gosport at 4.30pm on Berth F29, nicely tucked in, although there is always a scend in Gosport Marina. Father’s Day today, and Eddie eventually got to open his cards and speak to the boys.
R and R the next day, and as it rained all morning we didn’t get up early. We had a coffee in The Boat House here, whilst waiting for the laundry to finish and in the evening visited the local Wetherspoons to watch the Footie after we had tea aboard.
Eddie was feeling a bit ‘off’ today (Tuesday) with a funny tummy, but we managed to take a ferry across to Gunwharf Quays where all the Westerly boats are meeting for the Anniversary bash. There were 3 boats there already including Sharina – David Jibb was organising all the berthing there – a mammoth task. Decided to take a walk to the Maritime Club whilst there, as we will be visiting it at the weekend for the Gala Dinner, and it was only a 5 minute walk from the Quay so I should make it in my heels! We had been thinking of staying in Gosport instead of joining them in Gunwharf, but the ferries finish at midnight so it would have been a rush to get back after the Dinner. Southern Storm and Pure Joy arrived in Gosport today from Littlehampton, they had quite a bumpy passage.
Wednesday 22nd June
Eddie’s 65th birthday today, but unfortunately his tummy was still playing up. We had planned to go and join a rally in Ryde with some of the other boats but he wasn’t up to it so I phoned Doug (our SCG Chairman and organiser of the Rally) to let him know. It was a very misty morning, and the Spinnaker Tower disappeared for a while but it soon cleared away. Southern Storm left for Cowes for a couple of days, and Pure Joy left for Gunwharf Quays. They didn’t go to Ryde as it is a drying harbour so bilge keels only. Morning Mist came into Gosport later, and intend to go off to Newtown Creek tomorrow for another rally weather permitting. Eddie slept a lot today, and hopefully will feel better tomorrow – not much of a birthday. We went for a short walk in the afternoon just to get some fresh air, then the heavens opened about 9pm with thunder and lightning.
Thursday 23rd – Friday 24th June
We left at 11am to cross Portsmouth water to Gunwharf Quays. Timed it so that the racers would have left and there would be more space for us. I had to call up the Marina at Ballast Buoy to request permission to cross from QHM, and we were allocated a berth on Pontoon C. David Jibb, Mick and Ian were all there to help us in, as we had to get into a space between two big Challenger Yachts and two other yachts rafted up. Moonstorm and Stormbird came in later after the race and rafted up onto us, we had taken their place! We had a nice walk along to the Still & West in Old Portsmouth in the afternoon, which has a lovely spot overlooking the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. There is a meeting there on Sunday so we thought we would check it out.
Brexit Day! An historical day as surprisingly the general British public voted out of the EU yesterday, we casted our vote by post earlier. More boats arrived today, and they held a sail past in Stokes Bay at 1pm, but it wasn’t very well attended due to high winds – the boats that attended the Newtown Creek rally managed to take it in on their way over to Gunwharf though. Morning Mist and Southern Storm arrived today with many more – we are packed in like sardines now! Had a very pleasant pontoon party in the evening which was very sociable, and the Dutch contingency were there too – Ginger Gerard and Gina) and Members Only (Tjaerk and Aafje), but they had come by ferry. Afterwards most of us went along to a Chinese Restaurant just close by, which rounded the evening off nicely.
Saturday 25th June
Wet stormy weather today, and more boats arrived, we are rafted 5 deep now! Some Seahawk owners from Brighton came along, (Paul and Mandy) they were berthed in Gosport and not here for the rally. We asked them aboard for a cuppa and we had a nice long chat – they used to run a café in Peacehaven, so that kept them busy and away from boating, but they seemed quite interested in our South East Cluster so let’s hope we see them again. Luckily the rain cleared up later for our walk to the Maritime Club for the Gala Dinner at 7pm. It was a very good evening, with lots to eat and drink and I even got a dance in. Justine came down to join us by train, accompanied by Gill Little who came to join Steve and Tom on Southern Storm. We shared a table with them, Gill and Dave, and another couple (surname North). Stayed dry for our walk back too, and when we passed the nightclubs in Gunwharf Quays, I was told if I wanted to go in I would need I.D.! Ha, ha. (If I had my bus pass by then I could have shown them that.)
