Friday 31st March 2006 –Bembridge, Duver Pontoon
Julia and I set off into a very windy, on the nose force 5-7 SW so that we could be “in-place” as cruise leaders for the opening rally of the season. The sea was very calm out to West Pole, but got quite rough beyond. We had a cracking sail, but in the conditions, Selene wasn’t pointing as high as I would have liked, and as we were on a timetable to get into Bembridge, we did “cheat” and motor sail 30 degrees off the wind into the harbour for the last half an hour.
We saw an average wind speed of 26-29 knots (apparent) and gusts of up to 38 as we got close to St. Helen’s Fort. Anyway, we arrived and settled into the allotted ECA area of the pontoon, as there was also a Legend Owners Rally which was allocated the other end of the pontoon. Peter, the harbourmaster was very friendly and helpful all weekend.
In the evening, Julia and I flew our Legend flag, by having dinner with Paul & Cath Howard of Ghostly Goose and Trevor and Val Archer of Fair Lady in the St. Helens restaurant - a very good meal, if a bit pricey.
Saturday 1st April 2006 –ECA Bembridge Rally, Duver Pontoon
Up went the battle flag, and the first season’s ECA rally got under way. The wind was still a stiff SW force 5-6, but was a much steadier wind than Friday which saw larger gusts and more variation between gusts and average. I was a bit jealous really!
First to arrive was the Island Packet Manakoora with Ian and Jill Malby and Malcolm & Mavis Harman. Then the Commodore, John Burton, with his crew Jack, followed closely by Kontent - our new members Terry, Vicky and their friends Ken & Annie. Richard and Helen Stoneman were aboard as experienced crew to assist, although Richard and Helen were booked to be berthed on-board Selene.
Soon Tony Browne arrived in Elwing 2, closely thereafter by Dick & Alice Tyrell in Vulpes Expeditus and in the middle of everyone arriving, Colin Huggins motored in to say hello, but had decided with the weather and other personal commitments that he wouldn’t be stopping, so we chatted for a bit and off he went again!
Drinks were of course aboard Selene, and we then had a good meal at the Brading Haven YC, where unlike last year, we were the only people there all night with the exception of two old boys at the bar.
Sunday 2nd April 2006 –ECA Bembridge Rally, Duver Pontoon
The wind eased overnight, and first thing I thought we should have a nice sail home. However, as the morning wore on, so the wind rose, and it was pretty much a steady top end force 7 with gusts of Force 8-9 - we were seeing steady 38-40 knots as the gusts.
There was much debate and discussion up and down the pontoon, and a lot of staring at my laptop connected to Chimet. With Julia having had a rough trip over and the weather forecast for Monday looking like the perfect sail in sunshine, I decided that Julia and I would go back on Monday. In the end only Tony Browne and John Burton went back, both with very committed agendas on the Monday morning.
We asked Vic & Brenda Pugh to be on stand-by at the other end and were all grateful when we heard they were both back into EYH safe - apparently it was pretty difficult berthing!
Meanwhile the newly extended rally adjourned to the local pub, the Vine, although manakoora’s crew went off with their daughter Kate to Cowes.
As the rally was now extended, Kontent volunteered to host another drinks party, and Selene offered to cook a meal to be eaten aboard Selene and Kontent. Another great night for all!
Monday 3rd April 2006 – Extended ECA Bembridge Rally, Duver Pontoon
Vulpes Expeditus went during the night and kindly sent us a text to say they were home safe.
The wind had eased overnight, the day was beautiful, sunny and the wind a lovely 3-4 W. We had a relaxing morning drinking coffee and being entertained by Malcolm going up Kontent's mast to try and repair the wind instrument.
Kontent left, and we left shortly thereafter. Having perfected our stern spring exit, at the last minute, one of the fenders protecting the stern as I motored in reverse pinged out and flew into the drink.
Furious circling in Selene, with Julia once or twice coming close with the boathook, came to no avail so Jonno from the harbourmaster’s office jumped in th ewater taxi and rescued it for us!
We had a fantastic sail back, with Julia sunbathing and me beer in one hand, jib sheet often goose-winged in the other belting back downwind to West Pole. The wind got up a bit in the channel and gradually went North as forecast, but we sailed to within a quarter of a mile of the Emsworth mark.
Sadly we noticed that the jib leech had been damaged by the strong winds on Friday, and we’ve put the jib in for repair.
Wind strengths recorded at Chimet show how windy the weekend actually was:
