Eastern Venture to Littlehampton 14th-17th August

SUNDAY

The ‘East’ cruise began by going west

Navigating to Portsmouth, perhaps as a test!

For the privileged few who were in the know

A Chinese meal the real reason to go

MONDAY

East cruise went east Monday at 7am sharp

Together with Bugsy complete with Harp

Grandparent duties caused First Light

To only manage a single night

Quintette to fleet: “If you’re around

We won’t be leaving yet, we’re aground!”

Coco, Quintette: “We are stuck fast

In Portsmouth Harbour. We may be last!”

Our leader, deputy, and others too

Still stuck at 8. What on earth do we do?

Dawn Chorus, Quintette “I don’t understand

8:30’s now come, and you’re still on land.”

Dawn Chorus, Quintette “What’s this we hear

We may all get lost is what I fear!”

“Coming to Portsmouth to avoid getting stuck

Not sitting around in that filthy muck.”

Eventually those stuck did get away.

Gosport is not always a good place to stay!

A fair wind proved the fleet could sail

Probably faster than Royal Mail!

“Quintette, Quintette on 72

Where’s Hermit the Kermit is he stuck in the goo?”

‘Quintette, Littlehampton would you give it a whirl

To find a berth for a Good Time Girl?”

We entered Littlehampton race

With boats attaining quite a pace

Bangs and bashes when we were mooring

Ensuring life was not too boring

Raven must move with flood going too fast

Making room for Hermit who came in last

They’d suffered badly from engine trouble

An engineer came to sort the muddle

TUESDAY

Three dinghies began to take the flood

Avoiding grounding in the mud

Ursa Minor, Raven and Bugsy as well

Aiming to go to Arundel

Most walked along down to the Arun View Pub

Reputed to serve some very good grub

Dawn Chorus, Fire Dragon and Coco first

No doubt developing quite a thirst

Followed along by Quintette too

Looking forward to a drink or two

Sounio arrived at last

This time no phone was up the mast

This joke is just for a select few

Who also know John’s story too

Kevin and Annie use their folding bike

Star Dancer decides to go for a hike

The dinghies returned on fast ebb tide

Enjoying a pretty hair-raising ride

Nick nearly lost his dinghy seat

Rescued by Steve another of the fleet

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday arrived all too soon

We must all leave by afternoon

6am some boats depart

What a ridiculous time to start

The itch commenced at a quarter to one

With a stiff flood tide to add to the fun

Star Dancer was there and also departed

Following Coco who already had started

The fleet had now left, what a sight to be seen

Dark skies above ready to give them a clean

En route wind had mostly gone away

And iron sails now ruled the day

The current ran swiftly through the Looe

And cries of delight came from the crew

The rains came heavy entering Chichester port

Together with squalls it was that sort

Quintette to fleet “I should explain

I’m not responsible for the rain.”

The cruise to Littlehamton was complete

Enjoyed by everyone in the fleet

If your boat’s not mentioned its Firedragon’s fault

You’ll have to take it with a pinch of salt

Chris & Judy Turner, Firedragon