We left Hamble for Yarmouth I.O.W. at 0945hrs in bright sunshine after a no less than excellent “Full English” at the Royal Southern Yacht Club. A 15 knot ENE breeze proved very favourable as we headed West against the last of a flooding tide, enabling us to carry spinnakers from our entry point into the Solent at Calshot Spit, all the way to Yarmouth. It was a comfortable but sometimes exciting run as we gybed our way from mainland to island shores and back again, looking for the best wind angle and speed. Arrived Yarmouth, at 1300hrs and then, to the Royal Solent Yacht Club with its fabulous terrace and a couple of beers to admire the view. And equally fabulous food! Fresh sea bream, with sauted carrots, spring greens and new potatoes were followed with home made apple crumble and cream, washed down with some delightful South African savignon blanc. We have occasionally visited other places over the years but this Club never disappoints. Quality food; excellent hospitality; very reasonably priced. When it became clear we needed to dally no longer and depart for the mainland, the wind and sun had unfortunately departed us! Not to be diverted from our lunchtime joie de vivre we happily set off home under motor, punching the now ebbing tide. But later, as the sky darkened with storm cloud, our tea and biscuits were rudely interrupted, as the wind rose from 0 to 30 knots and the sea changed from a mill pond to a wind surfers paradise – all in about 3 minutes. No trouble! After tucking in a reef and clearing up the spilt tea we turned our practice to upwind sailing. Tacking up Southampton water in increasingly heavy wind we competed for space with the splendid and beautifully liveried QM2 and the Queen Victoria as they departed together for foreign shores. It was a truly excellent day, much enjoyed, I believe, by all who took part. It was something of a compliment to hear David Graham - Smith, a seasoned power boat racer, say it was the most thrilling day he had ever experienced in a sailing boat. And yes, he has had more than one!. Thanks once again to our boat donors and skippers, Robert Page and particularly Tony Roscoe, who is not a Club member.