Hi, there is a scheme of Listening Squawks in the Solent area, where you dial up 120.225 and set transponder 0011. This notifies them that you are monitoring their channel, so that they can call you if the need ever arises. That way you needn't actually have to call them at all.
You must remain below 2000ft in the Solent,... That will give you a good view of The Needles, then set Squawk 7000 when you have passed Ventnor, before calling Shoreham for the re-join.
Don't fly too far out to sea without the necessary life-jacket, and you should be Ok.
Best of luck, we have just had a power-cut here followed by a torrential rain storm... Now, ten minutes later, we are back to the heat-wave.
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