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.

Emsworth Winter views

When the winter sun's out Emsworth is a popular place for a Saturday stroll with  a couple of good butchers, a bakery and a traditional green grocer and a good selection of cafes and pubs for refreshments.

The main attraction is Chichester harbour views along side the mill pond

There's a large swan population who congregate around the town hard, which could just be as a result of a local man who feeds them most days. The affection and trust between man and swans is very touching.

 

Holly Hill Walk -

I'm either one of those fortunate people who can work from my home office most of the time, or I'm one of those lazy low productive workers who are hiding away from the office - take your pick. Either way I take a daily, brisk lunch time walk down through Holly Hill woods and back up the river, roughly 5 Kilometers (three and a bit miles in old money).

Quiet apart from the exercise and getting way from desk, computer and zoom meetings, it's a daily cure for the soul.

The woods are varied, with steep drops, almost small cliffs going down toward the river.

In winter the leaves and bushes have fallen back to reveal vistas that are completely hidden during the summer months.

Amazing how nature can cope and grow back in the strangest ways

In years gone by this plateau area would probably have been coppiced for fencing and such like, now the fast growing ash (I think) mixes with the mature oaks and becomes very overgrown in summer.

Down in the valley local streams join together on their way into the Hamble creating a swamp area, especially at this time of year.

 I've been walking this route sine 2020 following an injury which made running difficult, but I found walking I was more connected with the environment than rushing by on a run and I seem to return to my desk relaxed and ready, clearly good therapy.

Along the foreshore

There's famous saying that when the tide goes out you can see who's not wearing shorts, or words to that effect. In the case of this fore shore adjacent Hamble Common LW springs reveal  several large stones which are probably the remains of St Andrew's castle which was built for Henry VIII after previous villagers had taken away the good stones to build a wall in Well Lane

Winter storms and big tides have also washed up some interesting debris along the fore shore.

 

Classic

 Absolutely no information about this large classic cutter, not even a name on the transom, seen in a local yard presumably in for maintenance.

That deep draft hull should have fantastic sea keeping qualities and track upwind like she's on rails, although reversing with that offset prop might be something of a challenge. Overall just lovely.

Please help – Malawi Project 2025

Son Joseph (15) together with a group of Explorer Scouts from Hampshire are going for a month in the summer to help build and equip a school in a village in northern Malawi.

Before they go to Malawi they’re doing a series of events raising money for the travel, equipment and books for the school library. One of which specifically is a sponsored hike along the Clarendon Way an ancient pathway linking Salisbury Cathedral ending at Winchester, some 26 miles in one day – March 8th.

It would be great if you could help with sponsorship, Joseph’s Go Fund me page is as below

https://gofund.me/9ce6e0ae

It’s really good cause, helping some of our young people to help other young people in Malawi improve their education, so please dig deep, get all that lost cash out from the back of the sofa and give generously.

 

Many thanks

Max