Lobster HQ

Warsash’s association with the lobster stems from its history as a 19th-century shellfish trading hub where lobsters were imported from across the UK and France, stored in specialized waterfront pounds.

Originally a modest fishing hamlet, Warsash became a vital distribution point for shellfish. Boats brought lobsters and crabs from as far as Devon, Ireland, and France. The shellfish were kept alive in wooden chests known as "carbs" or in shoreline "lobster ponds".

At the turn of the 20th century, the village was a popular tourist destination. Visitors arriving on horse-drawn brakes and charabancs would enjoy fresh seafood and "strawberry teas" (strawberries grown in the local fields).  

Warsash sailing club founded 1957, the club's original clubhouse was built over the disused lobster pounds. The area is still known as Lobster Quay, and as a nod to the area's history, the sailing club features a lobster on its official burgee.

The habour office now displays a handsome hand painted lobster mural.

 

Omega Breeze

Omega Breeze is a Harrison Butler design, built in 1994 at the IBTC Lowestoft

Her story is not clear, it seems that after 25 years a mast was fitted while the yacht was at Birdham pool in Chichester harbour, making the first voyage under sail to Hamble in 2025.

 

Summer's ending

As the long hot summer slips away, the nights draw in there are conflicting signs.

 

 Early and prodigious fungi growing on oak, normally associated with damp and misty September mornings which still haven't quite arrived and below butterflies soaking up the afternoon sun, the days still often above 20 degrees C.

Unfortunately evenings and nights still seem warm enough to draw out mosquitos., small price to pay for an extended summer.   

 

 

Weston Open Day

Slightly late posting of the bank holiday open day at Weston SC, although the heavy rain on Saturday wasn't repeated winds were forecast at 15 -24 knots a so very few club members turned out.

Those that did enjoyed some lively sailing with occasional bright sun lighting up Southampton water.

Not one but two prospective new sailors turned up for a trial sail, the Rear Com Sailing gallantly took them out in turns on her Laser 2k, both seemed to have a good time and not put off at all by the conditions.

I only recall one capsize, the Topper below, the young and nimble skipper hopped over onto the gunnel and then righted it almost without getting wet.

Youngest sailor of the day.

Pretty sure this is an RS700 skiff, which was very quickly lost in the distance.

 As for me I cycled down to the club to give some support for the day, took some pictures and had a cup of tea while taking the photos - highly enjoyable.
 

Yellowdrama

 I mentioned Cougar Marine builders of fast catamaran powerboats in the 1970's in a previous post about Netley foreshore

Here's a photo courtesy of Greg  (and Powerboatnation.com and will remove if there's any infringement of ownership ) of Yellowdrama III

Which was a revolutionary 37-foot wooden catamaran built by Cougar Marine for British racer Ken Cassir. In 1977, she made history by becoming the first catamaran to win the prestigious Cowes-Torquay-Cowes

Pulhamite

Although the house has long since been demolished, much of the original 19th-century Sarisbury Court estate boasted gardens originally laid out by Sir Joseph Paxton, which now,in part form the sprawling local nature reserve and Holy Hill Park, featuring scenic lakes and grottoes, with trails down to the River Hamble.   

Much of the stone work for the grotto's around around the ornamental lake was man made, the work of the Pulham brothers,built in Pulhamite a cement based rock, the recipe for which has disappeared.

 The texture and shape reminds me of that in Central Park New York albeit on a much smaller scale. Apparently the brothers also did work at Buckingham Palace.

Lounging in Langstone

With an hour or so to wait to pick Joseph up in Portsmouth, I took myself down to Eastney at the entrance to Langstone harbour for a cup of tea and watch the coming and going of boats in the entrance.

The tide was more of less slack so with little current boats were taking the opportunity to sail both in and out.

 There's an interesting and amusing dedication on the table where I was sat:

"In loving memory of Ralph Plumpton, skipper of the charter fisherman Lady Tina  - One Sugar Please"