Season 1 – Odd Times II

Cowes for lunch and let slip the hounds

The last sail of the year saw us head directly across the Solent to Cowes and hide behind the baffle wall to get lunch and chill. A fine sail to end the year though it did require leaving the creek with only 50cm and ploughing through the soft mud of the bar.

The mast seems to be having some issues around the hounds where the shrouds and forestay attach – the fitting seems to be drifting down a bit , so it’s time to get the mast down and in for some checking and attention. Get those black marks sorted too.

November 22, 2025

Cobnor

Cobnor Camp is a two-week event with a very loose programme put on by the DCA Southern region. It wanders all over Chichester Harbour, dependent on the tide, and participants can join in as much or as little as they wish.

A very lovely time was had sailing in this new spot, and a chance was taken, in the evenings, to catch up with University friends who live locally, one of whom is in charge of all the moorings and channel upon which we were based. There were visits to East Head, Pilsey Island, Thorney Channel, Chichester Marina.

We trailed Odd Times II and Sparklefarts (the tender) and launched at Itchenor and moored at Cobnor with a night or two on a mooring in Bosham.

September 1, 2025

Ashlett Regatta

We were at the sailing club for the regatta and a few day sails of the Solent before packing up the boat for its trip to Cobnor. One of the trips took the Northern Channel along the Hill Head shore, bothering the nudists. The blog in one of the pictures is a seal.

September 1, 2025

Fastnet Groupies

After a month away from the boat, sorting transport issues out, a weekend of sailing, a ‘get afloat day’ at the club and seeing friends off on their Fastnet race.

Credit to Barney Smith and Ian Luddington from With Alacrity for the shots of us getting in their way.

July 26, 2025

Windy Weekenders

The wind was consistently strong at F5 WSW, so we discovered the second reef and also hid in the creek, practising mooring, reversing, and coming alongside.

Pictures are courtesy of Clive Latham, a club member.

June 1, 2025

History of The Odd Times

May 22, 2025

End of Easter & DCA South Raid

Fab weekend of strong winds on Friday and no wind on Saturday. A blast around the Solent and Soton water was followed by a intentional but unplanned stop over in the Hamble next to With Alacrity and dinner at the RAF YC. A sucessful first night in the boat with the support of WA next door and a superbe cup of tea and bacon sandwich in the monring before a drift down to Warsash to join the DCA South rally to Ashlett (in our case back to base)

It was fun playing frogger and an engine was really welcome compared to the hardcore that rowed across. An hour or two at the Jolly Sailor and we bid them farewell as they headed back with a small sea breeze to help this time.

We chilled and then Sunday went just out of the creek in a mill pond to wash off the mud before recovering the boat and a washdown!