Cowes at last!!!

After a few frustrating days when our progress westward was hampered by strong winds, Toucando set out from Brighton on Wednesday morning at 0700. It was calm and pleasant. The objective for the day was to get to Cowes, so I could play my role as a committee member in preparing for the Jubilee Festival.


The sun rose behind us as we set off up the Channel.


We motored up past Shoreham, Worthing and Bognor, through the Looe Channel south of Selsey Bill and into the Solent. Suddenly there were yachts everywhere, not to mention oil tankers, ferries and other large shipping. It felt familiar territory. We went past the forts and Osborne Bay: then Cowes came into view.


The Yacht Haven was going to be given over to gaff rigged boats for a long weekend. Some had already arrived and their flags were fluttering in the breeze.


After the briefest of personal celebrations I was off to a committee meeting. We went and admired the decorations in the events hall: a great collection of sails and small boats.


We discussed the arrangements for the 225 boats we were expecting, the entertainment, hospitality and racing.


I was particularly pleased to see the printed copy of the festival magazine of which I was the editor.
Whilst the Jubilee Festival is the culmination of the OGA 50th anniversary, my personal circumnavigation will not be complete until I'm back in Southampton Water... indeed back in Southampton. Meanwhile I am looking forward to a weekend of celebrations. All the details will be posted here.
Anybody interested in gaffer racing should get to the Esplanade on Saturday. The race starts at 1100. If you would like to visit Toucando please phone, text, email or comment.


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Location:East Cowes,United Kingdom