This was HOEOCA’s 19^th autumn rally. This year held between 10th and 13^th November in the Solent.

We were 41 people sailing on 8 boats – 3 chartered from the Hamble, 1 from Portsmouth and 4 owned by members. We also welcomed the odd guest at the Friday night dinner.

We picked up 3 charter boats from Fairview Yacht Charter at Port Hamble on the Wednesday night where Reach 4 the Wind and Fulmarks were also to be found and a traditional HOEOCA reunion took place in the Victory to discuss plans for the next day.

Thursday dawned pleasantly with the wind blowing from the South East, an unusual direction, and, after handovers, we were all able to head west with 6 boats spending the night in Lymington (in some cases to pick up late crew) and the other 2 in Yarmouth. Rumour has it that a spinnaker was flown and goose winging was the order of the day. The Kings Head was somewhat overwhelmed by our mini rally dinner as the rugby club was meeting there too. For many it was the first opportunity to admire the new facilities at Berthon marina, these include towel warmers and are to be recommended!

The tide meant we had to leave reasonably early on Friday (anyone would think we knew what we were doing!) in order to make our way back east. Most managed to make reasonable progress on a gentle beat before the current turned against us. Some visited the Folly and others the Beaulieu River before checking into West Cowes where we were all moored together in the North basin.  The weather closed in a bit and we hunkered down for the afternoon.

Dinner was booked at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club and we assembled for Commodores cocktails at 1930 and were made very welcome by the friendly staff. As ever, imaginations had been working overtime, and the way the Olympic theme had been liberally interpreted causing much hilarity. We had a team of David Bedford 118s, the Olympic rings, an Olympic sailing team, several backroom staff and the Scottish female netball team (?) formed an arch with their sticks to see us into dinner. The winner will be announced at the laying up supper.

We enjoyed a very good dinner and the Commodore’s last rally speech. He announced a party on his boat and (eventually) returned from the pub to host it! Thanks to the crew of Wight Ocra for their hospitality.

  The next morning was pleasant again with the easterly wind continuing. At this point the fleet split up and Gosport, Southampton, Yarmouth and Lymington were all visited by HOEOCA crews, admittedly by this time, a somewhat more subdued bunch. However, both Saturday and Sunday provided more pleasant autumnal sailing, along with all the locals out enjoying the conditions.

The following day dawned very hot and quite cloudy. Handovers, paperwork and shopping took up the morning followed by much needed food and drink. All being in order, we left for the Aeolian Islands at lunchtime but sadly some had to motor most of the 30M voyage in order to get into the marina at Pignato, just north of Lipari Town, as darkness fell. This was our first experience of the high cost of mooring in the area, an average €80 per night for a pontoon, water and electricity but no loos or showers! Lipari is the main island of the seven  so a busy ferry port and a charming town with an old citadel and amazing narrow streets in which to dine and explore.

Sicily claims to be the home of ice cream and we sampled some of them next morning before leaving for anchorages on the north of the island for lunch and swimming, where one of the brave crew on Marlissa wrestled with a jellyfish, before a cracking 15M sail across to the town of St Pietro where we were on buoys at a mere €50 per night! Panerea is the smallest, prettiest and most up market of the islands with a look of Greece about it, great for watching beautiful people and window shopping. From here we were able to watch Stromboli, our next destination, erupting gently.

Tuesday brought another good sail across to St Vincenzo on Stromboli. The volcano is best viewed from the north side from where you can see the detritus being expelled and rolling down the lava covered slopes. Once moored onto our bargain priced buoys, a mere €35 (apparently 50% of the previous week,) only Marlisa decided to undertake the recommended twilight trip to see the flames against the night sky. The other boats enjoyed a warm glow over the mountain top whilst eating on board. The morning brought multiple dinghy rides ashore to explore although we discovered that the guided climbs happen in the evening, probably as a result of the high temperatures we were experiencing and also to see the fireworks at close hand as the light failed. Some visited the museum and spoke to volcanologists about the fascinating history of the island.

Our next destination was Salina, the 2^nd largest and most fertile of the islands and again the wind was favourable and now coming from a more normal NW direction, record speeds achieved – 10.7 on the catamaran. Here was a proper marina with showers and loos which naturally came at a price, the flotilla paid nearly €400 in total! As ever the food ashore was delicious, the specialty dish of spaghetti with 14 herbs, the fish and the Malvasia wine being particularly enjoyed. The islands are renowned for capers which came in a variety of sizes and adorned many a dish, and pumice, little bits floated past you in the sea!

This was the first time that we had chartered a catamaran and invitations were extended to other crews to sail on Thoenicussa “Theo” so naturally the wind now died! The crew all enjoyed the extra space available both down below and on deck, particularly the variety of sun bathing areas, the front netting being an afternoon favourite. The fact that the galley and sailing areas are adjacent also made domestic tasks much easier and dining on board a pleasurable experience. The downside was the additional cost of moorings and fuel and the fact that catamarans do not sail at all well to windward.

