Report on the Haven to Haven Cruise

A gentle sail on a smooth sea took us on the Friday to Cowes Yacht Haven where we rafted two deep, helped by a team from the marina primed with our berth positions.

We were delighted to welcome Jim and Denise Davies of Seascape on their first CYC cruise in company who got to know old timers at a sunny evening pontoon party before dinner onboard or at one of Cowes many restaurants.

The next day, again in little wind and calm waters, a sail to Lymington Yacht Haven for two nights with individual berths scattered across the marina and an afternoon at leisure.

A group dinner for 22 people that evening at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club followed drinks on the club terrace where we were greeted by David’s MG car club chum René Chinnery, Rear Commodore House of RLymYC.

There was an excellent turnout the next day for a seven-mile coastal walk from the marina round Keyhaven nature reserve. Our resident avian expert Kerry Jackson spotted and identified many birds for us including a rare sighting of a spoonbill and we also admired newborn foals resting with their proud mothers on the marshes. 

Seven-mile walk? Not for Helen on Kerry Dancer who more than doubled that by walking and running to Hurst castle and back to the marina. Others walked or took the bus back after lunch at The Gun pub or a DIY picnic at the welcoming and very busy Keyhaven Yacht Club.

Sunday evening? Obviously time for a farewell pontoon party!

Boats taking part: Star Dancer, Coco, Sounio, April Folly, Kerry Dancer, Raven, Silver Shamrock II, Ruby, Good Day Sunshine, Dawn Chorus and Seascape.

David and Amanda Pearce, April Folly