Dell Quay Sailing Club
Cruiser rally to Beaulieu
Tuesday 8 June 2021
There was a good turnout for first rally of the season and six boats attended with a further three unable to book after the Bucklers Hard marina became full. There were two single handers, Frith (Martin) and Firebird (Tim). This was the first trip out of the harbour this year for Tim in Firebird.
The weather was excellent but winds were light in the morning so for most it was motoring until the sea breeze kicked in around Cowes. Nikita was rather more fortunate having left Chichester later and enjoyed a good breeze for much of the way down the Solent.
We were made very welcome by the marina staff and were the only boats put on the Bucklers Hard Pier; all together with Fairwind, Parity, Nikita, Hobo, Frith and Firebird moored in two rafts of three.
This location was a first for all of us, nicely positioned off the Bucklers Hard Green and also used by Oliver B, the Beaulieu River Cruise boat.
Although we were unable to book tables at the Master Builders, we were perhaps more fortunate to have booked the BBQ at the marina for the evening get together on a BYO / DIY basis. Plenty of space (to socially distance) and well positioned to enjoy the evening sun and observe the larger CYC rally that gathered for a ‘pontoon party’ below our commanding position on the quay. We even had other boaters asking if our BBQ was a commercial offering; quite a dilemma but our food would only go so far.
It was a great evening with much catching up.
Nikita (Peter and Dave) and Hobo (Ron and Pam) returned the next day, with Parity (Dick and Richard) and Firebird in company with Frith back to Gosport. Fairwind (Sue and Barrie) made an early start and motored over to Newtown for what turned out to be a very eventful day. She sprung a leak in her fresh water system; we did not hear the pump moving 156 litres of water into the bilges! Needless to say, the bilges are spotless, the leak fixed and a fresh supply of water taken on at Newtown and then Itchenor.
Sue & Barrie Pearson
