Early May is not likely to provide the best weather for a mini cruise, but we were lucky to have some good sails to Littlehampton and then, Brighton and back and we were blessed by a pod of large dolphins in attendance. We stayed an extra day in Brighton while unfavourable winds and rain blew through, and we used the time well – in the context of dining. We enjoyed an excellent meal at the famed Riddle and Finn restaurant in the Brighton Lanes while watching heavy hailstones settling like snow outside. My next-door-neighbour (he of massive exaggerations) drove down (he was not welcome for the passages) and spent the day and overnight with us in Brighton. It may be significant to note that the very gay waiter clearly took a shine to him, giving him an extra, free of charge oyster, so he could appreciate it’s ‘plumpness’ – say no more…!
Several visits for jobs and victualling resulted in Hejira prepped and nearly ready for the summer cruise. With the Northney fuel berth out of action, it only required a short trip to Sparkes Marina just inside the entrance to Chichester Harbour to fill the diesel tanks. Peter, Toad, my next-door neighbour (mentioned above), was only a passenger for this trip but his two sons were quite helpful and seemingly enjoyed the day.
With the uncertainties about flights resulting from the fuel supply crisis, we decided that we would not venture too far, and stay within train and car access for crew changes. We have a plan to visit some unexplored unusual destinations and take advantage of the unique shoal draft/drying abilities of our Southerly.
The first crew comprised of Richard, his wife, Amanda and David Scott who I first met doing the RYA courses back in the late ‘80’s, early ‘90’s. I did my first channel crossing to Cherbourg with David in a leaky 23 foot yacht with a smelly 9hp 2 stroke outboard having towed it down to Wareham to launch.
My wife, Paula, drove us all down to Northney Marina and we slipped on Thursday 18th of June with the knowledge that there would be insufficient wind to sail. We were happy to ‘bimble’ through the Solent under engine with the tide under us. The passage was dogged by fog which was to be a feature of the next few days but with AIS (Automatic Identification System), radar and good eyeballs we were safe, and we picked up a mooring buoy in Swanage although we couldn’t see anything else.
We had no concrete plans as the weather had been very changeable, but an early morning review suggested a window to make a crossing to Alderney. There was little wind again and there were banks of fog to add to the excitement. We had a couple of course changes to avoid ships and found a vacant mooring buoy in Braye Harbour at the northern end of Alderney. Richard and Amanda treated us to a sumptuous pre-prepared Indian meal complete with popadums, pickles, dhall, onion bhajees and naan bread, all accompanied by Bangra music! Everyone made an early departure to their beds when I started playing jazz…
Using the water taxi, we ventured ashore and hired electric bikes which was a revelation to me as we explored the pretty island. The capital (only) town is St. Anne and it is rather quaint, giving a sense of going back in time.
Notable observations about Alderney: Motorcyclists don’t wear crash helmets, and they seem to accept vaping in pubs
So, following some comments, I am reluctantly showing a picture of my meal, largely cooked in the pressure cooker for economy but healthy and nourishing none the less…
Come on you two ,that waiter will be getting jealous 😂
The waiter took a very definite ‘shine’ to Peter and Peter did resort to mentioning his wife and children as the waiters advances developed…
No mention of dinner the next night, prepared by the skipper ?
The meal the following night was a veritable triumph. My modesty prevented it being mentioned…