Filicudi was our next destination; this along with Alicudi which lies even further west, are the least developed of the Aeolian Islands and mainly visited by walkers. The lack of wind improved the sea state and we were able to swim much more easily to visit one another for drinks and chats. The crew of Marlissa enjoyed the Jazz Festival while, next morning, some of the crew from Amethyst hiked over to a pre-historic village about 30 minutes from Porto Filicudi where we were all on buoys together. In order to catch a certain England rugby match we decided to revisit Lipari on Friday night for the Saturday morning game and to restock our dwindling supplies from the “proper” supermarket there.

Our final destination was the island of Vulcano, best known for its lunar landscape, sulphurous smells and mud baths. As the weather was settled we were able to anchor in Porto di Pomente on the first night before moving round to Porto di Levante on the second where Marlisa hosted a cocktail party of 2 halves. The energetic walked up to the smoking crater at the crack of dawn whilst some of the party indulged in a mud bath to help ease rheumatic limbs.

All to soon it was time to head back to Sant’Agata, stopping to swim and lunch midway, and enjoying a final anchorage and swim outside the port. We had our final cocktail party on the catamaran (a BYO affair) before a mini bus ride to a restaurant for a final meal together.

Good things: Clean, well maintained boats, experiencing a catamaran, lovely hot weather (no rain at all), sailing for the first half, swimming for the second, the availability of a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables, lovely bread and some excellent evening meals

Not such good things: the delayed flight, a lack of facilities of Sant’Agata, the high cost of mooring (and life generally), jellyfish, not many opportunities for a full get together, coming home!

More photos available in members area!

With the fleet comprising 5 based in the West Country, 3 based in the Solent and 5 chartered from Solent Yacht Charter, a total of 68 people took part. Sadly, the crew of Juliaian, having made an early start and seeing the forecast for Saturday, decided to stay UK side and cruise the West Country but all others crossed the channel without too much trouble, although China Belle III reported their relief at arriving in Braye after a hard trip! 

Crossings were variable; it seemed to depend upon your time of departure as to how much sailing was able to be done but, for most, especially the ‘virgins’ it proved a pleasant experience with little ‘mal de mer’ reported although some experienced fog. Some were able to sail nearly all the way. 

For the majority, Cherbourg was the destination for Wednesday night and the reward of a good Frenchmeal in various eateries after dicing with the shipping lanes. A certain ex Commodore was sorry to learn that his favourite ‘Le Vauban’ had changed hands. They were then rewarded by a superlative sunny downwind sail on the Thursday around to St Vaast. A mini pre-rally took place on Thursday night with 10 boats having arrived with a day in hand and able to take advantage of the generous 50% discount on mooring (thanks to Trish for organising). This enabled them to spend the evening eating in various establishments and the next day plotting for the arrival of Les Affaires and greeting her with water bombs.

Exceptions to the above were Moody Blue, Fulmarks and Les Affaires who were together in Ouisterham (the first 2 coming from Fecamp) and Cold Play who visited Courseuilles and then Grandcamp Maissy, getting up at 0330 to take the Friday morning tide to St Vaast. The evening lock also saw the arrival of Colin Yates on Louis B, a yacht often chartered by HOEOCA, so we were up to 13 boats again (sort of!). 

Our rally dinner took place at the 2 star Restaurant les Fuchsias at the Hotel de France, our 5^th visit. For the first time we enjoyed an aperitif and canapés in the lovely gardens of the hotel before sitting down to an excellent meal, beautifully presented and charmingly served. Paul Rivers-Latham said grace and Richard Callaghan, our Commodore, made the traditional speech but bemoaning the lack of serious mistakes and incidents that had been reported to him. There were 8 members on their first rally to welcome as well as the achievements of 9 cross channel ‘virgins’ to celebrate. After the dinner many adjourned for a final drink at the bar in the square before enjoying the hospitality of Mike Veal and crew. 

The opening times of the lock saw 6 boats up and about early to take the morning tide, including a somewhat bleary eyed Nordic Mist! Unfortunately, the wind had shifted to the North East and was consequently much colder. West Country boats were particularly challenged by the change in direction; some therefore went due west for a rest and a fabulous meal at the First and Last in Braye before crossing to Devon. 

The crew of the remaining 6 boats spent Saturday variously sleeping, shopping, visiting the market or Ile de Tatihou as well as enjoying a last French meal. There was a Festival of Sea Shanties taking place and we could enjoy all the nautical airs wafting across the harbour. At this point, Bernie Blower and the crew of Fulmarks discovered that their engine was not starting and had to make the decision to wait for Sea Start on Monday (tough) one). For the rest, the crossing back to the Solent was not very pleasant with an uncomfortable sea and that cold wind spoiling things. However the conclusion was that the weather had been unusually kind for our 35^th rally. 

