Cruise to Royal Clarence Yard
Wednesday July 11th

It actually didn’t rain! However, the wind going westerly early on did rather slow down the sailing yachts.
Loads of people went to this new and rather interesting venue. and it was just as well the weather was good as we would not all have been able to get inside the tiny round cafe, which did however, produce some excellent meals.
It was not a very large marina and it was full of the very large racing yachts, more of which kept arriving - they obviously lived there - and weren’t too bothered about the rather expensive berthing fees. It was felt that £12.50 for 2 hours was a tad steep!
It was a very interesting place - the old victualing warehouse was a gorgeous building being developed into flats and there was a lot more building going on and probably eventually over a archeological dig which had uncovered the remains of an old brewery - we think. Altogether a slightly weird place but with possibilities.
The sail home involved surfing down the waves going round the Pole and getting back before it blew the promised F6
Thanks to John Beck for organising this day out

Social Sailing Week

The weather was abysmal, continual rain and wind, but people still turned out and were determined to enjoy themselves. Carol, our Manager did, however, decline Doreen’s offer of a day on ‘Fancy’ on Wednesday - said she would rather wait for summer!
Numbers of 35 - 40 turned up each day with more on Tuesday with the somewhat reduced turnout of Solos - the promised hard beat home deterred about of third of the normal fleet !
Numbers on Thursday were reduced to 20 and no power boats went. The Friday sail-about was abandoned but about 50 people are expected at Baker’s BBQ, with shelter provided by lots of gazebos!
Earlier in the week, folks enjoyed the skittles at Walderton and the Thursday Musical evening at the Club was its usual, lively success

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Cruise to Yarmouth etc
Monday to Friday June 18th - 21st

About 16 boats were scheduled to go on this trip which was, unfortunately, fraught with bad weather to the extent that the Poole part of the cruise was abandoned and an extra night was spent in Yarmouth. The weather did improve sufficiently for the boats to get to Lymington as planned and then back to Cowes and home the next day

Report from Tony Aitken
We had a great week in great company exploring the western Solent, and in particular the harbours and environs of Yarmouth, Lymington, and Cowes.
Our excellent organisers had arranged for us to dine at Royal Yacht Clubs along the way, and good food and fine hospitality made for memorable evenings.
There were several new SocSail members taking part, as well as loyal regulars, and by the Wednesday evening, when we had an impromptu champagne party on the Town Quay at Lymington, we were all friends sharing tales and tall stories of life aquatic!
Watch out for details of future HISC Social Sailing events,
- highly recommended.
Have put a some photos taken randomly up at:
http://www.cyberarc.co.uk/socsail0607
These are lo-def, if anyone would like hi-def images please email me sideways.TA
 

Cruise to Gins Farm
Thursday and Friday June 14-15th

Well, this cruise produced a total range of weathers! We started off in thick fog so all electronics were put to work. Just before Cowes a gentle, following, unforcast wind arrived so we had a nice sail - avoiding a large container ship round the Brambles Bank with its pilot boat frantically scurrying everything out of its way. Going up the Beaulieu River, it was a head wind - and then the rain came down - hard. .
The three motor boats which of course arrived early, had prime place on the pontoon, with Doreen on the outer birth and the five other yachts were found convenient moorings. And the surroundings were idyllic! - Quiet flat marshes with a walk inland as far as Bucklers Hard for those that wished to stretch their legs in the sun that showed up in good time.
Dinner in the Club, which was very well appointed, was good but noisy - need some ceiling tiles.
Leaving at 7.30 am next day to catch the tide we had a nice beam reach all the way, the wind gradually increasing so that we were glad to be home by the time the next lot of rainy squalls came over!

Cruise to Itchenor
 Friday May 4th

The first event of the season went off very well with 41 members sailing there in 10 boats. This latter number included an Elite but not Gary on his Windsurfer!