Chichester Weekend

Saturday 8th October .... The day got off to a good start when we called into Baseline at Fareham. Dean wanted to pick up a new anchor shackle to replace Thésée's existing one, which was looking a bit on the rusty side. He had been contemplating fitting a swivel shackle, but decided against it having read some worrysome reports on their reliability. 

Shiny shackle 

Following the good start to the day, it descended into niggly annoyances for Dean because the Chartplotter isn't reading the AIS properly. Plus the Anchor Chain Counter is still playing up, and the Navtex has decided to have a wobble and is now doing its own thing! I'm sure he will eventually get it all up and running, he always does. 

Sunday 9th October .... A bit of a lie in today because we stayed up last night until almost midnight, yes midnight! It didn't matter though, as our passage plan to Chichester was for a 1pm departure. As it turns out we left Royal Clarence a little early, raised the main sail, and headed out of the harbour. The forecast was for a NNE Force 3/4 gusting 5. To be on the safe side we started with a reef in the main, then shook it out, then put it back in. Our heading was pretty good and we were making fast progress. Our plan was to cross Chichester Bar after 3pm when there would be over 3 metres of water. Having time to spare we decided to head out to Nab Tower, which we circumnavigated for the first time. 

Nab Tower close up

So, we eventually got to Chichester harbour entrance at 4pm, where we saw some fancy kites being flown on the beach. We haven't been here this year, but have previously anchored at East Head. Today our destination was Chichester Marina, which we have been talking about visiting for quite a while. Lots of fresh air today, so early to bed, early to rise. 

West Pole Beacon marks Chichester Bar

Monday 10th October ... Well when you wake up in the morning you never know what the day holds for you. We had a busy day planned and Linda was up first for a change, eager to try the posh shower facilities that come with a stay at a Premier Marina.

Fancy facilities (with music too) Linda's rating 9/10

Some of the crew disobeyed orders for an early start and decided that bed was too comfortable and cosy, and they weren't going to get up for anybody.

Monday morning feeling

Dean was still cursing over his NMEA 0183 electrical connections not working properly. All the gadgets should be 'talking' to each other, but they aren't doing what they're supposed to. Saffy eventually woke up when 'walkies' was called and we took a lovely walk to Birdham Pool via the Chichester Ship Canal with its quirky houseboats.

The ship canal runs alongside the marina

It was a wonderfully sunny morning, so we extended our outing and walked north along the Salterns Way to Dell Quay and back. Returning to the marina just before noon it was low tide and you could clearly see the dredged channel which we navigated yesterday. There was a cormorant on the pontoon proudly showing off its wingspan in the warm sunshine, but too distant for my camera zoom. 

Too shallow for our departure 

A late elevenses was not to be missed at the desirable Boat House Cafe, and so we sat on their patio eating yummy coffee cake, and yummy carrot cake. I don't know whether it was this that inspired Dean to take another look at his 'electronic issues' or not, but back on board he soon got the AIS 'talking' to the Chartplotter.... BINGO!  It's not perfect yet, but it's a big step forward. Phew, no more Mr Grumpy Shoes we hope.

Well, 3pm came and time for us to depart. This marina has a lock so you have to request a lock-out. Everything went perfectly and off we sailed towards Portsmouth. The wind was still NNE so we didn't have to tack at all, and there was enough tide for us to take the shortcut through the gap in the submerged (submarine) barrier which lurks in the Solent from Southsea to Horse Sand Fort.

Happy after safely negotiating the underwater barrier

Back at base in Royal Clarence we were just getting ourselves organised and settled when we noticed a small boat sailing around wildly near to the pontoon with a distressed skipper at the helm. He shouted to us that he had engine failure and was trying to sail into his berth, but that clearly was never going to happen! There was a small area of pontoon nearby and we agreed to help him come to a stop if he could manage to drift onto it. By this time it was almost dark but you could still see his fear. He did come in rather hard with full sails up, however we managed to get him to a stop. Unfortunately, there was some slight damage done to the toe-rail of another nearby boat during the incident. 

So that was the end of our Chichester Weekend

 More Thésée adventures to come soon xx