Yarmouth Mid-Week Rally June 14th-16th June 2023
Published 18:08 on 27 Jun 2023
Prior to the rally a couple of boats (Cornell & Kraken) stayed over at Cowes I.O.W. on the preceding Tuesday taking advantage of the lovely summer weather. Joining the rally as the boats passed on the tide on Wednesday morning.
Yarmouth harbour at the most westerly end of the I.O.W. is a popular Solent venue virtually opposite Lymington on the mainland. We were met at the harbour entrance by the Berthing Master and given berthing instructions. The norm here is generally rafting for visiting rallies and the yacht club boats were moored 3 deep on the yellow pontoon spilling over onto the main pontoon with a number being rafted stern to. Yarmouth harbour office/reception building itself has modern showers, toilets and shop, it also provides a taxi service for the non-walk ashore pontoons.
Yarmouth itself is a picturesque town with a Grade 2 listed wooden pier and the 16th century castle built by Henry VIII, both give magnificent views over the Solent. There are several specialist shops, pubs and eateries and a lovely bakery across from the harbour.
The club had a pontoon party on the Wednesday adjacent to Vin Rouge. Carries Kiss was the original venue for the party but had engine problems on the way from Haslar and had to put into Cowes, in true Blue Peter fashion Richard and Christine grabbed a taxi, loaded up the drinks, and hot footed it over to Yamouth just in time for the party.
We awoke to another beautiful day on Thursday with bright sunshine and blue skies. A number chose to take the open topped bus to tour the local area, while many chose the more leisurely option to explore the town, pier and castle. Come the evening another pontoon party was in full swing prior to taking the short walk over to the Royal Solent Yacht Club, which has glorious views down the Solent and across to Lymington. We were treated to an excellent meal served by very efficient staff and topped off by a magnificent sunset through the Club's panoramic windows.
NOTE THE CLEAN PLATES!
Come Friday most boat crews rose early to take advantage of the tide back to Portsmouth and left by 7/8 o'clock. Again, we had stunning weather for the cruise down the Solent to our home marina.
Thanks to all for another well organised rally.
Note: More pictures including some great sunset pictures from the rally can be found in the Gallery
Graham Armitage
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- Yarmouth mid-week rally (14 - 16 June 2023)
Last updated 13:22 on 25 October 2023