On Saturday 25th June nine Wanderers from Bosham sailing club were joined by 6 others from around the country for a gentle cruise around Chichester Harbour.

We gathered at Cobnor, by the end of the Bosham channel, where the visitors could rig their boats and join the Bosham fleet who had a gentle run down the channel. After a short delay waiting for a patrol boat from Bosham to join us – the excuse came the crew was delayed on a flight from Antigua- we set off for lunch at Dell Quay. We went up the harbour with the tide and although not the brilliant sunshine of earlier in the week we had fine weather and a gentle breeze. After passing all the moored boats near Itchenor we entered peaceful and quiet water before Dell Quay where some of the accompanying children were able to try their hand at helming with comparative confidence.

Dell Quay sailing club were very hospitable and looked after us well opening the bar and galley for refreshments and allowing us to use their outside decking as a picnic area – with fabulous views over the water.

Due to the high spring tide after lunch, we were able to go beyond Dell Quay and Fishbourne buoy, TO see a large gathering of swans before returning. A few boats were able to get their spinnakers up but the sail became another broad reach and we all made good progress back to Cobnor, again with the tide in our favour.

As the tide was going out quickly and the wind was coming down Bosham channel most of the Bosham fleet felt the need to get home as quickly as possible – very wise it turned out as one, who will remain unnamed, stayed back for tea and cake at Cobnor learnt to her peril! A spring of 4.7m means it is like a plug being pulled on the Bosham channel 2 –3 hours after high tide and tacking up the channel singlehanded ended with a visit into the mud, which is very deep in places, when you have to get out and push off the banks! Nevertheless a very pleasant not too arduous day for everybody and we hope to see a good turnout again next year for another tour around the harbour.
 

Anne Downing Wanderer Cass Captain Bosham SC