(Johnathan enjoying the September sun and a gentle sail towards Dover)
I recently crewed in my first delivery trip on Caressa. As a complete novice I was expecting to just be a passenger getting in the way , but to my astonishment I was given the helm after five minutes. We were bringing Caressa home from her summer on the South Coast. This leg would take us from Southampton to Chatham, via Brighton and Dover. As the sun set on a gusty Friday evening in September, I steered us out of the Hamble into the Solent at the same time receiving a crash course in cardinals, buoys and how fast those huge bricks of container ships can travel.
Over the weekend, I feel I had a great taste of what sailing the South Coast of England was about; from night sailing to roller coaster waves around Selsey Bill, salt spray to hot September sun. We even had Spitfires looping the loop over the white cliffs of Dover from Lydd air display! The most rewarding part was the sense of adventure; of starting in one place and having to get to another.
Caressa is a beautiful yacht and arriving in Brighton Marina amongst all the floating plastic patios felt great, like driving a DB5 around a caravan site. If any one is thinking of joining Classic Sailing Club, I urge you to take the plunge, it was the first time in ages I've felt I had really done something rewarding with my weekend!
Nick is a new associate member. His only previous experience was pottering around in the coracles he makes for his local mill pond. He will be coming to Pin Mill in the near furure to host a 'build your own coracle' workshop. | 