Wootton Wanderings
We’ve just had one of those bonus October days. An early mist cleared to blue skies and a hint of Autumn haze as we left the Puerta Solenta lock . Boaters rigged up from all nooks and crannies of Portsmouth harbour to take advantage of such a gift of a day! Ferries creamed and steamed up the waves as we headed out of the harbour and across to the entrance to Wootton Creek.
Noddy (Martyn and Ann) were already moored at the entrance to the creek as we completed our run through the Sunday yachtsmen and ladies on the Solent and we all kept one eye on the GPS
as we began to thread our way up the serpentine trail of moored craft towards our lunchtime destination.
There are days when Wootton scrubs up particularly well and this was one! The creek was the essence of tranquillity and the rising tide coloured in the waters right up to the banks. Higgledy-piggledy houseboats and kayaks added vibrancy to the sloping green lawns and striking houses on the banks beyond.
Half-way to The Sloop we couldn’t help noticing one of Nautibuoy’s versadocks newly installed complete with covered RIB! (We may have a photo Rich!) In minutes we were drawing near to the east-facing stone wall of the pub and, keeping ropes out of the fragrant (!) muddy water
, we tied on to the fence. The garden of the pub is a wonderful setting for Sunday lunch and no sooner were we installed than the intrepid Chichester Pontoontalkers Andre, Wiesia, Mike C, Sheila, Steve, Wendy and Martin all showed up on Seahawk 1V and Prime RIB to join us!
Roast dinners, Yorkshire puds and bevvies all round, we all swapped tales of recent exploits and planned a few for the future! Paul even got some ‘fit-out’ advice for his home-made campervan from Martyn!! We couldn’t have wished for a better day. Sadly the newly-revealed muddy marks on the wall began to appear to remind us to be on our way.
Reluctantly we clambered aboard and pootled back down the river as the tide began to drop. A quick blast across the Solent ensued and we waved each other off before heading for home berths.
Wootton. As wonderful as we remembered from other great trips there. One of those charming destinations probably best reached with a small number of boats. Hopefully you’ll be along next time Avocet!
Great idea, great choice today Martyn and Ann! Thank you! A bonus day out and an extra special bonus too hearing all the latest pontoontalk from Chichester friends.
For anyone else considering a run, keep an eye on the depth at all times! It dries out all over the place!
We were extra lucky today that the rising tide coincided with lunchtime on an idyllic Sunday afternoon.
For more information on Wootton, have a look here
(That King Canute got around a bit didn't he?
)
Oh and Paul took a few photos for a couple for special mates who couldn’t make it today (to follow)
Kathleen & Paul
If there are any other Solent Layabouts fancying a bit of basking & a few Irish cappucinos on a Sunday afternoon send a pm to Noddy or jackeens
