Rainbow Aileen Flies Again
Just into the sixth month of 2018, and finally Rainbow Aileen has been in salty water again! My great friend Bri and I set out from Ashlett on the first high water. The forecast had been for very light winds, but as we launched it was blowing a good Force 4. It was a textbook launch from ASC slipway, a clear blue sky, and all looked good. There followed the obligatory few minutes of fiddling, fuming and cursing the outboard motor gods, until at the point of giving up, the iron topsail roared into life, and we were away...
Ashlett Creek is such an improbable place. A lovely tidal creek, sandwiched between Fawley power station and the Esso oil refinery. We headed out into Southampton Water, and turned left after passing the tanker tugs. We had a splendid broad reach, but agreed that we were a little over-canvassed. A reef was put in and we then flew along towards Southampton - absolutely marvellous. We sailed right up past the moored cruise liners towards the upper docks. We were gently overtaken by my dream boat, a beautiful Contessa 32. Just before the scrap steel quay, we put in a smart gybe, and headed back downstream - magically, on a good close reach.
After some fun and games, keeping clear of the shipping channel as a variety of ugly car transporter ships, cruise liners (not much prettier) and the Isle of Wight Ferry rumbled past us, we crept over to the south side and close tacked back towards the entrance to Ashlett Creek. This time, the outboard started on the second pull. We reduced sail and motored back to the sailing club slip, then hauled out.
Bri and I then packed up, and put Rainbow Aileen back to bed. Hopefully only for a week or two this time.... We then drove round to the Jolly Sailor to join Kim and Jo after their visit to the gardens at Mottisfont (the lengths people go to to avoid sailing with me!!!). Fine beers, food and company, then home. A great first sail of the year.
Ashlett Creek is such an improbable place. A lovely tidal creek, sandwiched between Fawley power station and the Esso oil refinery. We headed out into Southampton Water, and turned left after passing the tanker tugs. We had a splendid broad reach, but agreed that we were a little over-canvassed. A reef was put in and we then flew along towards Southampton - absolutely marvellous. We sailed right up past the moored cruise liners towards the upper docks. We were gently overtaken by my dream boat, a beautiful Contessa 32. Just before the scrap steel quay, we put in a smart gybe, and headed back downstream - magically, on a good close reach.
After some fun and games, keeping clear of the shipping channel as a variety of ugly car transporter ships, cruise liners (not much prettier) and the Isle of Wight Ferry rumbled past us, we crept over to the south side and close tacked back towards the entrance to Ashlett Creek. This time, the outboard started on the second pull. We reduced sail and motored back to the sailing club slip, then hauled out.
Bri and I then packed up, and put Rainbow Aileen back to bed. Hopefully only for a week or two this time.... We then drove round to the Jolly Sailor to join Kim and Jo after their visit to the gardens at Mottisfont (the lengths people go to to avoid sailing with me!!!). Fine beers, food and company, then home. A great first sail of the year.
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