Up early to ail for a 6hr trip to Bembridge Harbour, on the Isle of Wight. The sea was a millpond coming out of Shoreham and continued for most of the trip, with it only getting choppy near to the Solent. As it was so still the crew were having trouble keeping awake and were regularly catnapping between times on the Helm. Capt Stan allowed 1st mate Hannah to have the helm for most of the trip allowing him to doze away quite happily dreaming of the waves to come! Seasick Molly and I were quick to position ourselves in the favoured bed in the bow. There was little to see as we were too far from the shore and a mist had settled on the distance, so an expanse of Lobster pots and the aft of Bonny Rose were the most exciting visions.
Bembridge is protected by 3 forts which after coming through you then need to follow a course of Buoys into the harbour that keeps sailors from the high sill that protects the beach head at Low Tide. Having arrived outside Bembridge harbour, the master was called and we were told to anchor till High Water as the sill was very difficult to manoeuvre at that time and we could get stuck. So we rafted to Bonny Rose who anchored for both of us and 1st mate Hannah was the first to jump in to the sea (with a little help from myself!) Feeling left out the crews of both boats and Capt Stan jumped in as well. While Capt David of Bonny Rose took to his dinghy as one should! Seasick Molly decided to watch from the deck, rather confused by the shenanigans of the Capt and his crew!! Attempting to be serious, Capt Stan decided to look at his prop shafts and detangle them from bindweed. The water was very clear and we could see the bottom for 8ft. After a fair time in, everyone went to clean up and we decided to make our way into the harbour, led by a sailing boat that got stuck half way by his keel. Oh Dear!! We waved as we sailed past and suggested perhaps a longer wait, which I am sure was appreciated by the crew of the sailing boat!!
The Harbour was full when we arrived and the Harbour master had thoughtfully gone home so we rafted against Bonny Rose who also had to raft alongside another larger boat and set off to scavenge for food before it was too late. Bembridge Harbour or rather Duver marina which is within the harbour is very lovely and quaint, with plenty to see. Everything is a far walk away but you are very near the dunes and can fish off the side for lobster and crab. The harbour is split with one way going to St Helen’s a small village and Bembridge village, which is a bit larger. Walking to St Helen’s you walk along a causeway that divides the harbour and is a beautiful site with some fantastic wild flowers and a few select ducks to lead the way. After walking into St Helen’s we found a terrific pub full of local life and very friendly, where I got to enjoy an amazing fish pie stuffed full of Prawns, mussels, oysters and salmon. Stuffed to our hearts content the ladies of both crews decided a chocolate feast was required which the Capt’s Stan and David watched us eat in disgust. (Though I am sure there was some secret envy as well!)
Finishing our time at the pub and having decided on our movements for the next day. The intrepid travellers went back to the moorings minus torches and in the very dark night. With the Capt’s Stan and David leading the way and the crews feeling their way back after having been left behind. We finally made it back to our beds for a good night’s sleep.
No comments:
Post a Comment