Solent November 9  – 11 - not quite a sailing report – by Bob Buchanan

Yacht. Lady Emma 

Crew. Bob Buchanan  , Becky Goddard  , and three regular crew members Colin, Dave & Kevin

We all met up on Lady Emma on Friday 9th November at Ocean Quay Southampton, and had our usual meal on board, one of Becky’s specials, steak & kidney pie.

Saturday morning after breakfast our first job was to refit the mainsail, as it had been repaired. As we pulled it up it was noticed the hawk was broken in half. (We had fitted a new one not too long ago in port Solent, so fitting another one would not be a problem. Only problem was, the chandlers were closed.) It was a bright sunny day but not a breath of wind. We motored down Southampton water and didn’t even get the genoa up on deck as it would have been a waste of time trying to use it. At 14.30 just after low water, we entered the Beaulieu River, motored up to Buckler’s Hard marina where we had booked in for one night. The evening was spent at the Master Builder’s House Hotel  . A log fire was lit just after we arrived, and later we all had a very good meal. As the log fire reduced to a pile of burning embers, we realised it was time to go back to the boat for a final nightcap for the crew of Lady Emma.

Sunday. We woke to find the temperature had dropped overnight and the boat was covered in ice, as was the pontoon. Breakfast was a quick egg and bacon sarnie. The deck of the boat was washed down and we were ready to go. It was freezing; mist all around us and not a breath of wind, again. After motoring down the river, we then motored over to Cowes. We tied up at Cowes yacht haven then walked into town, doing a bit of window shopping on our way to the Island Sailing Club. After a few drinks we had Sunday lunch there, a very good carvery with excellent views over the river. At 14.30 we left Cowes and motored back to Southampton. The weather was the same, bright and sunny but not a breath of wind. We tied up at Ocean Quay, cleaned up the boat and went home.

It was our last sailing trip on Lady Emma this year, and although we didn’t get the sails up, we all had a good weekend.

Total hours motoring 7Total hours under sail 0Total nM 32