Successful BBQ at Bucklers Hard despite the weather

Sky Hunter II was on station at 12:00 at RTYC buoy, with all crews in oilies combating the persistent drizzle. The breeze was out of the South West at a steady ten knots and the tide was flooding. Sadly the lack of seasonal weather had limited interest in this event but this was a shame as the breeze gradually built over the afternoon and the weather improved somewhat.

Sky Hunter II lead Sundays Child down to the leeward mark West Bramble, rounding to port for a short mile beat up to Quinell. Crackertoo came over the radio, enquiring on the whereabouts of the fleet? RCS aboard SH2 responded that we were sailing "Nav Ex 2" and that we started at 1200. Crackertoo was able to join the exercise by forfeiting the leeward mark and remain in contention for the beat to Quinell. Sheets were eased to cross over to the island shore and round Elephant, taking the flood tide into account, SC managed to over haul SC2 and round Elephant ahead of Crackertoo. The call was to use the last of the flood and get over to the mainland shore for the beat up to Folkboats UK. We were surprised to see SH2 appear to bear away having crossed to the mainland and head for East Lepe. I called to enquire that all was well aboard SH2, the RCS replied that Folkboats UK was not on his 2012 chart. Cracker 2 sailed an excellent beat, and was within 2 boat lengths of SC at the windward mark Folkboats Uk. SC extended on the reach to East Lepe and covered Crackertoo on the short beat to the finish.

SC2 lead the advance party to Bucklers Hard Marina, and was joined by Amoret, who having sailed back across the channel on Friday night chose to forego the Nav Ex. Pipit also bravely overlooked the weather forecast and arrived for the BBQ.

Bucklers Hard Marina is walk ashore and proved welcoming. SC moored alongside SH2 and we decided to make a call at 1800 as to whether to go ahead and BBQ or cook all food aboard SC and SH2. RCS generously hosted drinks aboard SH2 at which time Rear Commodore John Hackman called and invited us all to Bucklers Green , where all the food would be cooked in their Aga. Mrs John Hackman was a superb host and within no time a table for 20 had been laid and a respite to the drizzle was toasted. Our sincere thanks to John and Carol Hackman for their most generous hospitality and it was agreed that with more favourable weather the idea of an  navex followed by an informal evening together was a concept well worth developing for next year.  Charlie Davis did an excellent job persuading the participants to ignore the weather forecast and take part in what turned out to be a most enjoyable event.