SELENE - CAPTAINS LOG

Gins Summer Party June 2/3 2007

Julia and I enjoyed fantastic sunny summer weather this weekend. We went to Gins Farm for the Summer Party.  What little wind there was on the nose going, so we motor sailed there - with our cone out of course!

We arrived in time for lunchtime drinks, and enjoyed a pleasant afternoon in the cockpit.

Then, we dressed for the evening and had canapés and Pimms on the lawn before supper which was a superb three course dinner. Thank you James! We got to know Graham and Sally on this visit and will perhaps take them on the RSYC Bembridge Rally.

Here’s a tranquil Gins on Sunday morning and Rebecca took this picture of us leaving:

Absolutely no wind on the way back. so we let Otto (Otto Pilot) drive and enjoyed the weather.

Had a couple of problems initially with Otto, which I’ll have to iron out with Greenham Regis, but after a couple of re-sets, Otto settled down to his job. Mooring was a doddle compared to last Bank Holiday Monday, although we had to fight our way into Haslar through a fleet of Wayfarers on a Rally.

We didn’t stay long in Haslar, and came back to a BBQ at Woodpeckers Cottage. Here’s a couple of pictures taken from last summer showing Woodpeckers:

Cowes with Oliver & Sophie June 9/10 2007

Oliver and Sophie came down and we went across to Cowes in glorious sunshine, but no wind.

We saw Vicky & Terry coming over from East Cowes Sailing Club and invited them for lunch in the cockpit. As the day wore on, with it being the IOW festival weekend, Shepards filled up to the brim! By morning it was wall to wall - you could almost walk ashore over the boats.

We tried the BYO curry house, which was great at the time, but three out of the four of us had bad stomachs overnight. After that, we popped over to the East Cowes Sailing Club and saw Terry and Vicky again, as they were at a Hog Roast there.

Sunday saw glorious weather again. John, the Harbour Master kindly gave us a space where we could slip easily and not be rafted to, as we had to move for our inside neighbours. We  then went into town, and saw Ransom sailing out - and hailed them on the phone. We then had drinks on the veranda at the Island Sailing Club, followed by lunch in the cockpit again.

As we came out of Cowes, the sea breeze kicked in and we had a cracking beat back, although Sophie was down below asleep suffering from stomach pains.

Visibility got worse, and we ended up coming into Haslar in fog. We had the new foghorn on and used the radar in anger. It cleared a little as we came into the harbour mouth though.

Great weekend, finished off by a BBQ back at woodpeckers.

Cowes with Ed June 12 2007

Ed came down to spend a few days, and I took a day off to go sailing with him. We had glorious weather and sailed both ways. A good beat to Shepards, which was quiet compared to the weekend. Lunch at the ISC, some tourism, and a good run back, with some 20 knot gusts.

The weather held for beers in the cockpit at Haslar, and a BBQ back home in the evening.

Gins Cruisers’ Hog Roast June 16/17 2007

Julia & I left Haslar about 1300 to pick up the west going tide, and although the forecast was for 4-5 SW decreasing 3-4, we saw much stronger winds. We cracked the sails up outside Haslar and took starboard tack to N Sturbridge and then took a long tack on port to Cowes, with the wind increasing. We only had one reef in and by Cowes it was quite hard work, seeing 31 knots apparent on the clock at one point. I normally put the second in at 25, but the wind was 23-28 mainly, so it wasn’t too much of a struggle.

It did get really windy off Cowes, but as it wasn’t far, I didn’t bother with the extra reef and we dropped about half a mile off the entrance to the Beaulieu River, and we came to Gins Clubhouse with the cobwebs truly blown away.

We rafted alongside Gordon (and his wife Christine) who had been my instructor and examiner for the Yachtmaster Theory course. Shortly after, the Rear Commodore Sailing David with Kirsten, Judith and Martin on board rafted outside.

The hog roast was excellent, and we sat next to Lance and Kay and Keith and Sue over dinner. Robert was away having what may well be the last holiday with Sue (who is not at all well) but Michael  did an excellent job.

Robin has now co-opted me onto the Gins Committee and I start my duties in September. Robert had mentioned this on or last visit, and Robin was delighted.

Sunday, we had smoked salmon and scrambled eggs in the cockpit, and a leisurely downwind sail back, We sailed out of the river and although it was light, the sun was shining and we drifted back enjoying the sailing, sunshine and the atmosphere. It took three hours but was fantastic. The weather started to turn, but we still managed a BBQ back at Woodpeckers before the rain came.

Bembridge with Robin & Rebecca Funnell June 30/ July 1 2007

Julia and I went down to Selene on the Friday night and Robin & Rebecca arrived 0900 Saturday morning. It wasn’t as windy as forecast but was very wet at times, but we still had a great beat over to the Duver.

Peter Biddick, assistant harbour master laughed when we asked about berthing - he said the whole pontoon was empty. They had all three rallies cancelled and I have never seen the Duver look so empty. The weekend forecast had frightened everyone away and yes it was very wet and quite windy, but that’s England in the summer for you - we still had a great weekend.

On arrival we went up and said Hi to Peter and the gang, Harbourmaster Chris Turvey, and Jonno & BK.  After chatting with them, we said Hi in the shop and then had some champagne on board. The cockpit was ruled out due to the wind and the rain!

Then we went up to the book shop and had a couple of pints in the Vine, and retired for a rest. Robin & I watched DVD and the girls read / snoozed.

We then went to Brading Haven YC and met Peter and James and Sue & Sally for a drink, before going up to St. Helens for a meal. Food was good but was tempered by a rendition of the Monty Python Cheese sketch, with an arrogant chef / owner who later told us that we weren’t important because he could fill his restaurant several times over so what didn’t it matter if they didn’t have what it said on the menu. Enough said of that.  

We still enjoyed our company, and as I said, the food was good although they couldn’t do proper coffee! We then got very wet walking back. Basically the weather was just foul the whole weekend until Sunday afternoon when we were off Selene. We had late night drinks and watched more DVDs - although I fell asleep and can’t tell you what happened at the end.

Sunday morning, we had bacon rolls and coffee at the shop, and set off with a strong southerly behind us, but we had a smooth sea until Spit Sand so it was a great sail. We achieved hull speed on the jib alone, as it was windy. Shame it got very lumpy from Spit Sand into the Harbour though - that wasn’t nice, and a line squall came through at that point too!

We then went over to Gunwharf Quays and the weather did improve. We did some retail, beer drinking and then had lunch at Loch Fyne - now that’s how to run a restaurant. Excellent food , great service - everything was on, and of course great company.

It was a shame about the weather, but it was a great and memorable weekend. We look forward to sailing with Robin and Rebecca again, hopefully in better weather. Robin is a delight to sail with - his experience put him in the premier league of crews, and Julia enjoyed having the weekend off! See you guys soon!

June / July  2007 Big thanks to Malcolm

Malcolm has been fantastic for Selene over the past few weeks, completing all the major projects we discussed last August Bank Holiday and a couple of extras that have cropped up along the way. As we head off over the Channel for our holidays, we want to say many thanks Malcolm for all your efforts - we really appreciate it.

We can’t wait to see you for the Yarmouth Trip, and hope your own delivery trip goes well.