Herb Dinghy overhaul

To say the herb dinghy was overgrown was something of an understatement, so unable to go out for yet another weekend and with some kindly donated reclaimed timber I set about a spruce up.

First up was to dig out all the old soil, thinking not so much herb dinghy as cat toilet. That done the day was getting rather hot, fortunately I was able to spend a pleasant couple of hours marking up and cutting the planks to length under the shade of the nearby oak tree.

The plan is to plant herbs and flowers in a collection of pots which will sit on the new raised wooded decking - over to Mrss BB for step 2.

And yes I do need to tidy up that bit of rubbing strake.

Hamble River re opens

Hamble river re opened today following the guidance of UK government that we can spend time outdoors – for example sitting and enjoying the fresh air, picnicking, or sunbathing and pursue outdoor sports.

The Hamble Harbour Authority announced that "dinghies, kayakers,  paddle boarders and other river user may use the River Hamble and adjacent waters for recreational purposes."

At just after 6.00AM there were a few presumably keen kayakers out on the water, which is the first time in eight weeks that it's been allowed. Nice to see also that the cars were parked to be socially distanced.

Quiet times

Southampton water viewed from Victoria park in Netley, as I've never seen it before or hopefully in the future, not a boat in sight.

The Red funnel ferry was still running a lone vessel in what is always a busy waterway. 

In the distance cruise ships and freighters in Southampton dock, presumably some are laid up.

 

The RAFYC under normal circumstances the club would have been dressed over for the VE day celebrations with a party in ful swing on the lawn.

VE Day Views

Despite the lock down there was no shortage of local celebrations, below the high street in Hamble although unusually quiet on such a sunny weekend and despite the pubs being closed was "dressed overall".

Don't have a flagpole no problem, there was quite a street party going on down in Hungerford Bottom.

If you're  going to fly the Union Jack make sure it's the right way up, upside down is an old form of distress signal. Then again maybe it was a sign of these distressing times? 

A couple of local vetrans enjoying the sunshine.

We had are really nice celebration, afternoon tea with our neighbors, observing social distancing at all times despite home made cakes and scones being passed back and forth.

Mrs BB's  VE baking day,  including a terrific Victoria sponge, the quintessential English cake.

It was good to see so many people celebrating VE day and the memory of those the Americans so aptly call "the greatest generation".

VE Day

With VE day celebrations in prospect, I had a quick look on twitter and as expected there were a number of detractors, fortunately the negative comments were outnumbered 10:1 by positive tweets.

 I will certainly celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE day and will do so with thought and reflection as there is much to remember.

Let us celebrate the anniversary of the day that marked the end, after 6 long years of a conflict that had wrought havoc, destruction and death across Europe.

Celebrate the anniversary of the day that began the restoration of freedom to those countries that had lived under the yolk of occupation and repression.

Celebrate the anniversary of the day when a repugnant, murderous regime was finally defeated.

Celebrate the anniversary of the day when freedom prevailed thanks to the peoples of countries around the world, who came to Britain's aid as we stood alone in Europe.

Most importantly I will celebrate the memory of the people who made this day and our freedom possible.

People like these three young sailors who went to war to defend their nation. At the rear are my dad Ralph and his friend John, sadly I don't know the name of the third. All served as crew aboard HMS Aries an Algerine class minesweeper.

HMS Aries was built in Canada one of 110 ships launched between 1942 and 1944, Aries commissioned in 1943 seeing service in the Adriatic during the invasion of Italy.

During that time two of the crew were killed when the ship hit a mine, one of those killed was Ralph’s close friend. Only after his death I discovered Ralph also sustained light injuries from enemy aircraft fire during service in the Adriatic.

Today the Algerine class is almost forgotten, there's a tiny memorial on a green in Portsmouth. It's diminutive and quite hard to find, but worth seeking out if you are there.

The inscription reads

 "LET THERE BE A WAY THROUGH THE WATER" THESE TREES AND MEMORIAL STONE WERE COMMEMORATED ON THE 14 MAY 2000 REMEMBERING WITH PRIDE AND GRATITUDE THE MEN AND THE SHIPS OF THE 'ALGERINE' CLASS OF FLEET MINESWEEPERS OPERATING IN THE ROYAL NAVY 1942 – 61 AND THOSE WHO ALSO SERVED IN ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY ESCORTS OF THE 'ALGERINE' CLASS

The coming weekend is an opportunity to celebrate the memory of the millions of stories like this, the lives and the people who fought for our freedom. Sadly the majority of those who served in WWII are no longer with us, surely those of us who knew them personally have a duty to keep their stories and their memories alive.

Lockdown morning

Went down to the local fishmongers down my Bursledon bridge first thing on Saturday morning, everything in Deacons and the Elephant boatyards was strangely quiet and still.

The Jolly Sailor closed for business and and looking very sad all boarded up.

I haven't been down to the bridge  for a few weeks and evidence that the lock down impacting local businesses is to be seen - unfinished building work, a used car lot is completely empty where there would normally be 30 or more cars for sale, a cafe closed down completely.

Looks like fun

Not much boating going on right now so found a few things from last year

Apologies for the poor quality photo, this presumably electric powered surfboard came whizzing past but a long way off.

I couldn't get the camera out quickly enough for his earlier pass which was standing up and the board was out of the water on foils.