Chichester Yacht Club Magazine September 2018 | Page 26

Yacht cruise to Yarmouth and East Cowes - by Geoff and Gill
Steeden (Gilli-Anne)
We started with a very informal skippers’
meeting in the bar at CYC. This was attended
by Geoff and Gill Steeden (Gilli-Anne) lead
boat, Chris and Sally Knight (Serendipite) and
Mike and Carol Donnelly (Sealion). Peter
Barker also joined us for a beer though sadly
he and Marion would not be joining us for the
cruise.
Tuesday morning we woke to glorious
weather, blue cloudless skies with a gentle
breeze from the E / SE.
Gilli-Anne departed Chichester Marina at
08:00 shortly followed by Serendipite, we
passed Sealion who were getting ready to
depart from Itchenor, our sails were hoisted
near the harbour entrance and the engine
turned off.
Peace and quiet resumed, we were sailing
although slowly.
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After a while I decided that we needed to
make faster progress so we motor sailed on
and off throughout the day. My excuse was
that we needed to be in Yarmouth to welcome
the other boats in.
However Chris and Sally managed to sail all
the way so a BIG Well Done to them. Despite
our motor sailing David and Janet (Teise),
who had departed from Gosport, arrived just
before us and Serendipite and Sealion
followed shortly after.
After a quick sort out of the boat and a bit of R
& R, because I was up early, Gill then
prepared the nibbles and we had a very
pleasant pontoon party in brilliant sunshine,
followed by a great evening at the
Wheatsheaf. Lots of chatter and getting to
know new friends.