Cowes 08 Sailing

A excellent day in Cowes on the Isle of Wight hosted by COA Solutions. After taking the 9am Red Jet Ferry we met in the yacht haven aboard a 49' Jeanneau called Butterfly for bacon butties and coffee. After our briefing we kitted up in waterproofs set off at high speed in a RIB with a 250HP outboard. We zoomed around the Solent watching the starts of races or the turning points where all the action is. One good spot was where the geona's were being furled in at a turn which seemed to cause lots of problems.

After that it was back for an excellent lunch aboard the yacht in the harbour and then out for an afternoons sail. I was fortunate to Helm for the first hour or so. The wind was light but enough to getup some speed although this got more tricky as the tide turned against us. Sailing against the tide and avoiding the fleets of racing boats meant that there was lots of tacking (esp to avoid a large container ship who sounded his horn at us!). Everybody was encouraged to join in !

Then it was back to port for champagne and cake and then off for a walk through Cowes to the COA house for the week where we had dinner in a marquee overlooking the Solent. After dinner it was back to Cowes for a party until about 1am when we strolled/staggered back to our accommodation. I was lucky enough to stay in a wonderful hotel called the Villa Rothsay which has amazing character and charm.

After a good night sleep it was back on the Red Jet Ferry and the train to London and back to work !

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