The Westerly Owners' Association - South Coast Group

Bembridge Meet "Mans Best Friend" Rally

Grey skies at Bembridge at 2 pm

The latest afloat sailing event of the season followed the pattern of the first, with forecasts of strong winds gusting to gale force winds and heavy rain, all of which were fully realised.

Nine boats expressed interest in attending, but due to the weather only Busiris and Kylara actually made it to Bembridge – although Coco de Mer made a valiant effort before being forced to turn back to Chichester by the adverse weather.

At one point, we saw one sorry-looking seagull, struggling birdfully up the haven against the wind, who seemed to suddenly get so fed up, that it just stopped flying along, and simply threw itself into the harbour!

Having put in all the hard preparation work, the organiser, Tony Eakins was unfortunately struck down with appendicitis and was admitted to hospital three days before the event. There, they removed his appendix (presumably updating his contents and index pages accordingly); happily, he is now out of hospital and convalescing. Unkind people have suggested that he saw the foul weather forecast and opted for the easier option!

With only two boats, this left the “Mans Best Friend” competition as a ‘one-horse’ (?) race. Max, a West Highland Terrier braved the conditions of the crossing from Gosport, with multiple layers under his doggie lifejacket, as he washed around the floor of the cockpit. We understand that he did not fully share his Mum and Dad’s enthusiasm for the voyage, but managed to doggedly maintain his doggy dignity throughout.

The judges therefore had no hesitation in unanimously awarding him the “Most Westerly Sea Dog” prize comprising a rubber chicken (with annoying squeaker) and various doggie treats. It was apparent that Max’s opinion of the event (and the WOA) improved dramatically from that moment onward. His only regret was that his other furry friends were not there to see his moment of glory – his only consolation being an email from Nike who had been abducted by his parents on board Camomile and taken to Denmark.

Shore activities being out of the question, the evening continued with everyone celebrating Max’s win with Pink Poodle Punch (specially made for the occasion) and nibbles in the warm and dry, on board Busiris.

Max was so pleased with his win that he invited the judges on Kylara for morning coffee and jam doughnuts. This was followed by a lunchtime session of black-berry picking ashore, while awaiting sufficient tide on the bar to leave port.

The return trip was much more civilised, with winds down to a much more reasonable force five and only the occasional face-full of spray. The weather most kindly also allowed us to get all the way home and ashore without raining on us. We should be grateful for small mercies!

I’ve done my stuff, can we go home now please?