RYA-affiliated offshore club and training centre for Reading and the surrounding area
John Haines
16 Sept 2023
Following a long run of poor weekend weather fingers were crossed for a change of fortune for boats and crews intending to gather in Lymington for the Autumn Rally. For once the weather gods obliged with a few days of settled warm, sunny weather and two motorboats and two sailing boats planned to converge on Lymington Yacht Haven for a planned meal at the Mayflower Inn on the Saturday evening.
Inevitably, for 2023, the weather had to have the last word and a forecast of strong adverse winds for the Sunday prompted a quick change of plans. Fortunately, both Lymington Yacht Haven and the Mayflower Inn were most accommodating in allowing the timetable to be brought forward by a day. The Commodore was unable to change his itinerary but the remaining boats, Alenka, Shearwater and Spitfire managed to assemble for pre-dinner drinks aboard Shearwater. These were followed by a very convivial meal at the Mayflower Inn on the Friday evening.
Saturday yielded a warm settled sunny day ideal for the two eastbound motorboats (which like waves rather less than sailing boats) and the singlehanded Spitfire to return to their home moorings in Gosport and Chichester respectively. The Commodore managed to have a weekend of sailing despite not managing to meet up with the rest of the fleet. He did however confirm the wisdom of the other boats returning home a day early, as the forecast proved accurate. Somewhat less than pleasant conditions were encountered on the eastward trip home on the Sunday.
Thanks go to the crew of Shearwater for organising and then re-organising the weekend. Thanks also go to the crew of Alenka for the enjoyable introduction of a couple of “rag and stick” sailors to the “dark side” of motor boating (distances don’t half get covered quickly!)
Overall – a great time had by one and all.
(Photo: Drinks on Shearwater courtesy of John)