Chichester Yacht Club Magazine June 2018 | Page 13

Motors Cruise to Hayling Island, 15th May 2018 - by Colin
Archibald and Jennie Woodcock
Five boats were originally signed up but
due to injury and illness, we cruised as
three. having spent time at Southsea Marina and
when moored behind our Arkaig she looked
more like an ocean liner.
Illness in the shape of a prolific virus which
stayed with one couple for two weeks but
I'm pleased to say they have at last
shrugged it off and another poor man who
fell into his engine hatch, injuring his back
and although he was still determined to
make the cruise, it got the better of him in
the end. Boating can be a dangerous sport
but no life jacket can prevent that sort of
injury! Everyone enjoyed their meals. There were
two very large burgers, dead of course,
proved by the inevitable dagger which had
been left speared into the top, two ham
hocks with what was debated to be salad
which were not quite what was expected
but tasted good anyway, and a goat’s
cheese salad also enjoyed but my small
Crayfish Arancella (four little balls of a little
crayfish and a lot of breadcrumbs) with
loads and loads of garlic ciabatta was a bit
too filling.
We had perfect weather that day, although
one forecast I saw previously was for Force
5 but luckily Kate allayed my fears and the We returned to our marinas independently
cruise went ahead.
and although the very kind lock keeper had
to hold a hook on our boat while I raced
We met the lovely couple, Stuart and
back to the helm due to the current in the
Delphine and their equally lovely boat
lock, we had a good and uneventful trip
Melanda on the visitors’ pontoon outside
back.
Chichester Marina and after a quick delay
to make sure no one had
made a last minute
recovery, we set off for
Sparkes Marina where
Stuart and I had both
made reservations.
Our reservations had not
been upheld so Stuart
was booked onto a berth
and Colin and I settled
ourselves on the visitors'
pontoon, attempting to
serve coffee in the swell
that always seems to
happen there.
As I was leaving the
pontoon to join the others
for lunch at The Deck, I
was pleased to see Joe
and Heather in the
massive Oxbow heading towards me
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