Rock, Rock, Rockley Around the Clock

The HABS RN CCF Expedition to Rockley Point, Summer 2015

Prelude – The Journey:

Such is the linguistic mastery of Lt Cdr Hardman that he can convey the most subtle nuances of meaning virtually instantaneously. “I am very excited” (or words to that effect) shouted Lt Cdr Hardman as I answered his evening phone call. “I have spent the day sailing a very fast catamaran” (or words to that effect) he continued, and then “I have had another one placed at your disposal for the morning, so make haste to Rockley Point” (or words to that effect). After considering this proposition for three, or perhaps four seconds, I needed no further encouragement.

“Monkey World only twelve miles, but that’s in Dorset!” I exclaimed to my navigator and crew Dr Chapman. “Yes, and Poole is in Dorset too” she replied and then more cuttingly, perhaps with a note of cruelty in her voice, “Was that A level in Geography you did very difficult?” I considered for a moment in silence the prospect of slipping over to Monkey World to find a replacement navigator and crew, but the hour was late, I doubted that any reasonably large primate would agree to such a proposition, and in any case we needed to find Rockley Point Sailing Academy.

After easing into the car park of the caravan park much later I closed my eyes and inhaled the heady mixture of seaweed, suntan lotion, Brut 33 and general bonhomie. We were once again a part of the HABS RN CCF’s adventurous expedition to the UK’s largest natural harbour, and this time it was serious.

The Night Before the Morning After:

It could not escape the notice of even the most casual observer that Lt Cdr Hardman is extremely popular at Rockley Point. Entering the hallowed accommodation block, I met first with a gaggle of HABS’ finest young sailors, including Coxswain Jukes. After exchanging warm greetings I was reminded of the popular motion picture titled “Apocalypse Now”; in the middle distance sat a sun-tanned Lt Cdr Hardman on some sort of throne, being attended upon by a Praetorian guard of Rockley Instructors, feeding him on fine cheese and fine alcohol-free wine.

Mr Gauntlett, mastermind and chief-architect of the Rockley expedition, sat beside him with his own sun tan, somewhat smaller piece of cheese and a can of Vimto. The elite Rockley team offered Lt Cdr Hardman a range of activities for the following day, yet he remained impassive. Eventually he spoke with a tone reminiscent of Russell Crowe in “Gladiator”, softly saying, “Tomorrow, on my command, we sail somewhere far away and back in fast boats” (or words to that effect). Nodding sagely, pondering his every word, the Rockley instructors withdrew to immediately begin preparing the requisite craft.

The Morning After the Night Before:

Being Tea-Total, I arose very early the next day for a gallon or so of tea and a few Frosties. Our boys emerged too from their modest cells, also in pursuit of nourishment, Men of manners are in short supply today, but the boys of the HABS RN CCF have manners in abundance. By their polite and gentle conduct, they set themselves apart from others and put those around them (including me of course) at ease. They are a credit to HABS, and I am at all-times proud of them, not least when we are eating together in a foreign land such as Poole. They are also noted for their courage and willingness to face tough challenges, both characteristics which were to prove of significant value during the hours ahead.

Soon Lt Cdr Hardman joined us further brightening the already bright faces of the Rockley team. They knelt before him to reveal that his instructions had been completed; a dozen or so very fast boats were standing by at the shoreline. “Get in” he responded (or words to that effect) – they seemed more than pleased by his response.

Soon then, the morning’s activities began. A daisy chain of bright-yellow Laser 2000 dinghies was towed out into the harbour, each one populated with a couple of our brave RN CCF boys. Rockley powerboats buzzed their encouragement as the craft departed. Opting instead for a beach launch, Lt Cdr Hardman, Alex Down, Dr Chapman and I too set forth in the promised fast catamarans, carried forth on a zephyr breeze. As I pushed and prodded the rudder assembly, Rockley’s cat-expert Liam casually asked me. “Do you have a lot of experience of cats then?” “Yes” I replied, we had a couple of tabbies and a Persian Blue when I was a child”. Liam smiled politely, thumbing his radio perhaps with the intention of calling security, but it was too late- in a flash we were gone.

So began a simply marvellous morning of sailing. The cats swerved in and out of our fleet with much saluting, many jokes and a song or two as the wind gradually built in strength. We danced along the channel before sailing right around Round Island, guided proactively by the Rockley team. As our boys got to grips with their racy steeds, I felt a growing sense that all was well; whilst other schools gradually withdraw from sailing on “safety” grounds, HABS remains stalwart in defiance; our boys like to sail, and so do our staff, especially on fast boats in a rising tide with a bit of a chop.

By the end of the morning session, the cats were screaming along if not exactly like scalded cats, then at least like cats which had been thoroughly warmed up. Slewing mine to a halt mid-channel, ready for the lunchtime break, I became aware of a strange trumpet-like noise dancing over the waves. A Rockley Point barge was being rowed out to Lt Cdr Hardman’s catamaran, replete a bugler and ten oarsmen, to convey him to the shore. After joining him somewhat later by paddleboard, we made haste to the nearest café where I amused myself by ordering six drinks one at a time from the world’s most grumpy hostess.

The Afternoon following the Morning After the Night Before:

As an eternal optimist, I am often guilty of omitting to pack adequate warm clothing. Thankfully Dr Chapman was able to advance me a slightly musty pink rash-vest though, which suited me well as a barrier to the rather inclement weather. The HABS staff and Rockley instructor group huddled away from the wind, sharing sailing stories behind a set of garishly painted beach huts as our lads enjoyed an impromptu game of post-lunch football. I was quite glad to return to the sea which itself was warmer than the air, this time with Jamie, a cadet who, just like me, was keen on cats.

“Are you OK Jamie?” I enquired through clenched teeth in the teeth of what was now a strong wind. “Yes”, he replied, “This is great”. This spoke volumes of his courage; we were proceeding through the surf in pursuit of Lt Cdr Hardman and another cadet at a somewhat alarming rate of knots. We streaked past and between the remainder of the fleet, momentarily glimpsing familiar faces and familiar smiles. Have no fear regarding the creative imagination of our HABS boys, we observed at least four of them re-modelling two Laser 2000 dinghies into what I imagine was one Laser 4000 dinghy. Several others presented a new interpretation of the Maritime Collision Avoidance Rules. Again though, these activities were conducted with huge enthusiasm and good-grace. I think that Lt Cdr Hardman and Cox’n Jukes hammered their own cat over and into the surf but, having my eyes firmly closed at the time, I cannot be sure of this.

Calming down the cats with some soothing words concerning fish and cream, all too soon we were safely back ashore. Our boys and our staff were euphoric, sharing that feeling of having prevailed through a challenging shared adventurous experience. The very good people of Rockley too were more than happy, widely praising our boys for their spirit and courage.

Sadly, perhaps only half an hour after landing ashore, it was time for me to say “goodbye” and to leave the Rockley party to rock. As I prepared to leave, I noted a number of Rockley instructors lighting huge bonfires and preparing what appeared to be some form of celebratory beach banquet for Lt Cdr Hardman. Sliding into my car once more, and bidding all around me “farewell” my heart, lungs and muscles pulsed to the familiar rhythm of enjoyable fatigue. I am most grateful to my colleagues Lt Cdr Hardman, Mr Gauntlett and Dr Chapman for allowing me to be a part of this expedition, to the fabulous Rockley team for their skill, organisation and enthusiasm, and of course to our HABS RN CCF cadets for “pushing the envelope” of sailing a little further than I have ever seen the envelope before.