Folk boat everyday

 When you have a house like this Folk boats are not just for Fridays.

 Not sure if this is exactly a folk boat, but certainly looks like a derivative, not a Marieholm as it doesn't have the distinctive M.

Frostbite Sailing

Crews gathering for a frostbite race.

Keelboat racing is probably more appealing than dinghies at this time of year especially with a cool northerly wind running.

Nice to be out on the water in winter but tactician and navigator installed below at the chart table sounds like a good position.

 

Training train

Easy way to get out of the river to the race area and go sailing, especially in the low wind conditions.

 

 

River Path

Our local council have been busy along the river path joining Swanwick to Warsash. Where the culverts connect the lagoons connecting Bunny Meadows and the river, they have constructed fences along the path to prevent anyone or dogs falling in.

There are 5 or 6 sets of these along the 3 mile stretch of the river path, and lets say that each set cost £5,000 or £6,000 to erect, that's a lot of money to spend to protect people from being stupid, the culverts were clearly marked and already protected by grates so no one could get swept through. At the time when taxation in UK is at an absolute height you have to question this sort or expenditure 

And more so when  maintenance of the actual fabric of the pathway is so  neglected, here a recent shoring up of the path was done so badly that it's almost breached again and being washed away by the high tides. There are many  sections of the path like this in dire need to properer repair and reinforcement.

Interesting then that the council choose to spend what limited funds they claim to have on gates such as this. There is another set up river by the old stone pier. Call me a conspiracy theorist, but maybe installing a couple of gates and preventing people using the path might be cheaper than making the repairs and of course the path will be closed for our own safety.

 It's said that something should never be attributed to malice what can be explained by incompetence, but I think the jury is out on this one. Comments from the authorities are most welcome.

Trucking

Universal marina is situated at the end of winding and narrow Crableck Lane, so boats arriving by road transport can be a challenge.

This fine looking yacht looks to have a hard time with some serious damage to the port side.

All credit to the driver who had to execute a 5 point turn to get around the tight bend at the top of the lane, perhaps once the repairs are completed the boat will be able to leave by sea.

 

Winter gales in prospect

 Emsworth dinghy park boats hunkered down for the winter gales.

 No bad thing taking the mast down every year, good opportunity to check things over and make sure everything is in good shape come spring.

Cold day out on the water - first row of the year

Despite the chilly start to the year there were quite a few folk out on the river enjoying the winter sunshine and calm condition 

A lone laser sailor who was very well wrapped up against the cold practices the COL regs with a tender presumably going up to a yacht or motorboat further up river.

Some paddle boarders enjoying the almost flat calm conditions, difficult to tell but I'd want to have a wet suit on under those clothes given the water and air temperature, hopefully they did.

A couple of boats from Hamble River Rowing club were out, the cox called out to me by name so clearly recognised if not me then my boat. I could only reply with "with happy new year" as I couldn't see that well, so apologies for not recognising you.

 On the slip a couple of hardy fishermen were debating the the strength of time, from their gear they looked to have been there from early morning and well wrapped up against the cold.