Days 39 and 40

 

Dear Readers, congratulations on still being with me on our sailing adventure, nearly there! We spent day 39 in Lymington, and I caught the dear little one track train to Brockenhurst and changed there for a delightful journey through the New Forest to Christchurch. The little Lymington train has three stops, it goes out to Lymington pier for the connection to the Isle of Wight ferry to Yarmouth; Lymington Town and Brockenhurst, where you change for the main line.

The ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth

I went to spend the day with my son Joe and his lovely wife Anita, who were staying in our caravan at Mudeford. My sister came too with Bliss the dog, so it was a real family reunion.  Dee and I went for a very refreshing swim in the sea at Avon Beach. She has got the sailing "bug" so she is going to get up early tomorrow morning to join us in Lymington for our 8.30 departure to Southampton tomorrow, day 40.

We loved Lymington, it is a lovely friendly marina, close to all amenities, very good facilities (showers and toilets) and helpful and friendly harbour masters. It is a hive of activity during the day, with sailing boats coming and going, day trips on the little motor cruiser and a pirate boat trip, complete with stuffed parrot on the guard rail! Lots of families sailing with children and a wide range of doggies, all very cheerful and friendly. It becomes a quiet and peaceful place in the mornings and evenings., with paddle boarders quietly drifting by, kayakers and ducks quaking and swans gliding by. Josh was happy as there is a very well stocked chandlery on the quay and I was happy as there is an excellent small cafe there which sells divine croissants and coffee.

We followed the lives of two swan parents with their single fluffy little signet, and there were many entertaining ducks! We had a very nice meal in the local pub, the Kings Head, with Dee and her partner Steve, and were entertained by another sailor at the next table doing card tricks! All he asked was a donation to the RNLI, which we duly did. We met him the next day in the marina, quite a character and he told us many interesting sailing yarns. We all agreed how much mooring fees have gone up now, and we both decried the new practice of even charging if you anchor. Apparently a barrister sailor took this to court and won, so charging to anchor should not be allowed. One exception is Salcombe because it is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall (Prince Charles), so is technically private land!!

Leaving Lymington

However, we reluctantly left Lymington early on 10 July, day 40, and it was flat calm, no wind and became progressively hotter as the day went on. We waved goodbye to Hurst point and the Needles and headed into the Solent. Being a Sunday and such calm sunny weather it was very very busy. All the motor cruisers were out in force and countless sailing boats of all descriptions, and of course the jet skiers. 

Southampton to Cowes ferry

We had to negotiate all this traffic plus Isle of Wight ferries and container ships! 

Large OCL container ship leaving Southampton Water

Josh was reminiscing as we passed Warsash, because that is where he spent two years doing his Merchant Navy officer's training. It was a pleasant trip, Dee thoroughly enjoyed it as it was such a contrast to our previous trip, and we arrived in Ocean Village marina at 1.30. lunch time.

We had arranged to meet friends, so they were there and on board in no time, as we were a bit later than intended because the tide had been against us and no wind. It was lovely to see everyone, and they had already met at the parking machine and got to know one another before we had arrived! What a coincidence that they should both be paying for parking at exactly the same time in the same place, and because I was on the phone to my cousin Steve they had all realised how they were connected. 

Party time on Lunar Sea

Unfortunately, Dee had to leave to catch her trains back to Lymington, pick up her car and drive home, so she missed out on the champagne. When Josh and I got married, we said to our guests don't give us presents but give us a bottle of champagne, and we can drink it together when you meet us somewhere on our trip . Well cousin Steve and his wife Kate were due a glass of champagne, and my lovely ex next door neighbours, from my time in Redhill, also joined us. So nice of David, Yumi and Sara to make the journey to join us too, on this very hot Sunday afternoon. We managed to keep as cool as we could and enjoyed a party atmosphere on Lunar Sea.

Banana Wharf, Ocean village

Concrete jungle, Ocean village

Sadly I have to say we are disappointed with Ocean Village marina, it has turned into a concrete jungle, from what used to be a lovely marina, and the facilities did not live up to expectations. Not a flower pot in sight. We were given a berth in the very far corner, I think because we don't fit in with the very posh motor boats, and probably lowered the tone! Also, a not very helpful harbour master either, such a contrast to Lymington and some of the other marinas we have visited. Never mind, we are leaving today at 12.30 for a couple of days in Gosport, looking forward to that. We know the marina well, is has a lightship as the yacht club and facilities, and we can get the ferry across to Portsmouth and Southsea.

Ocean village evening, with moon