Interesting Tender

Interesting tender, probably doesn't need those davits,  hence parking on the swim platform.

 

Rocket ship

Three of the guys at Weston SC had their 18 foot skiff out at the weekend, and what a beast, there's enough exotic composite in there to qualify for carbon capture. 😂

 Note the interesting launching trolley absent wheels, the crew just picked it up and carried it into the water.

The conditions were a bit breezy, the day started off at a gentle 5 to 8 knots, but kept building steadily up to 24 knots.

I was busy preparing our boat when the skiff got away, and by the time I'd got my camera and down to the slipway they were almost out of sight.

Counter Stern

Spotted his counter stern, traditional day boat, in the yard recently. 

Clinker built with a very pronounced sheer and some lively lines strongly defined by the planking

With both a bowsprit and bumpkin, the sail area is very well spread for and aft, presumably with a relatively short mast. There's a long boom which doesn't quite extend beyond the stern, so perhaps there's a mizzen hiding somewhere?

 

Victory in Europe - 80 Years

 80 years ago following long years Britain and the free world celebrated the end of the war in Europe.

For some reason the celebrations appear to have been somewhat more modest than during the 75 year celebrations during COVID when socially distanced street parties were encouraged.,  It hasn't prevented from some of the good people of Sarisbury putting on a fine display by the green with these fantastic knitted (probably crochet) figures of the three services.

The newly planted display dinghy decked out with bunting and thetelephone box book swap suitable decorated.

 

 Opposite the war memorial at St Paul's.

the Imperial War Museum carries a good summary,

8 May 1945 – VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) – was one that remained in the memory of all those who witnessed it. It meant an end to nearly six years of a war that had cost the lives of millions; had destroyed homes, families, and cities; and had brought huge suffering and privations to the populations of entire countries.

Millions of people rejoiced in the news that Germany had surrendered, relieved that the intense strain of total war was finally over. In towns and cities across the world, people marked the victory with street parties, dancing and singing.

My mother was then a 19 year old serving in the WAF,  I remember her stories of celebrating in London, my dad who she hadn't even met at that time was serving at sea in the Adriatic, sadly there are all too few left today who remember those days first hand but we can carry on those memories, it's important that we should not forget.

 

Normandy Dory

I wrote about traditional Dory type from the Normandy coast back in 2012  and it was nice to see another example, sadly behind a closed compound limited opportunity for a photo, in what appears to be the diving club (Association Plongee)  Lion Sur Mer

 Absolutely typical dory type, wooden planked with flat bottom and tomb stone transom, ideal for beach launching from the gently sloping sandy Normandy beaches.

Barcelona Views

Few colorful pics from recent Barcelona trip, sand dragon complete with real fire

 

Lobster walk or the langoustine canopy at Port Vell

Perhaps the plans had creases?

Passeig Marítim de la Barcelonet, heading towards tehe Hotel Arts and Port Olympic, great place to stroll and hang out, watch out for roller skaters though.

Pretty sure the sculptor didn't intend this as a sea gull resting place and there's probably a caption competition in the making.

 Couldn't decide if this is a tripper boat or a floating take away, whichever it's certainly cute.

 

Nice crop of dinghies

Few nice dinghies spotted on a recent wander around the yard at Emsworth, below lovely clinker built probably a punt or similar in very nice colour scheme.

Lovely day boat that looks like it has just emerged from a winter of TLC, it's a local boat Undine from Emsworth Sailing Club and has the look of a Morgan Giles but probably not, either way just super for day sailing and racing around the harbour,

Nice dinghy looks about 12 feet maybe slightly less perfect for pottering and picnics, looks like an unstayed mast so simple to rig and sail.

Drascombe lugger always look nice

 

Triple decker

A few of these very large catamarans have turned up on the river in recent years,  they seem to be around 50 to 60 feet in length.

 The accommodation and space aboard must be phenomenal, almost as much as the windage. Comparison with the masts of the adjacent yachts which are mostly 35 to 40 footers shows just how high that fly bridge is, great views but not sure I'd want to be up there in a gale.

The pursuit of luxury and technical innovation is understandable, but sometimes there's a feeling that problems and unforeseen consequences are perhaps being designed in.

Barcelona Rowing

Nice to see that coastal and traditional rowing is still active in Barcelona mixing it up with te super yachts in Port Vell.

Below down at Port Olympic same or similar 8 person double ended design, clearly see the traditional  Mediterranean  fishing boat influence,  tucked up in the nautical club compound.

 

Maiden

Maiden, the Whitbread 1989/90 Around the World racer (actually built in 1979) recently launched and looking fantastic, she's been ashore during the winter and presumably ready for some interesting work in the coming season.

