Bembridge

[Moonshining]

We're going to make the short trip down to Bembridge for the first time tomorrow. Any recommendations as to where to eat/drink in the evening? We'll have the dawg in tow, so it'll have to be a dog friendly pub within walking distance of the Duver pontoon, I guess.

Also, any hints n tips for dealing with the winding, shallow channel?

 

[bobgosling]

Don't assume that you will be able to moor at the visitor's pontoon ! I visited last year and the place was so full that we ended up having to anchor off the wall.

 

[Ruffles]

Probably not what you want but if you're staying on the Duver, just outside the office they maintain some BBQs and tables and chairs. Just pop a £1 in the box for the gas. And you get to watch the world go by.

 

[Sans Bateau]

You'll have no trouble accessing Bembridge tomorrow, its a big tide. Refer to your pilot book for leading marks etc, once you start to wind your way in just follow the shape of the channel marked by the buoys. At high water there should be little problem. If there is not enough wind to get us to Yarmouth I may well see you in there. We will be leaving Chi about 12.30 ish.

Last year (or was it the year before) there were lobsters for sale at the shop at Duver, about £5 each if my memory serves me, could be good on the barbie!

 

[A_7]

Walk up to The Vine in St Helens. Good Real Ales.

 

[fireball]

Probably worth giving the HM a quick phone call to ensure they haven't got a dozen or so rallies in.... tends to fill the place up rather quickly otherwise!

 

[Channel Ribs]

[ QUOTE ]
Walk up to The Vine in St Helens. Good Real Ales.

[/ QUOTE ]

Another vote for the Vine!

As for the channel, if you can then follow a local boat in - the margin for error is tiny.

 

[Sans Bateau]

[ QUOTE ]
As for the channel, if you can then follow a local boat in - the margin for error is tiny.

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't be daft!!!!!

The local RIBs cut straight across the beach to the East of St Helens fort!

 

[Ruffles]

[ QUOTE ]
Last year (or was it the year before) there were lobsters for sale at the shop at Duver, about £5 each if my memory serves me, could be good on the barbie!

[/ QUOTE ]

Shop's under new management this year - might still do lobsters tho.

They now do bacon sarnies in the morning - though they'd run out by the time we got there on Sunday /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Moonshining]

Excellent stuff. Thanks for the advice.

The lobster thing sounds like an idea if they still do them. Presumably they're local, given the amount of pot dodging we have to do!

 

[Keen_Ed]

For fish and seafood, there's Captain Stan, who operate out of a boat floating on a pontoon on the off Embankment Road. - it's covered in lobster pots. Wonderful crab, lobster, shrimp and fish. They supply a lot of the local restaurents; restricted opening times, so worth giving them a call: 07966 763828

Baywatch on the Beach does good food - especially fish; it's on the seaward side of the Duver, facing the fort. Reviewed here: http://naturenet.net/blogs/index.php/eating/2006/06/04/baywatch_on_the_beach_cafe_st_helens_2

 

[srp]

Walk up into St Helens, go to the Vine as someone has suggested already, but also take a look at Ganders, on Upper Green Rd, just along from the Vine. Baywatch has a very variable reputation, in past years it has been very good. I know someone who has worked there recently, which is why I suggest Ganders. Cap'n Stan is v good if you want to self-cater.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Another vote for The Vine. For amusement, walk out to look at the channel near LW (or tender if you have one) Now say to yourself, "How the feck did I get through there?" The beacons are on the beach. A long way on the beach...

 

[Channel Ribs]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't be daft!!!!!

The local RIBs cut straight across the beach to the East of St Helens fort!

[/ QUOTE ]

Your right, I am sorry, following a RIB in a boat with a keel is indeed daft. I should have said. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Twister_Ken]

Don't RIBs make a lovely sound when they plough a furrow through the sand with their props?

 

[srp]

On the subject of the channel, if you're really unsure then time it so you come in on a rising tide. Last weekend 4 yachts got stuck on the sandbank attempting the entry. Don't cut corners when rounding the bouys - the channel has a pronounced bend in two places. For the last few years the bouys have been placed by the harbour company. Prior to that they used to be placed by Attrills, the well-respected local boatyard, who know a thing or two about Bembridge Harbour. I'm afraid the harbour company aren't so clever as to get them in the right place.

 

[wooslehunter]

Jag 27 - does it have 2 keels perhaps and can take the ground? If so, and you can't get a pontoon, hang an immediate left as soon as you're through the entrance. Make sure you're on a falling tide & nose into the beach. Pull an anchor up the beach and as soon as there's no water, pull another out the back & you're sorted.

There's a nice cafe for beakfast 50 yards away. The other side of the road from that is a good boozer for dinner. There's also a bog just on the road opposite the cafe. Only down side is it's close to the sailing club & they have the occasional noisey late(ish) party. If you fancy a barby then there's the beach and the dog'll love the dunes.

The HM will charge you a fiver and give you the code for the showers. You need to get the ferry for those though.