Despite the long-range forecast looking reasonable for this rally, on the day, the wind piped up another force at least which resulted in only three boats braving the conditions, Sue and Barrie in Fairwind of DQ, Bill, Ian and Dick in Niobe and myself in Frith. In the event despite starting from different home ports we all arrived around the same time. After tying up and squaring away, we all assembled at 18:00 in the cockpit of Frith on which I had set up my cockpit tent which kept us cosy despite the strong wind that continued to blow throughout the afternoon and into the early evening. Drinks and nibbles were imbibed and eaten and my special arrangement of mature brie on dried apricots with a pecan nut on each seemed to go down very well (there were certainly none left at the end.) I've now got to think of a name for them!

Having booked a table in the Folly Inn for 19:30, we arranged for the water taxi to pick us up and drop us off on the Folly Landing stage. On entering the pub, we were just in time to hear a local band start tuning up in preparation for the nights entertainment. `I personally thought they were very good, playing a lot of my old favourites from the 70s and 80s, although I'm not it was appreciated by some of the others, especially after the break when they then started playing more up to date music, probably to cater for; the younger set who would be staying later than us older folk. Notwithstanding, I believe we had an enjoyable evening and I think everyone enjoyed their meal, especially those who had three courses! (no names no pack drill Dick!) Once the band started their second set, having finished our meals including a second round of drinks for most, we decided it was a fit moment to retire and if memory serves me we were back on the pontoon around 22:00 so a respectable time to retire.

The next morning, Niobe set of at around 10:00 to return to Chichester, whilst Fairwind and Frith stayed on for a second night. Sue and Barrie had never been up to Newport and had originally intended to go up in their dinghy but decided to walk instead along the eastern shore. I joined them to show them some of the 'sights'. They were pleasantly surprised on reaching Newport believing it to be quite industrial which it most definitely is not. We first had a 'light' snack lunch in the Bargemans Rest which proved to be quite filling. We then walked up into the town where a few shops were open despite it being a Sunday, we also met up with a member of the Parker Seal Association, Mike Baldwin ( another one!) and his partner on their Parker 325 'Shemar' and between them and another boat owner moored a bit further up the river against the wall, gave I believe sufficient information to tempt Sue and Barrie to try going up in Fairwind next season and drying out against the wall. For those who have not been up there before, if in a bilge keeler or a lift keeler it is a non-event with plenty of water and mooring charges are the same as the Folly with better accessibility to the amenities, and even in a fin keeler you can still dry out against the wall, just ensure you have nice long lines to cope with the maximum tidal range of around 3m on springs. It is one of my favourite places to go into and even though the former Harbour Master Malcolm ( an incredibly friendly and helpful individual) has now retired, is still a welcoming little harbour.

Martin Watson, Rally leader