Sunday 26th June
Another blustery day today, and we waved goodbye to Justine and Gill who were going back home on the train. Gail and Doug came aboard for a cup of tea, and later we walked along to the Still & West Pub for the ‘Solent Haunts’ chat and bite to eat, organised by Gail & Doug. That was a good evening as well, and more people turned up than expected so they opened up the upstairs restaurant for us. We sat next to a couple from Australia (over here for their annual holiday) and they sail a Chieftain out in Oz. The aim of the evening was to talk about little known places to go in the Solent, but to be honest it was a chance to get together to have a good old chinwag.
Monday 27th – Thursday 30th June
Off to Port Solent today, but we can’t go until some of the raftees have left. First away was Busiris, then Morning Mist left about midday. Stormbird moved forward off the raft then Moonstorm left about 2pm, so we were ready to leave. By that time we had 3 rafted in front of us and 2 big Challenge boats behind so in a bit of a hole. We tied the bow on tightly, Eddie reversed back and forth until the stern was clear then George let go the front rope and we were away! (We put a fender over the anchor, and 2 big one at the front, and one at the back). With everyone watching including the Commodore George, it was a good job we didn’t muck it up. We then motored up to Port Solent for some peace and quiet. The lock was opened for us after I called up and a berth arranged, although they said it was Port side to, and it turned out to be Starboard! Finished off the say watching the England match on TV, and of course they lost.
Caught up with chores and washing the next day, and made two visits (lunch and dinner) to Wetherspoons here – well it was Steak Night! We then headed home on Wednesday after leaving Hurkur safely tucked up. Left at 8.45am and left key in office before walking to Portchester Station which wasn’t too far away. We then caught the train to Eastbourne, changing at Barnham and Brighton. It cost us £16 each for a monthly return with our Senior Railcards. It all took about 4 ½ hours with a wait at Barnham.
Spent a day at home visiting Mary and John in their Nursing Homes and I used my new bus pass as well, just to try it out. I will take it away with me so we can gad about on the buses!
Saturday 1st July
Back to Port Solent today. Took the bus to Eastbourne station, which was running late and we almost missed the 10.03 to Brighton – Guard was standing there with his whistle ready. Then we had a short wait at Brighton for the Barnham train, then we had to change there, but it was running late. Then when it eventually arrived and everyone piled on we all had to get off again as they announced there were no staff to run it! We didn’t want to wait another hour for the next train to Portchester, so got the Cosham train instead which is one stop before, and walked from there. It took about 30 minutes, with a coffee stop at MacD (where Eddie spilt his coffee). It was very windy, but sunny today – and the boat was all over the place, even in a sheltered marina like Port Solent.
Saturday 2nd – Sunday 3rd July
Very windy still, and it was the Round the Island Race today. Our neighbours went off to take part but didn’t finish, there were very high seas, and quite a few boats pulled out or failed to finish, with de-masting and one sinking on the South side of Wight. We walked to Tesco for shopping and stopped for coffee and doughnuts after, the wind continued to build throughout the day.
Sunday was calmer with some sunshine, and we did a few jobs on board to ready ourselves for leaving on Monday.
Monday 4th – Tuesday 5th July
Heading for Yarmouth today, and left our moorings at 9am. But we got held up at the diesel pontoon, as they couldn’t get the pump to work, so eventually by the time we got out the lock it was 9.45. We had a strong current against us as we left Portsmouth, then motor sailed across to the Isle of Wight, not much wind at first, and it was on the nose. The weather soon closed in though, and became very misty and rainy, so we diverted onto East Cowes. We were given A7 which was on a visitors berth in a big box – we had some confusion at first where to go and decided to go on the end so we had an easy get away. Paid for one night with the option to stay for two. Took the ferry over to West Cowes for a wander around then returned to Hurkur for dinner.
Day out on the buses today, Tuesday and lovely sunny weather after a cloudy start. We got the bus at Waitrose which is near the Ferry Terminal and went to Ryde to have a look at the marina. Had a pleasant chat with the Harbour Master there, who was very helpful. It’s a lovely spot with a sandy beach next to it, which stretches for miles when the tide goes out. Had a coffee in Spoons there, then bumped into Andy and Carol off Falcon, before we boarded the bus to Bembridge. They were doing the same as us, a bus tour of the island, and were berthed in Yarmouth. Next stop was going to be Bembridge, but we missed our stop so carried on to Sandown. It looked very nice there though, and we may visit one day in Hurkur…. Sandown was a picturesque place with a nice beach – we did the tourist thing and had an ice cream whilst sitting on the sea front. Next took the bus to Newport and got off at the bus station where we found a Co-op for a few essentials. Walked down to the Harbour then back into town and found the new Wetherspoons there (Man in the Moon) which is in an old church. We were celebrating my coming of age, as I will be an official OAP tomorrow! Morning Mist texted to say they had arrived in Cowes but were in Shephards Wharf, the other side of the river to us. Then bus back to Hurkur – a good day out though tiring, but interesting to see the island from the top of a bus.
