Bembridge Rally
After a week of weather forecasts covering the full spectrum, the wind settled into a fresh but pleasant SW, perfect for the run down to Bembridge. 11 boats gathered in Bembridge’s Duver Marina with the afternoon flood tide, a good turnout.
As is tradition, we held a pontoon party in front of La Ina which everyone thoroughly enjoyed, catching up and swapping stories of the summer cruises far and wide, La Ina’s foredeck doubling as a bar.
We were dining in the Vine Inn in nearby St Helens. Some chose to catch a taxi, but for those of us who walked, we were rewarded with a very pleasant evening walk over the causeway and nearby fishing harbor, and up the hill into St Helens, and the Vine Inn.
Following a wonderful dinner, we all proceeded back down the hill, and by torchlight, crossed the causeway, and back along the coastal path to Duver Marina. The walk was definitely welcome after the generously portioned dinner.
No plans had been made formally for Sunday, and I think many took the opportunity to relax and have a leisurely day, with the evening high water keeping us in harbour until mid afternoon.
On La Ina, we chose to walk into Bembridge and through to the Crab & Lobster for a fabulous meal, before slipping lines for the trip back up to Southampton, arriving early evening.