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Additional Event | Rally Extravaganza Part 1 of 4 LYMINGTON Review Three participants (Old Possum, Moonshine & Pikorua) made the journey to Lymington on Monday against the tide and a light SW wind. A smooth ride for the power boats but lots of tacking and slow progress for the sailors. Whilst sail progress steadily improved as the wind slowly rose to F4, the arrival of the ebb tide made the Western Solent noticeably more bumpy off Lymington. Old Possum and Moonshine moored at Town Quay without issue but the strong offshore wind at Dan Bran provided an interesting challenge for Pikorua when coming alongside alone. Most who came on Tuesday had a smooth run and moored at Dan Bran in slack tide and light winds. Amelie faced stronger winds when parking but received very enthusiastic encouragement from onshore and came alongside without incident. Enterprise left Portsmouth very early on Thursday and was rafted alongside Amelie by 9:00 am.
Tuesday evening drinks and snacks were held in breezy conditions on the Dan Bran pontoon next to Pikorua. All those on Town Quay walked to this meet-up bringing their own drinks and even a collapsible seat. The tables used for snacks and nibbles were placed in the lee of a fishing vessel and also securely lashed to pontoon cleats so only one container was picked up by the wind. Wednesday forecast was for rain but 6 people elected to walk over the marshes to Keyhaven. The sun shone most of the time and we reached Keyhaven Yacht Club in good time for a light lunch before returning to the marina. The Rally Dinner was held on Wednesday evening at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club. They proved very well organised. We had easy access to the bar to order drinks on arrival and our own dedicated function room for the meal with a single long table draped in white linen with individual placeholders to remind us of our meal choices. The Commodore Sally Kalis greeted us on arrival and service began promptly. The food was both excellent and plentiful. A very good evening and a venue we would happily recommend. Thursday was left as a free day for shopping or just lazing about which proved a good option since the rain showers were both frequent and very heavy. We had pre-booked the garden decking area at the Mayflower for an informal drink and Pizza evening on Thursday. Although the weather had improved by the evening the seating was still wet so the Mayflower team happily moved us all inside. We were also unexpectedly joined by the crews of King Hi and Happy Place. Pizzas were good and the participants engaged in the usual animated conversations about boating including real depths off Bembridge, the importance of propeller balancing and the low cost of a lift and scrub at the nearby Yacht Haven. Next morning the sailboats on Dan Bran left at 8:00am for Poole, using spring lines to clear the rafted power boats and ably assisted by the crews of Gite and Moonshine who were up at 7:00am to ensure they were on hand to help. Thanks to all who attended a successful start to the 2026 4 part Summer Rally Extravaganza. Southampton Town Quay Rally Review After being letdown by VTS at the eleventh hour on the Friday, everyone enjoyed an evening of pontoon drinks and nibbles. This was followed by a wander into town for an evening meal. A quick exit from the most expensive steak restaurant was needed before settling in for a cosy Italian osteria. Saturday saw a trip to the Southampton Aircraft Museum, for those that had been let down by yesterday’s disappointment of not visiting VTS.
A quick drink at the Pig on the way back to the boats before getting ready for the evenings delights.
All in all, an awesome time was had by all. Jane and Chris Bembridge BBQ & Karting Rally Review Bembridge BBQ & Karting Rally Report The amazingly perfect forecast for our Bembridge rally showed nothing but fine, sunny and friendly breezes well into the future, to continue the run of the most settled summer weather we can ever recall. When the weather is like this we truly live in a most ‘green and pleasant land’. With 15 vessels booked to attend, your authors sighed relief with the relaunch of Deep Blu the Tuesday before. The last major item of her refit / upgrade was completed, being the underwater antifouling and associated stuff. We sailed with the tide on Wednesday to settle in before the Armada arrived, mostly on Friday. David (Vigo) unfortunately had to turn back due to overheating issues. Mark and Julie (King Hi) made the trip in the dark having been unfortunately delayed and then having ‘missed the tide’, anchored off the harbour entrance and sand bar. When eventually a decent depth reading was achieved, they tiptoed in but caught a bit of unmarked ground on the prop and safely moored up at 23:35. Both should be heartily congratulated indeed on making the entry in the dark, into what must be the most difficult night navigation harbour entrance on the planet. Only the two cans marking the run in are lit, with all the rest (which move position every season as the sand bar shifts) being dark and almost unseeable. Great team work guys. The daylight mooring of the day award must go to Bob, who single handedly squeezed Kite Runner into a mooring that had but a cigarette papers spare room bow and stern! Phew.