Wednesday 6th July
Calm today with light cloud and we are off to Ryde, as we missed out last time. We left East Cowes at 10.30am to give us plenty of time to arrive at Ryde before high tide. No wind so we motored there passing Osborne Bay on the way. It was very shallow at first entering the buoyed channel, then it deepened and we had at least 2 feet under the keels one hour before high. We entered through the small entrance and the HM was waiting for us on the Visitors pontoon to take our lines, very nice of him. There was plenty of room and a few more small boats came in before the tide left us all high and dry – literally. The pontoon kept going down and down, and we could hardly get off the boat. We could have done with the step fender, but it was at home! I took loads of photos when the tide had gone right out, it was a spectacle to see the big ships passing up the Solent and looking as if they were sitting on sandbanks. Went for a drink at Spoons in the evening and watched some of the Wales v Portugal match, but it was quite noisy in there so came back to boat to see the rest. We slept in the middle of the boat during the night to spread the load when we hit bottom.
Thursday 7th – Friday 8th July
Calm and cloudy and high water is 2.30pm so we aim to leave about 1.30pm today. In the end we crept out a bit before 1.30 and it was just a bit shallow over the sand bank at the end of the marked channel. There was hardly any wind and what there was, was almost on the nose so we motorsailed to Chi and chugged up the channel to the marina against the tide. I radioed in and they said they would allocate our berth whilst we were in the lock, which we shared with two other boats. But they had problems with the computer so we went back to the office for our welcome pack after tying up on I13 which is very near to our friends on Sandskimmer. We also had problems with the electric, so they sent someone on a work boat round to sort it. Chris & Ivy (Sandskimmer) came along and we went back to theirs for tea and a chat.
The next day was warm and muggy to start, and I got some washing done. Then we took the bus to the Co-op at Stockbridge for a little shopping, the nearest place but we will have to take the trolley and find Tesco as Co-op rather pricey! We did a lap of the marina later (about a mile) then watched another episode of Dicte on the Hudl.
Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th July
Dry today with sunny periods. We got a tip from next doors boat – chimet.co.uk is a weather site with detailed reports for Chi bar, very useful. We got the bus into Chi for a wander round and had lunch in the Wetherspoons there – grubby toilets! Picked up some timetables for buses and trains too. We popped round to say Hi to the couple on ‘Liberty’ another Seahawk berthed opposite. They had just bought her and were preparing for a cruise to the Channel Islands. Nice couple, he’s an ex-cop. Then we bumped into Janice & Kevin (Stormtrooper) and had drinks with them in the Yacht Club, followed by dinner – a boozy evening!
Wet and windy on Sunday so we had a quiet day. Visited the chandlers to try and buy some sewing needles to mend the cockpit cover, but no joy, then we walked over to Birdham where they were having some sort of celebration with live music and boats dressed overall. It had stopped raining by then.
Monday 11th July
Better today, bright but windy. We had planned to go shopping in the morning but were invited over to Liberty for coffee and 12 so decided to go in the afternoon. Sean popped over in the morning to offer his car keys for us to go shopping – so kind of him but we would rather bus in (just in case we crashed the car!) He sure likes to chat and was with us for about an hour, although Della his wife, kept texting him! Went there for coffee later, and their Seahawk is very nice (mark 2 version) but needs a lot of fitting out. Still they got it for a bargain – £20,000!! Della is a voice over artist, and like us they lost their daughter too, but when she was 18 years old, in a car accident – very tragic.
We got the bus later on to Chi bus station, then the 55 to Homebase, where there was a Sainsbury and Lidl – guess where we went?! Managed the trolley on the bus quite well, and rest of day was quiet.
