Calshot Cruising

We enjoyed another great stay a Calshot in the week beginning the 11th August, with 10 of us staying for 3 nights camping by the lagoon. After setting up camp on Monday Simon and I sailed down to Ashlett in the afternoon, and on our return were joined by Joe, John & Deborah plus Maurice & Barbara, in the evening we had a BBQ and sheltered from the unexpected rain in John's awning.

Tuesday dawned bright and breezy for our cruise and we were joined by Martin who was camping, and day sailors Owen, Steve, Andy, Kerry, Nick K & Nick R plus Dave R who was giving his GP14 dinghy its maiden voyage, with the help of John C as crew. 12 launched on boards at midday along with the 2 on board the dinghy. I think 14 Seavets cruising together might be a record. As we made our way downwind towards Ashlett conditions were fairly tricky, so Joe and Andy decided to turn round and head back to base. Meanwhile the dinghy sailors were enjoying their sail, but decided not to come into the confines of the creek.

Eventually 10 of us managed to land for lunch at the Jolly Sailor, after a short but challenging trip which wasn't made easier by a flotilla of youngsters in RS dinghy's arriving at the same time.

Ashlett Creek

After lunch the never easy exit from the creek was made even harder by the half a dozen dinghies leaving at the same time. Once clear of the creek we had a nice beat back to Calshot and out into the Solent towards the Blue Bird cafe, at the end of the beach huts, where we had tea or ice cream. On launching again for the final leg back to base the wind had dropped and was directly onshore, so getting away was difficult, much to the amusement of the many sunbathers on the beach. Once underway it was a fairly easy sail on a reach along the shoreline, with most opting to land on the Solent side and carry our kit across the spit.

It hadn't been the longest of cruises, but all agreed it had been a great day on this lovely stretch of sometimes challenging water. As the day sailors packed up and headed for home, we had another BBQ and watched a lovely sunset where the chimney used to stand. We were later joined by Tony and Lorraine who were camping for the last 2 nights.

Wednesday was a bit on the grey side but was expected to clear by late morning, so with HT at 3pm we decided on a morning bike ride to Lepe for coffee. On our return at midday the sun still hadn't broken through but with the wind picking up Andy, Joe, Simon and I set off to sail down to Ashlett for the 3rd day in a row. Half way there we heard a

rumble of thunder, so quickly landed in the creek and waited while it passed over. On our return to base we were joined on the water by Tony, Martin and Barbara and enjoyed the rest of the late afternoon blasting around in the lagoon. It was nice to see Andy and Joe who haven't been able to sail much of late get some time on the water.

In the evening we cycled back to Ashlett yet again for dinner at the Jolly Sailor, the ride back through the woods after dark with hardly any lights between us was interesting, to say the least. Next morning we packed up and headed for home, after what had been another very enjoyable few days sailing and socialising.

Richard