Beaulieu Rally and BBQ - Monday 5 August 2024
Published 17:10 on 15 Aug 2024
This year the Beaulieu rally provided a stop off for the Round the Wight as well as a stand alone rally destination, so with eight boats signed up we all made our way up the beautiful Beaulieu River to Bucklers Hard marina.
Roussillon (Chris and Andy) was the first to arrive having spent Sunday night at The Folly. Fairwind (Sue and Barrie) had a splendid sail on port tack all the way as the SW F4 obligingly backed to S and were followed in by Osprey (Chris and Janet),
Moody Moon (Piers, Chris and Mabel the dog), Plover (Mike and Simon), Nioble (Bill and Dick), and Firebird (Tim). Mandalay (Martin and Ian) was last to arrive having been delayed by a problem with the engine cooling system that was solved by removing pipes, checking the water pump and reassembling, although the cause of the blockage was never discovered.
The weather was dry and fine for the evening, just perfect for a BBQ and with charcoal lit, drinks and nibbles were enjoyed whilst the food cooked and all had a very convivial evening.
It was really good to see Bill out and about once more in Niobe and reminisce about some of the long distance cruises we had enjoyed to Brittany under his guidance.
The next day the promised band of rain arrived and Mandalay and Roussillon left early to catch the east going tide. Bill and Tim got very wet in the process of letting Roussillon out.
Fortunately weather conditions improved and it was drier when the rest of the fleet left just before noon bound for Yarmouth for the Round the Wight but that's another story .....
Sue Pearson
