Successional storms sweep the Solent whipping waves up down and across this well-used waterway. This weekend the Beaufort scale leans towards the galey end of the spectrum and our boating is restricted to the river mooring, next the ferry.
Yesterday even the row out to the mooring was a bit of an epic voyage, as despite the wave barrier down-river, the 40-60 knot Southerlies are sufficient to create a wave system on the river itself. In the wind-mill of moored vessels and a swell the inflatable tender feels like a cork in a sink with the plug pulled. A few gusts are enough to cancel the force created by the oars and, back bent we paused episodically, waiting to be pushed backwards.
The tethered boat, once we arrived, was still quite mobile against the ropes and buoyage. After flask-chocolate and a bun and a thorough check above and below we stood on the deck to enjoy the spectacle of the ferry fighting against the wind to leave its ramp and set off back to the Island. I took a brief video on my phone thinking that it was unlikely to convey the sensation of movement and noise, but watching it again on dry land it is obvious that stuff is bobbing up and down quite a bit.
We noticed, after the ferry's departure that there was a cruiser, down river of us on the same mooring line, that was sideways to the wind and, apparently, unmanned. Weighing the threat of an escaped boat in the harbour against the upwind row to check it out, I decided it was possible to have a look. So we made fast and had a brief, windy reconnoitre. The bow-line had obviously snapped, but with no suitable line evident to remedy this we had to make to shore and report it. Fortunately the sailing club still had a rib in the water and sent three strong chaps to sort it out.
This morning broke bright, with gusty overtones. Flocks of jackdaws and seagulls wheel in the blue. No sign of yesterday's damp and ragged cloud.
No comments:
Post a Comment