Wareham Cruise
Friday 30 May Log 10.8 – trip to Wareham
Bugs Bunny was away from the mooring by 10:30 and there was just enough wind to sail. The tide is foul but the boat still making gentle progress towards the ferry terminal.
A nice sunny day and I think to myself this will be fine unless Barfleur comes in. I look round and there is Barfleur coming up the harbour!! I put on the engine for five minutes to move out of the way. Bugs Bunny was soon sailing again but as I approached Moriconium Quay the wind dropped and the tide was taking the boat backwards. I put on the engine again.
I tried to sail once more but decided to give up and motored on up to the river. The tide was now ebbing strongly and I was a bit surprised to see the mud banks were already showing as I approached the mouth of the river.
According to easy tide it was still two hours to low water. Oh well, I will see how far I can get! A small cabin cruiser soon caught me up and I suggested they go past me but they elected to stay behind. I wonder why?
The water level is still dropping and much too my surprise I manage to go past Red Cliff Yacht club. I can see the bridge at Wareham, and then I run aground with the tide still dropping. The small cabin cruiser now goes past me.
It is now 13:20 some 40 minutes before predicted low water and I am stuck in the middle of the river. I decide to have some light refreshment and make my lunch. I have just started eating my sandwiches and at exactly low water, I am floating down the river!! The tide has changed earlier than predicted. I set off again and although the boat went aground for a moment I was soon approaching the quay. I turn round and reverse the Bugs Bunny into the vacant berth left by the small cabin cruiser. I had come up on Friday, to make sure that the boat was next to the quay and I am now exactly where I want to be. 
Bugs Bunny at Wareham
Saturday
I am now the only boat on quay, so I could have come up today. As the day goes by I am joined by all the other boats from the club on the Wareham Cruise. Heart of Glass was first to arrive, followed by Ella 3, Julia Trail, Leander, Ariel, Painted Lady and Sooty Tern. L’Allegro also joined us at Wareham so we had a total of nine boats from the club. I think that this must be a record for the club. 
The fleet at Wareham
Lynaire and Richard on Painted Lady
Jan, Marlene and Peter
Pre dinner drinks were held on and around Bugs Bunny where the crews were joined by those who travelled by car. Dave, Suzanne and Richard Drew also joined us for drinks but unfortunately, could not stay for the meal as the Kings Head at Stowborough had made a mess of the booking arrangements. 
Pre Dinner Drinks
Rita, Tom, Lynda and Caroline
Tim explaining how I should have moored the boat
We had a good meal at the Kings Head, and those of us staying with the boats retired for coffee and more liquid refreshment on Ella 3 and Leander.
Sunday 1 June Log 7.4 miles – return to Poole
A leisurely start to the morning as the fleet waited for the tide. L’Alllegro was keen to go, so Sooty Tern left as well making an early start down the river. L’Allegro did go aground for a while in the shallow part of the river but with some judicious re-arranging of boats she was able to finally get away. Ella 3 went soon afterwards.
In due course once there was a little more water, Ariel, Painted lady, Leander and Bugs Bunny set off down the river. Painted Lady very wisely proceeded very cautiously until the mouth of the River.
Ariel looked to be having a very good sail, but Bugs Bunny and some of the others motor sailed back to Poole. This was just as well for Bugs Bunny as there just enough water for Parkstone Pearl to come out.
Rita and John Pettet
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