[2068]
...
We finally got away for a few days, and the weather was kind.
Quick top up with fuel, and off Westwards we go.
The Needles Channel was actually quite bouncy, but not a problem for a 35ft boat.
Quick stop inside Hurst Castle for lunch. This is a lovely spot in anything that isn't an Easterly.
If it is, it's possible to nip inside and anchor the other side of the spit if you're careful.
Next stop was Poole Quay Boat Haven, where they very kindly organised a series of events for us: a Motorbike meeting on Tuesday, really quite spectacular Fireworks on Thursday, and car parade on Friday.
Brownsea Island is always worth a visit - a deer did make an appearance, but no red squirrels.
My insistence on walking around the entire island almost caused a mini-mutiny: sitting on a grassy bank and eating ice cream was apparently the preferred option.
You can't visit Poole without stopping at Studland bay for a bit.
The anchor held nicely, and no eel grass was scoured as far as I could tell.
Return via Cowes, where there were lots of sailing yachts having some sort of race.
The Race Officer was a slippery character:
We almost accidentally joined the start of one race, but the committee boat came out and very politely asked us to go around as we didn't meet class rules.
Throttles to the metal, and a thumbs up from the committee boat as we cleared the area.
Not everyone realises that many racing boats depart Cowes week early on Saturday - this leaves Saturday early afternoon open to random Motorboat owners who might want to embarrass their teenage kids with "dad dancing" at the final night's celebrations.
Here's hoping that Autumn is equally as kind to us.
Dave.
Quick top up with fuel, and off Westwards we go.
The Needles Channel was actually quite bouncy, but not a problem for a 35ft boat.
Quick stop inside Hurst Castle for lunch. This is a lovely spot in anything that isn't an Easterly.
If it is, it's possible to nip inside and anchor the other side of the spit if you're careful.
Next stop was Poole Quay Boat Haven, where they very kindly organised a series of events for us: a Motorbike meeting on Tuesday, really quite spectacular Fireworks on Thursday, and car parade on Friday.
Brownsea Island is always worth a visit - a deer did make an appearance, but no red squirrels.
My insistence on walking around the entire island almost caused a mini-mutiny: sitting on a grassy bank and eating ice cream was apparently the preferred option.
You can't visit Poole without stopping at Studland bay for a bit.
The anchor held nicely, and no eel grass was scoured as far as I could tell.
Return via Cowes, where there were lots of sailing yachts having some sort of race.
The Race Officer was a slippery character:
We almost accidentally joined the start of one race, but the committee boat came out and very politely asked us to go around as we didn't meet class rules.
Throttles to the metal, and a thumbs up from the committee boat as we cleared the area.
Not everyone realises that many racing boats depart Cowes week early on Saturday - this leaves Saturday early afternoon open to random Motorboat owners who might want to embarrass their teenage kids with "dad dancing" at the final night's celebrations.
Here's hoping that Autumn is equally as kind to us.
Dave.
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