Easter already?
Easter is a strange time of year. First it moves around so you are never quite sure
when it is. Then there has hardly been any suitable time since laying-up to slap
on some anti-foul. Finally, even if you have managed to prepare and launch before
Easter, you never know what the weather will be like. Despite all these challenges,
and with Easter being especially ‘early’ this year, we had a record turn out at
this year’s Solent Easter rally! Eight yachts berthed at the marina, and thirty-six
people attended the Saturday dinner.
What was the secret?
You probably know the secret. Simply put, "if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it". This
is the third year in a row we have chosen to visit Portsmouth at Easter. If you
are unfamiliar with Gunwharf Quays, let me describe it for you. Take the old HMS
Vernon waterfront in Portsmouth harbour entrance; build a modern shopping mall in
which every shop is an ‘outlet’ with real bargains to be had; add a cinema; add
a bowling alley; throw in a huge variety of restaurants and bars, most of which
overlook the harbour entrance; from the site, mark a special millennium walk that
goes around the historic waterfront all the way to Southsea; build a spinnaker tower
onsite – the south’s tallest structure outside of London; and oh yes, build a small
marina right on the doorstep, underneath tower and restaurants. With electric hook-up
if needed, and nearby and new all-in-one shower/loo/wash facilities now open, where
else would you want to be at Easter, whatever the weather? Exactly. When planning
the event this year, I was asked why we would stay put for two nights. The answer
is – that’s what people want.
Pay the price
Can you afford to visit Gunwharf Quays? No, it is horrendously expensive. Except
if you go with the Seals. With Easter falling in the winter season this year, all
craft paid a magnificent £7.50 per night rally rate. You do not get more Seal-like
than this. Expect to multiply this by four to five if you plan to return in summer.
Weather to go
Now you understand the
background, I should add that in the past we "softie Solent
southerners" have had Easter weather warm enough to allow wear short trousers. You
may recall that this year we had excellent weather overall. We even had a nice sunset,
blocked only by the occasional gigantic ferry passing by.
Roll call
Friday by sea: Alchemist; Ard Righ; Can Y Mor (hosting crew Vol-au-vent); Harlequin;
Speedwell; Osprey
Joining on Saturday, by sea: Abacus; Ocean Wings
Joining by land, for Saturday pontoon party then rally dinner: Cleo; Pegasus,
Stroller
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Quay sera?
Apart from shopping, strolling, snoozing, showering and sight-seeing, Ard Righ,
Harlequin and crew Speedwell went sailing, spreading themselves across Ard Right
and Harlequin. They hopped across to Wooton Creek on the Isle of Wight for what
is loosely called lunch. But they did make it back… At 7pm, we gathered for a pontoon
party. A pontoon party is what you have when:
- your boat is not yet afloat as the communal launch date is after Easter this year
- you have hitched a lift on your friends’ boat (thank you Can Y Mor)
- you want to throw a party but do not want to trash your hosts’ boat!
Thai for dinner?
Despite the late hour and March weather, thanks to the large number of people
in attendance there was plenty to talk about. We had a splendid hour exchanging
chit chat while enjoying wine and dips. Several Seals had brought guys by sea and
road and they were introduced to our floating lifestyle. We warmed up as the evening
cooled down until it was time to walk just two minutes to The Water Margin restaurant.
This venue was recommended by crew Alchemist and also crew Ard Righ. If you you
are in the area, I too can now recommend it. It is a large restaurant offering a
buffet selection of oriental cuisine from Chinese to Thai at a fixed price. Do not
expect your usual overcooked and under-heated buffet food. The variety is huge and
the quality is excellent. Give it a try if you are in the area.
Welcome Pegasus!
Please join me in welcoming the Tucker family who live locally. They are from Pegasus,
a Parker 325 and joined us for dinner. Some of them came to the coastguard visit
over winter. We look forward to welcoming you afloat at a future rally.
One bunk or two?
May I also offer a special thanks to Roger, Helen and Beccy Reading in their Feelings
(lift-keel of course) for putting up with us for two nights in Can Y Mor. Can Y
Mor is Welsh for “accommodate grateful neighbours when their yacht is not yet launched
but they are desperate to get afloat at Easter go go goch”.
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