Articles
CRUISING IN COMPANY ALONG THE DORSET COAST ..... SUMMER 2007.
Submitted by Royce and Freda Naylor and Brenda Bevin
Oct 2007
Shiraz is a Seal 22 pocket cruiser designed by Angus Primrose and built in Devon by John Baker in 1975. One of nearly 400 built she provides adequate accommodation for the three off us and our small dogs; Jake Charlie and Hamish.
We have over the last few years enjoyed a number of extended passages to the West Country but generally restrict ourselves to the Solent and Poole Bay, often joining often Parker and Seal Class Association members at fixed point Rallies or Cruises in company.
The following brief log is of a weeks cruise undertaken during that one week of glorious weather that followed the West Wittering Holiday Points Week.
August 4th to August 11th 2007
Friday 3rd Aug.
Left our mooring at Snowhill Creek at 2.3Opm. Good sail across to Wootton Creek, arriving at 5.3Opm. Four boats had already arrived on the pontoon at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. Fifteen of uus enjoyed a good evening meal there.
Sat. 4th Aug.
Left Wootton Creek at 11am. Sailed to Osborne Bay and dropped anchor for a light lunch on board.
Continued our journey towards Newton, but as it was the ‘Cowes Week’ hundreds of boats were out racing.
Arrived at Newtown at 3.3Opm. dropping our anchors in Clamerkin Lake. B.B.Q. on the beach later; good weather good food and good company.
Sun. 5th Aug.
Left Newtown at 03.45am, motoring out into the Solent following the leading boat, John Coyle in ‘Harlequin’ with navigation lights on.
Dawn was breaking at 05.3Oam. As we passed the Needles where we picked up a favourable Force 4 wind, we headed towards Weymouth, passing Anvil Head at 06.45am. with the rising sun illuminating the Dorset coast ahead.
Arriving at Weymouth, 1O.3Oam. Seven boats rafted out from the Quay finding time to relax now, followed later by drinks on board Seal 26 ‘Cleo’.
Mon. 6th Aug.
A late morning walk into the town, replenishing our food supplies. Evening meal was booked for seventeen of us at the ‘Nothe Tavern’
After the meal, a nice walk through Nothe gardens, followed by a lovely fireworks display at 9pm. from the beach.
Tues. 7th Aug. Quite a steep climb/clamber up to the picturesque ‘Smugglers Inn’, where we all enjoyed a lunchtime drink.
Decision was to sail towards Lulworth Cove, which we did in a favourable wind and arrived there in brilliant sunshine.
Later a B.B.Q. supper on the beach below the cliffs, while swimmers abound in the crystal clear water. The offshore wind made the Cove very comfortable and non-roll.
Wed. 8th Aug.
A pretty country walk up through the village of Lulworth to the ‘Castle Inn’ for lunch. We ate outside in the beautiful gardens at the rear. That evening we were invited on board Seal 31 ‘Many Moons’ for drinks.
Thurs. 9th Aug.
Late morning departure sailing eastward in a N.W. wind, passing Swanage then round Old Barry Rocks, and into Studland Bay arriving 4.3Opm. We all decided to eat on board, followed later by a walk up to the ‘Bankes Arms’ who were holding a Beer Festival.
Customers could choose a drink from about 90 different beers, many with odd names like Dragons Smoke stout; and Merlins Magic.
A good evening’s entertainment which was of course combined with lots of live music.
Fri. 10th Aug.
An early morning walk was arranged to follow the path over the hills above Old Harry Rocks.
Waiting for favourable tide we left Studland at 12.3Opm. Wonderful sailing conditions took us back into the Solent arriving Newtown at 5pm. After dropping anchor for the night we were all invited for drinks on ‘Harlequin’ to celebrate a very successful Rally with excellent weather and good company. Our thanks also to Peter Lowry (‘Cleo’) for organising this Rally so well.
Sat. 11th Aug.
We left Newtown at 10am. and had a good trip back to East Head. As it was a late High Water we stayed comfortably overnight there. We finally got back to our mooring at Snowhill on Sunday morning, just as the boats were emerging from W.W.S.C. for the start of their Trophy 2000 racing.
Royce and Freda Naylor and Brenda Bevan
‘Sheraz’ - Seal 22 /Sail no.195