Wonder revisted

I've written about Wonder the Dan Hatcher built Itchen Ferry, one of a very few still in existence. Last heard she had another major restoration including fitting of an engine if I recall correctly and was in the Medway.

So it was a bit of a surprise to her on a mooring in Fowey recently.

I was having a kayak around the harbour on a grey day checking out boats when I saw an interesting day boat, it wasn't until I paddled around the stern that I realised it was Wonder.

It was great to see her in such good condition, if not in her local waters of the Solent.

Apologies for the poor images, I was a bit unprepared and had stuffed the my camera in the sleeve pocket of my new waterproof , clearly getting my wet fingers on the lens.

Fond memories calking her seams and then pumping her out daily for a couple of weeks while she "took up" all those years ago.

My kind of boats

While I love gaffers and day boats, a type of boat that really stirs my soul are classic offshore yachts like these.

I recall being holed up in the Yealm years ago on the next mooring to this sloop while we waited out a gale, that raised doghouse looks a great place to take watch.

Above a relatively modern either a  Crealock or Pacific Seacraft, either way  lovely looking. Shame modern marina's charge so much for that bowsprit.

Is there anything so lovely as a classic yawl, no idea what this is Alden or S&S perhaps. looks like it's American CCA influenced.

Seagull Saturday

We had visiting seagull who had apparently staked out our decking as his territory.

Despite our refusal to feed him, he became quite friendly and completely undisturbed by us sharing his decking.

Eventually though he got a little too confident and was politely asked to leave.

Whereby he sat and sulked for a while.

Joseph nicknamed him Cedric the seagull.

Current Affairs

Given the state of our political system, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I read this.

As they say many a true word spoke in jest.

Dell Quay ride

A couple of interesting boats spotted while cycling from Dell Quay down to Itchenor. A local gaffer gets underway

Mary Winifred is interesting, a 45 foot gaff cutter build over 6 years by a man in Littlehampton and named after his mother.

https://www.littlehamptongazette.co.uk/news/former-rustington-man-sets-sail-on-boat-in-memory-of-his-mother-1-3970982

It's a fantastic piece of work and a lovely boat. Here some footage of her sailing.

Arrow

Arrow is a West Solent One design in fact W1.

Built by Berthon in 1923, previously named Dart and Hauhine, she had a major restoration in 1998/9, she's had an exciting and active career since, with entries in RIOW, The British Classic Yacht Club Regatta, the Regates Royales in Cannes and Voiles de Saint Tropez.

It's always difficult trying to take photos in a boatyard, but I was passing and wanted to have a look.

Exposed

Almost as if compensating for the fact that with the tide out there's no sailing, the low water landscape has a beauty and fascination all of it's own.

The sculpted river bed, curvacious mud banks and interesting craft at rest

It's great to see the boats swing to their moorings at high tide when the harbour is full of life and activity, but there's an equal and opposite serenity at  low water.

Will the tide be back in time for an evening sail?

D-Day - 6th June 75 years ago

There were many of these unassuming posters on buildings around Fowey marking both the individuals and the locations which had played a role in the D-Day preparations and the embarkation of the allied forces which began the liberation of Europe seventy five year ago.

A modest tribute but one which clearly says that we remember what you did for us, the legacy of your bravery and fortitude 75 years ago is not forgotten and we are thankful to you that we continue to live in freedom.

I've previously written in admiration about D-Day both locally and from across the channel in France, even today writing these few short words brings a lump to my throat. I shall visit our local memorial to quietly say my thanks.

Warsash -http://bursledonblog.blogspot.com/2009/06/d-day-6th-june.html

Netley  http://bursledonblog.blogspot.com/2014/06/d-day-memorial.html

Normandy http://bursledonblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/normandy-beaches.html

Dell Quay

I really like it down at Dell Quay, near the top of Chichester harbour it retains a traditional and slightly well worn charm.

The sailing club always seems active around high tide.

Wyche Marine operates the boatyard adjacent to the quay with an interesting mix of vessels along the foreshore.

Seagull Saturday

Double feature.

Clearly we'd sat in his favorite spot, or there was something he wanted as he kept on circling around us.