Scorchio...

On what was quite possibly the hottest day of the year thus far (30's plus) the intrepid crew (more correctly known as the Famous Five this time since t'other Dave was miraculously available) conjoined at Rod's gaff for an 09:15 reveille, before departing for the good ship AmiLy for yet another adventurous day on the water..

Very little breeze about after about 11:00'ish but having sorted her out, sorted sails, started engine, and fired up the kettle we were were away from the pontoon in time to enjoy the very last gasps of a decent breeze..

We took the inner swashway for a change, but the wind had all but died by the time we got to Gilkicker, and even the blue meany (the asymmetric) was doing little good..  as the temperatures climbed we drank tea, enjoyed the 3 knots of westbound tide, and then gave up and motored into Cowes, for a trip up the river for a change..  todays target The Folly Inn

The Folly is a bit of a landmark pub for the sailing fraternity the only downside being that unless you are very very very lucky (and manage to get the one or two places on the walk ashore), the only way to get to it is by water taxi unless you bring your own tender. Pausing only to admire the bikini'd crew of the next door boat we were soon sat at a table in the pub - where the service was lovely, but very very very slow...  all in all the Jolly Boys rated this one a solid 5 out of 10..  food was good, beer was pleasant but nothing outstanding, service was slow, portions were small, and the water taxi charged us 4 quid each to go from one pontoon to another, with I kid you not, a mere 20 foot gap between them...  ridiculous..  cheaper to go on a walk ashore in the marinas in East or West Cowes..

Lunch done with a few Zzzz's were expanded, before we dropped the pontoon moorings, and then by way of the fuel barge in Cowes where we topped up the tank and also bought kettle juice (ie. gas) - we made it half way home before the flapping of the sails finally caused us to put engine on and motor home..

|Lovely day out, slightly crisp round the edges, but the sun shone, the water glittered, and it was good to be out with the guys..  roll on the next one which may be in Dave's boat (Kings Ransom)

Log:

Distance: 28.28 (cumulative total in the mileage tab at the top)
Wind (Speed; Direction): F1 maybe 2; All over the shop
Sail Plan: Full main/genoa and asymmetric
Speed (Max/average in knots):  3.7 / 2.8