Is it just me or is everyone else starting to pack away their shorts and flip flops and slip into something a little warmer? The summer seems to have been and gone in a blur and now everyone is talking about autumn but it certainly didn’t seem like that in the Solent last Saturday!

The week leading up to the weekend had been fantastic, blue skies and sunshine everyday so we decided our rib should be launched to have a blast. Typically on Saturday the blue skies weren’t quite as blue and there was certainly a chill in the air, a few layers were packed for the journey. On arrival at our Boatyard we were greeted with a number of Campervans and people milling around in wetsuits, not the usual attire for the regular customers! Turns out there was a Stand Up Paddle Board race along the Hamble. All looked great and loads of people entering – if you entered our competition to win the paddleboard maybe you could be there next year…

All Layered up we headed out to the Solent with a flask of hot chocolate to keep the chill off. We were amazed at the number of boats on the water and plenty of yacht racing in progress. Conditions were perfect for our 5.5m rib pushing the throttle forward the cobwebs were soon blown away. We headed over to Osborne Bay where there were a number of boats anchored for lunch. The private beach was also busy with visitors to Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, viewing Queen Victoria’s bathing machine. We decided not to stop for lunch and carried on a tour of the Solent watching some of the yacht racing before heading back up the Hamble tucking into our sandwiches and more hot chocolate!

Arriving back at the boatyard the SUP racing was underway and plenty of excited people of all ages taking part, luckily they had the tide with them to help them along. The usual jobs were completed, flushing the engine, cleaning and covers on before we headed home to watch the rugby (not too much to mention of that front!)

Sunday we did it all again but it was a little windier and not such a comfortable ride, although Sunday lunch at The Anchor Inn, Cowes was a welcome pit stop!

It was a great weekend and fantastic to see so many people out on the water – are we out this weekend? That’s the big question!