Swanage Railway Corfe Castle Station

The Isle of Purbeck is somewhat peculiar, actually a peninsular which is separated by two rivers and a high ridge in a gap of which nestles the remains of Corfe castle which is connected to Swanage a few miles away by a working steam railway.

Above the approach  and sidings adjacent to Corfe station, below local art center in the nearby former workshops

The late afternoon train arriving from Swanage, these locomotives and the green carriages were in use up to 1968 and I can remember watching very similar trains on the local mainline when I was growing up.

There's a marvelous smell which surrounds the station while the engine glides smoothy in to the station.

The old British rail heraldic emblem was registered with the College of Heralds and used from 1956 to 1968.

A return train approaching the station with Corfe Castle in the background, the locomotive is running backwards pulling the coaches presumably as there is no turntable available on the railway.

 

Dinghy sale

Abandoned dinghies being sold off by Lymington Harbour Master

 I've written previously about the English habit of dinghy neglect and looking at these examples they seem to be more suitable for planting flowers, although the one on top right seems to have the best lines and should row well enough.

Gotta think they will be cheap.

 

Shipstal Point

Hidden away at the far end of a nature reserve is Shipstal point which looks out from the eastern shore over the waters of Poole harbour.

 

It's one of those places that I've often intended to visit either by boat or from land but for one reason or another have never got around to. From Wareham it's a very pleasant 5 mile cycle ride or walk through the RSPB nature reserve. But for those who must drive there's a car park just under a mile from the beach.

The whole area is carefully managed to ensure it's protected, there were also landing restrictions.

 It's a small but lovely spot, at first glance that could be a manchineel tree on a Caribbean island.

Swanage scene

 Mrs BB and I took ourselves off for a few days to the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset to an Air B&B between Corfe and Swanage, for some reason we were drawn into Swanage most days to see what was going on.

Above looking north along the beach to Ballard Down and Old Harry beyond while below the local gig team were out practicing on a Sunday morning.

A different aspect to what is mostly a quiet former Victorian holiday town, both the local pirate and dinosaur were really quite well behaved.

Interesting training method for paddle boards, presumably to gain balance and confidence all the trainees had to stand and then the one at the rear had to crawl through the legs of those standing. They all managed to do it despite a bit of a swell running.

Swanage faces east so is sheltered from the prevailing weather, but the preceding few days with the wind in the east small waves were breaking on the beach.

A new arrival out in the bay searching for a suitable spot to anchor is one of the sail training boats often moored in Hamble.

Local boats on their moorings further out appeared to be none the worse for the recent easterlies.

 

Redcliff

 Redcliff YC occupies a delightful spot on the river Frome a short way downstream of Wareham. Walking along the riverbank path takes one past the moorings with both small and surprisingly large craft safely tucked away upriver and protected by the steep banks on either side.

The club was formed in 1933 which is probably why they occupy such an idyllic position on the river. 

Just downriver from the clubhouse the river opens up slightly on the way to Poole Harbour and has the look of the Norfolk Broads

 Apparently visitors can be accommodated by prior arrangement and presumably restricted by size, but it would be a great destination as part of a Poole cruise with the shops, restaurants and bars in Wareham only a short walk away.

Vintage Hydroplanes

Prompted by the hydroplane in a recent post, friend Greg sent me the elevation and plan for this little beauty which although small, around 12 feet overall  could actually carry a passenger and looks to be slightly more seaworthy than many example from the day.

 Apparently a lot of this type of craft were raced at Oulton Broad from just after WW2. Power was typically the Ford 1127cc side vale engine (E93A or 100E?) with no gearbox.

The engines were tuned up for racing. The company making all the go faster engine bits was called Aquaplane also became very successful selling their tuning gear into the car market. In the 1950's and early 60's Ford 10 Specials would have sported Aquaplane heads and manifolds and most of the parts are still being made today!

Folkboat Friday

 Or rather folk boat derivative, the Contessa 26.

The story goes that Lymington yacht builder Jeremy Rogers co operated with one of his Folkboat clients David Sadler to design a (then) modern and updated derivative of the Folkboat in GRP. 

The result Contessa of Lymington quickly made a name in racing including round Britain and Transatlantic  races.

The boat continues with a strong class association to the current day.

Bridge perspectives

 A few close up observations of the local scene taken from the Itchen bridge.

 This must have been magnificent in her day, pilot hour schooner, guessing around 60 to 70 feet, judging y the rust streaks steel built to go anywhere, lovely lines.

