In addition to the ever-popular "theme" cruises, the club organises several other cruises during the year in the sheltered waters of the Solent (the body of water between the Isle of Wight and the mainland, see map for more detail). These generally start from and finish in the Hamble (between Portsmouth and Southampton).

Solent cruises stay in the sheltered waters behind the Isle of Wight and go no further than Lymington or Yarmouth (in the western arm of the Solent). These cruises are ideal for novice sailors and provide the perfect way to gain experience sailing. Members who have not previously skippered a club cruise are also very welcome on these events, which give them a way to build confidence and experience.

Some other cruises start from and finish at the Hamble, but leave the Solent to explore areas beyond. These provide a chance to get away from familiar waters without stretching endurance too far. Ideal for sailors who want to visit less familiar anchorages or ports, clock up a few miles and broaden their experience.

Cruising to Chichester, June 2004

Round the Island cruise, July 2004

Skipper Phil Eley welcomed us aboard the Rose Carew with a beer and any anticipatory nerves I had about spending a weekend sailing with strangers subsided... I knew how to drink beer.

The weekend for me was a return to a hobby I started six years ago and in fact most of the crew were novices so I was in good company and we were all ready to learn more under Phil's diligent instruction. (Which I later found out was to include preparing salmon, sorties for mushrooms and serving ice-cold wine!) This was a gourmet weekend cruise.

Our plan was to sail around the Isle of Wight clockwise. After we all assembled on the Friday evening, we mooched up to the Hamble and had the customary pre-cruise pizza ashore, before settling down for the night. The morning greeted us with mist and rain, in fact the day was to hold a kaleidoscope of weather from thunder and lightening as we left The Solent through the Forts, to light winds and bright sunshine as we sailed round the back of the island. After a light lunch in a secluded bay we headed over to Lymington and joined up with the two other LCSC boats on the weekend cruise for a big boozy dinner in town.

A leisurely sail back to the Hamble on Sunday finished off the experience perfectly but the weekend wouldn't be complete without mentioning Jen's homemade courgette muffins that kept us going on those not so rough seas!

Sammy Harris

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