Please feel free to share your pictures in the picture gallery contained within the website members area.

If anyone would like to write a short account of what the rally was like for them, perhaps a first channel crossing or skippering experience, we would be pleased to include it in the newsletter and on the website. 

Judy Lambourne – Rear Commodore Cruising

Starting from a different base than of recent years made a nice change and we managed to keep the fleet together fairly well. We chartered 4 boats from Solent Yacht Charter out of Haslar Marina and were able to pick them up and check them out on Wednesday afternoon. This included a late inclusion for our Commodore and his crew who, wisely, decided that it was not a good week to sail from Plymouth to the Hamble (and back).

Thursday dawned windy and grey and the Inner Swashway was not a pleasant place to be. The original destination of Lymington was soon abandoned but 6 of 8 boats enjoyed a pleasant sail in Southampton Water and we all moored safely at Ocean Village from whence some shopped whilst others slept. Dinner was taken either in the genteel surroundings of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club or at the Chinese where you could eat as much as you could. Meanwhile Mandarin and Moody Blue partook of tea together!

Friday was again somewhat grey but less windy and we all enjoyed some good sailing – whether a thrash over to Cowes or a genteel drift to the top of the Hamble and a pint in the Jolly Sailor. Port Hamble Marina had been warned that we were coming and managed to split most of us up – however they did give us a discount!

Reach for the Sky, the rally theme, had been liberally and imaginatively interpreted as ever. The crew of Nordic Mist Airlines were on hand to welcome us, there was a squadron of Spitfires and various RAF ground crew to service them plus miscellaneous representatives of other armed forces. On an even more creative level we had space cowboys and star troopers. The winner will be announced at the laying up supper. We enjoyed a pleasant dinner and the Commodore’s speech. The highlight was when he invited the rally back to his boat for a party – however, despite the smaller numbers, for some there was no room at the inn! Thanks to Richard, Paul and crew for their hospitality.

Saturday dawned calmer i.e. no wind and many made their way slowly to the Fountain Hotel in Cowes to watch England V the All Blacks (we won the 2nd half). Others took advantage of the more settled weather and sailed for a while before coming in to either East or West Cowes for the evening. 4 crews dined in the Duke of York and enjoyed an excellent meal, with Keith Harding persuading the landlord to give a donation of £30 to the club charity, Toe in the Water! As ever, a bit of live music in the Anchor completed a very good day.

And then what happened overnight? The wind swung round to the North and it was COLD, COLD, COLD – so most did not delay in setting sail for their home berths. However, despite the temperature, and once the sun came out, conditions were pleasant and an excellent last sail of 2010 was enjoyed – rumour even has it that a cruising chute was unfurled!

The Spring Rally for 2011 is planned for 11-15 May; destination St Vaast la Hougue.

 The next day we again went our separate ways before meeting up in Mourtos back on the mainland. Rumours of a shore based shower proved unfounded but we did meet ex HOEOCA member, Stash, a few boats along – a small world! A 2nd birthday tonight, Armonia was duly decorated and served bubbly all round for one of our 4 Hot Hot Hot virgins, Jude II. Mourtos was a very civilized place and we enjoyed a good meal plus ice creams and night caps all round on the front. A much fresher feel on Monday morning indicated that the wind had gone round to the North West; naturally, as we were heading back that way to meet up with the 3rd boat of 7 dayers in Gouvia. A fantastic days sailing and good to meet up with the crew of Eliza who had thoughtfully passed their waiting time preparing drinks and nibbles for us.

A certain amount of negotiating for better dinghies and running repairs took place on Tuesday before we headed North for the North Corfu Channel (close to Albania!). Another lovely day with very light airs and we enjoyed more swimming and lying around in the sun. Our destination was Kassiopi, on the NE corner of Corfu, a very pretty town, overlooked by an ancient Byzantine Castle which most of us visited. The evening ended in the very aptly named Passion Bar.

Not much wind the following day and conditions were rather close and hazy so we motored towards the first of the Faraway Islands, where we anchored at a long sandy beach and most of us swam ashore. The afternoon wind picked up and we enjoyed the 9 mile sail across to Othoni, our destination that night. A certain amount of manoeuvring saw us all safely anchored in the little harbour and transport was arranged onto Dreamtime who hosted cocktails that night. This was the night when the 2010 Hot, Hot, Hot shirts were broken out. Othoni really was a far away place, old Greek men sat drinking tiny cups of coffee – just like in the post cards and not a great deal was going on

We next headed back to Corfu Island and the resort of Palaiokastrita calling in at Ag Georgiou (or St Georges Bay) for another lovely swim and lunch stop en route. The approach was spectacular with pretty houses perched on high cliffs and picturesque bays at sea level. We managed to park on a pontoon adjacent to the “Pink Party Boat” (luckily not used that night) where Armonia hosted a cocktail party almost on dry land.

