Coordinators: Jennifer and David Shepperd

We’ve written a couple of rally reports before and actually found them quite straight forward once we got down to it, so why did we find writing this one so difficult? Perhaps it was because we knew how hard it would be to put into words was a great weekend it was!

The weather was glorious with plenty of sunshine and light winds. Obviously there was a downside to this as most boats had to employ their engines to a greater or lesser degree.

Mistral Dancer, Solar Eclipse and us on Magic Mood arrived on Friday with the other nine boats joining us on Saturday; twelve boats in all, occupying the whole of the visitor pontoon. During the rest of Saturday, while some of us relaxed, enjoyed the sunshine and good company, others took the opportunity for some retail therapy.

 

The marina staff couldn’t have been more helpful and supplied us with a large gas barbeque plus tables and chairs (free of charge!) for the barbeque which followed the pontoon party.

 

Such a warm, still evening was perfect for a barbeque and created the ideal atmosphere for everyone to chat and mingle as the food was prepared and eaten. The evening concluded with a firework display that we had no hand in arranging!

On Sunday morning we met up for the planned guided walk visiting various landmarks related to the fateful sailing of the Titanic from Southampton on 11th April 1912. It was a moving story made more so by our knowledgeable guide, a direct descendant of a fireman who survived the sinking of the ship.

Ennios, a popular Italian restaurant situated close the marina, had been booked for Sunday lunch. The venue and the meals provided were of excellent quality and enjoyed by all.

On Monday morning everyone left for home with clear blue skies and sunshine but again very light winds. We would like to thank all those who attended and helped make this rally such fun and a pleasure to host.

David and Jennifer (Magic Mood)