Solent Tour Midweek Rally 5th-6th August 2025. Newtown Creek and Bucklers Hard

Published 10:26 on 18 Aug 2025

It was so nice to be blessed with good weather for these two days on the water and staying in two idyllic settings i.e. Newtown Creek (one of our personal favourites) and on the Beaulieu River at Bucklers Hard.

(Cormorant & oyster catchers at Newtown Creek)

We were expecting 6 boats to join us for the first location at Newtown Creek Misty Moon, Nemo, Blue Moon of Haslar, Minalto, Katy Jinny and ourselves on Dreamcatcher of Hamble however, Michael and Anne Sword-Daniels on their new acquisition Minalto, a Nimbus 320c couldn't make it for the first evening which was a pity as the evening was glorious with a lovely vibrant sunset overlooking the quiet calm of the Creek, a National Trust reserve for wildlife. Jem and Ann Nicholls with their friends Ash and Julie were the first to arrive we believe having set off from their berth at Swanwick Marina to 'park up' in the creek anchorage area, which was a little way off from the rest of us but their choice was based on Seal spotting as they are more often seen in that area of the Creek.

We set off in our boat Dreamcatcher from Lymington where we had been spending a pleasant couple of nights beforehand with our friends John & Anita Barratt who came with us, in preparation for a quick crossing over to the Creek on the morning tide in order to catch a vacant visitor's buoy in the Newtown River.

For those who haven't visited the Creek before a tip is always to get there early; around 1030 or 11am as the large white visitors buoys are often snaffled up very quickly at this very popular spot on the Isle of Wight.  We picked one up next to our rally leads Brian & Hilary Masters on Misty Moon and duly paid the £25 fee to the National Trust official who appeared almost as soon as we arrived!

(Brian & Hilary, Jem & Ashley at the stern of 'Misty Moon')

Newtown Creek is a favourite spot for pic-nics and bathers, there were also plenty of small dinghy's and paddleboarders enjoying the sunshine.  It was decided that we would all meet for a drink on the beach around 6 pm so we all dinghy'd over for a quick meet up before the sun set for the evening.

(Commodore Jonathan Clare and Lizzie just landing at the beach in Newtown Creek) 

(Beach Pontoon Party)

Most people had their evening meal on their boat, but Brian and Hilary dinghy'd to the New Inn where they had a very good meal.

Next day we all set off for Bucklers Hard in the beautiful Beaulieu River where we were met by the marina staff and allocated a place on the visitor's pontoon. 

We had two more boats join our party - Michael and Anne on Minalto and Stephen and Deborah Burder on Vin Rouge. Although we were rafted we sorted ourselves out pretty quickly and some of us took advantage of the very pleasant facilities at the marina. Bucklers Hard is known for its rich heritage, boat building history and wildlife. For those who are more interested in the history there is a museum which documents the building of Nelson's navy for Trafalgar. The museum also shows the heritage of the Bucklers Hard village which dates back to the 13th century. 
Our evening kicked off with a pontoon party and the club had arranged for us to use the BBQ area at the marina. A few of us brought additional BBQs and everyone managed to cook their steaks, burgers, bangers and buns all washed down with the club's ample supply of wine and beer. It was a super evening with plenty of good food and good company. Even the dog enjoyed it, seen in the photo begging for a sausage from Stephen!!

NB. As this is one of the last rallies we shall do on Dreamcatcher (which is up for sale) we asked Jem to take a photo of us on our boat in Newtown Creek, thank you Jem we will be parting with her with a large tear in our eyes but hope she goes to a good home.

Dennis & Paula Pearce

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• Solent Tour midweek Rally 2025 (5 - 9 August)

Last updated 15:19 on 18 August 2025