The Easter Cruise gets blown out, but the fun doesn’t stop there!

Easter Cruise Report 25 March 2015
Some decisions in life are easy, the forecast of F7- F10 over most of the w/e meant we had no option but to cancel the Easter Cruise. After a few phone calls to the sympathetic marinas and a restaurant it was back to the drawing board, what shall we do now?
We could either scrub the entire w/e or try and make the best of it, another easy decision, we had to see what we could put together, and do it quickly. We put together a programme which was hurriedly sent to all who had signed up and then to the other YS members to see if they wished to join us too. It was time to head for Chichester, but who would turn up?We arrived and had a “Social Thursday”, being amazed to see about 50 members attend, we had a fun evening and briefed all on the w/e’s last minute plans. As promised, Friday dawned bright and sunny, and we drove to West Marden to lead a walk from The Victoria Inn. The walk led us over the hill SSE towards Walderton in blue skies and sunshine, before turning W towards Stansted House. It was most definitely warm when we stopped for the obligatory coffee break, complete with mini Easter eggs for all. After a quick chat with Phillip & Sue Brown, who had stumbled across us on their walk, we headed N for lunch at The Victoria. Toby & Donna looked after 28 of us with a cheery smile, good beer and fresh food produced by Toby. It had been a lovely walk and we had made the best of a day ashore.

Meanwhile some of our colleagues enjoyed their Friday with a sail around the harbour, the first cruise of the year for many.
On Friday night we went to a Saint Patrick’s day folk evening at Bognor. 12 of us made up the biggest table of the club and enjoyed varied music and chat as the acts entertained us.

Saturday was the day of the “Cruise Dinner”. 28 of us filled a large dining room in The China Royal, Chichester. We ate well on a 3 course dinner of assorted starters, followed by crispy duck pancakes and then the main course of our choice.
There was a great buzz in the room as chat, stories and plans of the season ahead were exchanged between mouthfuls of tasty food.
We enjoy sailing our boat First Light as much as we can, but the main reason for us being members of Chichester Yacht Club is to enjoy the company of so many other members. Thanks to all those that took part in any aspect of the weekend, it could have been very flat after having to cancel the cruise, but your involvement and good humour made it a weekend to remember, thank you all.
John & Jane Gosnell – First Light.