Rally to Folly Inn - Medina River 2024
Published 08:58 on 23 Sep 2024
Saturday 7 - Sunday 8 September 2024
Saturday started with a very gentle easterly breeze of around 5~6 knots in light rain showers. This accompanied by a strong favourable spring tide allowed us all to mostly ghost along at 5~6 knots over the ground towards Cowes, unfortunately around 2pm the rain came in more steadily and killed the wind so the iron jib came into action and most boats arrived at the Folly between 1430 and 1530.
The challenge was now to set up drinks alongside without drowning the nibbles, as Frith would not be able to accommodate all 13 of us on board. However, as 6pm approached the light drizzle stopped and we had a pleasant get together with drinks and refreshments on the pontoon before heading up to the pub for more ales and an evening meal. We were pleasantly surprised to find plenty of friendly staff with quick service and enjoyable meals; an improvement on last year and with a large rally from HISC in too. I believe everyone had an enjoyable evening.
On Sunday Juniper of Leigh wanted to get away early around 7 am but the majority of us had a more leisurely departure around 10 leaving Runaway who was out for another day or so. The rain held off and although the wind was only about 5 knots again to start with it was now a favourable SW so most of us soon had all sails set and engines off. The wind continued to build veering round to a westerly at 10~11 knots so a lovely sail ensued. Stephen Weil tells me he a had a lovely sail and avoided all thunderstorms but to be honest in my sail back to Gosport, I didn't notice any either. It did rain briefly just as I was going on to my mooring (of course) but otherwise a damp but enjoyable weekend.
Boats attending were, Frith of DQ, Moody Moon, Fairwind of DQ, Hobo, Runaway and Juniper of Leigh with 13 attendees and two dogs.
Martin Watson
Frith of Dell Quay
