The donkey sanctuary sadly closed in 2025 following the death of the principle, in all the years I can remember there were a couple of garden gnomes on a fallen tree by the entrance to the donkey field ,which I thought had disappeared until I noticed this one tucked away in a nearby tree trunk.
Nice to see he's still there, we all miss the donkeys though.
Is it possible that Jonathan Swift's famous 1729 satirical pamphlet titled "A Modest Proposal" is being enacted at the Red Lion in Swanage?
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.
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 (perhaps that was cruising speed, but certainly what the owner claimed) akes 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
I mentioned Cougar Marine builders of fast catamaran powerboats in the 1970's in a previous post about Netley foreshore
Here's a photo courtesy of Greg (and Powerboatnation.com and will remove if there's any infringement of ownership ) of Yellowdrama III
Although the house has long since been demolished, much of the original 19th-century Sarisbury Court estate boasted gardens originally laid out by Sir Joseph Paxton, which now,in part form the sprawling local nature reserve and Holy Hill Park, featuring scenic lakes and grottoes, with trails down to the River Hamble.
Much of the stone work for the grotto's around around the ornamental lake was man made, the work of the Pulham brothers,built in Pulhamite a cement based rock, the recipe for which has disappeared.
With an hour or so to wait to pick Joseph up in Portsmouth, I took myself down to Eastney at the entrance to Langstone harbour for a cup of tea and watch the coming and going of boats in the entrance.
The tide was more of less slack so with little current boats were taking the opportunity to sail both in and out.
There's an interesting and amusing dedication on the table where I was sat:
"In loving memory of Ralph Plumpton, skipper of the charter fisherman Lady Tina - One Sugar Please"
Friend Greg sent me some old photographs of Netley foreshore, which has changed somewhat.
Below sadly no drone footage, but looking back in the direction of that triangle created by the foreshore and Victoria Road. Currently retirement cottages and then the Netley Cliff SC, the aerial view is probably 1930s and shows the boatyard which had a slipway a jetty and moorings both drying and deep water.
Painting of a more interesting view, which is probably the old coastguard lookout that closed during the 1920's
And a photograph, the lookout station had commanding views of Southampton water.
Below the same view today looking south to the entrance to Victoria country park
Low water view of the coastguard station
The Vctoria park entrance entrance and a nice viewing spot on the foreshore
Entrance to Netley Cliff SC
We stumbled upon a classic car rally at St Aubin Sur Mer while on hols and it was very interesting to contrast the French event with our own Locks Heath classic car club.
As you would expect there was an eclectic mix of France's automobiles, above with the bonnet up I think was a Panhard, alongside the Citroen Mehari which was probably the perfect transport for a beachside town in the heatwave we were experiencing. The Fiat seemed to be as well appreciated as it's French neighbors.
Probably a Light 12 and almost certainly a Traction Avant, looking great and sightly sinister with the matt paintwork.
Fantastic camping rig, 2CV with matching teardrop trailer, this was one of two at the rally.
More than a few Brit cars on display including this immaculate Morgan with a few sophisticated French touches.
Wild racer is a SECMA about two thirds the size of a Lotus Elise, I was able to talk to the owner a couple of days later while waiting at the local pizza van, it's powered by a 1.6 liter Renault engine and sounds like a lot of fun.
The rally was held in a park so we left to find some refreshments on the sea front, only to be amazed as most of the cars did a cavalcade right past our table.
So no cycling or scooters on the parade, but it was ok for a bunch of classic cars, very French and great to see, even if one of WW23 jeeps almost knocked out umbrella over with it's massive radio antenna.
Designed by legendary Uffa Fox the Albacore is a 15-foot, two-person dinghy very much is the tradition of fast planning dinghies from thre1950s and which have passed the test of time. The design brief came about through a collaboration among Solent-area dinghy sailors for a sturdy, versatile 15-foot boat capable of handling the steep chop and high winds of the coastal
This example was sailing nicely in circa 15 knot winds in Southampton water.
I've seen and written about this lovely double ender previously, she was alongside the quay at Keyhaven recently and I thought it was worth a couple more photos
Super little boat for day sailing and the occasional weekend exploring down and around the western Solent.
Fast cats were out at Weston SC on a fine day
The club has a long standing reputation for catamarans and there are normally a few in the fast fleet on club race days.
Due to illness I was single handed in the safety boat which was OK while the winds were light and it was relatively east to hold station and keep an eye out for the Lasers etc in the slow fleet as well
But when the winds got up with some afternoon breeze the fleets got very spread out and keeping out of the way of the fast boats was important, on moment they were almost out of sight and the next....
Earle morning HW neap, Mrs BB dropped me off at the old wharf in Botley, no one around and not a breath on the water
Quick trip upstream nothing stirring.
And then down river which was like glass before it got busy with other kayaks and paddle boarders, a few of whom were still blowing up their boards back at the dock at Fairthorne Manor dock as I went past, then back hoe for breakfast.
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