Eliza now decided to head down the west coast of Corfu to make the circumnavigation and spend the night in Mourtos whilst the others returned to Erikousa. Unfortunately the weather deteriorated somewhat overnight; the wind got up, the skies were grey and torrential rain followed. By now we had repaired to the safety of Petriti and Kassiopi respectively where a very wet afternoon and evening ensued. In the case of Eliza this included helping to save a 60’ steel hulled yacht that had broken free of its mooring from causing considerable damage at 0200. But, by the time breakfast had been cleared, the sun was out and all enjoyed a fantastic sail before our last lunch and swim stop in a bay near Gouvia before returning to base and a last night that included a Greek wedding!

Good things: 9/10 days of great weather, some excellent conditions – from flat calm to a Force 6, the Greek wedding, beautiful swim stops and picturesque harbours, Dave’s rally shirts, lovely lunches, First timer Pauline achieving their top speed, Dolphins with Eliza on their way back to Corfu Town, some good evening meals and Metaxa night caps!

Handover and shopping the next morning was accomplished more speedily by some than others such that 3 of the 4 boats slipped before midday and motored out into the Gulf of Fethiye with weather that improved all the way - wind and sun! All sailed the 15 miles south toward Gemilir Adasi although lunch had to be taken underway as the sailing was so good. Cold Water Bay was to be our destination for the evening where we were moored in a row with our stern lines taken around the convenient rocks. A mass swim took place and various merchants visited to see if we would like to buy ice cream, fruit and pancakes. Useful to order bread for the next morning! Dinner that night was a fixed price menu taken together in the single restaurant up the (very) steep hill, under the pine trees, where our food was cooked over an open fire and the service was charming. NB Nearly lost Tony Rowe rowing back to the boats!

Next day saw an early start (well 0800) in order to sail down the beautiful Coast of 7Seven Capes and reach our destination Kalkan - a journey of c35 miles. Motors were needed at the start of the voyage but c1130 a wind kicked in and sailing was possible. Again we moored up together stern to the town quay and enjoyed a swim at the beach opposite followed by a good shower. An exquisite location, the town falls up the hill and all the restaurants have rooftop terraces on which we dined by boat and enjoyed the wonderful views.

A free day, we decided, as lots to see and do in Kalkan. Wamba sailed out to a lovely local beach, anchored and watched those less fortunate. For those of us on Jambo and Manitu the day somehow passed by very pleasantly provisioning, shopping, walking, swimming and generally enjoying ourselves. Tonight was our first HOEOCA cocktail party of the season and we were much entertained by our hostesses (Mary and Geraldine) done up in traditional belly dance costume. Dinner that evening was taken together at "The Olive Branch" restaurant - another roof top location even higher than before.

A rather gloomy morning to leave lovely Kalkan but things got better as we motored back up north. Again, wind kicked in and we were able to sail part of the way although the voyage today was even longer as we wanted to get back within the Gulf of Fethiye. Seagull Bay was easily identified by the eponymous bird made of pebbles laid out on the beach and Ahmed helped us into his bay with it's rickety rockety pontoon. Where was the restaurant we asked ourselves? Were there enough chairs? Manitu hosted cocktails that evening - with an excess of gin aboard the dry martinis were excellent! Dinner was interesting - BYO as kitchen/store being refurbished and table space a bit squashed. And then Ahmed cheekily joined the party on Wamba!

An easy day within the shelter of the islands. Very expensive mooring for Manitu and Jambo to visit Gocek at the top of the area for supplies and to soak up the atmosphere. Lunch stops enjoyed by all boats before the gathering clouds, thunder and lightening over the mountains prompted us to head for Wall Bay that evening where we moored in what would nearly pass for a marina (alongside and dodgy low energy lights on the pontoons). Cocktails this evening were down below and served by a bevy of lovely Turkish maidens - Jasmine, Petal and Tea-Bag - before dining together in a restaurant with a roof.

Our last day sailing saw us making full use of the excellent WC facilities before departing - 2 men and 1 boy to hose it out between visits! Not far to go so a question of eking it all out as long as possible. Wamba experienced an issue with their fan-belt outside Fethiye but, being such a well oiled crew, were able to change it. At this point we were reunited with Habibi Two who had spent the week sailing from Fethiye. Our last evening was spent together in The Kings Restaurant above the town where we visited the tomb of King Amynthas between our delicious meze and main course before returning back to town where, funnily enough, we ended up at "The Car Cemetery" all over again. Judy Lambourne - Rear Commodore Cruising. 

"One of the best ever in terms of wind and sailing, with sun and craic, in fact may well win the award for the best Hot Hot Hot yet" - Ken Robertson - Skipper.