Richard writes:
Here is my report on this weeks trip to Calshot, attached photos are of our camp, BBQ, Maurice and Simon demonstrating their gybing skills, and the Jolly Sailor.
Seavets Calshot week was well supported again this year with 8 camping, plus another 4 joining as day sailors. We arrived on Monday 5th August to find our spot by the lagoon had been coned off and neatly marked out. The sun was shining and the wind blowing nicely, so after setting up camp and a quick lunch most of us took to the water for an afternoon sail. In the evening we had a BBQ and watched as the procession of cruise liners made their way out of Southampton.
We planned to do a cruise of our own on Tuesday, this was shortened to just Ashlett as the forecast made the Lepe leg too risky, with strong winds predicted for the Solent in the afternoon.
We woke to heavy rain in the morning, which was supposed to stop by mid morning but was still falling as 10 of us set off at 11.30, the wind was forecast to be 13 mph from the West rising to 17 in the afternoon, the reality was very light wind from the North with the rain still falling. Seven of us managed to beat up to Ashlett with the incoming tide helping us up the creek, the other 3 gave up and returned to base, and phoned to say they had got back safely.
Those who made it enjoyed a fish and chip lunch at the Jolly Sailor, and by 1pm the rain had finally stopped, and the sun arrived along with the Westerly wind. We managed to exit the creek without any problems, and had a nice sail back on a reach. The wind was still building when we arrived back at base, so we had a great afternoon’s sailing in the safety of the lagoon and bay. This went some way to making up for the disappointment of the morning. It turned out to be another sunny evening, so we had another BBQ and watched yet more and even bigger cruise ships sail past.
Wednesday dawned bright and breezy, and with the tide not allowing sailing until midday decided on a bike ride to Lepe for coffee, the wind was so strong there we had to take shelter inside the cafe, we then had a wind assisted ride back, arriving just in time for those with small enough boards and sails to take to the water, and demonstrate their shortboard skills. In the evening 8 of us retuned to the Jolly Sailor for a very nice meal, with most opting for the hot rock steaks we had tried last year, and they didn’t disappoint.
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On the whole it was a very enjoyable trip, and with the exception of Tuesday morning great sailing weather. Apologies to those who came for that day, so the wooden spoon on this occasion goes to all the weather stations that got their forecasts so badly wrong.
Richard
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