2005
The 2005 Hamwic sailing season got underway on
Saturday 30th April. After spending the morning sorting everything
out, we set off aboard Bellapais mid afternoon, motoring most (but not quite
all) of the way through slight fog, in company with P&O’s brand new Arcadia
(we managed to avoid scratching their shiny new paint). We arrived in
East Cowes
by about 8.00pm, to be joined a little later
by Karic.
Sunday was spent in a generally lazy fashion, with a walk
(via the chain ferry) into West Cowes, a look
at the shops and a stroll along the seafront. Later in the afternoon, Terry,
Jackie and Dan wafted in aboard a very smart brand new yacht, which had to be
thoroughly inspected by all from stem to stern.
Sadly, they had to give it back, so they cast off soon after and headed downstream. The rest of us set a course for the Lifeboat pub/restaurant for the evening and a pleasant meal in the company of Marion and Jaik.
Strangely for a bank holiday, Monday was warm and sunny, so we sat around sunning ourselves, drinking coffee, reading and fishing for crabs.
Setting off at precisely lunchtime (ish), we had a good sail back up Southampton Water (aboard Bellapais we even dug out the cruising chute from the bilges) and we were home in time for tea.
8th May was a red letter day for Hamwic, being the day of the grand celebrations to mark the 10th Anniversary of the club. Members, their friends, families and pets gathered at the Forest of Bere to eat, drink, play games and wear silly hats. OK, so it rained from time to time, but nothing could stop the fun!
For the crew of Bellapais, the Hamwic spring holiday at the end of May began in an unconventional way. Gwen,
Emily and Alice took the sensible route to Ryde (train and hovercraft), leaving
Steve and me to battle gale force winds and mountainous seas aboard the boat
(well, it was force 6/7 and moderate to rough seas according to the
coastguard). Breaking all records racing Shieldhall down Southampton Water, we
managed to arrive in Ryde at about the same time as the girls did.
Ryde Harbour marina dries at low water, and we were not able to leave until after lunch on Sunday. We scraped out over the sand as soon there was enough water - (OK, strictly speaking there wasn’t and we got slightly stuck) - and we were soon on course for Chichester Harbour and Sparkes Marina, where we caught up with Karic.
Spring Bank Holiday Monday was a bright and breezy sort of day, and we all generally chilled out, with a bit of exercise in the form of a walk along the beach and back through the town.
Tuesday morning brought more relaxation, until just after lunch when it was time to leave. A decent wind allowed us to sail much of the way back west, past the forts. On Bellapais we aimed for the gap in the underwater barrier off Southsea, which we managed to negotiate with a slightly tricky bit of tacking, and soon we were all back in the familiar surroundings of East Cowes Marina. Poor weather on Wednesday meant we all caught the bus to Newport. There, we spent the afternoon doing a bit of shopping and them some loitering in the Multiplex foyer deciding not to go and see a film after all. Thursday was a day for decisions. The plan was to go to Lymington, which Karic kept to, but the miserable weather and hostile forecast (together with a bit of a mutiny among our younger crew members) persuaded us to steer Bellapais back home to Southampton, helped on our way by a stiff wind.
The weekend of 23rd/24th July saw us back on the water for the next Hamwic event. Setting off at lunch
time, we motored most of the way to Calshot where we caught up with Karic and
Kiouni, after which we found enough wind to sail over to Cowes. Once again we were heading up the Medina, this time to Island Harbour.
By mid afternoon the three boats were tied up together and the day had turned warm and sunny. We were later joined by Dave and Trish (who anchored outside) for an evening on Karic.
Heavy overnight rain cleared by late Sunday morning and we set off home in the early afternoon.
Our final trip of the season was on the weekend of
17th/18th September when we made a trip up the Beaulieu River in company with Karic and Kiouni once again. By mid afternoon we were tied up in the Marina alongside the other club boats and set
off to find their crews, which was not difficult – there is only one street
(and only one pub) in Bucklers Hard.
A cold night was a reminder that autumn was on its way, but this was followed by a warm and sunny Sunday morning. This was spent in the traditional lazy way until the enjoyment was spoiled somewhat by a departing motorboat clouting Karic on the stern.
Nothing daunted, we later set off home at the end of a lovely late summer’s day and an enjoyable summer sailing season.
Thanks to Weymouth for the background