What a difference the sun makes to one's day. The wind can be screaming, but we all smile because it "looks nice"!.............. Having reached the Solent, and hoisted sails, we head off east towards Portsmouth because there is a huge shape on the horizon which is one of the US Carriers, apparently now known as "The Coalition Warship, The George W Bush" and skip fancied a look. Unfortunately, as we tried to make against the tide, the apparition was picking up anchor and leaving so we didn't get to see it up close and personal. In the meantime, the wind had picked up so that when we turned back towards the west of the Solent, we were beating into it. Crew suggested reefing practice and this was done, much to her relief!
I do need to mention that this was supposed to be one of our first relaxed sails in the season, generally getting it all together with the boat etc, etc......... however, at this point we became aware of a loud noise coming from above. Her Majesty's Coastguard (Portland) Helicopter was doing a 2nd pass over us and stupidly we waved ...... like you do ....... this obviously encouraged said Coastguard because to our, or at least my horror, the helicopter did a steep banked turn and headed back, low in our direction with one of the crew displaying a Ch71 card from the open doorway.
The radio crackled into action, and the next thing I know is skip has agreed to join in an "exercise" gees.... you cannot hear a thing ...... the instructions were generally along the lines for skip to get the boat onto a port tack and stay steady (despite a rather strong westerly now blowing) and for me to grab a line, and pull a man on board! ...... at this point reluctant crew nearly had heart failure, not knowing what was going to happen. How the heck a 5ft3 little person could haul in a coastguard person was beyond me.
However, there was no time for nerves, because the next thing I know is Skip is SERIOUSLY concentrating on keeping 'Freedom' tracking nicely and the helicopter is coming - very, very low and on top of us. The noise was deafening, and it became very cold with the sea spray. The weighted line incredibly floated gently down, almost to my hand. I had to haul in a long length of it and then became aware of a chap about to leave the helicopter and follow the line I was pulling in!....... what a nice bloke he was! ..... he waived his instructions to his crew above and wafted onto our deck, whilst skip watched the shore on the other side of the Solent coming up rather fast. The tall, rather handsome young man arrived on board, congratulated us on our efficiency and told us he "wouldn't be stopping long" to which Skip replied "No that wouldn't be a good idea, because we will be Exbury Gardens in a minute"!!
With that the young chap left, rather as he had arrived, gently and without fuss with yours truely paying out on the long line until he was safely back on board the helicopter. Wow... what a rush, ........ both of us were pretty hyped at the end of it, but what a fantastic experience. We were so glad to have been in the right place at the right time and to have had the chance to join in the exercise. The wonderful handling by the helicopter crew was gobsmackingly good and if that was a hint of what they are capable of, then the Governments everywhere should be supporting them hugely, and not trying to minimise them.
When we had calmed down and had lunch, we continued to enjoy a lovely day on the water, getting back into the Hamble towards early evening...........
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