The Commodore extended a further invitation to members to join him in an informal mid week rally on the 12th May, this time at Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.

For the Storm Petrel crew this seemed a good opportunity for your Fleet Captain to celebrate his **th birthday, some good company and and the good weather promised for the next few days. With a little leisure time available we set off from Southsea and holed up in Cowes after a less than exciting motor trip in light airs only to moor up in Shepherds alongside Jus' Lymin whose crew were not happy bunnies having been let down on their new sprayhood and with cold and unfriendly weather for the last few days.

After a couple of abortive tries at a pontoon party Storm Petrel decided to set off to Newtown Creek for the night with apologies to Chris and his crew where there were plenty of buoys available complete with a grandstand view of a wonderful sunset. This is a joyous place to lay up for the night out of season, the seabirds are working hard at parenthood and the waters are still.

Wednesday proved no better for wind so with some tacking practice for our new crew we ended up pretty much back where we had started only to give up and head for Yarmouth. No sooned had we tied up on the quiet Harold Hayles pontoon than Ariel appeared around the corner to join us for the night.

Next time you call at Yarmouth try the new On the Rocks Restaurant, its not cheap but it is very different. We tasted some bubbly, ate well, put the world to rights and slept well ready for departure to home ports on Thursday.

All in all a pleasant few days continuing the Club's objective of meeting and sailing with good friends in company. What matter that there was little wind and few miles were sailed on this occasion.

Do try to join David on his next outing, its what its all about.