Solent Training Weekend

21st - 22nd May 2005

Note ! :-   This report is being built here and liable to change in the next week or so until we achieved the final build. last updated 31/05/2005 14:07

Well it all started off great, I awoke from my slumbers at 6am and not a cloud in the sky, this was soon to be a distant memory, as I approached Winchester it started to get dark, and then as I drove into the Marina it threw it down. I had a text message from Mr Magoo with crew problems and couldn’t make it, so I sneaked under the covers of Lucid Waters and listened to the rain drumming down  and thought what a great start to the weekend and my first co-ordinating weekend at that, then Rob Hill ( Dragonfly 2) gave me a shout asking if I wanted a cup of tea, “good news” I don’t drink tea but Robs offer stopped me from being gripped by the arms of morphious .

 I took the opportunity to set sail for Mercury and with Rob laughing  and the rain falling again I motored on, 20 minuets  later I arrive at Mercury (soaking wet) to be greeted by James (Escapology)  Paul ( the chair person) and Martin (Abraxis), after mooring up with there help I promptly removed my waterproofs and we all set sail for the bar ( sorry the conservatory) with every one else dry and Paul in his SHORTS!…

After a quick drink and smoke I felt human again when Les arrived and Mike following shortly behind looking as if he had been through a car wash. ( these RIBS are just a little open to the elements)

This done we all sat down and under the guidance of Les James and Paul had a little training on chart work which was very involved and very useful even if a little confusing. After lunch it was time to hit the water, fortunately Les and Mike were kind enough to let us all go out in their RIBS (apparently there not just very expensive fenders) and do some slow maneuvering around the marina I have to say that I think that Sue and Janice were probably better at the slow stuff than the skippers, or could that be Les’s training.

Just gone 16.00hrs  and Paul, Martin and Dave Killenger had a meeting regarding the summer cruise so les James mike and myself went for a little jaunt over to Cowes.

Well there is a saying “you don’t have to be mad but it helps” never a truer word was spoken, those RIBS stop at nothing regardless of speed or sea state; BRILLIANT.

We were fortunate enough to be allowed to change boats and helms ( again thank you both Les and Mike) and on the way back we stopped off to see the QE2 which was moored up at Southampton BUT she was being passed by the Aurora and then a slightly smaller Fuelling ship squeezed in-between them , so we had to keep out of the way, “unbelievable“, Especially when one of her crew shouted at Les “we’ll get YOU next time and laughed, a few minutes later the Legend of the seas passed by and when the tugs had finished with her they started on the QE2.

Dinner was had at the restaurant at Mercury at 20.30 and we were joined by Mick  (mechanic of the year) and Maggie Puleston, Rob Carol and mmm Betty, ( who had finally dried off) a good night was had by all mostly at Martins expense (something to do with the North/South divide I think).

Sunday started in Pathfinder time around 11.00 ish, and Paul had done a little exercise for us to plot a route to Portsmouth and back, if it hadn’t been for Homer ( doh ) Simpson it would have gone ok, still best laid plans of Mice and Men .

After setting sail with Rob Carol and Betty on board we had a slow crawl down the Hamble, we then tried to execute our chart route First wey-point went ok led by Paul and Sue in Sumprezi, to Calshot spit, the 2^nd was wetter  led by David and Janice in Rafiki to west Bramble.

I took the 3^rd and half way through and all my passengers and me were drenched so it was decided to call it a day as far as the exercise went and we went over to Osborne bay, another interesting exercise in anchoring especially when the chairman has as many problems as me ………still thanks to Janice and David for their hospitality ( Lucid Waters doesn’t have a galley). That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

Needless to say at the end of the day the weather improved and we had a good run back, if not still a little wet. Finally I must thank all who attended, and I will be able to put my chart work to the test next weekend when we sail over to Plymouth.

Craig