Down Channel 11

 

On a perfect May afternoon, silvery tongues of tide silently clothe the bare gravel, of the foreshore at Langstone Quay.

The boats, out on the half tide moorings, jig around their buoys. Impatient to take advantage of this heady cocktail, of high water, fair wind and sunshine.

Paddlers set out to explore the wonderland of creeks and coves. Where land and sea mingle so completely, that one can scarce be told from the other.

Stargazer left Itchenor just after low water. Stealing seaward, between tree lined banks, against the young flood

Past the anchorage off the gravel shores of Pilsey Island (noted for future use).

On to East Head. Where dogs exercise their owners, amid the sparkle of summer-blue waters; and the dune grass dances in the breeze.

A Hallberg-Rassy, a size or two larger than Stargazer, lies to anchor. Her dinghy readied for a run ashore.

At the harbour entrance we turn inshore. Heading north, up the Emsworth Channel. (Those with local knowledge will spot that my picture is of the Itchenor Channel). The flood in full spate, driving us on. Back in the embrace of wooded shores.

Stargazer, as usual, arrives early. Depths will be marginal. But the tide is on the rise. If we touch, we will come off soon enough. We tiptoe gingerly along the Langstone Channel and into the Northney approach cut. Least depth encountered, point four of a metre under the keel, on a two metre rise of tide. Note made, in Stargazer's 'black book,' of channel clearances.