SELENE - CAPTAINS LOG

January 2012 –

Capricorn Rally in Cowes 14/15 January 2012

I arranged another Capricorn Rally for those with Capricorn birthdays again and we got a good turn out this year: My birthday is on the 19th and on board with us were Malcolm and Mavis Harman - Malcolm being the Capricorn. Then in Kotka, Richard & Helen Stoneman - Richard being the Capricorn. Also in Opus J were Richard and Helen Harden Helen having a Capricorn birthday, and Ear to Eternity with Peter and Wendy Whatley - Wendy the Capricorn representative.

We berthed in Cowes and had drinks in the Anchor as usual. Selene hosted a drinks party, and we all then went an enjoyed a superb dinner at the Island Sailing Club.

Great rally with good company. See the pictures in the photos page.

Area 15 YC Rally to Bembridge 25/26 February 2012

Julia and I always planned to go to Bembridge this weekend - originally with Neil and Jane, but they could not make it, so we suggested it to our fellow commodores in the Area 15 YC ( everyone is a commodore in this club including the dogs and the kids ) and three boats joined us: Goose, Scallywag, and Good Grieff - and the weather turned up too - as in very warm and sunny - but no wind!

We had fantastic sunshine all weekend and on Saturday afternoon, we were sat outside the Vine in T-shirts. I had organised the Brading Haven YC for the evening meal, and they did us proud

Sunday was a lazy morning walking into St. Helens and another motor in the sunshine back to Haslar.

Quiet trip to Lymington 10/11 March 2012

Grey skies and light head winds meant that we motored down to Lymington on Saturday morning. When we arrived and tied up in Berthon, the sun came out and the rest of the day was lovely.

We did the shops and the market, and had a drink in the Kings Head. In the evening, we ate at the Ship on the Quay, which was good with very good service.

Sunday morning the fog cleared in the harbour, but once into the river after the first bend, we could not even see the next pole, so on with the radar and foghorn, and we used electronics to get us up to Gurnard when the fog lifted into hazy sunshine. Julia then cooked bacon butties and we motored sedately back into Haslar on a very big tide. We saw the Scallies and the Skoolies on shore, and got home in time to watch England beat France in Paris.

Cowes with Ed and the Skoolies 26 March 2012

Ed came down Friday afternoon, and when Julia got in, we went for a pizza together, and then spent the evening in Alton and watched Adam's band win the local battle of the bands. We walked back and found the police station cordoned off, so we couldn't get home, but they allowed us through when we said we lived there. They said someone had lobbed a grenade into the ploice station car park!

Saturday, we got to Cowes and were joined by the Skoolies - no wind so motored over. We had drinks at the ISC and then the Royal Corinthian, some shopping and then back to ISC for dinner in the evening.

Sunday we motored home and Ed and I had a few beers in the garden before his train

Cowes for Andy and Jen's engagement 31 March 2012

This was a pre-planned weekend where Andy would propose to Jen by having us and the Skoolies hang a banner saying Marry Me over the wall at Cowes Yacht Haven. They would be on board Bacchus and everyone knew about the secret except Jen!

Julia and I got Selene over early on Saturday to make use of the slack water - again little wind, so motored. We then did some shopping and had lunch. Then the Skoolies arrived and we hung the banner up and awaited the call from Bacchus on board Skoolie with some drinks. Lloyd go tup close and it was arranged that Jen was on the bow with Andy. He proposed on bended knee after she read the banner, and Lewis let off red balloons and we blasted our air horns. Very romantic. See more photos in the photos section.

Great celebrations and champagne and then Saturday evening, we piled into taxis and went to a Danish restaurant in Gurnard ( Andy is Danish ) called the Little Gloster. Great night out. Hungover next day.

Sunday we had to go see my very ill dad in hospital, so we motored home very early after a tight squeeze reversing out of the corner.

Easter break to Weymouth 5 - 10 April 2012

Julia and I left Haslar at 0830 and motor sailed down to Weymouth in very cold conditions. We arrived at 1600 but due to bridge works couldn't get in until 1800. We ate on board and drank at the Yacht club and at the pub opposite.

Friday, we cycled to Portland marina and left the bikes with Paul in the office, and walked up the western coastal path all the way to Portland Bill - glorious sunshine, but cold. We had lunch in the Pulpit inn - wonderful local freshly caught crab, and walked into Southwell and then got the bus back down to the marina, and cycled back to Weymouth marina, where the Scallies had just arrived. We socialised and left them to eat on board, whilst we went to Bella Italia, which was fine.

Saturday morning we shopped and then spent the afternoon with the Scallies and the kids and grandkids. We walked out to the other end of the beach whilst Max went on the fun fair rides, and caught the bus back along the front. The weather forecast for Monday suggested going on Sunday back to the Solent, so we all de-camped to Portland marina ( because of the bridge lift not being early enough the next day ) There we did a joint meal, where we prepared a pot of Cassoulet, and took it on board Scallywag for the joint meal after trying the bar there - Rock the Boat

Sunday we headed off at 0630 and again had to motor sail. Had some fun when we discovered another Selene right behind us, and Scally caught us up at Hurst. We then all dived into Berthon and headed for the Kings Head (as you do)

Richard and Helen arrived in the afternoon in their new Moody High Spirits and I had arranged their berth next to us. We ate with the Scally crew in the Mayflower and Richard and Helen joined us later

The Scallies cleared off on the Monday, but as it was so foul, wet and windy, we abandoned plans to go to Yarmouth, so Spirit and Selene went to the Kings Head instead. Followed by dinner at Stanwell House. They were staying out for the rest of the week, but next morning we headed for home on the east going tide. Finally got a cracking downwind sail all the way back F5-F6 SW - great!

HRH Prince Michael of Kent at Gins 21 April 2012

Julia and I left Haslar into a nasty head wind and a solent chop. It was not great. At one point we had a 40knot squall come through which slowed us down to less than three knots and we had a close encounter with a large ship going into Southampton as a result. Arrived at Gins with a big audience and a tight spot to ferry-glide into. Passed that test, and tied up alongside Aquarius.

Friday evening, Aquarius invited us aboard for pre-dinner drinks, then all six boats on the pontoon had dinner together in the clubhouse and there were further drinks with Peter Whatley afterwards. Great evening.

Next morning, we all dressed our boats overall, and put on our smart clothes for the arrival of HRH who was coming to officially open the new pontoon extension, and the plaque to all those who contributed to the costs ( including us of course ) - we are politely referred to as The Plankers as we all bought a plank, and you can see our names on the plaque. ( See photos section for bigger pic ) HRH duly arrived and unveiled the plaque and there were various speeches, and then there was a reception, during which we were on the list to be introduced and we enjoyed our few moments chatting with him.

We then all went down to the pontoon and HRH came and took a look and had drinks aboard Alana 3. When he left by launch, we all had more drinks aboard Alana. That evening, there were fewer for dinner, but we enjoyed eating with Martin and Shan and James and Pam - another great evening.

Sunday morning there was a nice breeze and we were looking forward to a nice sail back, but on hoisting the mainsail, the gooseneck started to come free of its rivets, and broke off. Probably as a result of some of the heavy gybes we had on the Weymouth trip. So now as well as waiting for a new marine toilet to arrive ( the old one packed up and we are using a chemical one temporarily ) we now have to get the rig fixed as well - ouch.