Royal Thames Families' Picnic at Hurst Castle — 09 August '09

We have a wonderful clubhouse, we have a rich and varied programme of events that aims to cover all aspects of our members' wide and varied interests, and indeed locations - but maybe the one thing we do not do enough is just... chill out, relax and not do anything. That's the point behind our Families' Picnic, to be held on Sunday, 9th August - right at the end of Cowes Week.

 Programme and Information Click here

For the Booking Form Click Here

Despite the 35+knot breeze keeping many away, last year's Families' Picnic was a resounding success and by popular demand will be repeated this year, using the same format.

We shall again have exclusive use, including our own Royal Thames entrance, of the entire East wing of the castle. The Castle itself will be open to the public but your RTYC Family Picnic entrance tickets will give you access both to our own private area and the public area.

Come by RIB, cruising yacht, day boat - or by car and travel to Hurst Castle in our own private ferry.

 As well as games of boules, garden darts and just plain relaxing, we shall have our own BBQ range lit and running where, under the guidance of a chef, you can either cook your own food or have it cooked for you. Or you can simply bring your own cold picnic: sarnies and soda or a Fortnum's hamper - whichever suits your mood and taste. Wines and other drinks are likewise BYO.  As well as the grass games for folk to play or ignore as they chose the CSO has put together intriguing Treasure Hunts for over- and under 12 (years of age) that will require you to explore the Castle thoroughly. But be warned. Participation in the Under 12 Quiz and Treasure Hunt will be strictly limited to those who are, truly, under 12.  Peter and Ruth Tracey will again organise the Kumberland Kite Flite Kompetition, where from a simple (provided) kit you will be able to offer loads of unwanted advice to your children as they design and assemble their entry. Flite time will be after lunch, with a prize for the family whose kite stays up the longest.

Peter Innes-Ker will again be producing coveted Podium Pushers' Medals for those who do best in the Races, and if Charlie Davis doesn't find a good conjuror - well, we'll just make him do the tricks himself.

The tides are LW Portsmouth 0724, HW 1415 BST so while the stream is not as helpful as last year, there will be plenty of water in the pool.  There will be some room for larger yachts to anchor inside in Keyhaven Lake and Sean Crane, of Hurst Ferries, will very kindly make his pontoon and mooring available to us. We can put four yachts on the pontoon, two either side (the pontoon takes both of Sean's big ferries when required) and the mooring just ahead of it will take another two larger yachts, with two further smaller yachts rafted one each side.

There is also good holding outside. The best place to bring up is at the north end of the eastern arm of Hurst Spit, opposite the conspicuous little wooden tower which is in fact the starting hut for the local sailing clubs. We have chartered one of the smaller Hurst Ferries to take us back and forth to the Hurst Castle landing in the Camber (the inner lake - above) as well as do the occasional run up to the very pretty little quay at Keyhaven.  Those arriving by car should park in the NFDC pay-and-display car park and either take the regular ferry down (return fare £5 for adults) from the jetty by the quay or call for the Royal Thames Special.  There may be a longer wait, however, as the primary task for our ferry will be to tend the yachts.

If you are planning on arriving by RIB or small boat or dinghy, please remember that the landing jetty at Hurst Castle itself is private property and strictly for the use only of Hurst Ferries' boats. If not anchoring and using the ferry, plan to bring up elsewhere on the beach, inside. At the entrance to the Camber there is a detached landing stage where RIBs can be left - be warned, at the top of the tide it's a wade ashore. But that's the charm of the place.  Very Virginia Wolfe. With the tide high, as it will be this year, RIBs and sailing dinghies (and yacht tenders) can be pulled up on the beach. In Keyhaven the high tide stands for a couple of hours after the first high water so there should be no difficulty in getting away.

If you do not already know this lovely spot (or if, outbound for the fleshpots of France, you have often promised yourself a visit but never yet got around to it) take a moment to look here:

http://www.hurstcastle.co.uk/

http://www.explorethenewforest.co.uk/Towns/Milford.htm

http://www.francisfrith.com/search/england/hampshire/keyhaven/

and for those who put their faith in Wikipedia: don't forget your passport...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_Haven