Chichester Harbour Rally Sept 26

Published 17:43 on 19 Sep 2026

Following the rain in early September, the Chichester rally was blessed with dry and sometimes sunny weather. Our first night's mooring was the new walk ashore pontoon at Itchenor. The passage across from Haslar Marina was pleasant and gave a sailing opportunity for those who wanted it. Misty Moon, Ocean Spirit, Blue Moon, Cheeky Monkey and Bonito all  arrived Wednesday afternoon.  Late afternoon we had a pontoon party.  We were the only visitors on the pontoon that evening, which meant we didn't cause an inconvenience, particularly with our choice of music. Rick had his parrot with him and put the birdcage on the pontoon. Jem asked what music we would like and someone suggested the parrot liked The Prodigy!  Our evening meal was booked for 7.30 at the Sun Inn, as the sun disappeared behind a bank of cloud we made our way into Itchenor. The food was good and the conversation lively and varied including a debate on which are the best biscuits for dunking in tea and coffee. The most popular for tea being ginger nuts and for coffee biscoff. The walk back to the boats was in the dark as there aren't any street lights or lights along the majority of the pontoon. Phone torches were very useful.   

 The next morning dawned brightly. Sadly Bonito could only stay the first night so departed. After a slow start to the day some crews took the opportunity to explore the area by visiting Bosham, others headed up to Chichester Marina where we were booked in for our second night. Access to the marina is through a lock but for a few hours each day you can pass through, provided the lights are on green, uninhibited.  The lock is quite narrow and you feel like breathing in as you enter it.  It's a large marina but unfortunately we were not all moored together.  However, as this marina is also part of Premier, once we had checked in with the office, our Haslar fobs gave us access to the facilities without the need to remember a key code. Being so far inland, you feel like you're in a country park. There was a family of mute swans with eight signets and many garden birds in the trees around the edges.  Instead of a pontoon party we met for drinks at Chichester Yacht Club, which is situated within the marina grounds and was where we had our evening meal. The food was excellent and tails of the days adventures were shared.

 Our third morning dawned bright once more. There had been a suggestion of a third night spent at anchor but we were not able to make that so we prepared to head back to Haslar Marina.  Free flow through the lock was from 11.30 allowing another gentle start to the day. There was a queue of boats to exit the marina and the flow of water was quite fast. However we got through safely and headed back with thoughts of how this had been another good rally.

 Thanks to Jem, and anyone who helped him, for organising this trip. 

Diane Postance

Last updated 19:07 on 19 September 2026