25th – 29th July
We decided to leave Studland Bay early enough to get into Yarmouth before the crowds, so we raised the anchor about 8 am and headed off into the warm sunshine. The winds were light so the best we could do was to motor sail, arriving into an already busy Yarmouth Harbour at lunch time. We had to raft up against another yacht called Foxy Lady and very shortly after another yacht rafted up against us. This was how it was to be until Sat. morning when both yachts left and we were then fortunate enough to be moved to a nice sized finger berth on the residents’ pontoons. Earlier en route to Yarmouth we had heard a mayday from a yacht which was in difficulties and this was whose berth we were taking as their boat had to be lifted ashore for the problem to be sorted out.
This weekend the harbour was literally heaving with visiting yachts, many of whom were taking part in the Solent Yacht Club’s annual regatta. We had complete admiration for the team of Berthing Masters/Mistresses who managed to pack the harbour to maximum capacity with infinite patience and good humour. Rafting of three or four vessels seemed to be the norm on most pontoons, so we considered ourselves very lucky to have been given a finger berth away from the general melee of the visitors’ pontoons.
As this was our second visit to Yarmouth, we decided to hire a car and take a drive round the rest of the Island. We also took the opportunity to do a heavier shop at a bigger supermarket and make some essential purchases at a better stocked chandler than was in Yarmouth. We came to the conclusion that the IoW is a lovely place to live and visit.
The problem with the holding tank, which we thought we had resolved in Fowey, returned to haunt us. We therefore had to sort this out once and for all by emptying the tank, replacing the pipework that appeared to be the problem and servicing the pump. Chris, ably assisted by his trusty crew, finally completed the rather unpleasant task and after a good clean up we were happy to think about lunch.
As a reward for sorting out the holding tank, we had dinner out in what turned out to be a really nice restaurant – The Forresters. The food was delicious, service just right and the room was spacious and air conditioned. It must have been good as Chris left a tip.
We were intending to leave Yarmouth on the Sunday morning but the forecast was for very strong winds for the whole day. The winds seem to be increasing, too, so we made the decision to stay until Monday. Our berth was secured for a further night and then we gave the boat a really good clean above and below decks. After lunch, we relaxed both reading books. Chris is on his first of the trip; Carole has given up counting