33 - May Bank Holiday Weekend - Southampton to Yarmouth & Back 'What a Splash'
Silk Sheets
Ben Shute & Fiona Kennelly
Sat 24 May 2008 19:45
Celebration and out on the water we headed to celebrate. The Saturday blew
fairly hard from the North East gusting up to a Force 8 which Silky
absolutely loved, with only half the front sail furled out she was hiking
down Southampton Water at a steady 6 Knots. Yarmouth was our destination for
the night where we anchored up in the harbour between two pylons, not
something I have done before to be honest but it was no problem with 5
onboard. Myles, Mike, Kate, Fiona and I were all in party mode from the
moment we slipped back at Shamrock Quay.
Now moored up we all meant business and went below to get ready for a night
out. There was absolutely no shortage of Rum, Scotch, Wine or Beer at any
stage and I think by about 8:00PM anyone on the Eastern side of the Marina
new exactly what we had been up to.
If anyone was lucky enough to see me ferry the crew to shore I would need to
write no more. Mike and Myles were first in with a combined weight of 300+
Kg's (This includes me.) It was a drenching ride to the jetty where they
both departed with the empties in hand to watch me return to Silky to pick
up the ladies. The very moment I made it back to the stern of the yacht I
killed the little outboard to head up the ladder. Only thing was I made
about the first step when I new there was no turning back as Pillow Slip
pulled out from under me. I went in fully dressed ready for the pub in full
sight of Myles & Mike and a family that were already giggling at Myles and
Mike complaining about being wet by the ferry in. After a short doggy paddle
back to the boat which only fuelled the laughter from the jetty I tried to
hoist myself up, with out losing even more face and having to listen the
lads heckle I got back onboard pretty damn quick.
This was my first experience of falling in since we had bought Silky and I
am sure it will not be the last. I blame the mishap on Mike because he asked
the question 'have you ever fallen in' and what do you think I
replied.......
We headed out after I changed to the Kings Head a well know pub in the Isle
of Wight for a steak and chips dinner. Thanks Myles you are very generous
for paying for everyone's meal. I guess you got off lightly with the girls
only ordering a bowl of white bait to share. I must agree the only thing
white bait is good for is fishing.
The night finished out about 3AM when everyone could only node at that
stage, so we bedded down to all arise at 1PM, how this happened was the
stand off between hard liquor and the feeling of invinceablality. Well we
slept off the bad weather and sailed back into port with a light breeze and
a lovely sunny summer day.
Finally thank you Fi for the most delicious and smallest cake ever :-)
