FoHC Thread The Needle

click image to enlarge

The Friends’ Summer BBQ, held on the afternoon of Sunday 8th July, had a different format from previous years as it was preceded by a cruise on Hurst Ferries’ ‘Solent Rose’ to try and thread the needle before sailing along the beautiful north western coast of the Isle of Wight and back to the Castle to be fed and watered.

The cruise had been arranged for last summer but had to be cancelled due to – what else? - bad weather, no rain but near gale force winds. The pouring rain on Saturday did not inspire much confidence and there were a few enquires about a Plan B or was it to be another cancellation.

Sunday was by far a better day and 65 people boarded the boat. Threading the needle would be a last minute decision by Captain Sean but we set off in a choppy sea towards the lighthouse. A few got very wet from the spray coming over the bow but many of the passengers were sailing people and had come well prepared. Up close to the lighthouse it could be seen how hard it must have been, especially in rough seas, for crew and supplies to land and how isolated the keepers must have felt in bad weather with no way of leaving. Our Captain decided we could sail between the rocks but warned us it would need his utmost attention. An anticipatory hush descended and then we were through. Mission accomplished. The return journey was in much calmer waters, the sun was shining and Alum Bay with its multicoloured vertical layers looked stunning.

Waiting for the hardy crew back at Hurst Castle were barbequed lamb steaks with salads and a selection of calorie laden deserts, strawberries and cream and fine wine, all tackled al fresco as the pleasant weather continued. The ferry trip returned slightly earlier than planned because of the low tide conditions – or was it the combined weight of all those puddings Sean was worried about!

www.hurstcastle.co.uk

.