Juno has been sailing since 11 March this year and unless you count crew training or returning from races (albeit in one case taking 10 very relaxed days to do so) had so far not been on a “cruise”. So what better way to round off her 2010 season than a little relaxed weekend jaunt to Lymington and back?

 

It certainly made a very pleasant change to spend Friday evening in no less that 3 of Hamble's finest refreshment institutions, rather than setting off from Cowes at 19.00 on some cross-channel dash. The on board caterer also noticed a subtle but significant difference in the provisioning list for Tesco Burseldon – less food and more alcohol than normal (though predictably not enough of the latter as it turned out). So after the last of Juno's crew joined up (at 22.30 in the Bugle) it was a relaxed group who repaired to their bunks an hour or so later.

 

Of course it was supposed to be a FAST cruise and Graham Broadway (a Juno regular who was also doubling up as rally organiser) was very keen to get to Lymington as soon as possible. Added to that we were honoured by the first time presence of LSC's retiring Hon Web Editor at the sharp end of things, so we thought we had better get out to the “start line” area a little earlier than necessary in order to practice our manoeuvres. However, so engrossed were we in pulling sails up, down and around that we completely lost track of the time and were slightly later than planned setting off on our “cruise” westwards. As we later found out, we were not the last to cross the line, so we did not feel too bad.

 

After the first couple of short legs we had a reasonable beat up to Browndown, trying to keep out of the worst of the rapidly building west going tide by going north early. The pain was followed by the pleasure after rounding by being able to hoist Juno's light symmetric spinnaker which we were then able to carry all the way to Gurnard Ledge via East Bramble, Gurnard and a gybe or two. After that mark we had the first of “Don's Delights” as Juno's crew referred to the series of short but demanding up wind, up spring tide one mile legs added into the course to spice up the western Solent leg. With our SOG down to 1-2 knots at times we really felt for the smaller boats. Still, we had one more delight of our own to come. After rounding East Lepe we were mid way through hoisting the asymmetric spinnaker this time only for mast man Mark to exclaim how light the load on the halyard had become. Funnily enough this was linked to the sight of the spinnaker now disconnected from the halyard and being towed neatly through the water alongside the boat. As Mark has also observed, one of the good things about making lots of mistakes is that you get better at fixing them. So it was with commendable alacrity that he and Chris had the sail back on board, attached to the other spinnaker halyard, and safley hoisted.

 

After that Juno's crew sailed on uneventfully in the increasingly light breeze and improving sunshine till finally crossing the finish line at around 14.30 and heading straight for Lymington's Berthon marina, eating our belated Cornish pasties and cream of tomato soup (yum, yum) on the way. Of course on arrival in our berth there was the little matter of the halyard to retrieve, but Chris (as one of the lighter members of the team) kindly volunteered to go aloft and all was soon recovered. Graham meanwhile had disappeared to follow up on his “rally organiser” responsibilities and returned with the news that Juno was to be the party boat. This caused a flurry of activity from the rest of crew, anxious that Juno would be seen at her best by their discerning fellow members – and an expedition to buy more beer.

 

After an enjoyable hour or so comparing notes it was time for a quick shower and off to the Kings Head for a great meal, more chat, and the odd further glass or two. The whole evening was a great success from our point of view and it was noticeable that though Juno's crew were the first to start talking about leaving the pub to go to bed – they were the last to actually do so. A big thank you to Graham on his excellent and innovative first fast cruise organisation and to assistants Don and John for courses and results.

 

Postscript

 

Juno's last 2010 cruise was back to Hamble the next day. With the big spring tide under her there was much debate over how many tacks it would take. Two to Beaulieu wasn't bad, and not many more to the Hamble in bright sunshine really did top off the weekend. A big thank you from her skipper to the rest of the crew for their help in getting her ready for lift out next week. Juno out.

 

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