This was my third outing on one of Jane’s weekends…
…so I knew already we would have a lot of fun, hard work and almost certainly plenty of fantastic food and a drop or two of gin. Covid and injuries led to some last minute changes to the crew, which also resulted in one of the crew being distinctly not a lady! We were very grateful for Warren’s experience – and skills in the bacon butty arena – especially focussing on navigation to free Skip Jane up for what she does so well, helping the rest of us to work on our sailing skills. We had variable experience, from novice to rusty (that was me, having not been on the water for 3 years), but by the end of the weekend we had all had a go at most things, learned a few new skills and rediscovered knowledge we had forgotten we possessed!
The weather and tides suggested an early start on Saturday morning, so, having sampled the delights of Banana Wharf the night before, mastered the art of the bowline (I practiced then showed Jane, who showed Lisette – all getting the hang of this oft elusive skill pretty quickly) we got up with the sun and headed for the showers. “You can take her out” said Skip Jane to me! “OMG, can I remember what I need to do?” Well, with a bit of prompting from Jane the theory came back and before we knew it we were springing off the stern to head off down the Hamble. It was a beautiful sunny day, but with enough wind to take us west down the Solent, out past Hurst Castle and then South to beyond the Needles. We triangulated back up to the North Channel and then to Newtown Creek where we planned to have a late lunch and maybe stay overnight on a mooring. We hadn’t banked on all the motor boats (parked in the channel) that had obviously made an early pitch for this lovely creek, filling it with noisy revellers, paddle boarders, inflatables, lilos and the odd person who seemed not to know the rules of the road! Skip Jane did a perfect donut turn on a sixpence and we retreated quickly, decided to have our lunch on the hoof and headed back to Universal for the night.
Next day, we made another early start and it was Jane (crew)’s turn to take Eagle out. This time we turned up Southampton Water to anchor for breakfast. After breakfast we did some skills practice, each having a go at ‘donut turns’, before making our way further into the Southampton docks area – really interesting to see the cruisers and container ships in dock and to watch the containers being unloaded by massive cranes. We picked up a buoy (again, very skilfully managed by Skip Jane and Warren) and had lunch which we’d planned to follow up with a lazy post lunch at leisure – but hadn’t banked on a rather grumpy fellow sailor informing us that we were on his mooring and should move pdq… so we did!
On the way back the wind picked up and we had some great sailing, everyone having a turn on the helm, until Skip decided it was time for some more tuition, this time it was tacking practice, which we repeated taking a tight slalom down Southampton Water, dodging the ferries until Skip was happy that we’d at least achieved B+ or A- level!
Feeling exhilarated, slightly sun burnt and pretty tired, we had to return to Universal now, but I think we’re all working on fitting in another trip as soon as possible. What I love about these weekends, as well as the company, excellent catering and relaxed approach, is that we all have a chance to experience every part of sailing, including those heavier/tougher tasks that are often done by our gallant male crew mates. It can be tough and occasionally we get a bit nervous, but the sense of achievement and opportunity for learning is second to none. Thank you Jane, can I come again, please?
Madaleine Owens
Our non formal constructive activities are run by experienced club skippers to ensure that everyone gets the benefit of their expertise and knowledge, at a cost of £170 per person for weekend events, £220 for the 3 day events and £300 for the Five-Day Cruise including the cost of fuel, with just food, and moorings beyond Universal Marina as an addition.
If you would like to book a place, please don’t leave it to the last minute, book club events online by signing in through the members area of the website www.spreadeaglesailingclub.co.
Please do join our closed Facebook group ‘Spread Eagle Sailing Club’ where members regularly post pictures of their ventures on Eagle and other news including information on the Solent hazards.
As always, please continue to share your stories and pictures of club or general sailing events with the editor jane@wag-design.com
Please contact Event Co-ordinator Ian Hyde if you have any questions.