Tuesday 12th July
Cloudy and rainy again. We had a day out though and took the bus into Chi and went to the Cinema to see Ab Fab, after we had a snack and coffee in MacD. It is a very nice cinema, and has I Max too; shame the film wasn’t all that good. We had a meal after at the Gatehouse (another Spoons) which is a modern building next to the cinema, very airy and spacious. Took the bus back but then at the top of Chi Marina drive there was a police cordon saying ‘Accident’. We walked on and near the entrance to the Visitors Car Park were Police, Fire, and Ambulance. Some poor chap had a heart attack and his car ended up in the bushes. They shut down the road and wouldn’t let us through for about 1 ¼ hours – it was raining hard! We tried walking through a field at the side to see if it was possible to get through but no luck. A Belgian couple followed us (they were staying in the marina) but we all got very wet. We got chatting and they keep their boat in Wolpartsdijk on the Veerse Meer opposite Kortgene. Eventually they allowed us through and we got back to the boat about 7pm!
Wednesday 13th July
Sunny at first today but then it clouded over with a few showers. We got the bus again to East Wittering this time and had a sandwich on the beach and a coffee at the beach front kiosk. I saw the old bungalow where I used to stay when I was little and took a few photos to show my brother Tim – it is the last old one left standing by the looks of it and surrounded by ultra-modern buildings. We wandered round the village and visited the public loos in the car park which are still in the same place as they were. We took the bus back and just avoided another shower. In the evening we went to the Yacht Club for dinner and met up with Gill and Dave, Janet Doble came along too as David is in hospital with a bout of vomiting and diarrhoea – nasty. Beautiful sunset and view from the YC across the estuary tonight.
Thursday 14th July
No rain just sunshine today and we are moving on to Southsea. Had to play the waiting game as we can’t get into Southsea Marina until about 5.30pm because of the cill gate (HT 8.24pm). Wandered down to the lock and reception to tell them we were going and had a coffee and snack in the Boat House. When we got back to the boat the electric was off, they must stop it at 12 noon the day you leave. Popped into G&D for a chat on the way back – they were having problems with their Garmin Plotter. We left our berth about 2.30pm after calling up for a lock, and had a very slow amble down the channel to Chi Bar. Then a slow motor sail to Southsea (Langstone harbour). Went in about 2 ½ hours before HT and had 7 ½ knots going through! We followed the meandering buoys into the small entrance of Southsea Marina. They gave us 2 berths to choose from as I mentioned our width – it was just as well, the first one C5 had a very tight turning room so we went to C8 on the other side of the pontoon which was much better. Nice beer in the Marina Bar before tea on board.
Friday 15th July
Bus times and numbers for here are: Bus 15, every hour on the hour from 10am (first one 8.55) then back from Gun wharf was 23 minutes past each hour or City Centre/Commercial Rd South 28 mins past hour – for future reference!
We went for a long walk to Branberry Park where the other buses stop. There are quite a few shops there including a co-op, butchers and greengrocers. Walked from there to sea front then along sea front back to Marina, about an hour in all. Had a meal in the Marina Bar when we got back – reasonable. Had a lazy evening.
Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th July
Hot and sunny today – a proper summer’s day! We got the no. 15 bus into Portsmouth from Fort Cumberland to city centre/hardway interchange. Had a walk round Gunwharf shops and looked in on the harbour, then walked into town. Had a light lunch in Spoons on the way – apparently it was closing down the next day! A massive place. Then a wander around the shops and bus back to Marina, for dinner on board.
Sunday was warm and muggy. We had a walk to the beach and sat on the stones for a read but it was too hot to stay long. Got an ice cream on the way back then spent a lazy day on board.
Monday 18th July
Very hot again – we left Southsea about 10.30am and sailed across to Portsmouth in a 2-3, beautiful weather and we were only wearing shorts and t shirts – wow! As we left Southsea another yacht was trying to enter going very fast, they had to veer off at the last minute and almost hit another boat. Gosport gave us berth G27 but the electric wasn’t working, but they sorted it quite quickly. Put the Bimini up for the first time this season and enjoyed the sun (and shade). We went shopping to Aldi in the afternoon and discovered a short cut through the car park and down the side.
Tuesday 19th – Wednesday 20th July
Got very hot again today, and we did some jobs on board. Visited the Chandlers here and got some more Aqua Sol, which is great for the water and doesn’t taste, also cheaper here. We had a stroll through the town, along the front then back to Aldi for bread and coke, then discovered another shortcut opposite Aldi to The Star (spoons) so popped in for a cold coke, then back to boat to cool down again. We plan to go to Littlehampton tomorrow and called them up to check on berths etc.
