Spring Weekend Cruise to Poole 11-13 April 2025

13 April 2025 By Office Cruising

The weather set fair for the first RLymYC weekend cruise of 2025. Nine boats took part, seven sail (Dofesaba II, Ellida, Jacaranda, Annabella, Aloni, Hourglass & Evie) and two motorboats (Wings and Rosey the Rib). All made a good passage West on Friday or Saturday, seven of the total moored or anchored at Pottery Pier for Friday night, two more (Ellida and Evie) joined the overnight and supper at Poole Quay Boathaven (20 diners) next day. Most returned early Sunday morning, arriving home from 11.00 to midday, with the stragglers choosing the second flood to complete the weekend.

The fine weather obviously contributed to the success of the weekend, but so did the excellence of Pottery Pier as an anchoring zone, and Maryland Beach as a landing for Brownsea Island. John and Amanda’s willingness to bring Rosey the Rib and run taxi services from anchored boats was a great help as well.

We were happy to introduce Peter and Tracy Haywood (new Members, Evie) to other RLym cruisers, and to renew our occasional sightings of Philip and Katharine Collett, Annabella, on this occasion. They took a full part in the foot exploration of Brownsea Island on Saturday morning. All thanks to Carolyn and Gerry on Jacaranda, and Mary and Peter on Dofesaba II, for offering space for boatless sailors on their vessels.

The chosen fish restaurant, Rockfish, proved a success for Saturday’s meal on Poole Quay (excellent quality, service and ambience) if the booking system for a large group wasn’t fit for purpose and almost dissuaded us from taking the risk. We talked to their management about this afterwards and made some headway. We should also remember Portsmouth Hoy nearby as a very characterful Pub, which also serves fish suppers.