Visiting Laika

Laika is in Royal Clarence Marina, Gosport.
View Laika in a larger map The address is:
Royal Clarence Marina
Weevil Lane
Gosport
Hampshire
PO12 1AX

Laika is in berth A15

By Train

Take a train to Portsmouth Harbour. They go from Waterloo on the hour and half hour. Don't be tempted to get the -09 or -45: they take longer than waiting for one of the two recommended. Do not get off at Portsmouth and Southsea. Stay on until the end of the line.

Take the main exit. There may be a notice "Gosport Ferries". Don't follow signs for Isle of Wight Ferries. Out of the station, turn left. Walk down the ramp past Popeye's burger stand. Buy a ticket from the machine (£2.40 return: keep the return part). Machine takes cash only, no notes. You shouldn't have to wait more than 5-10 mins maximum for a ferry: usually less. The ferry across the harbour takes a few minutes.

Take the route on the map linked to above from the Gosport ferry terminal.

Up the ramp from the ferry. There is a taxi rank on your right. Cut through it towards the road.
Walk past the castle pub on your right and the entrance to Gosport Permier Marina. This is not Royal Clarence Marina: You've got 10 mins more walking. 15 if you're slow. Follow Mumby road past the Plumb centre, A Halfords garage, an NHS pharmacy until you see the Clarence Tavern on your left and a small lorry park on your right. Cut through the lorry park to Weevil lane and turn right along it. After about 50m turn right through an archway into a big carpark.
Walk towards the opposite corner, past the pump house cafe (not that it looks like a cafe) on your left. If you've been crossing your legs during the journey the toilets are ahead and a bit on your left beneath a sign that says "Marina Facilities". There's a code locked door. It's the same as the marina gate code.
Next to the marina facilities is Dee Caffari racing, next to that is a hypnotherapist. Then there is an archway and then a hair salon. Go through the arch unless your hair is a mess or you want to give up smoking. Turn right through the arch.
You should see some boats now. Walk towards them. When you get about as far as you can go you'll notice what looks like a bush shelter on your left.
The marina gate is behind there. The gate has a code which I'll tell you. Punch it in, the door will open. Go down the ramp, turn right, find A pontoon and we're berth 15.

By Car

From London take the A3 from south/east London or the M3 from North/West London.Turn right (from the A3) or left (from the M3) onto the M27. Get off at Fareham central. Take the A27 over the first flyover but then keep in the middle lane (do not pull left onto the second flyover). Follow signs for A32 Gosport which is left immediately before the roundabout. Keep following signs to Gosport town centre (A32). Carry on for a long time (depending on traffic). After a long time (depending on traffic) the road bends to the right with a pub called the railway tavern on the right hand side, then the left. There's a park on the right and trees on the left. You come to the junction of Mumby Road (the A32 which you're on) and Weevil Lane. There's a sign pointing left for Royal Clarence Marina but it's not a big sign. Turn left, then after about 50m turn right into a big car park. Head for the opposite corner to where you came in. There are no fees or restrictions on parking. Don't know how safe it is but there's some very fancy cars get parked there for weeks at a time. Proceed to the boat as described above.

What to bring

If you've got your own sailing kit bring it. I have lifejackets and lifelines but little else. For summer sailing in the solent you don't really need much. Unlike dinghy sailing we mostly don't get wet sailing Laika. It does sometimes rain and there can be the odd unexpected wave. A soaking is the exception, but it doesn't hurt to be prepared.

light waterproof jacket
wind/waterproof trousers if you have them
Some kind of soft-soled footwear that won't mark the deck and if they get wet it won't be financial ruin. Plimsolls work fine and unlike crocs, can be worn with socks without creating a serious sartorial disaster.
fleece or ssimilar warm thing. x2 in case the first one gets wet
towell, toothbrush, toothpaste, torch...actually you don't really need a torch but it does begin with "t" so I thought I'd put it in.
Shades, Looking cool is very important
Sunblock/Sunscreen. I've been burned on a cloudy day in april sailing in the Solent. Lip balm too if you're into that sort of thing.
Hat. If it's sunny, something with a peak or brim. If not, something warm. In either case it should sit securely on your head and, just in case, not be of sentimental value
Sleeping bag and pillow if you have one. Don't stress if you forget the pillow as there are cushions. Do stress about the sleeping bag: I don't have a spare.
Those eye shade things can be handy if you're sleeping in the forepeak: there's no blind in there
Ear plugs if slapping water or banging rigging is liable to keep you awake
Any medication you're on. Do let me know about it in case anything happens to you and I have to tell the people carting you off to hospital.
Books

For cross-channel you also need:

Passport
Thermals. You might not need them but a silk base layer might come in handy if we're sailing at night
Torch. If not included already with the other things beginning with "t"
Euros (for france). Channel islands will take UK currency, but give you their money in change which is not usable back home.

Just in Case it isn't obvious...

Power

Power comes from batteries which are charged wither when the engine is running (which will be as little as possible) or when we're plugged into shore power. We only have shore power in expensive marinas and then not always. As a result don't rely on 240v for chargers etc. except at the beginning or end of the trip (in Royal Clarence). If we find it it's a bonus. Power in the 12v batteries is very precious. Please conserve power by only using lights which are absolutely necessary and try to charge phones etc. from mains sockets in the pub rather than the boat batteries.