Cowes

PROGRESS
Andrew and Hilary Clark
Wed 13 May 2009 21:19
50.46N 01.1795W
A pleasant two-day stop in Poole both enabled
us to catch up with Rob and Emma, and also to wait out the gale force
easterlies in comfort.
Today we came on to Cowes through poor visibility
that denied us even a glimpse of the Needles, and only allowed a shadowy outline
of the West Solent shorelines. It is the first time we have been in the Solent
since 1982, and we had forgotten just how quickly a spring tide will propel you
through Hurst Narows and on towards Cowes. We berthed at Shepherd's Wharf,
and then walked back along the shore to Gurnard.
Having been away so long, I can immediately see why
the Solent is still so popular. As well as having ease of access from the
South-East corner of the UK, it offers sheltered seas, lots of harbours, each
with an individual character and attraction, and a realtively mild climate. But
I am having to get reaquainted with the need to avoid the various
shoals, and not just serenly assume that all the sea is deep! Tomorrow we will
immerse ourselves in History and culture at Osborne.
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