Dayboats

 I do have a thing for day boats and this is an interesting example it looks like a Swallow Boats Bayraider and apologies if I have that wrong, but a very worthy modern successor to the original Drascombe.

 That comment might have Drascombe aficionado's rushing to the comment  section, although probably few if any read this blog. Both are great boats but personally I like the greater sailing and especially upwind performance of the Bayraider, the kick up rudder while not essential just makes life easier and I much as I like the looks of the original Lugger personally I think the Bayraider has it on looks especially as seen here in navy blue with white spars.

Swamwick Hard clear up

 The council has served a notice of a clean up down at Swanwick hard which requires all dinghy owners to remove their dinghies or they will be removed and presumably scrapped

 They did a similar thing a couple of years back, as I recall legitimate owners removed their boats for a couple of weeks and then were able to return with a registered number. Then as usual over the years a few unregistered and or derelict dinghies turned up, so maybe time to sort things out.

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.