Portuguese Racing Sardine Club

Nestling in the heart of the Hampshire countryside, at what is reputed to be the source of the Hamble river are the headquarters of the Portuguese Racing Sardine Club

 Given its location at the accepted source of the River Hamble  racing can now only be held on extremely high tides, perhaps an effect of global warming, excessive dredging or marina development on the river. 

Alternatively it may be that the headquarters are also the gents toilets at the Hampshire Bowman pub, the decline may be just impact of the UK nanny state causing increased sobriety?

 

Underwater crop circles ?

Maybe should have saved this for April 1st, extreme low water are these examples of the mud version of the mysterious crop circles or perhaps a damp version of the Atacama geolyphs?

 

Busy day at Keyhaven

Despite the poor summer weather there were variously good turn outs for events at Keyhaven with fleets from Hurst Castle SC and Keyhaven YC bustling for space

I forget the event but there was a varied fleet ranging from SCOWs and Lasers and upward in size.

 

Nelson's other Column

Set back slightly from the top of the chalk ridge that is of Portsdown Hill overlooking Portsmouth Harbour is the original Nelson's column.

Built in 1807 to 1808 as a monument to the famous Admiral, his success at the Battle of Trafalgar during which he was mortally wounded by musket fire from an nearby French ship, the column also provided a useful sea mark for navigators.

Designed originally by John Groves the column stands 28.3 meters / 92 feet 10.5 inches high standing on the 300 feet contour line, funding of £3,000 was raised. by the donation of 2 days pay from all who took part in the battle, which considering what they had gone through during the battle seems a little onerous.

the column was rebuilt in 1899 but retains the original bust of Nelson which looks out over the harbour

I confess that despite having lived in the area for over 25 years I didn't know of it's existence until my recent visit.

Miss Ningi

I've featured Miss Ningi before, she's a Cara 16 a nice open gaff rigged day sailer designed by John Shuttleworth, sadly all too few were built.

Seen over at Birdham Pool it's an ideal boat for pottering around the large natural harbour.

 

Folk Boat Friday

 Nice example of a wooden, I think Scandinavian Folk Boat waiting on the pontoon at the Royal Lymington YC.

Destination Dieppe

We hadn't really considered Dieppe as a destination, having last been through there from the Newhaven ferry some 40 years ago, but since we were staying just up the coast we thought we'd take a look around the town.

 

The ferries stopped running in the. early 2000's  and the inner port is now a marina surrounded by cafes, bars and restaurants. At the far end of town stood on a high promontory is the Musee Chateau de Dieppe, well worth a visit and with great views over the town and out across the bay.
 

Nearby we came across this place, it's not clear if it's a shop or a museum or a mixture since a lot of items were for sale, some really interesting stuff.

The old town is given over to a lot of boutique shops catering to tourists with an eye to high fashion items.

Some old buildings dating back right up to the ramparts of the chateau, in the center I think that's the Church of St Jacques, twelfth century gothic which was a stage for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela - the modern day Camino.

Clearly the local classic boat restoration club has it's work cut out with this one.

Interior of St Jacques are these amazing crarved stone screens to many of the side chapels, which are an indication of the wealth of the port in former years.

Not all working boats are waiting restoration, this local lugger was operating day sailing.

 As well and the inevitable tourist cafes and bars, there were more than a few authentic places to eat clearly catering to locals, and as you would expect really good fish menus. All in all a very pleasant surprise and well worth a visit.

Early Morning

For a variety of reasons I've stopped going out early along the river in the past few years, more or less since the dreaded COVID started, but with a fine start to the day and rain in prospect by mid morning I decided to get out relatively early.

The sun was coming up over the trees on the east shore of the river lighting up all the boats, the river was still and reflected the hulls and masts perfectly.

Alas the weather was coming in sooner than forecast as can be seen in the western sky, shortly after getting home the "heavens opened".

Appropriately named "Storm Chaser"