Topolino

Spotted this lovely Topolino in Brockenhurst and by good fortune had a chance to chat to the owner remarking that it's probably my favorite classic car of the era.

 

 

This one is not in fact Fiat but a French built version built by Simca presumably in the Nanterre factory north of Paris,where production ran from 1936 to 1948. The owner had traveled down to the Pyrenees to secure this one which has had a lot of remedial bodywork done underneath

 

The engine, a mighty 569cc four cylinder side valve was seized and required a lot of TLC and repair including if I recall correctly new cylinder head and pistons.

 

Not sure if the phrase built for comfort not speed really applies, the interior is basic but the latter top speed of circa 25 MPH makes for leisurely cruising and a certain amount of patience.

 There were some subtle modifications, like tiny LED indicators tucked under the door hinges, necessary as the old style mechanical trafficators are simply not noticed in modern traffic.  I forgot to ask the year but likely an early model closed-roof steel coupe made before the popular popular fabric-sunroof (découvrable) model 

Overall a fabulous car for tootling around the New Forest.

Golant

 This Golant Gaffer 19-foot traditional-style pocket cruiser designed by Roger Dongray (of Cornish Crabber fame) has been featured here before, but it's such a good looking boat I couldn't resist stopping by when i was rowing past to take another picture.

 

Gaffer

 Nice gaffer beating up Southampton water on course for the Hythe shore, the photo was taken just after she tacked, before that she was beam on which would have been an ideal and better shot, but I didn't get the camera out in time.

 

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.