Bembridge Rally Report – 8th, 9th &10th May 2016
Following a very enjoyable and well attended mid-summer, mid-week rally to Bembridge last year, it was decided to repeat the event. With a rally already arranged for June, and the ‘tide factor’ for Bembridge to consider, mid-week did not work so a longer rally starting on Sunday 8th with a dinner on Monday 9th at Brading Haven Yacht Club was organised to enable more people to attend, with an option to stay on until Wednesday 10th. Sunday was glorious; sunshine and a good wind meant a very enjoyable sail to Bembridge. Nine boats, ten if Moonshine Blues for lunch is included, attended on Sunday. Catering options are limited on Sunday nights so Pam & Andy on Ariam and Lorraine & Richard on Suive cooked a main course to follow the pontoon drinks & canapes and everyone else contributed to the meal by bringing desserts, cheese and chocolates, which were consumed by 17 of us on Suive! A huge thank you to the Verdons for their hospitality on Ariam and to everyone for their contributions. It was great to meet newcomers Gill & Jeremy Thallon on Sunfish and ‘returners’ Jean & Paul Clark on Freebird. Andy Horwood took the ‘official’ photo for posterity.
On Monday, Asante and Ariam left and Maxima and Leda of Hamble arrived. The weather was not so good on Monday but we all enjoyed the day – walking, cycling, touring IOW by bus and sailing on Baldur, courtesy of William Avery. In the evening we gathered for another pontoon party to welcome the new arrivals, before taking the water taxi to Brading Haven Yacht Club, which opened specially for us, for dinner. Once again we were well looked after.
Tuesday was foggy at sea but Baldur, Leda, Out of the Blue and Sunfish set off for home whilst Freebird, Maxima, Neroli, Suive and Walk of Life stayed on for another day. All reached their home berth safely.
The rally was a great success and enjoyed by all. 11 yachts (12 if Moonshine Blues is included) attended. Although MOA’s rallies are usually a weekend event, it seems there is a place for events during the week.