| When my daughter had finished her exams, I wanted | | | | we had put on the waterproof gear provided as within |
| to find something a bit different to treat her, but it had | | | | 10 minutes we encountered a shower. |
| to be a day out that she would remember for a long | | | | The water was fairly choppy but the skipper explained |
| time. So my search began. | | | | that we would get up to a comfortable 25 to 30 knots |
| After spending a long time checking what was | | | | and the RIB would ride on the top of the waves, |
| available, I came across the Hythe Power Rib | | | | keeping the ride smooth and us dry. |
| Crossings site. This seemed to match what we were | | | | A couple of times during our trip over to the Isle of |
| looking for, so my husband and I booked her and her | | | | Wight the skipper opened the engines right up to 45 |
| sister together with 8 of their friends onto the RIB for | | | | knots giving us the thrill of a lifetime. 45 knots is the |
| her special day out. | | | | equivalent of just over 50 mph, but in the open air and |
| We decided to visit Cowes on the Isle of Wight for | | | | out at sea it felt so much faster. With the skipper riding |
| the day, as we knew that this was a popular trip. So | | | | in and out of the wash from passing larger boats and |
| we chartered a 9 metre RIB (rigid inflatable boat) and | | | | ferries we all agreed it was like being on a very fast |
| its skipper for the day from Hythe Power Rib | | | | theme park ride. |
| Crossings. As the rib was able to accommodate up to | | | | We were dropped off in Cowes to spend the day as |
| 12 passengers it was just right for us, and we were | | | | we liked, and arranged to meet back at the harbour at |
| able to include their closest friends as well. | | | | 2 pm. |
| We met the two skippers at Bucklers Hard in Beaulieu, | | | | We visited the many shops in and around Cowes also |
| New Forest, Hampshire at 10 am and were invited in | | | | stopping at a bar for lunch and a quick drink. It was |
| to The Masters Builders House Hotel for coffee while | | | | decided unanimously that we were not ready to head |
| we were given a safety talk. | | | | home, so we just gave the skipper a call to arrange to |
| We set off at 1020 and were told that we would be in | | | | be picked up at a later time. That was one of the |
| for a thrilling crossing that day as there was a bit of a | | | | great things about the trip, we could adapt it to suit |
| wind out on the Solent, which would all add to our fun. | | | | what we wanted. |
| We started off our trip by cruising up Beaulieu River | | | | So with our new meeting time set to 4pm that gave |
| doing a constant 6 knots. This took about 20 minutes | | | | us a couple more hours to explore the Isle of Wight. |
| and along the way we saw plenty of local wildlife such | | | | There was so much to see and do there, and by now |
| as herons and wading birds. This was a chance to get | | | | the sun was shining, so we had a really lovely time. |
| our sea legs and take in the scenery. | | | | As one of my daughters friends had eaten more than |
| Once we reached the open water of the Solent,the | | | | she intended, the skipper kept the trip back to Bucklers |
| white knuckle ride really began. Luckily the skipper had | | | | Hard nice and steady, no white knuckles! |
| told us there was a chance of showers that day, so | | | | |