Past times

Killing time at the airport I was browsing the current boating magazines which seemed very thin and short on content other than glossy pictures

In contrast I ad a quick look through some a couple of old copies of PBO which ware littering up my office, subjects covered include converting an inflatable into a life raft, diesel engine maintenance, repairing a stern bearing and how to build spars for a gaff rig including reference to Skene's Elements of Yacht Design. For the more cerebral there was a piece on celestial angles and sight reduction tables. 

 In the intervening 40 odd years practical seems to have a new focus, more about choosing the best of the latest piece of equipment

Victory Class - preparing for the season

 Stopped off in the Old Portsmouth yard of the Victory Class where members were getting their boats ready for the season

 

 The class is unusual in that the 21 foot boat designed by Alfred Westmacott developed in 1934 from a modified Bembridge One design was updated in 2006 with a fiberglass hull design and both wooden and GRP boats race together.

 

 

The yard is a really nice facility just opposite Portsmouth Sailing Club which in itself has an interesting history, the club house is a Grade II listed historic building constructed around 1830 which served variously as a consulate building for 13 nations and a French onion store before becoming the club's home in 1926 (happy centenary).

 

Bubble

Very original with patina showing an age similar to my own and complete with it's very own, very cute and very patient guard dog (no sophisticated electronic alarm systems on this baby).

Isetta 300 1950's micro car with a 298cc single cylinder four stroke producing around 13 HP, seating for two, this fine example even has a sun roof.

Born in an age of post war austerity and fuel shortages it was a great design providing affordable transport with weather protection.

The iconic opening front door, where the steering wheel hinged out of the way to allow the driver access was a great innovation, one slight downside was having no reverse gear if it was parked too close front on it was extremely difficult to get out, maybe that's why this one had the sunroof.

 

Spice Island Walkabout

Not having been to the Camber in Old Portsmouth for a while and having a day off Mrs BB and I parked up at Eastney and cycled along the seafront in the good weather.

In all honesty not too much had changed which is all to the good, the Spice Island Inn actually isn't that old being the amalgamation of two pubs around the 1990's. Going further back in history 17th and 18th centuries the area has a bad reputation for drunken sailors, smugglers, women of the night and general bad behavior, non of which was on display during our visit fortunately.

A superyacht alongside GunWharf Quay

The Still and West and the harbour entrance which was temporarily blocked by HMS Vanguard in the 1960s, one end of the ship was wedged just behind the pub and the other end in Gosport. There's a fantastic  photo in the pub.

Pretty much where Vanguard was resting on the Gosport side, the Mary Mouse ex trinity house light vessel.

 The Millennium tower just across the water which forms the exit for the Wight Link ferries terminal, with said ferry just embarking over to presumably Fishbourne, no need to way you can practically shake hands as it passes!!
 

Mariners beware - Southsea submarine barrier

In the same way that scuba diving isn't really a spectator sport, there's not that much to be seen at HW.

 Constructed in the early 20th century 1905-9 running from the beach out to the Horse Sand fort (seen in the distance as protection to prevent fast motor torpedo boats or small craft from getting into Portsmouth.

Constructed of 60-ton concrete blocks and heavy ironwork there is a gap that very small boats can use, although I've always preferred to sail around

Return of the onion seller

 After quite some time an onion seller has returned to Lymington market, or at least a new seller has taken up the post.

 

Previously a French seller from Roscoff area would typically visit around September, which was a tradition dating back to the 1950's when sellers would bring bicycles over as cheap and probably the only realistically available personal transport to sell their wares.

The new team are English, but still really good of them to bring this tradition back. 

Qwerky

  Great name for a tender and perhaps quite appropriate, with a mast step and off center dagger board it looks to be able to sail as well as row. I especially like the sculling notch in the transom which is a sure sign of a good dinghy

 The two inspection hatches on the side benched are a good idea but might be a little uncomfortable.