Poole Perambulation, 24 – 26 May 2014

Poole Perambulation, 24 – 26 May 2014
On checking the weather forecast and Hurst Castle wind data things did not look promising
for the Poole Perambulation. 30Kts at Hurst and heavy rainfall expected. However the
forecast showed the wind dropping so with hope in their hearts the skippers and crew
signed up for the perambulation set off for their boats.
The optimism paid off, Southerly Wind left her
mooring at 10:45 by which time things were definitely
looking up, the wind had dropped and so far no sign
of rain. Then venturing into Christchurch Bay the sun
made a determined attempt to break through the
cloud and by 12 o’clock we were sailing in bright
sunshine and a steady force 3-4 from just far enough
south of west to make Poole on a single tack. We
photographed a large blue yacht to our south with
bright sunshine and the Needles in the background. It
was only afterwards that we realised it was Blue Haes
with perfectly set sails.
Along we sped on Southerly Wind, (7.4Kts at one point – can GPS be believed!) by early
afternoon reaching Poole Bay where the Poole regatta was in full flow with a J and two
cruiser fleets battling it out in perfect conditions. We reached Poole Quay Boat Haven at
about three o’clock and were assisted in our landing by the crew of Blue Haes. Athene II,
Teal and Horti II followed soon after, all crews in high spirits having had a great sail.
The pontoon party on Southerly Wind was
scheduled for 5:30 whereupon the weather
gods finally relented and delivered the rain
promised in the forecast. None the less 13
of us gathered under hastily erected
transparent tarpaulin and umbrellas of
dubious reliability. The high spirits were
retained, helped along with a beverage or
two and food prepared by Southerly Winds
first mate. Following his 11 of us trekked off
for a convivial evening meal in a waterfront
restaurant.
The following morning the sun was back but the
wind was now strong and a gentle sail around the
harbour wasn’t looking hopeful, this combined
with the thought of a bumpy uncomfortable lunch
and evening at anchor led to the rally opting for a
Poole perambulation in the true sense of the word
– by foot. Blue Haes and Athene II had booked a
second night in the boat haven in advance and by
good luck the other three boats were able to be
accommodated. Sunday thus saw visits by crews
to local attractions including the square rigger
Stavros which was berthed on the quay for the
weekend, Poole museum, Poole lifeboat station
which houses the Thomas Kirk Wright (1939-62) and Parkstone Yacht Club to catch up on
the regatta. In the evening Teal kindly hosted another pontoon party, this time in clement
weather and to the continued enjoyment of the rally participants.
On the Sunday night crews catered for themselves. This was followed by a foraging party
onto the quay and finally a small band of ex head bangers seeing out the night to the
sound of an excellent local rock band – the Red Crows, in the Nelson Tavern.
Come Monday the rain was again threatening,
Athene II was the first to leave heading of mid
morning for lunch in South Deep, she was followed
soon after by Teal which had a longer voyage back
to the Beaulieu river. The others opted for a more
leisurely start leaving around lunch time. Soon after
leaving the harbour the rain returned providing a
wet but pleasant sail back to the Solent in a steady
wind and following tide.
Alan Doyle
Rally organiser