Not a lot on the agenda today. Dean kept himself busy replacing the pump on the forward heads but it didn’t go to plan and now we have a leaky loo. More parts required! As the skies turned into darkness, we had a bit of a squall with thunder and lightning. All calm again now though.
Tuesday 19th September… A lovely morning today and without a ripple we peacefully drifted away from Wicor for our pre-planned trip up Southampton Water. Once again we passed the new Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth and we commented that it looked just like an Airfix model sitting there behind its two police patrol vessels.
There's nothing like warm sunshine to dry your wings
It was high water with 4m of tide and so we took the inner swashway. A tanker was coming up the Solent and we passed in front of it with plenty of room to spare, making use of our AIS navigation skills! We tacked before reaching the Isle of Wight and found a good heading for Southampton until the wind dropped, then motored for the last hour or so past Hamble Point, the Boat Show, and on to Marchwood Yacht Club.
Wow!
Beneteaus at the Boat Show
Thankyou
The yacht club is situated opposite the container ship terminals at the start of the River Test. It’s a fascinating place for ship spotters, having the cruise ship terminals next door too. There were no cruise ships in today, but at low water this evening we watched an empty container ship being towed fore and aft along the river to its berth. It was sitting so high out of the water you could see the rudder and propeller!
Amazingly we have plenty of depth here
Colourful containers being uploaded
Here comes another.....slowly does it
An unusual sight
Flags showing pilot on board, and customs clearance requested
Safely she goes
After Saffy’s walk we returned to the boat to find we had neighbours, six jolly sailors from Portsmouth Harbour Yacht Club. We were immediately adopted and before we knew what was going on we were on their Westerly with a glass of red wine in hand. That was the start of a very enjoyable afternoon/evening spent on their boat and in the club house. We didn’t get to bed until gone 11.30pm.
Wednesday 20th September… It was all change this morning. We awoke to the big container ship gone, and three cruise ships in dock. The cruise ships being Oriana, MSC Preziosa, and MSC Fantasia. Saffy had a nice walkabout, and we returned to Thesee to find us being almost blocked in by another sail boat. About half an hour later we departed, Dean performing an impressive manoeuvre to edge Thesee out safely. And so, it was only about a mile trip down to Town Quay.
This morning's view with Oreana in port
The new BOA Commodores boat had just arrived before us, and two other rally boats followed us in. It was a little tricky because yet again here in Southampton the wind was blowing us off. Later on we were all invited to drinks aplenty onboard Liberty, then nine of us walked to the lovely Kuti’s Indian Restaurant, where we had the most delicious Indian Meal ever and after dinner drinks on the house. I’m not one to rave about a restaurant but this place was fantastic. Everything was just perfection. Another late night....what's going on?
Thursday 21st September…
Today is boat show day so we’re up early (ish). Saffy is not allowed in the boat show so she has to keep guard on Thesee while we spend some more of Claire’s inheritance.
First thing is breakfast followed by a walk to the local park for Saffy. Once she is awake!
We walked over to the show entrance with Colin and Richard and then once inside we decided to split up and start the serious job of the boat show. We spent some time looking around for a new dinghy at first and we also managed to cross a few things off the shopping list from the outside space at the show before it started to rain. Once the rain started we ventured indoors to some of the smaller stands.
We had decided previously to look for the Cruising Association stand and ask about membership. We managed to receive a boat show discount so we joined up. We have also been looking for a decent anchor swivel for some time and managed to find a new design by Mantis so we bought one which we hope will turn up quite soon. We both think the show is a lot smaller this year than previous.
We headed back to the boat with our goodies and an ice cream a little later to find Saffy fast asleep, a truly fine guard dog. We find a note inviting us for drinks aboard a fellow Beneteau. Shadowfax is owned by Keith and Helen. Keith is the new club commodore. So we had a nice evening swapping boat show tales and stories and comparing purchases.
This was a third social night on the trot so we are truly worn out now.
Friday 22nd September… Thanks to Dean for blogging Thursday’s events, Linda’s not feeling 100% and couldn’t find the enthusiasm to sit and write about it all. Before leaving Southampton this morning there were film crews on the pontoon right next to Thesee. I guess we will be famous somewhere or other.
