Folkboat Spring Rally
Supper at the restaurant at the Island
Harbour was a little fraught as the warm
sunshine had attracted more customers
than the restaurant was able to cope with
but we managed to eat well in the end.
Swift, Mistress and Smokey felt it would
be remiss not to pop into The Folly on
the way home and after a good amount
of beer we eventually turned in.
Sunday dawned hot and sunny but with
even less breeze than the previous day.
Little Otter had already slipped her lines
by the time Smokey's crew had emerged
and Folkdance was not long behind
leaving at around 9:30.
The plan was to aim for Seaview to moor
up and run ashore before later heading
into Bembridge. Mistress, Swift and
Smokey decided on a proper breakfast
in The Folly. This was later justified by
explaining that with little wind it was
better to wait for the flood to do all the
32
work! Smokey, Mistress and Swift all
sailed off the pontoon in warm sunshine
and gentle breeze (F2/3 max) at the
post-breakfast hour of 11:00.
As soon as we cast off, it was clear that
the race was on! Smokey was chased
hard by Mistress down the Medina and
out into the Solent. Smokey and Mistress
preferred the Island side but Swift went
out into the middle of the channel.
At times, Mistress's wily skipper almost
bridged the gap but it was not to be
and Smokey had pulled ahead by Ryde
Pier with Swift a little further back.
Folkdance had motored some of the
way to Seaview and was awaiting us on
a mooring. However, despite Smokey's
winning performance, the lack of breeze
and more of the same forecast for the
Monday, risked causing a mutiny on
Smokey! The decision was therefore
made to press on to Chichester rather
Enjoying the Warm Sunshine