Thursday 21st July
It was a bit overcast today, and little wind. We set the alarm for 6.15am and left just before 7am. There were ferries about but few other boats. We followed the little ships channel out and crossed at the fort to sail to the gate, then set course for Looe Channel. It was a bit bumpy just beyond there but only for 5 mins or so, then it was about 11 miles to Littlehampton. Eddie had worked it out to 20 so we had a nice surprise as we thought we would be pressed for time. Had a sail for a while as we had plenty of time (in fact we reached 9 knots approaching the Looe!). The entrance is tricky, especially where the beach flows into the river, many eddys! There were 2 people to take our lines when we arrived on the visitor’s pontoon, both lone sailors, male and female. He was Belgian, and we realised we had spotted him in Ryde against the Quay (Bijou). It is very nice here, but tricky to moor with the tide running through. We paid for one night with the HM Billy, though on the board in the office Blue Diamond were booked in for tomorrow and Saturday. We walked into town, nice little place, then went back for a curry at Spoons in the town then a walk along the river to the bridge afterwards.
Friday 22nd July
Lovely day, calm and sunny. We had planned to stay another night to meet up with Blue Diamond, but we heard from the HM that they weren’t coming along until tomorrow. Then they texted to say they were in Brighton so we decided to leave at high tide to head there and meet up. Did some Lidl shopping first and helped out a permanent berth holder who was trying to leave for Chichester, but as he left his berth his tender (towed behind) filled with water. H brought the boat alongside and we all tried to tip it up – so heavy we had to bail out first. Then the Belgian chap on Bijou helped us off and all went very well through the tricky channel. We had a slow smooth sail to Brighton, left at 13.45 (HT) and arrived 17.30 which wasn’t bad – an average 4 ½ knots against the tide. J&M were there to help us on to our berth 21-42 at East Jetty end – they kindly walked a long way to help us! We had a quick tidy up then drinks on BD before dinner at Café Rouge (still no impressed with this place, overpriced). We had drinks with Bob and Pauline on Avanté as they were berthed nearby and up from Eastbourne for the weekend. Avalon and Well Plumbed also here too – Sovereign must be empty! It was extremely busy in the office when we arrived and they forgot to programme our fobs correctly so when we returned to our boat at midnight we couldn’t get on the pontoon, had to walk all the way back again, then back to boat – knackering.
Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th July
Very foggy today, BD set off anyway about 10.30am and it gradually cleared away. We decided to return home tomorrow (by bus) to sort out a few things so we visited the office and left the keys with them.
Bad choice to leave on Sunday, as when we got to the bus stop on the top road we saw three buses sail past full up with students visiting the Seven Sisters. So we got the 14 bus into town then boarded the 12 at Churchill Square where it starts. It soon filled up with Spanish students so it was a good move. A breezy cool day today.
Return to Hurkur on Tuesday 26th July
Caught the bus back to Brighton Marina (these bus passes are very handy!) but had brunch in Spoons first in Eastbourne. We had a double dose of Spoons as we went out for steak night in the evening. During the day started to feel a bit rough, with a sore throat – cold coming!
Wednesday 27th – Friday 29th July
Windy, cold and drizzly, so we decided to go to the cinema to see the Jason Bourne film which was very good. Making plans to return to Sovereign on Saturday as forecast not good until then.
Next day was windy and drizzly again, and I was feeling quite rough. We had a walk to Lidl for a little shopping then back to Jimmys for lunch – it was only £6 for seniors at lunchtime, but not as good a choice as the evenings. Crispin texted us to say he was in Brighton Marina, on his way delivering a yacht to Cowes so we met up with him and crew in the Yacht Club for a few drinks. After we returned to boat we had an email this time from George & Jill Pickburn, who we had spotted were in Brighton earlier and emailed them to let them know we were here. They said to meet them in Yacht Club so back we went again for another couple – felt quite tipsy by the end of the evening, fell into bed about midnight.
Friday was brighter but still windy. We were late getting up (I wonder why??) but just made it to Spoons for breakfast before noon. We popped in to see Crispin before they left – name of the yacht was Soleis, a big 42’ Beneteau which had a lovely interior. We then got the bus to town and walked back along the seafront to work off all this booze and food!
Saturday 30th July – Home
Good day to leave, calm and sunny intervals. Departed 10am and motorsailed against the tide (tides all wrong at the moment) but we had the wind on our starboard quarter which pushed us along. The sea was a bit lumpy as we approached Beachy, as is the norm, then back to Sovereign and our berth. We noticed Storm Bird (George & Jill) in the visitor’s berths and went round there later with Gill and Dave for a cuppa before we headed home, they were on their way to the East Coast Westerly Rally.