Solstice Cruise

The idea of a flexible cruise with a key plan to stay local and shepherd everyone who might be interested to a suitable anchorage close to home on VHF 77, was too perfect. With an added bonus of a Dear Diary reassurance that the weather would be perfect, what more could we need.

Neil posted the flyer in the club, Steve Bush updated the Diary and I put a note on the forum, all base covered and early last week I got one text. Well with the hardy regulars and Will agreeing to cook a curry for the assembled hordes, I did not have much to worry about. Oh I might need a crew and although I tried hard none was forthcoming. Even that did not seem to matter, I only had to get to Stangate and there would be others to greet me, so the lonesome pine need not be.

Friday night was meet up with school friends night, as one not seen for 30+ years was in town, not to worry, late afternoon HW meant lazy start was OK, got to Hoo, by which time both my hardened criminals had not left dry land and were not going to. A check suggested no others and a call to my text friends got no reply. I texted them to see if they were about and went to sleep.

Woke up with text response,, to suggest they were anchored in Stangate and where was everybody? I jumped into action, slipped my trot mooring, and simply on the jib cruised to Stangate in an hour or so. Found Ticha III, as in "hey teacher, leave us kids alone" Mark and Wendy greeted me, tied Aurai up to their boat announced they had already eaten. (Curry for 6 still on Aurai), came on board and we got to know each other in the time honoured way, if there had been any sun it would have passed over the yard arm! Mark and Wendy bought a fine rum, "Sailor Jerry" which may not sound great by name but was excellent.

No rain by bed time and not much wind either. Mark set his anchor alarm, I went to sleep and awoke to the pitter patter of rain and 20+knots through the rigging, sun shines only in my dreams.

Another lazy start, then motored back to base, my two new best friends, helped me sort my mooring lines out and then a first for Aurai, a single handed mooring approach and pick up executed perfectly. Well not quite as we are facing the wrong way.

So anyone for next week-end? The curry is in tins so will last and I have it on good authority the sun is going to shine.

Chas

Date Published 26th Jun 2012