Quiet please...filming in progress
Once again, we had two new cruise ships in this morning… Caribbean Princess, and Seven Seas Explorer. They both looked massive sitting silently by the docks awaiting a new set of holidaymakers.
Caribbean Princess
Seven Seas Explorer
These two ships dwarf the town in the background
We said farewell to our fellow BOA rally boats and all dispersed our separate ways. Yet again, the wind was directly on the bow and we motorsailed until we passed Calshot Spit. We had to do a bit of tacking to get to Newtown Creek. Once inside, our favourite spot was free and we dropped the anchor. It’s a little deeper here…just right for Thesee at low water. We spent a couple of hours chilling outside in the cockpit, watching one of the Newtown Creek seals having an enjoyable chill-out in the lovely sunshine. Still feeling tired we were in bed by 9pm, hope we can sleep tonight at anchor…think we will.
Is this buoy called Dean's Elbow?
Resident seal catching some sun
Saturday 23rd September… Gorgeous morning, it’s becoming quite a frequent thing here in Newtown Creek. So nice infact that Linda went with Dean and Saffy for a walk ashore along Hamstead Ledge.
First selfie of the holiday i believe
When we had enough tide we headed across to Lymington under full sail, making 5 knots against the tide, wow. It’s our first time at Lymington Yacht Haven. We called the marina and they allocated us berth N24. It’s a little on the small side but it will do for one night. After a short while Mark, Mandy, and Reuben arrived for their first visit to Thesee. The weather was superb, so we all sat outside spending a very enjoyable couple of hours chatting and drinking rose and beer. Reuben even decided to get hoisted up the mast!
Higher and higher he goes
Time for walkies now
Afterwards we all strolled into town along with Saffy and Fred, ending up in the Kings Head for dinner. What a great day. Thank you so much to Mark, Mandy, Reuben, and Fred for coming to see us.
Sunday 24th September… A good night’s sleep was followed by sampling the showers here at Lymington Yacht Haven. Pretty good, Linda gives 8 out of 10. When she returned to Thesee, Dean was already back filling up with water and washing the decks. A brisk walk followed along the coast path and through the nature reserve…very nice indeed.
Great location for the marina
Lovely views across the nature reserve to Isle of Wight on horizon
Then it was time to set off and catch the last couple of hours of tide to Cowes. On the way we got some great sailing in, reaching 8 knots at one point, but on average let’s say 6 knots. We overtook everything in sight! Well done to Dean for setting the sails to perfection. The wind was warm and we were having a great stress free sail up the middle of the Solent without having to do any tacking. There were loads of boats around flying their brightly coloured cruising chutes.
Flying our new Cruising Association burgee (top)
Saffy wearing her 'alert-find' alarm
Super Sunday colours outside Cowes
Approaching Cowes the wind increased (as it always does around this headland), and we made our way into the river ahead of the Red Funnel ferry and up to Folly Reach…it’s one of our favourite places if you haven’t guessed. There was plenty of room for us along the pontoon. The harbourmaster told us that last night it was mayhem and they had 60 boats arrive all within an hour or so. Good job we were elsewhere. Saffy was a good girl and peed on the pontoon on request. We ate dinner onboard, mainly leftovers at this stage of the holiday. We’ve had some rain but this evening is absolutely tranquil and serene. Just perfect.
Monday 25th September… It’s the last day of our holiday before we go home tomorrow. So it rained during the night and was still at it this morning. Even with the rain, the weather is so mild and warm. Our departure was at 11.30am when there was enough height of tide to navigate the river and also enough tide going east to take us back to Wicor. The wind was a mere 5 knots so we motored the whole way. The skies were grey and the sea was grey, but it didn’t dampen our spirits. It always feels good to be back at base safe and sound having enjoyed ourselves, nothing damaged during the trip, including ourselves. We were welcomed home by the local flock of one legged birds it seems...
Flamingos??
In the Solent, a tug in astern slowing this tanker
Close up of our new Cruising Association burgee
We're looking forward to receiving our CA membership information pack and log in details, so that we can have access to benefits, discounts, and cruising information from this well respected organisation.
That's it for this holiday, back very soon xxx
