[tribulant_slideshow gallery_id=”13″]For the 6th year running, a few North Harrow Lodge members gathered for their annual sailing weekend at Hamble Point Marina on a Friday afternoon in July where we had arranged the charter of “Tenacious” 
an almost new 34′ Hanse Yacht . With a slightly reduced crew this year, this yacht was a perfect size for the trip, with mod cons like a self tacking headsail so the winches were not always needed and spacious sleeping and living accommodation. Pure luxury for us city salts.
The next morning, the weather conditions were not entirely in our favour with persistent rain forecast, so after a hearty cooked breakfast of sausage, bacon, egg, beans and black pudding, we hoisted our Middlesex Masonic Flag and burgees of the East India, R.A.F and City Livery Sailing Clubs and ventured down the Hamble on a full stomach and into the Solent, enjoying a great sail never the less and reaching Yarmouth Marina in the afternoon, securing a mooring on the town quay and a well earned rest.
We decided that the best option for the evening was to venture into town and sample the delights of the island, rather than be subjected to more cooking from the ship’s cook and ended up in the local hostelry enjoying a lovely dinner and consuming several glasses of Fuggles.
On Sunday morning we were greeted with glorious sunshine and great conditions for sailing. How wrong we were !!
The Solent has its own micro climate and what you see can change in minutes and it did. Half an hour after clearing the harbour the skies darkened and we prepared to don our wet gear just in time for torrential storm. The wind was definitely in our favour even if the rain wasn’t. But we arrived back safely back in the Hamble later that afternoon and made our separate ways home with stories of high seas, serpents and pirates. Almost as good as any fisherman’s tale. Already looking forward to next year’s trip.
A final thanks must again go to our Skipper and Lodge Mentor Vaughan Coleridge-Matthews for organising and getting us out and back safely. 5*****