After many months of planning meetings for the RLymYC and Sailing Club of the Chesapeake (SCC) “Joint Cruise”, the team being led by Don Mackenzie, who had originally offered to help but found himself leading it; we finally sat down to a ‘welcome dinner’ at the Club with our friends from the SCC on Friday the 7^th of July. Welcoming speeches by Don and the Commodore of both clubs were well received and set the tone for the week. As is customary, burgees were exchanged, and the SCC made a presentation of an attractive framed picture of flags spelling out “Royal Lymington” to hang in the Club.

The hosts were on ten boats, each hosting a couple of SCC guests. Two more were chartered by the SCC for SCC members and two RLymYC members. In practice the numbers taking part, sometimes up to 50 people, varied during the week, as other Lymington members, who had contact with SCC from earlier visits, joined for part of the cruise and others came for specific dinners, joining by car.

Inevitably with such an event, minor changes of plan were forced on us, perhaps the most serious being the injury to Michael Derrick that prevented him and Carolyn from joining us. We were most grateful to Rod and Sue Perry for taking their place. The unseasonably windy and wet weather experienced most of the week, also presented a challenge from the start.

The first leg was a very short hop to Bucklers Hard, where we watched other boats going sideways almost into our rally boats. The organising committee were very glad that they had booked the small marquee at the marina, so despite the torrential rain, the evening hog roast enabled hosts and guests to mix well over a few drinks. Next morning a trip around the museum was enjoyed by about 20 people.

After that it was a very pleasant sail to the small marina at Gunwharf Quays, right under the Spinnaker Tower, for shopping, and local attractions, dinner being organised individually by each boat. Intended meal venues were also posted on the Joint Cruise skipper’s WhatsApp group, so that bigger groups could dine together at one of the many excellent pubs or restaurants in the area.

We noticed that the weather was deteriorating but were able to defer any route change as we always planned to be in Portsmouth for two nights. Most people visited the D-Day Museum. Many also visited the Mary Rose, Victory or took a boat trip around the harbour.

On the second night in Portsmouth, the conversation turned to getting back from Itchenor which had been the intended destination on Tuesday the 11^th, as that would have been a long beat on Wednesday the 12^th back to the Hamble into strong wind and tide. This discussion became a model for the cruise’s organisation where the committee decided on route changes, when necessary, the final decision being Don’s.

He would then advise the fleet, usually in one of his regular morning briefings over VHF. It was agreed the weather was too bad to include Itchenor, so we stayed in Portsmouth for another day. One group travelled by Uber to the amazing Porchester Castle which dates back to Roman times.

The wind was pretty fresh for the morning trip round to Hamble on Wednesday the 12th and some opted for a headsail only approach. Most opted for an early start as the forecast was for stronger winds later and again the weather gave us rain and strong winds most of the rest of the day.
 
Thankfully the weather cleared in time for an excellent pontoon party followed by dinner at the Royal Southern YC. The RSYC did a great job, and a lovely group photo was taken on their large forecourt overlooking the river.

The following day it was off to Southampton Town Quay with the wind ever increasing. Afternoon visits to the Titanic exhibition, or the Tudor House were popular and later we all dined at the Red Lion Inn in the old High Street, a 15^th Century pub where we were regaled by Peter putting the building into the context of Henry V’s war with the French and the Battle of Agincourt. All of this (building, food and history) was well received by the Americans.

We were due to go to Cowes for high tea and tour at the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) and then dinner at the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), but the weather was looking very poor for Saturday and the charter boats had to be returned. Some opted for a quick dash to Lymington to get the boat home, returning to Cowes by car and ferry, others opted to leave their boats in Cowes. None wanted to return to Lymington in head winds of up to 50 kts forecast for the final Saturday.

The RYS tour was very popular with both SCC and the hosts.  The RORC drinks reception and dinner that followed (after a brief stop in the Royal London for refreshment), was well laid out and much enjoyed. Some had to miss the speeches as they had to catch the last ferry to Lymington from Yarmouth, but the evening went very well. Closing speeches were made by Don and Rod Perry representing the Commodore, as well as by SCC Commodore Chuck Lawrence who thanked the organising committee for their efforts, and especially meeting the challenges posted by the unseasonably bad weather.

The final farewell buffet at the Club on Saturday night was excellent and all spent a lovely evening saying goodbye to friends and shipmates.

The planning had worked, and it was deemed by all to be a very successful rally. Our American friends were effusive in their thanks and praise. The hosts breathed a sigh of relief and went home for a good rest. Preparations are apparently already underway at the SCC for a return visit in 2025, so watch this space if you would like to help keep our very special relationship alive by taking part in the “Joint Cruise” in two years’ time.