Bembridge Cruise September 2022

Eight boats made up the last cruise of the 2022 cruising season, with Jules, Mascaret, Himalia, Nola, Arkaig and Bowhunter 2 being accompanied by first time cruiser Escapade and a most welcome return of Oliette.

Friday 23rd:

The day started with some torrential downpours as the boats prepared for the journey, even some with coffee and croissants but by 10.00am the rain had stopped and the clouds started to clear. Most vessels arrived around high water with relatively smooth passage despite the early poor signs. Bembridge marina had started the day with no more than about 10 boats berthed up, so it was a surprise to see Mascaret being asked to squeeze in alongside a large yacht despite many other empty berths. Nevertheless David and Jackie did a sterling job of mooring without a hitch.

Soon after the rest of the flotilla arrived and the marina started to fill. (Indeed by Saturday lunchtime there wasn’t a spare berth to be seen anywhere).

At 4.30, everyone boarded Jules for drinks and nibbles and to enjoy some late afternoon sun before breaking into smaller groups for dinner. Ian and Sharon’s friends – Julian, Lindsay, Richard and Jen were excellent hosts!

Saturday 24th:

Another fine morning saw the group make their way via water taxi and local bus to RNLI station in Lane End for a personalised tour that Ian and Sharon had kindly arranged. Initially we walked the boardwalk to the All Weather Lifeboat (ALB) station and were give a great insight into the vessel, its capabilities and the “shouts” that it attended. Our guide started by apologising that the boat wasn’t in pristine condition as just the previous evening it had been involved in two callouts – one to rescue a kayaker from the water and one to “Anthem of the Seas” to medevac an ailing cruise passenger. We next saw the Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) before heading the shop to spend some money and provide funds for this wonderful organisation. I am sure I speak for everyone when I say we are so grateful for the volunteers and the work they do, but hopefully not needed for any of our club members.

Following the RNLI a number of us jumped on the bus and headed to Sandown where, following lunch at The Bandstand, we enjoyed a game of crazy golf. It wasn’t taken too seriously but David (from Mascaret) and Richard (visitor on Jules) were deemed the winners – so treated everyone to ice-creams as their prize !!! By now the sun was up and it really was a lovely day – so nice that Judith and Nigel decided to walk the 10km back to the marina via the Coastal Path while others took the bus.

In the evening 10 of us took taxis to Bembridge Sailing Club (while Neil and Jo took their tender). Ian and Sharon had arranged for us to be seated in the library with some wonderful views out over the marina at sunset. It was a great evening – we even had a visit from the Commodore while we were eating – and the staff at the club could not have been more friendly.

Sunday 25th:

The forecast had initially indicated a stiff breeze for the return journey so everyone was unsure exactly what time to set off – but in the event the weather was better than anticipated so most boats departed 60-90 minutes before high-water and, for those heading to Chichester Marina, arrived in time to benefit from free flow to end a great weekend.

A big shout out to Ian and Sharon Jenkins for organising the weekend – these things never “just happen” and it really was a great event.

Judith Seymour (Escapade)