PROPOSED VISIT TO LITTLEHAMPTON
Thursday 4th - Friday 5th , September 2008

Time is drawing close to our proposed trip to Littlehampton.  The first time our group has formally ventured to the east from Hayling I believe!

Details of the cruise are briefly as follows:-

You should make yourselves aware of the passage notes from the east Solent in all Almanac’s and Pilot Books.  There is also a very useful download on the Littlehampton Harbour web site -  (http://www.littlehampton.org.uk/)  - and some interesting passage notes on the following  web site - (http://www.henleyoffshore.org/east.htm).Like most passages in the real sea (i.e. out of shelter from the Isle of Wight), weather and planning are important.  You should take particular note of entry into the harbour where there can be fairly strong cross tides.  Having slightly worried you, it is a frequently used venue for most other sailing clubs in Chichester Harbour who make annual visits, so it can’t be that difficult!

Berthing is alongside a long pontoon on the east side of the river Arun adjacent to the Harbour Office where there are the usual facilities.  We will probably have to raft up.  The Harbour Master is Colin Hitchcock who is exceptionally welcoming and has a very dry sense of humour.  His Deputy is Will Barker, also very friendly.

It is planned to have supper at a local riverside pub, the Arun View, that has a conservatory on the river bank.  The pub is a 10 minute walk or dinghy ride upstream.  For those who might be unable to travel thus, land taxis are available for the 5 minute ride.

I have agreed to let Colin Hitchcock have final numbers by 26 August, and he understands that any reservations are all subject to prevailing weather conditions on the day.  About 20% of all planned visits never set off!  Please therefore let me have details of your boat and number of crew by Friday 22 August if you intend to come, to enable me to make more detailed arrangements.

Have a good August!

Paul Cook