Customer Day 2014

Having checked the weather pretty much every hour since Monday, the day arrived with fairly clear skies! Fortunately, the tail of Hurricane Bertha didn’t arrive until Sunday.

Some customers had even come from The Netherlands and Denmark just for this event, and we are truly thankful for their dedication (although we are also sure the free bar helped!)

Everyone gathered at the Marina, introductions and acquaintances made and we were then lead aboard Truce by Peter and Dominique, our captain and hostess for the day.

Everyone agreed that Truce was a fine looking vessel, with many pictures taken whilst she was at berth at Ocean Village!

After a champagne breakfast, canapés and a short safety briefing we were off towards Portsmouth at a fair old rate of knots! From here guests could see the Spinnaker Tower and various navy vessels plus the old Napoleonic forts. From here we cruised leisurely across the Solent towards Cowes. Unfortunately, due to lack of wind, the last day of Cowes Week sailing had been cancelled, but there were still a number of yachts out and about on the Solent. Dominique did a great job of ensuring all guests glasses were kept topped up!

Docking at Trinity Landing we headed through the crowds at Cowes and had lunch in the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club. Our guests then browsed the regatta (some having to buy new shoes and a painting they’d spotted!) before boarding Truce again.

We then sped towards the Needles, past Hurst Castle and past the various forts on the Isle of Wight. At one point we were joined by a pair of very enthusiastic Jet Skiers who performed some fairly amazing acrobatics! Turning around we made our final leg towards Lymington. Landing at precisely 5pm the heavens opened on cue at 5.05pm ! We bid farewell to Peter and Dominique and then travelled onto Rhinefield House.

After checking in, we all met again in the bar (where else!) and, at this point, were joined by other guests and vendors from Concep and then moved into the Keepers Room for a private dining experience. The staff of Rhinefield continued the theme of keeping our glasses filled!

After retiring back to the bar the conversation, hilarity (where did your “new” shoes go Stuart?!) and various discussions continued until around 3am.

From 8am, those that could make it despite sore heads, had breakfast in the Alhambra room and we then departed for home. A fantastic day, rounded off with some spirited discussions and great food – what more could anyone want?! From our point of view, the day had exactly the right level of fun, new found friends and discussions had, without the boredom of death by Powerpoint. Perfect!

Watch a video of the Jet Skier in action (26Mb) !