 

Barcelona Classics

It was nice to see a few classic boats in Barcelona, below it's probably a bit big but absolutely my kind of yacht with that sweeping sheer line. Probably suffers from lack of accommodation and horrible going astern, but great sea keeping and fantastic looks

Not your average motorboat and worthy of the classic title in fabulous condition, just the thing for popping down the coast or out to the Balearics, could even do duty as Largo's escape boat from the Disco Volante in Thunderball.

Terrible photo and couldn't get any closer, but something very traditional under that cover.

Not a classic at all, but looks like a fast and interesting yacht with lots of protection behind that hard canopy/doghouse.

What's a classic, this type of Med cruiser with bolt on sugar scoop has been around for well over 40 years, so in many ways it is a classic, I might also be somewhat biased by that almost flush deck, so lets agree modern classic.

 

Who needs cleats

Lack of good solid mooring cleats is one of the frequently heard criticisms of some modern and small craft, but it looks like this owner has made some inspired and low cost modifications to secure the stern.

Including liberal use of anti chafe gaffer tape to protect the hull and topsides!

 

Scrubbing pile

 This brought to mind an old Mike Peyton cartoon from Practical Boat Owner, a fin keel yacht is alongside a scrubbing pile and the outgoing tide reveals the base of the pile has been eaten away, presumably by the gribble while the owner looks frantically on.

Best have an reconnaissance check at low water before drying out anywhere.
 

Barcelona - Port Vell

We had a few days away in Barcelona, in part to get away from the inclement February weather and in part because it's really nice place to go. We spent a lot of time just wandering the city, enjoying the food and visiting the university, but before all that this writer had to make bee line for Port Vell and the marina.

 

 

Compared to our last visit in 2017 there seemed to be a fewer super yachts, perhaps due to sanctions imposed in response to the Russia/Ukraine conflict? That said there were a few sizable cabin cruisers like the stand out one above.

 

 

Classic day trip boat above is an old working vessel still in commission and looking very handsome

Another stand out vessel, although for quite different reasons, very practical and lots of interior volume for a down town pad, which probably goes out just as often as some of the other vessels in the marina.

 You know you're on a serious boat when you can look down on the tree tops from the bridge, I'm guessing the annual anti fouling isn't a trivial job to be done between tides, the absence of Med tides making it double difficult.

RYA Announce new safety clothing for dinghies

Seen here modelling the latest safety gear for yacht tenders

 

Local Rowing

Good to see that the local rowing scene is active over the winter months, picture at top the Langstone Cutters stopped off for refreshments at Emsworth

Below Hamble River Rowers head away from the town quay after refreshments at the Beach cafe

 And finally the author heading back up river after what may or may not have been a break for a bacon sandwich and a cup of te, winter rowing at it's best.

 

Dinghy paint scheme

Easy to spot at the crowded dinghy dock and it's probably a good deterrent against anyone who might be tempted to take it for a joy ride.

Plus probably a good way to use up all those leftover tines of paint

Warsash

Low water reveals a causeway which is a shortcut form the southern end of Holly Hill woodland out onto the river and into Warsash, and with the bright winter weather I stopped to take in the waterfront.

Above the Harbour Office was built in 1978 on piles driven into the river bed, it's not clear why they chose such an unusual design (well it was the 70's), but it's certainly been a distinctive feature of the village ever since

The Rising Sun, during the war an HQ for the allied landing force who departed the Hamble on their way to Normandy in 1941, these days a nice waterside pub.

Above and below, looking out toward the Solent and back towards the village waterfront

Warsash Sailing Club, or at least the main club house, which is a fine building looking out towards the Solent  and part of the dinghy park, they also have another building adjacent the harbour office.

 

Sping Equinox

 It's amazing what difference a couple of weeks makes at this time of year, today being the Spring Equinox

 Only a week or so and the clocks will spring forward to bring on light evenings

Low Water on the mud

River Hamble is normally thought of a yachting center with the marinas and boatyards providing up market services for the multitude of expensive craft which sail out of the river.

So nice to know that there are still a few spots where working craft can go for maintenance and repair, where boats can be hauled out on a traditional marine railway or just settle into the mud between tides. 

Clarendon Way

Saturday morning saw an early start, seeing the Explorer team members assembled and ready to depart Salisbury Cathedral, High Street Gate at 6.45

Mrs BB and I were waiting at the first stage post just over 6 miles from the start at the delightful village of Middle Winterslow ideally situated outside the Pump House Bakery who deserve a mention for help and encouragement (worth a visit if you are ever passing). 

I can heartily recommend the lemon sponge cake from personal experience, plus the home made sausage rolls looked fantastic, sadly the customer in front took the last one.

As darkness fell and just over 12 hours and 25 miles from the start they arrived, tired but upbeat ,running the last few hundred meters across the Winchester Cathedral grounds. They carried the Malawi flag for the whole journey which raised interest and even resulted in a spontaneous donation from a compete stranger.

There's still lots to do, training, vaccinations and prep before they fly off to Malawi in August where they will be spending a month helping build a library for the village school.