Early sun on Beaulieu water lights the underside of oaks

by Royal-Southern on 27 May 2016 It wasn't quite like John Betjeman's poem 'Youth and Age on Beaulieu River' when the hardy bunch of mid week ralliers sailed round to Bucklers Hard.

In spite of the weather 12 boats went to Bucklers Hard bringing around 30 people to a very lively pontoon party. Although we had been hit by wet weather in the afternoon it cleared by six and once again the 'starters' for dinner were excellent. The absence of the water taxi did not deter the crew of Mog from taking their own dinghy ashore for dinner while the rest of us ate on board.

On Wednesday morning it was pouring with rain and there was a noticeable lack of enthusiasm to get the ensigns up on time. Eventually the rain cleared and there was an exodus before the next lot of showers. 'Tree-roots pass'd and muddy beaches' - another reminder of the poem as we went very quickly down the river on the ebb tide.

Thanks to Dot for organizing another mid-week rally and arranging the rain showers at the right time.