Yarmouth to Cowes - Day 79

Yarmouth to Cowes, Isle of Wight - Friday 29th July, 2011 - Day 79

Walk ashore for a tea/coffee in the Mariner Cafe, prior to leaving Yarmouth marina at 11.30

Yarmouth - Lymington Ferry

It is not far from Yarmouth directly across the Solent to Lymington on the north island (what the locals call it, we call it England).  We were at the river entrance after a half an hour crossing and in the channel you meet one of these ferries.  There are three of them, called Wight Sky; Sun and Light on their regular run across which is the shortest distance between the islands.  We called up and made arrangements for a pontoon berth at the Royal Lymington Yacht club and lunch. 

Royal Lymington Yacht Club

I particularly wanted to visit this yacht club as previously when I sailed on the Baltic Boats I had the pleasure of sailing with Andy Cooper who fondly used to relate stories of his yacht club.  Unfortunately, Andy has passed away but within the club I found one of his old friends who gave me all he knew on Andy, since I had last sailed with him, nice memoirs.
In Lymington, there are boats as far as the eye can see and a stroll to the nearest boatyard I found one of the racing greyhounds out of the water, these sail around the world, very impressive, but not my idea of how to see the world.

We left at 15.00 and took advantage of the tide as we made out way eastwards up the Solent and into Cowes and here we tied up at the Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club, where Bill is a member. 
We were ashore by 18.30 and just outside the marina gate to the left is the Duke of York where I had cod (whale) and chips while Bill had bangers and mash which he could not finish and took some bangers back for his breakfast.  A visit to the Island Yacht Club is well worth it, as this has magnificent views over the harbour and very good bar and restaurant.  We finished off in the Anchor with the rest of the youngesters, they let us join in and thoroughly enjoyed their company.  Arriving back on board we found this great big motor cruiser 'Cartovi' tied up alongside us but we had no problems sleeping.