Mornng row

A fantastic clear and still winter day found me early morning down on the slipway as the sun was just peeking above the the eastern wooded shore, lighting up the tree tops on the opposite side.

 By the time I'd rowed down to Hamble some clouds had filled in to create some dramatic twilight views

The good thing about winter is that you don't need to get up especially early to enjoy such a spectacular dawn. Mrs BB joined me at the cafe for a quick breakfast, then I rowed back up river and the boat was put away in the garage by 10 ish, great start to the day.

 

Cetewayo

I've posted Cetewayo previously but recently was meeting a friend on the same pontoon so took the opportunity to take some close up shots.

Cetawayo was designed by Laurent Giles and built on the Clyde in 1957  and sailed in sailed RORC races for many decades. 

Curiously she seems to have vanished for several years until her current owner found her,as an almost rotting hulk in Pembroke Dock. Thankfully restored  she was brought up to her current condition.

The size and power of those winches and turning blocks are impressive and immaculately maintained.

 

On the spit

I can understand walking out on the spit at low water to find a good spot for fishing, but might be a good idea to keep a keen eye on the incoming tide

 

Frosty

 Following a clear and starless night the new day dawned bright, cold and frosty.

I took the opportunity for an early walk to make the most of the scene and wasn't disappointed, as below apart from a few footprints the wooden bridge was covered in a white frosting.

Stunning contrasts and colours are such a contrast to the grey and overcast weather we've had for what seems far too long.

Trees boarding the donkey fields we backlit by the early rising sun.

A walk back along the river wouldn't be complete with at least one picture of the boats illuminated and looking their best.

 

A fantastic morning to be up and out, it was cold but the fresh air and beauty all around is so good for the soul.
 

Calm

 I took advantage of the recent high pressure during the holiday to row down the river, it was relatively early around 8.30 the only people about were dog walkers and a couple of paddle boarders inflating their boards in the car park.

 The water was like glass, it was almost a shame to spoil the mirror surface with the splashing of oars , it was a day that paddling a kayak would have been great looking forward across the glassy surface rather that watching the disturbed wake behind.

 A cafe was open for a slightly aged croissant and a very welcome hot cup of tea.

Interesting motorboat

 Interesting motorboat spotted going though Bursledon bridge.

Guessing it's electrically powered judging by the high waterline length to beam ratio which would make for high efficiency and best use of battery capacity.

 If the long thin aspect seems reminiscent of many of the early 20th motorboats, perhaps that's because they knew a thing or two about a thing of two and getting good performance and economy out of the limited power that engines of the day could provide.

Memory

If I'd seen this earlier I might been tempted to put this on the wish list to Santa, although there are one or two other interesting day boats for sale including incredably Steve's Welsford designed Navigator Arwen.

 Back to this example I much prefer the open version of the Memory, while the cabin provides a good space to sit out of the rain and cold, cold and rain can also be avoided most of the time by choosing the right weather to go sailing.

 The topsides are suffering from the fate that effects pretty most all self coloured gel coats fade. Over the years I've tried or looked at various methods of colour restoration, polishing etc, but haven't really found anything better than  a coat of carefully applied topcoat, possibly people know better and I'd be delighted to hear in the comments as Tosh really needs her topsides sprucing up.