Eastern Venture to Littlehampton 14th-17th August
SUNDAY
The ‘East’ cruise began by going west
Navigating to Portsmouth, perhaps as a test!
For the privileged few who were in the know
A Chinese meal the real reason to go
MONDAY
East cruise went east Monday at 7am sharp
Together with Bugsy complete with Harp
Grandparent duties caused First Light
To only manage a single night
Quintette to fleet: “If you’re around
We won’t be leaving yet, we’re aground!”
Coco, Quintette: “We are stuck fast
In Portsmouth Harbour. We may be last!”
Our leader, deputy, and others too
Still stuck at 8. What on earth do we do?
Dawn Chorus, Quintette “I don’t understand
8:30’s now come, and you’re still on land.”
Dawn Chorus, Quintette “What’s this we hear
We may all get lost is what I fear!”
“Coming to Portsmouth to avoid getting stuck
Not sitting around in that filthy muck.”
Eventually those stuck did get away.
Gosport is not always a good place to stay!
A fair wind proved the fleet could sail
Probably faster than Royal Mail!
“Quintette, Quintette on 72
Where’s Hermit the Kermit is he stuck in the goo?”
‘Quintette, Littlehampton would you give it a whirl
To find a berth for a Good Time Girl?”
We entered Littlehampton race
With boats attaining quite a pace
Bangs and bashes when we were mooring
Ensuring life was not too boring
Raven must move with flood going too fast
Making room for Hermit who came in last
They’d suffered badly from engine trouble
An engineer came to sort the muddle
TUESDAY
Three dinghies began to take the flood
Avoiding grounding in the mud
Ursa Minor, Raven and Bugsy as well
Aiming to go to Arundel
Most walked along down to the Arun View Pub
Reputed to serve some very good grub
Dawn Chorus, Fire Dragon and Coco first
No doubt developing quite a thirst
Followed along by Quintette too
Looking forward to a drink or two
Sounio arrived at last
This time no phone was up the mast
This joke is just for a select few
Who also know John’s story too
Kevin and Annie use their folding bike
Star Dancer decides to go for a hike
The dinghies returned on fast ebb tide
Enjoying a pretty hair-raising ride
Nick nearly lost his dinghy seat
Rescued by Steve another of the fleet
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday arrived all too soon
We must all leave by afternoon
6am some boats depart
What a ridiculous time to start
The itch commenced at a quarter to one
With a stiff flood tide to add to the fun
Star Dancer was there and also departed
Following Coco who already had started
The fleet had now left, what a sight to be seen
Dark skies above ready to give them a clean
En route wind had mostly gone away
And iron sails now ruled the day
The current ran swiftly through the Looe
And cries of delight came from the crew
The rains came heavy entering Chichester port
Together with squalls it was that sort
Quintette to fleet “I should explain
I’m not responsible for the rain.”
The cruise to Littlehamton was complete
Enjoyed by everyone in the fleet
If your boat’s not mentioned its Firedragon’s fault
You’ll have to take it with a pinch of salt
Chris & Judy Turner, Firedragon
