Doing a Bartlett

Hamble Point Marina 16th to 19th July
"Blue Lady" Halberg Rassy 34'
Crew, Graham Bartlett, Roy Burkill, Chris Hucker, Steve Pinder.

Thursday
1200 Roy and I stop off at Tescos at Hamble and spend a fortune, mostly on sausages and beer.
1300 Arrive Hamble Point, Blue Lady is not ready as she is having a new water pump fitted. This is ominus, but I didnt tell the lads, as the last time I picked up a Halberg Rassey from here, it was being worked on for a water problem! and it nearly sunk in Poole Bay. Hey Ho!
Rest of team arrive and we decide to walk to Hamble and have lunch. Chris had some rolls he brought with him.
Ate in The ? served by and Italian looking lady who had a harrased husband who cooked. Meal good.
1600 Backed B.L. from berth, she has a feathering prop and did not kick to S/Brd like "Aeolus"

Weather looked threatening, original plan was to go to Yarmouth but decided to divert to Cowes. Cowes Marina full so went to next one and crash landed on an inside berth.
2000 Heavy rain, meal in Cowes, It rained heavily, we had a meal in a pub can't remember what or name of pub.


Friday, This was supposed to be the bad day with strong winds and rain. Motored up the river and showed the crew The Ferry Inn.
Winds favourable so sails up an intended destination Poole.
Good sailing tacking west in The Solent but headed when we exited The Needles for the North Passage. Engine on and full main.
Wind increasing some rain showers.
About half way across Poole Bay now blowing a six. Decided to get main down, lot of shouting and had to go to the mast to free up reefing lines. Did not wear a life jacket! thought about this after and realised "What a prick"!

Chris returned his breakfast to the briney with me steering and holding on to his jacket to stop him joining it.
Entered Poole fairway with wind blowing a 7.
No room at Poole Marina, despite my lying that we had boat problems, so had to raft on harbour wall.
Leading seaman Bartlett, at the helm, decides to do a "U Turn" at speed as all the crew were leaning over the gaurd rail tying on fenders, sharply spoken to by skipper!
Rafted against a German boat, Ranted about bloody Germans being everywher only to find that the guy was very pleasant and he was Belgium.
Went into town to eat at a Chain restaurant, ? , good food I think but was mesmerised by a blond on the next table so cant be sure. Started drinking Corona for some reason. Classic car rally on the habour road.

Saturday,
Became very popular as last night I suggested that we leave at 0400 to catch the tide and avoid being caught in wind over tide at The Needles.

Woke at 0300 by noise of two lads jumping naked into the harbour. Decide not to join them. Crew very sullen! Did not pay any hartbour dues, yipee! thats the first time I have left Poole without a huge hole in my purse. However, I think we lost a fender. Some of the crew have not mastered the clove hitch!!! Im too soft more lash is needed!
Weather calm but cold, nice sunrise so lots of pictures taken.
Wind, as predicted started to blow from the west and boat motion unpleasant. Cooked sausages, decide that was not one of my better ideas. Tossed sausages over the side much to the chagrin of rest of crew. Chris overcome by this and goes below to sleep.
Entered Beauleigh River with the weather improving. Moored on fueling berth.
Went up to Bucklers Hard for drinks when we came back found boat had been moved and we were boxed in. Had lunch and snooze then with assistance slipped.
Headed for The Hamble as forcast not good. Motored up to the strains of "All our yesterdays" as Bartlett relived his misspent youth.

Motored up Itchen river but chickened out at passing under Motorway bridge as could not find mast height in spec. Steve kindly texed me with the height 2 days later which was very helpful!!
Moored at home berth and walked into Hable for supper.
Most pubs full so sat outside The Bugle and viewed a crappy menu. Decided to try the Italian but called in The Victoria on way and booked table, just in case. Lamb shank was delicious.

Sunday
SW wind strong so decided to sail up the Southampton river. Good sail accompanied by three bloody great cruisers. I may have this bit out of sequence.
Force 6 blowing us on to fuel berth, so it was a bit fraught getting B.L. off but Grahams muscular thighs saved the day.
Told Doug about the fender and buggered off home.