Barcelona - Port Vell

We had a few days away in Barcelona, in part to get away from the inclement February weather and in part because it's really nice place to go. We spent a lot of time just wandering the city, enjoying the food and visiting the university, but before all that this writer had to make bee line for Port Vell and the marina.

 

 

Compared to our last visit in 2017 there seemed to be a fewer super yachts, perhaps due to sanctions imposed in response to the Russia/Ukraine conflict? That said there were a few sizable cabin cruisers like the stand out one above.

 

 

Classic day trip boat above is an old working vessel still in commission and looking very handsome

Another stand out vessel, although for quite different reasons, very practical and lots of interior volume for a down town pad, which probably goes out just as often as some of the other vessels in the marina.

 You know you're on a serious boat when you can look down on the tree tops from the bridge, I'm guessing the annual anti fouling isn't a trivial job to be done between tides, the absence of Med tides making it double difficult.

RYA Announce new safety clothing for dinghies

Seen here modelling the latest safety gear for yacht tenders

 

Local Rowing

Good to see that the local rowing scene is active over the winter months, picture at top the Langstone Cutters stopped off for refreshments at Emsworth

Below Hamble River Rowers head away from the town quay after refreshments at the Beach cafe

 And finally the author heading back up river after what may or may not have been a break for a bacon sandwich and a cup of te, winter rowing at it's best.

 

Dinghy paint scheme

Easy to spot at the crowded dinghy dock and it's probably a good deterrent against anyone who might be tempted to take it for a joy ride.

Plus probably a good way to use up all those leftover tines of paint

Warsash

Low water reveals a causeway which is a shortcut form the southern end of Holly Hill woodland out onto the river and into Warsash, and with the bright winter weather I stopped to take in the waterfront.

Above the Harbour Office was built in 1978 on piles driven into the river bed, it's not clear why they chose such an unusual design (well it was the 70's), but it's certainly been a distinctive feature of the village ever since

The Rising Sun, during the war an HQ for the allied landing force who departed the Hamble on their way to Normandy in 1941, these days a nice waterside pub.

Above and below, looking out toward the Solent and back towards the village waterfront

Warsash Sailing Club, or at least the main club house, which is a fine building looking out towards the Solent  and part of the dinghy park, they also have another building adjacent the harbour office.

 

Sping Equinox

 It's amazing what difference a couple of weeks makes at this time of year, today being the Spring Equinox

 Only a week or so and the clocks will spring forward to bring on light evenings

Low Water on the mud

River Hamble is normally thought of a yachting center with the marinas and boatyards providing up market services for the multitude of expensive craft which sail out of the river.

So nice to know that there are still a few spots where working craft can go for maintenance and repair, where boats can be hauled out on a traditional marine railway or just settle into the mud between tides.