The sun had come out again and we upped anchor and were away at 0800. Timing is critical as we have to get out over one bar and in over another . Julian spends a lot of time working out all the tidal heights so that it’s correct. Bembridge has a good website which tells you a live height over the bar. A lot easier than trying to read a tide gauge in the water from afar with the bins. We didn’t put sails up as the wind was on the nose and we couldn’t afford time tacking. As it was we had to wait a bit for some big ships to go by, on their way to and from Southampton. Once across the shipping channel we headed for St Helens fort at the entrance to Bembridge Harbour. Another buoyed channel in and we radioed for berthing instructions. Having booked online! Arriving somewhere completely new again with no idea where to go is always a bit tense, but they were on the pontoon waiting for us and a lady in a yellow t shirt , easy to spot, waved us in and helped with our lines. Gordon the HM was so friendly and we warmed to the whole place immediately. Once sorted , I went to the office to get the codes and map etc. It was still early so we looked forward to the prospect of two days here. There seemed a lot to explore and in the afternoon we walking round the old sea wall into Bembridge which is across the water from the marina. A pretty little village with a brilliant Chandlery called Spinnaker who were able to replace the camping gaz cylinder, which for a change had run out in a convenient place! It was a real Aladdin’s cave. We walked up to the village and bought an ice cream from the coop. It had a great fishmonger too! Since the gaz is heavy and the walk longish, we opted to get the water taxi back. I asked at the cafe on the beach where to get it and a kind young man immediately said he’d call it for us. It was low water and within a couple of minutes here it was. We were on the beach and he literally drove it straight onto the sand 😀. We all then had to sit near the back so he could reverse off successfully. On the way back he noticed that it looked like a yacht was grounded on the bar, so he radioed in to get someone to check they were okay. How reassuring. Well worth the £2.50, we arrived at the pontoon in no time. The Duver Marina here has a really lovely seaside feel and is not too “ yachty”. There is a cafe and Steve’s bar which are converted pop up trailers and have picnic tables on the terrace selling local food and drink. A lovely atmosphere. Julian went there for a IOW beer whilst I had a zoom with my friends. Homemade fish and chip supper sitting in our Cosy cockpit tent.
What I learned today……how I wish I was more confident using the vhf radio … I’d be more help coming into new places…🙁
Sue x
Shipping channel into the Solent 
Cafe and Steve’s bar 
Looking out to Duver Marina 
Called taxi ….. 
Water taxi approaches 
Fish chips mushy peas 
Watching Glastonbury and the rain!
Angelique 