April 21st and I had arranged for my regular crew and
I to meet up with my pal Nigel Luther and have a three day mini
cruise in company on the Solent.
Nigel is an experienced Solent sailor and it's always
good to make a first visit somewhere with someone who has local
knowledge.
So, destination Newport, we left Ryde on the Thursday
as soon as Blue Moonlight was a float and headed towards Cowes.
Nigel keeps his Sunrider 25 at Hayling Yacht Co. and
he caught us up just off Osborne and we headed up the madina.
Newport is a small drying harbour with a good visitors
pontoon and a wall if you fancy drying a fin/long keeler against
it. With only one other boat there before us we had the place
almost to ourselves. According to the harbour master the mosst
boats ever in the harbour was 55. I under stand that it can be
busy in the summer and one may need to raft up.
The Bargemans Rest is as good a pub as any and the
small boat museum is worth a visit.
On the Pontoon.
Where's that water going?
Super Anne
Looking down the Pontoon
Friday morning, unfortunately Ross (my regular crew)
had to depart early and head home. Luckily Nigel is an experienced
sailor so his crew Steve Birch was able to step in to action and
"crew" for me, so all was not lost. Actually Crew is
the wrong word, Steve is an experienced sailor and was able to
impart a great deal of valuable knowledge to me. (Many many thanks
Steve!!) We left as soon as the morning tide would allow us, heading
for Yarmouth with a planned lunch stop in Newtown creek. The wind
was fair and the sun was out . With a following easterly wind
we ran down with just the genny.
We picked up a bouy and Super Anne rafted against us
whilst we had tea and butties.
This was my third visit to Newtown and I love it. Especially
with only 2 other boats about!!
Super Anne heading for Newtown.
Blue Moonlight approaching Newtown.
Blue Moonlight picks up a bouy.
On the Bouy.
Mines a tea!
Having refreshed ourselves we continued on to Yarmouth
enjoying the pleasant weather.
I've read and been told about how the tide can push
you across the entrance to Yarmouth and was able to witness, and
survive it, first hand.
We had a wander around Yarmouth, eat on board Blue
Moonlight and spent a few hours spinning yarns!
Saturday morning we left in drizzle and F4/5 easterly.
Wind over tide and a lumpy sea.
We motored all the way... The replacement thermostat
works!!!
It was interesting to see and feel just how well the
Centaur deals with the lumps.
but it was one of those days when you're glad to arrive
and dry off.
