Soiree Weekend Event Report
Friday 6thJune: Harvester Pub Night
Friday evening saw the start of our Soiree Weekend, with the Pub night in the Harvester, where between the usual chatter, the weather forecasts were checked hoping the predicted rain and wind would not ruin the planned events for the weekend
Saturday 7thJune: A Cuban Latino Fiesta
Report to Follow
Sunday 8thJune: ‘POP UP’ Tender Rally
Well it turned out to be a tail of three halves for our Summer Soirée weekend from a weather point of view!
The last event of our three event weekend being the Pop Up Tender Rally to The Crate seemed to nicely evade both the previous two days weather and the forecast being a bit rubbish for the Sunday. The wind was not anything like as strong as forecast and during the afternoon out came a pleasant sun to warm the heart.
With the call of the PSYC Moose being heard around the marina, the first wave of tenders gathered near the lock at 13:00 or so to await the next lock out. Five intrepid boats proceeded through in fine style and perfect seamanship. Following the rally leader via the designated marked channel further Moose calls were made to passing yachts, which after some serious looks of surprise, if not shock to hear a Moose on the water, hats were doffed as we proceeded to The Crate at Trafalgar Wharf, now part of the Premiere family of marinas.
After safely mooring up we joined a very substantial contingent who had either walked or driven ahead. 24 merry and fine sailors and one fabulous dog Alonzo, gathered around our PSYC reserved tables to take in much needed refreshments of many kinds served by the lovely bar team.
With terrific views down to Portsmouth and across to Port Solent, and the sun making frequent appearances, the hungry bunch took advantage of the very generous discount offered to us for The Crates food offer including their jolly good pizzas.
A fine singer guitarist gave us two hours of just super music, not too loud and not too head banging ( which I believe to be a phrase the young ones use ) playing some great classic hits with a modicum of “the modern” thrown in. A fresh contingent of two ribs and another tender joined us to bring our total number to 36. And excellent turnout considering the forecast was pants.
Much great conversation amongst old and new members alike made, as always, the afternoon go along merrily. Eventually folks started to return back to home base.
Your author was happy to lend a tow line to one of our group (no one ever gets left behind) who after getting his engine running and leaving the pontoon then had it play up! With the tide state being only just after low, the muddy banks were rapidly approaching to ground us but the tow was successful, and half way back to Port Solent lock the engine decided to spring back to life. As always those involved are to remain nameless.
Anyway, once Dave of Sea Dream had exited the lock and steamed merrily up the fairway your author returned to his mother ship and made the fabulous discovery that one of our club had posted a super video on YouTube of our rally. That’s a first and a most welcome one. My thanks to the crew of Moonshine for taking the time and trouble. The more the merrier.
YouTube Video Link - please note this is a link outside of the PSYC website
My thanks to all the 36 attendees for another most enjoyable tender rally. More to come in the season and any member who would like to help out and run one I’d be delighted to help. They are really very simple and easy to run.