Andy Moran came to crew me Thursday, as I wanted to sail a day early. After a minor delay when we had to get the jib sheets back from the sail loft, we set off into a freshening westerly. As we came down the Emsworth channel, it got windier and windier. Past West Pole, we started to see average apparent wind speeds of 28 knots. We were double reefed with half the jib and for a while were OK, if a bit bouncy.

Then the wind got up, so that we were seeing no less than 30, and very often 34-35. Having left a bit late, and making lots of leeway, we decided to motor as (a) it wasn’t much fun, and (b) we couldn’t tack, since with the second reef in and the sail flattened as much as possible, the boom was virtually on the spray hood, and was so low, it wouldn’t go over. In fact, it did damage the spray hood. Topping lift just made the sail fuller - so that wasn’t an option, so I have to look at the reefing arrangements for strong winds.

Even Andy was clipped on, it was so rough - even motoring! The wind was fairly constant around 35 - so I was able to get a picture of the windex. Finally settled onto the pontoon at The Royal Southampton YC at Gins Farm. Moored in front of a Swan 41 belonging to Richard and Tracey (turns out Andy Moran and Richard had a mutual connection in Conrad Humphreys - Andy’s company (Catalyst) consulting and Richard’s (Motorola) sponsoring!

I cooked Andy & me a cassoulet and we retired to the bar, where the steward Robert (who has a very dry sense of humour) explained the club tradition regarding calvedos. We also met his daughter Kate who had green streaks in her hair.

The rally started proper on the Good Friday: Seagull with Keith, Lorna, Malcolm & Mavis aboard coming in where the swan had been, and when Manakoora with Ian, Jill & Adrian aboard arrived, we slipped Selene back onto Seagull.

Gradually the others arrived: Roussillon with John & June Burton, and Andy Penny-Brown (APB), Colin Huggins in Ebb Tide, Jeremy & Nicky Mills in Ransom, Steve and Alison in Louisa, Tony Browne in Elwing 2, and Terry and Vicky in Kontent.

The Cruise Leader was APB, so as Del Capo wasn’t ready he was crewing one day on, one day off on Roussillon and Selene. Therefore, APB held the drinks party on board Roussillon.

Dinner was arranged at the RSYC, and was a splendid affair.

Off to Poole the next day with an Easterly and poor visibility. Selene doesn’t go straight downwind with the swept-back spreaders, and so we had to gybe a million times down to Hurst. We just about kept up with Manakoora and Seagull, but soon they were off. Kontent and Louisa went in different directions, and Roussillon went straight to Cowes to meet us there on Sunday. However, the rally numbers were swelled back up again as we were meeting Kotka with Richard & Helen Stoneman in Poole.

APB crewed Selene, and Beth and Kira joined us at Poole. I cooked for us all, and then we gave APB & Beth some time together, and went to the pub with Jez, Nicky, Richard & Helen.

Off to Cowes in reasonable weather - the wind having gone 180 overnight and another downwind leg. This time we were able to try the chute for the first time, and even Kira helmed. Jez and Nicky were starting a week’s holiday, so we left them in Poole, and Colin went off to do his own thing. Tried out the Needles channel coming in, having gone out using the North passage. Again with light winds, we did a lot of motoring, as did many of us.

Shepards was very welcoming and APB & team jumped ship again onto Roussillon once more. We had a music session and drinks on Seagull, and then ate with Richard & Helen in the Italian. We then hooked up with Keith, Lorna & Malcolm in the pub nearest Shepards and were “entertained” by Richard’s friend Tom.

Breakfast and general de-camp on Monday morning, with a tight narrow corner to stern spring and then squeeze from - anyway, we managed this and had yet another westerly downwind sail with not quite enough breeze, and the wind following us around. The Chimet records show how much it moved, and it was one of those days, where I got every shift wrong! (Glad I wasn’t racing) Julia showed off her photography skills making sure we had at least one picture of the chute up!

The wind went right round as we came into Chichster, and unbelievably, we had to beat up the channel!!!! Got back right on HW as planned, and relaxed into the cockpit with a beer and some lunch. All in all a great rally, great company, but not the best sailing this time.