Thesee departed with crew at 1pm. Summer and Isaac were very excited especially when Summer took the helm in Portsmouth Harbour. It was raining but the wind was kind to us and our sail across the Solent was very good, the sea state was slight and there was hardly any swell.
Here's Summer keeping a good look-out for ships
All too much for little Isaac
We had booked a berth and on arrival at Bembridge the Harbourmaster contacted us with instructions to raft up at the far end of the Duver Pontoon. One of the boats next to us instantly recognised us as one of their neighbours from Wicor. It was raining quite hard and we had a few soggy clothes. We decided to play Bingo (our latest addition to the games collection). After Summer was the winner of the first game, she took her turn to be the Bingo Caller. Isaac won the second game and they both got a chocolate. Good Luck to Jade for tomorrow's challenge.
Eyes Down, Look In
Summer helped prepare dinner and decided she wanted to try all the food, salad, the lot. Well done to you Summer! This must have rubbed off on Isaac and he decided to eat almost all of his lasagne with a little persuasion. They must have been hungry after such an action packed day.
Dean received a little present too..... the latest James Bond DVD. That should cheer him up after his niggly headache this afternoon.
Sunday 30th July 2017... Early rise this morning, and what a lovely one it was.
A glorious morning here in Bembridge
It's Crabbing Day! So at 8.30am we headed towards the harbour office so the children could register for the event. Crabbing proper started at 10am. Summer and Isaac had new buckets and the harbour supplied all of the crab food. The horn blew for the start of the event and Summer was the first to catch a crab. She was thrilled to bits with her catch.
Come on Summer, catch those crabs
All was going well until she got a splinter from the pontoon and we spent almost half an hour trying to remove it under duress. It was over to Isaac to hold the fort with his crab line. Once we heard the horn to signify the end of the event we headed off to count our crabs and enter the competitions. The judges counted 8 crabs for Summer and 5 for Isaac. Very well done to both of you.
It's 8 for Summer at the judging
And 5 for Isaac
It wasn't enough to scoop any prizes, but Isaac did win a prize for being the youngest crabber, his prize a windmill and bubbles. Summer almost won the prize for smallest crab at 1cm but was pipped to the prize by an even smaller 0.5cm tiddler. Following the competition there was Hula Hooping and Summer showed off her skills with a large gold hula hoop.
Hula girl
As we were making our way back to Thesee, the Border Force boat invited us onboard to have a look around. Summer and Isaac tried out the driving seats, and checked the controls were all in order and working properly. It was a bit embarrassing when Isaac dropped his bubbles into the engine compartment! Fortunately the crew was able to retrieve them by lifting the floor and reaching down about a foot. Thanks for that Isaac.
Future Border Force Employees
After lunch on the boat we headed to the beach for more fun. Jade and the children built sandcastles and paddled in the sea. Dean built a sand car which delighted Isaac, and Saffy played about with the other dogs on the beach. Summer almost launched herself off into the water ready for a swim, until Mom put a prompt stop to it. Isaac had great fun turning Summer into a Mermaid.
First steps in the Beautiful Briny
Is that Ariel?
Sun, Sea, and Sand
When the fun was over the kids headed off to the showers. Then it was back to Thesee for our Sunday dinner. What an action packed day it's been.
Monday 31st July... We voted for a morning beach-combing along the lovely pebbly beach at St Helens, then we continued a little further to the rock-pools where Isaac finally decided he was going to enjoy himself.
Just the right size for me.... says Isaac
I'm having fun now
Kings and Queens of the Castle
Can't climb this one though
An ice cream followed in the beach cafe and then we returned to ship for lunch 'al fresco' again. Isaac had a nap and Summer went crabbing, beating yesterday's crab count by 1. Then it was time to get ourselves sorted ready for departure back to Portsmouth. It was a nice sunny windy afternoon and we had a great sail on a 00 degrees heading. The children were tired but they tried their best to spot the green and red buoys leading us along the Portsmouth main channel. We reached base and quickly made some dinner which we all enjoyed around the table telling jokes.
Even more happiness now
Rainbow tongue from a Rainbow ice lolly
Arriving back in Porstmouth Harbour after the Solent crossing
Tuesday 1st August... So our last day of this long weekend started with bacon muffins, which we decided to nickname Bacon McThesee's. We took some more photos on deck and then dinghy'd back to land to start our journey homeward.
The new Skipper.... it seems
Almost time to go now
Bye Bye Thesee
Dean had to make a couple of Chandlery stops en route to the motorway to pick up a Spring and return a Passarelle Deck Socket (which he had changed his mind about). We had already prepared a picnic before we left, and so stopped for lunch half way home at The Ridgeway in Oxfordshire. The weekend has been a great success. All the plans came to fruition and there were no major mishaps. Well done Everyone!
Thank you to Thesee and the Skipper for keeping us safe all weekend and giving us some great sailing x
No comments:
Post a Comment