… for the Max from your sailing!

Bucklers Hard Rally, 21 – 22 June 2008

Even the met office did not even know what the weather would be. Rain, wind, sunshine, it varied by the day.  Perhaps a little grey to begin with, but lovely surroundings in a quiet up river location, next to the maritime heritage village houses of Bucklers Hard…

"The mid summer barbeque for the Maxi Owners proved a popular event, with a total of 10 boats and 22 people attending.  The weather started a little damp and gloomy on Saturday morning, but by the time most boats had arrived, things were clearing up and getting decidedly warmer.

The BBQ, provided by Bucklers Hard Marina, was set up on the green by the waters edge in front of the Bucklers Hard cottages between the historic building slips of the earliest warships of England.  Things kicked off with traditional summer Pimm’s, beer and nibbles courtesy of the M-O-A while the charcoal heated up.  Then for the great ‘cook-off’ with all crews cooking their own meals on the coals, with salads and puddings to share.

The evening stayed dry until the meal was over, but then a few drops of rain were felt, so Peter Stonestreet to the rescue (with a little help from a few others) and up went the gazebo.  Well fortified with food and not a few drinks, and we all managed to shelter from the light shower in true British barbeque style!

The food was finished, the barbeque cooling and the drinks had disappeared, so crews slowly drifted off back to their boats for a good nights sleep, apart from a few diehard drinkers who went on for a nightcap on Huggy Bear.

Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny.  Boats started to depart from around 0930, with Good Time Girl the first to leave in order to make their way back to Birdham in time for the lock opening.  Looking for Kloos departed at the same time, with the remainder of the boats having a more leisurely morning, with a number of crews getting together on Blue Rider for a pre-departure coffee.

The wind had been picking up all morning, and I think most boats were surprised to be met with winds of 30 knots plus at the entrance of the Beaulieu River.  Blue Rider, Blue Lightening and Asante all came out of the river together; no mainsails were raised, but Blue Rider set full genoa and stormed off towards Gosport in fine style.  Asante and Blue Lightning took things a little more steadily, with just a small amount of foresail unfurled, but nevertheless had a speedy trip back to the Hamble.

All in all, a great weekend – possibly one to be repeated next year?

Boats attending were:-

Asante 1100 Sara & Andy 2
Blue Lightning 1100 Peter & Sarah 2
Caribou 1100 Tim & Sarah 2
Good Time Girl 1000 Kevin & Annie 2
Blue Demon 1100 Guy & Ros 2
Looking  For Kloos 1000 Carolyn & Julian 2
Tosara Blue 1100 Martin, Debbie, Becky & Katie 4
Huggy Bear 38 Colin & Christine 2
Mischief Maker 1100 Douglas & Sarah 2
Blue Rider 1000 Peter & Sue 2

Peter Sands