A holiday in Bembridge, 6 to 8th September

Thursday to Saturday, 6 to 8th September

A neighbourly chat

 

We are captivated by being in port at Bembridge.

Entrance channel at low tide

 The tropical weather certainly helps, but the scenery and amenities are great. (It is true, perhaps , that the showers are not quite luxury, but functional enough). 

 

Pat & Joe

We spent a lovely time on the Thursday with Pat & Joe, more expeditions by dinghy, coffees on the dunes, walks on the sea wall, talking to the very friendly boat-owners along the pontoon, etc.

Tom & Gill

We took a taxi from the marina to lunch at “The Seaview Hotel”. Later, we walked again around the dunes before having Pat & Joe round for a fun evening re-discovering Bridge.
 

Off  to the shops

 

Friday 7th saw the great weather continuing, and we carried on enjoying the sun, the beach and the dunes, “Iseult” left to go to a pre-planned rally at Beaulieu. And during the afternoon the marina filled to bursting, with multiple rafting out all along. We turned the boat around on ropes so as to facilitate an easy getaway, but as yet, we don’t know when to leave, as the forecast looks good for a few days yet. Dinner on board was from produce at the local shops and butcher’s, and was very tasty.

 

Coffees by the dunes

 

Saturday 8th September -

“Britain at its best.”

Back from the shops

The sun shone continuously from dawn to dusk, with little or no breeze, and completely still water in the marina, with only gentle ripples on the bathing-warm sea. The pontoons were quiet until the harbour approach channel had enough depth, and then nautical jolly mayhem became the frantic norm for 5 or 6 hours.

 

 

 

It seemed as thoughBembridge had become the most popular spot on the Isle of Wight, with yachts rafted 6 out, but not enough to bother the friendly and competent berthing staff, who saw that everyone was happy.

Iseult heads away to Beaulieu

The causeway to St Helens

It was a day for walks to the village, ice creams at the beach café, sightseeing on the dunes, and sunbathing on the boat, with all meals taken “al fresco” in the cockpit whilst exchanging pleasantries with the boaters passing by.

A seaside ice cream

 

 

The elderly couple (same age as us, that is!) on the boat “Sea Wyf” opposite had asked us if we would like a paper from the shops before they set off on their folding bikes. Gill watched them cycle across the narrow causeway, but lost sight as they moved behind the boat next to us. About 20 minutes later, as we were walking along the same route, we saw, to our horror, that Linsey, the wife, had fallen 12 feet or so ont o the rocks below, with the bike falling on top of her. Coastguards and paramedics were already on the scene, trying gingerly to ease her onto a stretcher, We learned later that she had been relatively lucky, suffering “only” severe bruising and a few cracked ribs. 

The beach and dunes at The Duver, Bembridge

An indian Summer's glow

The weather forecast was showing a marked change for Sunday, with strong winds in the afternoon, so after dinner, we started preparations for an 0800 start. The marina bill for 4 nights with electricity came to £98.