Page 18 - Yachter Spring 2023

18 CRUISING REPORTS
BEMBRIDGE RALLY – SEPTEMBER 2022
After a week of weather forecasts covering the full spectrum, the wind settled into a fresh but pleasant South Westerly, perfect for the run down to Bembridge for the traditional September rally. Eleven boats gathered in Bembridge’s Duver Marina with the afternoon flood tide, a good turnout.
As is tradition, we held a pontoon party in front of La Ina which everyone thoroughly enjoyed, catching up and swapping stories of their summer cruises far and wide, La Ina’s foredeck doubling as a bar.
We were dining in The Vine Inn in nearby St Helens. Some chose to catch a taxi, but for those of us who walked, we were rewarded with a very pleasant evening walk over the causeway and nearby fishing harbour, and up the hill into St Helens, and The Vine Inn.
Following a wonderful dinner, we all proceeded back down the hill. By torchlight, we crossed the causeway, and made our
way back along the coastal path to Duver
Marina.The walk was definitely welcome after the generously portioned dinner.
No plans had been made formally
for Sunday, and I think many took the opportunity to relax and have a leisurely day, with the evening high water keeping us in harbour until mid-afternoon.
On La Ina, we chose to walk into Bembridge and through to the Crab and Lobster for a fabulous meal, before slipping lines for the trip back up to Southampton, arriving early evening.
Nathan Hamilton Captain of Cruising