Jolly Skippers and Crew to Cowes

I arrived at Saxon Docks on Southampton Water at 09.00 and a beautiful sunny frosty morning. There in the still water floated ‘Gemini’ a sleek white Bavaria 37 – home for the next 5 days. On the quayside stood Tom, the sailing instructor and Rob, Robin and John, all of us a little apprehensive at the prospect of living in close quarters with each other whilst undertaking some fairly sharp learning curves. And in my case anyway, really excited at the prospect of living at sea and exploring this element from a very different perspective to the beach.

Kitted out with sailing gear from the container we loaded up our supplies. I chose one of the three cabins (a good move as it was next to the engine and was warmer than other parts - also no danger of snorers). Tom took us through the rest of the boat, modelling how to give a familiarisation and health and safety briefing.  
Then with a quick briefing on how to cast off (which ropes are bow and stern lines and which are springs) we were away into a light breeze and water and sky as blue as any Mediterranean scene. And not only that but into nearly foreign parts – over the Solent to Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Tom got us all doing different tasks, raising and lowering the sail, helming, watching out for other shipping and spotting buoys. A lot of concentration needed so I was glad it was only a light breeze and not a howling gale, which in February is a distinct possibility.

After berthing at Cowes there was a debrief of the day and then off to explore and find a place to eat, although by that time we were all pretty tired and were very glad to return to ‘Gemini’ under  frosty stars for a good night’s sleep. (Well, mine was good but the others felt a bit cold and were woken sporadically with large condensation drips!)