Solent Tour Rally 9th August 2025 -.Island Harbour Rally
Published 14:53 on 2 Sep 2025
Saturday 9th August found us starting in West Cowes being the final stop on the Solent Tour rally. The Island Harbour rally followed straight on so it was really 2 rallies for the effort of one. We were just sorting out our last-minute bits and bobs when news came through from Island Harbour marina that they had an electrical issue and the lock gates were stuck closed! "Stay where you are, we're speaking to our electric people" was the advice so Rally Lead Michael Sword-Daniels started phoning around those who were due to attend. Thankfully it was all sorted out very quickly; apparently, it was a bug in the software that measures the water height difference inside compared to the river. Whew!
Nemo enjoyed a peaceful motor up river after the "End of Cowes Week Party" on the Friday night. We arrived outside in time to enter the Harbour marina on free flow. We tied up with beautiful views over the Medina. It was lovely to have our own walk ashore here and not be rafted 4 deep as we were in Cowes.
Throughout the Solent Tour and leading into the Island Harbour rally various boats either joined or left according to their preferences. Those joining us for the weekend were Bonito, Cornell, Trollinger and Slipstream. So, in total we had the following:
- Boat People
- Blue Moon Jonathan and Celeste
- Misty Moon Brian and Hilary
- Nemo Jem, Ann and Ash
- Minalto Michael and Anne
- Tichla John and Deb
- Bonito Steve and Vizma
- Cornell Elaine and Graham & Lola the dog
- Coriolis Wayne, Dawn and Eddie
- Forget me Knot Ken and Mary
- Trollinger Stewart and Helen
- Slipstream Andrew and Karen
The weather was warm and bright, so we decided to have a lovely walk along the bank of the River Medina down to Newport, watching the boat races and wildlife along the way. We enjoyed a refreshing drink in The Bargeman's Rest before heading back. There's also a good walk to The Folly in the other direction but equally enjoyable is sitting on your boat relaxing or watching the boats come and go through the lock gates.
Arrangements were made for the evening with an advance party lighting the coals for the BBQ and then enjoying the pontoon party on Bonito. The marina's BBQs have been situated at the top of a lawn for the best views of the river and Marina. Everyone brought their own BBQ food but we also shared some side dishes and it all went very well.
It was lovely to see young Eddie (Wayne and Dawn's 9-year-old son) playing and winning a game of Boule and Lola, Elaine and Graham's very friendly, lovely black labrador, was clearly enjoying herself. A beautiful evening even if was a little windy. 
The next morning Coriolis's crew took advantage of the lock being closed to get in some paddleboard practice, before free flow started.
We left on free flow and despite the wind being predicted to be "light and variable" Nemo had a fabulous sail home and we hope everyone else did too. A lovely rally to end a week of lovely rallying.
Thank you to Michael and Anne for being rally lead, to Steve and Vizma for hosting the pontoon party, to Eddie for bringing the games and Jem for the music
Ann and Jem Nicholls
Related
- Island Harbour weekend Rally 2025 (9 - 10 August)
Last updated 15:45 on 2 September 2025