Chichester Harbour  –  Summer family rally & Spit Roast BBQ, 1 – 3 August 2008

Another excellent rally with a good turn out – thirty all told representing 11 boats –  and a great Spit Roast courtesy of SD Marine!

Another new format Rally.  This time it was in Chichester harbour with space to include all the family.  However the seasonal weather persisted with overcast sky, fresh breeze and more, although the rain was occasional.  Northney Marina provided a very friendly, suitable sheltered surroundings and a good base for us.  SD Marine arranged for an excellent BBQ.  We had our own Celebrity, the stranded whale right outside the marina entrance.  The trouble was she arrived 24 hours early and we only had the pictures with the news reports.

I called out across the ether on Friday evening for any early Maxi’s to join a raft up for supper at East Head.  There was no response.  We sheltered in Thorney creek and enjoyed our evening aboard with just an occasional other boat on this first August holiday weekend.  However by midday on Saturday several other Maxi’s arrived in Northney and we were underway meeting the others as expected. 

The games kit was out and our leader and Chairman started off with a bold French cricket.  His plastered leg provided a good sized target.  This was gained during a recent holiday on land.  Supported by his family and daughters, later in the evening we went on to an all-in Rounder’s game.  Other options included volleyball and frizby.  We prepared three gazebos as shelter and saw at least one march across the field of play in the wind.

The BBQ was well prepared and set up with some 4 different meat choices and 8 salads for us all.  Alison Skipper had prepared a lovely range of deserts too.  In total there were 30 from 11 crews with Roger & Sue Moon to bring us up to date with the changes to the Maxi brand ownership.  Two came by wheels with 2 more resident Northney bertholders.  The additional boat Intrepid arrived just too late having been delayed in their cross channel passage.

Sunday morning was a gentle start, taking advantage of the Board Walk marquee restaurant for breakfasts 4 or 5 crews gathered, before finally departing to catch the last of the flood to Chichester or about midday well reefed to catch the ebb Westwards.

28 Participants in all… and many thanks to SD Marine for the BBQ!

Peter Stonestreet                Whale Photos courtesy of Mike Smith, MDL Northney Marina
 

End of Season Folly Jolly – October 25th/26th 2008

Solent Region end a successful season at the Folly Inn with six boats

The last rally of the season was enjoyed by all who braved the weather to meet up at the Folly Inn.  Six boats tied up at the pontoon and in all the party comprised nineteen adults, one intrepid nine year old and a dog.  The crews of four boats sent apologies because of the adverse weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday.  However, conditions were not as bad as predicted with good sailing on Saturday and very gentle conditions for the trip home on Sunday.  Sara and Andy Horwood (Asante) came by car since they were racing the next morning and wanted to make sure they were on the start line by 9.00 am!

The wind did get up on Saturday evening driving the pontoon party aboard ‘Blue Rider’.  It was a case of ‘How many can you get on a Maxi?’  The answer is all of us!  Please see the photograph below of those in the cock pit of Peter and Sue Stonestreet’s ‘maxiest’ Maxi 1000; the rest were below and, to Peter’s relief, the boat stayed afloat.  Everyone was pleased to welcome Jim, his son and grandson plus friend Jutta, the crew of ‘Second Rebellion’, who were initiated into the joys of table top dancing at the Folly and were able to provide excellent advice about on board electronics.  As usual, a good time was had by all and after Sunday morning coffee, we began to disperse, promising to do it all again next October.

Richard & Lorraine Sams (Bilton Garth)