The Ferry

We dropped Joseph off at cub camp and on the way home decided to have an adult meal in the Ferry Restaurant.

The restaurant is actually the old floating bridge ferry from nearby Woolston, which was retired from service back in the late 70's or early 80's when the bridge was built linking Woolston to Southampton.

It's been a feature of the Elephant Boatyard ever since and still houses both the restaurant and the yard offices. The Elephant  was also setting for the fictitious Mermaid Yard in the TV series Howards Way and it's nice to see the memorabilia.

At the entrance the fantastic carved wooden elephant. And below in situ with Roma in the background looking great and ready for her 108th season.

Joseph camped out under canvass while storm Hanna raged overhead, but none the worse for that, we had a nice meal, there's even a happy hour Thursday and Friday so no doubt we'll be back.

Warsash Insect Hotel

Nice, on a sunny spot near the hard.

Over ten years ago Jo apparently, approached Fareham Borough Council stating the strip of road which goes past some pretty cottages, looked tatty and unkempt.

The council told Jo they only had £11 in their budget to maintain the land, but said she could work on it herself if she wanted to – and that’s exactly what she did.

For the following decade, Jo, a keen gardener, planted blossoming blooms in the strip to make it look more attractive to passers-by. Now, half-a dozen-ladies maintain the site.

The plaque reads ‘In Memory of Jo Oliver who created this border.’

Leo Noah

I've written before about the ubiquity of RIBs locally and the almost complete absence of other types of small open motorboats. So I was curious to know more about this semi derelict boat pulled up on the slipway at Warsash.

Length is around 18 feet and the hull lines show a clean sharp entry and quite pronounced chines which should deflect spray.

Construction is ply on frame and the hull appeared to be in not too bad condition with just a few patches of paint missing. The absent engine cover and broken stainless rails perhaps speak of a sinking or storm damage.

It's a shame as a boat like this would make a lot of sense for nipping around the protected waters of the Solent.

If anyone has any knowledge of the design please comment.

Lady Belle

I couldn't find much information about Lady Belle other than she was designed and built by Harley Mead as a gaff yawl, built as a yacht based on Falmouth Quay Punt lines.

She looks really great freshly painted and varnished and ready for the season.

Her Quay Punt influence is very clear and counters the popular misconception that a yawl  is defined by the  mizzen being situated behind the rudder, which was discussed in a number of early posts on this very blog.

Jolie Brise

Jolie Brise looking very jolly and ready for the season.

Looking good at 106 years old.

Brighton

We decided on a school holiday day out to Brighton, which is just over an hour's drive along the coast but for some reason I've only ever visited on business and never to the tourist areas.

Brighton is perhaps the quintessential English seaside town, the day was fine but the sea mist hung around for most of the morning.

The attractions of the east pier beckoned and a couple of quids worth of copper coins rolled down those old moving slot machines, the ones that that potentially push the money over the edge, but never do. Of course a trip to the pier wouldn't be complete without a visit to the haunted hotel.

Looking slightly more haunted the remains of the west pier in the morning mist.

Gradually the day brightened up, we did all the usual tourist sights, the Pavillion and the old cobbled streets called the lanes, where we found a terrific Italian place for lunch, but the lure of the promenade and some especially tasty ice cream drew us back to the sea.

Great place for a day out.

Freedon of Norwich

Rowing past Mercury marina I spotted an unusual craft, which turned out to be the Derek Kelsall designed trimaran Freedom of Norwich.

From what I've read she was home built by a doctor  some 35 years ago and certainly  for a while was based in Chichester harbour.

Interesting detail on the struts which link the hulls, there are two  circular section struts forming a triangulation covered a separate deck section above the upper member. It's looks very strong and after 35 odd tears seems to be holding up well given the significant forces which apply there.

Great to see a unique piece of our recent sailing history up close, I'd love to go for a sail.