A Bank Holiday Forecast Turns Ugly

The weather forecast for the late May Bank was becoming all too British. The gloriously sunny and exceptionally warm three weeks that were to make this April the warmest since records began was about to change. First subtly, as if attempting to avoid sending the general population into deep depression. The week before, the forecaster announced ‘…it does look as though this fine weather may be coming to an end….’. But as the week progressed the forecasts became more direct, with pronouncements of increasing doom and foreboding. On the Thursday before the Bank Holiday it was a no-holds-barred statement: ‘the bank holiday weekend looks likely to be very wet, with a deluge of rain and gale-force winds set to batter the country’.

Given these ‘encouraging’ words it was perhaps not surprising, therefore, that the planned club rally to Poole was cancelled. However, two club boats did decide that a rendezvous at Cowes might still be on.

Sea Otter Beats the Gale to Cowes

Nick on his Hunter Channel 323, Sea Otter, ably assisted by friend and competent crew Melvyn, had already made the trip from their home port in Chichester Harbour to Premier Marina Gosport on the Wednesday, well before the gale arrived. Mark and Ian of the good ship Shameless fame had already decided to at least drive down to the boat, based at the same Gosport marina, on the Thursday evening, before deciding what to do. We had already stocked up with able crew in the form of a now boatless Andrew, the hoping-to-be boatless (it’s up for sale) Nick, and fellow club member Tom.

The weather on Thursday morning was in fact ideal sailing weather, and Nick decided to make the most of the calm seas before the weekend’s forecast high winds arrived. They had an enjoyable sail to Cowes, and were soon tucked up nicely in Cowes Yacht Haven by Thursday afternoon.

Ian and Mark consulted with Andrew, Nick and Tom and decided that Shameless would endeavour to join them on the Saturday morning. The wind was expected to increase throughout the morning (4s and 5s, gusting 6 and 7, from the south-west), but it’s not far to Cowes, and the seas in the Solent would, hopefully, be sheltered a little by the Island. The Friday evening was spent on board Shameless in Gosport marina, dining in, as has become almost customary, on a takeaway Chinese meal from ‘Go Kitchen’, washed down of course with copious quantities of wine – we did not need to leave early the next day!

A Cracking Sail to Cowes

It was indeed a little breezier on the Saturday morning, but not sufficient to be off-putting – although as you can see from the pics, it was a decidedly gloomy day! But we all had a go on the helm. We left the berth around 11am and hoisted the sails (two reefs in the main and the genny rolled to the second mark), once we were out of the harbour and had turned hard to starboard into the Shut-Cut passage. It was a cracking sail, as they say. It was the first sail after Shameless had had her yearly scrub, anti-foul and polish, and so she had a very clean bottom. We maintained between 7 and almost 8 knots all the way to Cowes, putting in about 5 or 6 tacks against the south-westerly. Although it was wind against tide, the sea was not uncomfortable and we made extremely good progress, and were tied up in Cowes Yacht Haven near Sea Otter in time for a late lunch of assorted sandwiches. It was noted that the new royal yacht, recently delivered to King Charles, was also visiting and was tied up at the exclusive Royal Yacht Squadron pontoon.

An Evening at The Union Inn

An afternoon perambulation along Cowes High Street saw us finally decide to book a combined Sea Otter/Shameless table at The Union Inn for the evening, although we felt obliged to accept the offer of a drink on board Sea Otter before making our way to the pub. Do you know that Sea Otter have engraved glasses – how very… well, how very! The food and drink were average, but the conversation most entertaining and very interesting, but I am sworn to secrecy and have had to sign a non-disclosure agreement! Needless to say we had ‘sufficient’ to drink.

Breakfast, a Memory Gap, and an Evening with Sea Otter

The following morning, if my memory serves me correctly, those of us on Shameless had the urge for a full English breakfast. Despite a wander down the High Street no venue appealed, so we headed back to see what was on offer right on our doorstep – the Pontoon View Bar and Restaurant, located at the top of the ramp at Cowes Yacht Haven. Well, what a great idea that turned out to be. The breakfast was wonderful and very economically priced too!

Those on Sea Otter spent the day with family over an extended lunch, whilst we on Shameless spent the day… well, to be perfectly frank, I can’t remember what the hell we did, but I don’t think it was anything particularly spectacular as, if we had done something memorable, I hope I would have remembered, even at my age! (OMG – see Post Draft Note at end of article!)

I do recall that we reunited with the Sea Otter team for an evening meal at the Coast Restaurant – it was actually two nights in a row for the Sea Otter team, but the boys didn’t seem to mind. Nick J.claims that I had a fillet steak and all the trimmings, whilst they had fish fingers, but I hope that’s his sense of humour thrusting itself to the fore.

I do remember that it was early to bed, as the tide – which, as we know, ‘waits for no man’ – dictated an early rise and departure for both boats, if it was going to help us on our way back to our respective home ports. All in all, a relaxing weekend, with a bit of sailing, some drinking and eating, and delightful company.

Post Draft Note: The Osborne House Excursion

As if to confirm that I wrote this several months after the event (well, that’s my excuse), a post-draft chat with Nick has reminded me that the Shameless team did, in fact, do something quite energetic and relatively interesting on the Sunday. We crossed the river on the ferry and walked all the way to Osborne House! We then spent at least 3 hours exploring the house and gardens, followed by a cup of tea and a bite to eat in the café there. Amazingly, we then walked all the way back, although we did check whether a bus was imminent – but there wasn’t.

How could I forget that? I do look a little bemused in the pic, compared to the other four who are looking so cheerful and alert. Perhaps I should go on the tablets immediately, or do you think it’s too late! That question is rhetorical.