We had a super sunny week off with which to potter where we may
We had some key places but decided to go to wherever the wind and tide might be best. In the end, this was Cowes and then down the Medina and then up to Ealing – we covered about 100km, 54nm and a couple of overnight stay plus a bit of evening sailing to beat the heat
Sort a new tiller xtn!
Sort curtains!
We can use the cuddy as a Bimini!
Fuel is 0.75l per hour
After a weekend shakedown sail of the new outboard motor, we had a few things to sort. No better way than to test the fixes than a weakened jaunt round the corner to the next river along for the evening. F2 on the way there, F0 on the way back and a quick stop in the Hamble
Rudder touches the prop
Lazy Jacks
No Curtains!
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.
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!
The engine fixed and a great lesson from Sirius Marine on how to bleed the tank, carb and drain the system down. It was now time to get sailing but the wind gods were no smiling on us as high settled across the uk for a number of weeks.
The plan was to head to the Norfolk Broads but there wasnt many campsites open after September 30th so Rutland Water it was.
Two days of gentle sailing, anchoring and getting to know the boat. We had the place mostly to ourselves on the week and the dog took to sailing like a dream even finiding her own fun in throwing her tennis ball over the side for us to practice a bit of BOB.
