Juno's first offshore race

Charles has just splashed out on a brand new X34 named Juno - a mean lean racing machine built to win! After a couple of outings in the Warsash Spring Series - Juno is currently in first place in her class - the plan was to race in the Junior Offshore Group (JOG) series over the Easter break. JOG had arranged two races: one from Cowes to Cherbourg and rather cleverly from Cherbourg to Cowes. Unfortunately, storms and squalls with even more bad weather forecast meant that the outbound race was postponed by 24 hours.

Our provisioning plan was for breakfasts and lunch on board plus two evening meals whilst on passage - the aspiration being that we would be enjoying 'fruit de mer' and other tasty plates on the other side of the Channel. To conserve provisions, we had dinner at the Victory Inn in Hamble village on Thursday night. The 'legendary' beer-battered fish and chips with home-made tartare sauce was devine and the steak and ale pie went down a treat too. Prices are reasonable but beware: the portions are BIG! Foredeck, mast and pit still managed to have room for dessert and opted for banoffi pie or maple syrup & pecan pie served as an individual tartlet.

With the postponement still in force on Friday, dinner was courtesy of the local chippy as an early night was called for before racing on Saturday and there was still a lot to get ready.

Saturday morning came around quickly and we set off to the start line near Cowes with the pre-cooked bacon and sausages warming in the oven before serving in bread rolls. After a great start, the weather deteriorated and there weren't many takers for the chicken salad wraps which had been so carefully prepared the night before. Not too many cups of tea were had either, although several attempts were made. Must remember to pack the thermos flask in future.


After a 14 hour squally crossing, we made it into Chantereyne Marina and as soon as everything was lashed down and secure (more storms forecast for overnight) we had a hot chocolate with a couple of Minstrels melting in the bottom finished off with a splash of single malt whisky. Then it was time for Kate's spaghetti bolognaise served with garlic and herb flatbreads. Juno's oven is brilliant - the temperature can actually be controlled and things heat up when you expect them too. The L-shaped galley and the nav desk are both protected by padded coverings which a) stop the brand new woodwork from getting scratched (which was the original intention) and b)reduce the bruising when you are hurled against either station (a positive unintended consequence).

As we'd lost a day, the start of the race back was on Sunday morning but we decided to scratch and cruise back giving us time for lunch at Cherbourg Yacht Club before departing. A smoother passage back meant that we could now avail ourselves to the treats in the snack locker, actually eat a chicken salad wrap and have Mark's chicken curry with saffron and cardomon rice en route.

Arriving in the small hours of Monday morning, Juno was put to bed and we had a 0300 feast of Wenslydale and Apricot cheese with crackers washed down with the wine which JOG had provided in lieu of a reception the previous day.

Finally, muesli followed by bacon and sausage in bread rolls for breakfast before the final tidy up and departure.