Page 10 - Yachter Spring/Summer 2021

10 NEW MEMBERS
MEET NEW MEMBERS - THE WATSON FAMILY
We have always been enchanted by the Beaulieu River, from its calming tranquility and varied bird life to its rich maritime history. From our previous base on the River Hamble, Beaulieu was our favourite option
for a weekend family cruise.The Hamble is a convenient place to moor a boat; the Beaulieu River is a destination.We have kept our boat, Victoria, on a Beaulieu river mooring since October, and have already spent many happy weekends on board without even leaving the river. Admittedly, these were mostly during winter storms, with the rain lashing down on us, and lockdown has been somewhat disruptive, too.
We joined the RSYC rather by accident,
as soon as we realised how much it would enhance our river mooring experience. On our first visit, we met Lauren and Jason,
and the rest is history.We could not have received a friendlier welcome; they treated us as part of the club before the ink on our application had dried. Despite the craziness of recent months, we have made full use
of Sea Echo’s launch service, enjoyed two excellent dinners in the restaurant, borrowed kayaks for an afternoon exploration, and had a very memorable Laser expedition – rather late on the ebbing tide – which ended in a hilariously muddy slipway débâcle. (Thanks
to Jason for helping us pull the boat up!) We have also enjoyed meeting fellow RSYC members on the pontoon.
Angus and I met on the Clipper Race in 2005. Sailing has been a major part of our lives ever since, and we have cruised the Solent extensively, as well as longer trips
to the West Country, France, Ireland and Scotland, and spending time in Bembridge. Our children are Eloise (10), George (7) and Jack (5).We lived aboard Victoria for
18 months in 2019-20, so they are all very salty seadogs (otherwise known fondly as ‘boat kids’).We cruised the South Pacific as a family, starting in New Zealand, then
exploring Tonga, Fiji,Vanuatu and New Caledonia, before returning to New Zealand. COVID made everything tricky, so in the end Victoria came back to the UK on top of a large ship.
Victoria is a 50-foot wooden ketch, built from kauri, so is more used to New Zealand waters, but this is not her first visit to the UK, and she seems to be enjoying her new home.You will see her upriver from Gins, with ‘Save our Planet’ emblazoned on her coach house – plenty more for us all still to do on that,of course.We live inWinchester, juggling the ever-shifting challenges and