Saturday dawned as another perfect day. The drivers and spectators arrived at the Wight Karting track a little after 13:00 and prepped themselves for the driver briefing that followed. Unfortunately Alonzo was very unexpectedly not allowed inside the driver centre (unlike last year) and so Julie kept him company while we raced. Chris (Highland Lady) was carrying an injury so could not compete, but Bob (Kite Runner) gamely stepped into his seat.
Saturday night saw a surprise birthday party organised by Mark for Julie. A splendid evening as Mark graciously bought fabulous pizzas all round and many many drinks for about 25 of us. The scrummy candle lit birthday cake was presented then shared around to a fine Port Solent Yacht Club rendition of ‘Happy Birthday to You’ . A wonderful evening for all, which went on well into the night. Thank you from us all Mark. T’was fab. Sunday, and yet another perfect day. Those booked onto the Sunday Luncheon at the iconic Bembridge Sailing Club venue made their way by water taxi to gather ‘on terrace’, to slowly imbibe and take in the magnificent view. Food arrived, the sun shone and conversation flowed. Then on to The Point Beach to lounge in the deck chairs and bean bags, and where your authors took a well deserved swim from the shingle beach that overlooks the great view of Portsmouth and surrounds, with the odd passing cruise liner thrown in. What’s not to like? Mondays’ departures in fine weather on the rising tide brought to a close a wonderful and very inclusive rally. Sarah and I would like to thank you all for making our rally such fun for us to run. Our Boaterists were, Moonlight Shadow, Counterpoise, Amelie, Kite Runner, Pompey Lass, Blitz, Moonshine, Highland Lady, King Hi, Sea Clipse, Thomas Hardy, Jango, Aeolus, Deep Blu and the most excellent McIntosh’s. John and Sarah Deep Blu |
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Whilst this was going on the ladies were embracing the delights of a personal shopping experience at John Lewis. With Prosecco a plenty, we were shown an array of outfits that can be worn onboard or ashore. Claire was the lucky recipient of the Clarins makeover, with everyone enjoying the free goodie bags after. Gentlemen, please don’t panic as the ladies spent their money wisely and the credit cards didn’t take too much damage.
The evening saw us all onboard SS Shieldhall for a well cooked BBQ by the volunteers with some amazing music from PSYC’s very own in house band, the fabulous Alan n Alison. Thanks guys, you are the best. The absolute icing on the cake was that Jane had arranged for the stately departure of a 19,000 teu container ship to depart its berth so we could all watch in awe at how these things happen (A secret that Jane managed to keep from everyone ).
Friday night saw the (oh so slow) BBQ’s lit, with a fine atmosphere developing, as folks ate, drank and chatted together in the well dressed ‘Grand Marquee’. Much dancing and singing soon followed as we were brilliantly entertained by Jimi, whose two sets encompassed many great songs from the 50’s to the present day. His rendition of various Meat Loaf hits (with which he tours the world) was the highlight of a great evening, rounded our nicely by our yacht club anthem ‘Sweet Caroline’ . 
Truly great fun for all, including the spectators, followed through to the prize giving with Angela (Pompey Lass) winning the Ladies bottle of bubbly. An outstanding set of drives saw Mark (King Hi) awarded the men’s bottle of bubbly and indeed getting onto the fastest drivers of the week board. Congrats to both winners, and well done to Khaleel and George with second and third placements. 
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