Chichester Harbour

We have resolved to go sailing every weekend in September and for as much as we can on October before the on-set of winter or another lockdown. Yesterday we headed with the rising tide to Chichester harbour, this is the first time we have been to Chichester in Sea Crusader and so we were not sure if we will be able to find a buoy or a place to anchor. We decided to try our hand at the East Head anchorage it has a reputation for being very busy at the weekends. We found a nice spot out of the channel with enough depth and had a lovely lunch even though there was a nip in the air.

After lunch the tide turned… not all boats need the same amount of swinging room as a Discovery 55 and whilst we didn't hit any other boats the potential was there. I asked Linda if she would get up at 2am to keep an eye on things when the tide changed… we moved the boat.

before we left I could not help my self I had to take a photograph of a boat with enough fenders for a fleet of boats, the strange thing is the boat was quite shabby so I have no idea what was in the mind of the owner.

We re-anchored further in opposite Cobnor point and I am so pleased we did it was far more relaxing with only two other boats and probably 100 feet between us or more. Sadly the wind picked up and blowing strongly from the south west when the tide was ebbing strongly meant that whilst the boat was pointing up stream, held by the keel, the wind blew the boat forward causing the anchor chain to scratch the bow. We were really upset having had the boat painted only 8 week before. I had set a snubber but when the boat was blown forward the chain went slack and the snubber dropped off. We will get it fixed when the boat comes out next winter.

Sunday morning was bliss, the wind had dropped and a blue sky greeted us so breakfast in the cockpit was the order of the day. It was one of those weekends when thing just got better and better, as we were stilling eating our smoked salmon and scrambled eggs the Sunday morning Sunbeams came out to play in no wind. These nible little boats ghosted along with the crew of one boat quietly talking to the crew of the next whilst racing each other. What a joy. If you are interested to read more about these unique boats the Sunbeam Association website is here.