Round the Island: A crew’s adventure
The barometer points to ‘Fair’, and the brass clock shows 7pm. Where will we be this time tomorrow – Sandown, Bembridge? Or back in East Cowes Marina?
It’s the night before the Round the Island Race, and I’m making myself at home in a stranger’s boat. Joie de Vivre. This pristine Jeanneau 36 is all mine tonight, thanks to Flotespace, a company that finds berths for sailors. Only, I didn’t just get a yacht for the night. The yacht’s owner, marina manager Mike Townshend, kindly offered me a crew place, too, in Britain’s biggest yacht race!
Marina bathed in gold
I sleep well in the forward cabin and wake early the next morning to a marina bathed in gold. On the boats around me crews are coiling ropes and fixing race numbers to stays. The kettle whistles and I enjoy my cuppa on deck, with a curious swan for company.
It’s a peaceful here on the River Medina. East Cowes has retained its shipbuilding heritage: the RNLI has had and . In fact, King George V kept his racing yacht on the river. He had the J-Class hauled and repainted every winter, and raced her throughout the summer.
