Sailing in the Solent



In the Solent, practically in home waters with the journey nearly over we were able to meet up with a fellow Eastbourne Sailor, Peter Dickens who had just taken delivery of a new toy:  An Elan 37.  Undedterred by the 25kts of wind we set off for Cowes Yacht Haven under #4 headsail only and arrived a couple of hours later - to see the Yacht Haven as never before, empty!

Having only previously visited Cowes in the summer when boats are rafted 6 deep on the pontoons it was a very different Marina at this time of year.

Cowes promenade - not a beer tent or yacht to be seen. 

Having met up with Peter we decided to sail in convoy to Buckler's Hard the following day - a favoured destination of all RYA Practical Courses as the entrance is very tidal.  There was very little wind and we had to repair our #2 headsail before setting off.  As it's only a couple of miles we motored and caught up with Peter in the entrance.  We motored up the river for about 40 minutes - this is Zilla's kind of sailing!

We tied up alongside the pontoon in Buckler's Hard.

The Dinghy Pontoon - and a lot of mud!

We took Zilla for a walk up to Beaulieu, a few miles inland along the river.  Now that we are back in 'home waters' there is an obvious change to the wildlife - no more dolphins, porpoises or seals,  instead we have ponies grazing on the river banks.

A reminder that we are in the New Forest.

The birds have also changed - gone are the diving gannets and guillimots, instead we have the mud loving varieties:

Curlew

And the Little Eagrets.

All this mud was not good for Zilla - the only option was a shower before she could even be let on the boat

Bucklers' Hard, with the new  'Perches' used to mark the deep water channel drying in the background.

The next day we motored back down the Beaulieu River - much better sailing conditions this time and an opportunity to see the new boat in action:

Looking good!  The Bavaria sail is just to confuse -  It really is an Elan 37!

We wedged ourselves into Gunwharf Quays Marina - a quick round of Retail Therapy followed - and as if that wasn't enough, we met up with Debbie, Abbie and Chelsea for an early birthday meal for Steph.  A perfect day!

Wedged into Gunwharf Quays, next to Peter's Boat.

Spinnaker Tower, and one of the more unusual Trimarans we've seen for a while.

The next day we crossed the river to Gosport Marina - best showers in any marina we have visited to date - and met up with more friends!  This time Richard and Joan Buckland who live nearby.  All this socialising is at least some compensation for being nearly at the end of our trip.

The MoD real estate - in a very prime location  on the banks of the Solent.  All boarded up.

But the final treat ...

A submarine!!!  Admittedly it did look as if it had washed ashore in some freak weather accident, but it was impressive none the less!

Off to Yarmouth so see the Needles from the Land for a change.