Other eclectic boats finding homes on the Woolstn side, at the rear a couple of river or Norfolk Boards pleasure cruisers and in the fore ground what looks like a converted fishing boat now doing service as a live aboard or weekend cottage.

Looks like this is waiting on some TLC, but a lovely boat for pottering around the Itchen and Soutampton water.

One of three local rowing clubs on the Southampton side, getting ready for some practice sessions.

 And some juniors from SWAC the Southampton Water Activities Centre

Just enough

 Just enough breeze to get around,but a good day to have paddle or oars aboard.

Vroom

 As a bit of a recovering petrol head I can't help checking out interesting cars.

 The long wheelbase beach buggy  had the advantage of four seats and for the builder removed the need to cut out a section of the VW floor pan and weld it back together.

 

 

I really like the period mag wheels, alas in the UK there's almost no sand dunes or beaches where it's allowed to drive and certainly no desert, but as a sunny day road car it's still pretty cool.

Itchenor after the races

Not having been there for a couple of years, we spent a very pleasant idle hour having a picnic and watching the Saturday racers returning to their moorings and the general comings and goings around the hard at Itchenor.

 First up the National Swallow class, 76 years young this year, since the 1970's boats have been built in GRP, the Swallow is described as a thoroughbred. Elegant, responsive, and a dream to sail.

Next up the Solent Sunbeams, Alfred Westmacott design built from1922 by Woodnutt & Co. Ltd., of St. Helens, Isle of Wight with the V insignia.

The XoD's another Westmacott design keelboat popular in the Solent

Possibly a race boat on her mooring and something quite different and quite interesting

And taking advantage of the falling tide while the racers tacked against the ebb

View from the bridge

Not in fact a ship's bridge but the road bridge connecting Woolston to Southampton over the river Itchen.

 Having lived in the area for so long I'd passed by and underneath on both sides of the river but never actually gone over the bridge.

Having dropped Joseph off for a Scout activity and with both time to spare and having arranged to meet Mrs BB on the Woolston side for coffee I took the opportunity to walk across and admire the views.

 The surrounding area is very built up and upriver is quite industrial and also home to Southampton FC ground  (first two pics).

 Downstream on the Southampton side is the Ocean Village marina dwelling complex and in the distance the cruise ships docked alongside. Towards the end of the Itchen where it meets Southampton Water the car transporters load and unload

 

 

And here's the bridge 870 yards long and 92 feet at it's highest point, completed in 1977 pretty much over the site where the old Itchen Ferry floating bridge used to run from 1836 until 1977.

Folk Boat Friday

Nice example of a Marieholm Folk Boat, nicely turned out for the new season.

Rinamara

Looking fabulous for the new season up at the Elephant boatyard.

 Rinamara is a McGruer 47 built in 1968 influenced in some ways by the American  post war yawl racers

 

D Day remembered in Hamble

The evening of 6th June saw a crowd gather in remembrance of D Day, a march from the village square assembled on the deck of the Royal Southern YC for a ceremony  led by the Bishop of Southampton and then lighting of a beacon to mark the day 80 years ago, when allied troops left these shores in the largest amphibious force in history to liberate Europe.

Hamble Sea Scouts and Explorers were smartly turned out marching behind the are area Sea Scout band at the head of the parade.

 

It was a great demonstration of respect, appreciation and admiration. I might be contentious by saying  one of two of the speakers were too modern in their interpretation of recent history. Those who boarded the ships and planes and landing craft and who set foot, under fire on foreign soil 80 years ago were all men, that can't and shouldn't be denied. Nor indeed should we forget that in addition to the men from Britain, America, Canada and the other allied countries, far away to the East our Russian allies launched an offensive to hold German troops on the Eastern front while our forces established a bridgehead in France. We honour and salute you all.

 

Double Ender

 A poor photo of a really well prepared double ender (canoe stern) ready for the start of the season.

 

Up river

With the rain and strong winds we've been seeing for what feels like months, I haven't been to the upper reaches of the Hamble for getting on for half a year.

Between the slipway at the old quay and the mill the channel is completely blocked by two trees which presumably came down during the winter gales. A couple of paddle boarders had climbed over and were making their way up to the Botley Brewery and Hidden Tap . Hopefully these trees can be cleared otherwise it's going to restrict the floating customers.

Away from it all a fallen tree makes a popular roost for local wildlife.

I'm sure this channel marker is necessary, on the wrong side you'd almost be in the bushes.

 Another of the small side creeks blocked but fallen trees, sign of a tough winter.