Looking Back at the Autumn Rally 2018

HOEOCA charted three yachts from Fairview which together with five owner boats formed the fleet for this year’s rally. The yachts came from Port Hamble, Poole, Ocean Village, Shamrock Quay, Gosport and Port Solent. Over the course of the three days the fleet visited various Solent destinations, but on the Saturday most boats had assembled at the Gunwharf Marina, in a dramatic setting below the Spinnaker tower.

There was mixed weather and the crews saw squalls, torrential rain and bright sunshine. Overall the nice bits overshadowed the inclement, and with the southerly component in the winds it was always mild, even when wet. Not bad for November.
On the Saturday afternoon several crews came together and watched the England versus New Zealand rugby international, and later that evening all attended the Rally dinner hosted by the Royal Naval and Royal Albert Yacht Club. 

The Commodore, Mike Veal, thanked everyone for coming, and thanked the yacht club and caterers for welcoming us and providing dinner. Unusually, only one rally virgin to welcome this year (Des Wynne). Following tradition, the Commodore also read out some amusing nomination testimonials celebrating the successes, failures or general misdemeanours of several crew members on the rally.

The following Sunday was the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, and many crew joined the thousands of others that had gathered to commemorate the occasion in Guildhall Square.  

Later that day the fleet made their own ways back. The rally was very much enjoyed and appreciated, and good sailing was had.