Sat June 3rd:  Some eight  boats joined the cruise on the Saturday.  Five rigged on the public hard at Itchenor [see table below], two others sailed from other bases within the harbour to join us.  Georgina and Martin Foggo [W 1388 ] from Bosham  SC and Alex Berrill and crew [W 1470 ] from Thorney SC.  Lawrence in W 1441 was to join us afloat just before launch.

The briefing was duly conducted at 10:15 in warm sun but depressingly very little wind and with the spring tide in mid flood options were some what curtailed.  It was agreed to launch and regroup a little way down channel.  Somewhat ambitiously a sortie to Thorney channel was initially planned returning for an early lunch stop at Bosham jetty.  However once afloat it became obvious that the wind available would be insufficient to make Thorney so after regrouping, with some assistance from outboards, the fleet set course for Bosham.

At this point Lawrence [single handed]  joined us, having sailed down from Chichester YC, and in glorious sun, a F1/2 wind but a strong, now favourable tide, we made our way up the Bosham Channel for a perfectly timed arrival at the jetty.  Unfortunately one of our number had suffered some equipment failure earlier and was able to rejoin us as we departed Bosham.

As if planned the whole fleet [-one] fitted snugly beam to beam along the jetty [see inset photo and also photo gallery] and crews came ashore to lounge around on the green in front of Bosham church and enjoy the view and lunch alike.  When I say came ashore it was more like wade ashore as the entire jetty was under 300mm of water due to the second highest spring tide for this year!

With the church bells peeling for the happy couple we departed Bosham and sailed back toward Itchenor Reach.  Our plan this time was to use slack water to explore Furzefield Creek [only accessible at spring HW] but locating the entrance was trickier in the light winds than first imagined so we continued up the channel for a lovely sail right up to Dell Quay.

With the tide now in full ebb and after some enjoyable sailing we turned to head back toward Itchenor.  The wind had, as forecast, improved to a F3 and some fine sailing was head on this leg.  With such a strong ebb it was important not to over shoot Itchenor as John found out and had to press his outboard into action once again.  We derigged in perfect weather and made arrangements to meet for the evening meal in a local hostelry a little later.  Some ten of our party attended this meal and some lively chat about the day ensued.

Sun June 4th: A distinctly improved wind [F3/4] greeted us on our return to Itchenor on Sunday morning.  The weather was warm and sunny.  Our numbers were reduce to four boats due to some earlier departures.  With the much improved wind and later high water we headed for East Head.  We made good progress.  However just around the 'corner' [Chalkdock point] we encountered what seemed to be the entire assembled harbour's racing fleet all vying for position at the start!  We arrived in the middle of this just as the gun went off and for the next 20 minutes or so our knowledge of  "The Rules of The Road " were tested in the extreme!  We all came though unscathed which is more than can be said for a Flying 14 and a  'S' class who collided with sickening thud just in front of us!

We continued and eventually went ashore at the NT's delightful East Head with it's safe sandy shoreline and welcoming dunes.  We assembled in these [see inset picture] for our picnic lunch in perfect weather and enjoyed watching the wealth of sailing activity unfolding in front of us.

Our plan, to perhaps venture across the harbour entrance to Hayling Island, was dropped in favour of an extended stay at this lovely spot.

We eventually departed soon after the tide turned and returned up channel on a perfect dead run until reaching Bosham where we said goodbye to Georgina and Martin while ourselves and Bev Woollard and crew had a truly delightful sail into Furzefield Creek, which had eluded us on the Saturday, and spent about 20 mins exploring this lovely backwater.