Falmouth Working Boats & the Oyster Festival

Down at Mylor near Falmouth a few weeks ago, the working boats were pulled up on the foreshore waiting for the start of the oyster season which starts in mid October.



Although there is active racing during the summer these craft are still active working boats which dredge for oysters under sail in this unique fishery which prohibits the use of engines.

These are probably the last hard working fishing craft working under sail in the UK. The Falmouth Oyster Festival takes place this weekend, celebrates Cornish seafood and especially the local oysters which are dredged under sail and hand drawn punt in Carrick Roads.

Number 102

Built in 1936 by the British Power Boat Company across Southampton Water at Hythe, High Speed Launch HSL 102 is out on the hard for some maintenance. One one of only twenty two examples of the 100 Class High Speed Launch, 64 feet in length, 19 tons with a maximum speed of 42 knots.



No 102 saw service during World War II operating on the north east coast of England. During a 2 month period in 1941 she rescued 38 airmen from the cold waters of the North Sea including two German bomber crews. As a result of those successful missions in July of the same year she was inspected by King George VI and the Princess Elizabeth, now Queen Elizabeth II.

No 102 was bought by an enthusiastic owner in the early 1990's and underwent an extensive restoration, today she is operated by Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust and receives funding from the National Heritage Memorial Fund. She is available for charter.

Gratitude

Rowing down river for breakfast we spotted an interesting wooden boat among the moorings, so on our way back we took a detour to take a closer look. Our timing was idea as the owners were aboard taking advantage of the fine weather and making ready for a sail.



Gratitude is a Sacffie, built in 1997 by Ardslgnish Boats to the lines of the original 1896 Portknockie Gratitude. Construction is larch on oak with silver fir hollow mast, solid yard, Douglas fir bowsprit, heavy-built. Copper nailed and roved, bronze fastenings at the stem, galvanised keel-bolts. Rig is a standing lug with Duradon sails (James Lawrence), total area 265 sq. ft.



Gratitude is new to the river having been launched just a couple of days before, her new owners Kevin and Maureen, have sailed larger boats for many years but have bought Gratitude to enjoy the simplicity and uncomplicated day sailing of the creeks and harbours of the Solent. They have certainly chosen a delightful boat she looks fast and purposeful with that sweeping sheer and long bowsprit. I'm looking forward to seeing her out sailing.

Kevin also has a a real connection with wooden boats, carving and creating art from recycled wood including some delightful wooden yachts - see his web site for details.

Quay Punt

Spotted this working boat dried out alongside the harbour wall at the harbour at Porthleven, she looks like a quay punt one of the Falmouth working boats which evolved to service the sailing ships visiting the deep water harbour during the 19th and early 20th centuries.



Below perhaps the most famous Quay Punt Curlew, Tim and Pauline Carr sailed this 28 foot boat around the world without an engine, visiting both the Arctic and the Antarctic. Curlew is now on exhibition at the National Maritime Museum in her home port Falmouth.

Low Water Breakfast

The Indian summer we've been enjoying lasted until the weekend so we got up for an early morning row down to our favourite cafe in Hamble.



Although just past the recent extremes it was still a big spring tide and even an hour or so after low water a few boats were high and dry and waiting for the flood. The great thing about seeing the river at this state of tide is that it reveals the all contours, shallows, the shoals that can't normally be seen but are never the less an ever changing topography.

While we were having breakfast in the distance we could hear a ship signalling out on Southampton water, the sound signals drifting on the still morning air. The ship was revealed as a huge container ship passing the Hamble River entrance on it's approach to the tight turn at Calshott.

Cars

I confess to being a bit of a petrol head and in particular for big American V8's so when we saw a classic car show advertised at a down town lake side park we went along.

Sarnia isn't that far from Detroit, the US car capital and Motown so there was no shortage of classic muscle cars plus more than a few stunning custom cars and hot rods.

The event was organised and run by the Sarnia Street Machine Club as a charity event in aid of the Pathways Health Centre for Children. What was especially delightful was that the event was free. Parking was free for both exhibitors and visitors (pause for gasp from my UK readers) there was even a band using the municipal open air stage facilities. Around 100 cars were on display their owners bringing them along to support the event and all the money was raised by donations.

Along with the Corvettes, the GTOs and Dodge Charger (OK so the purists will tell me the Vanishing Point car was a yellow Challenger), no gathering of muscle cars would be complete without a Mustang, you almost expected to see Steve McQueen driving, he was co star to the Mustang in the film Bullet.

This Model T based hot rod looked like it really had seen action on the Bonneville saltflats back when the custom car scene started. No mudguards, white wall tyres, open header exhausts and what look like drum brakes.

Joe (well actually his Dad who has always wanted one) took a shine to this VW based beach buggy, the owner very kindly invited him to try it out for size and he seemed to like it. Hmm maybe that's the excuse I've been looking for - next year's winter project?


What a great event and a great, really friendly bunch of people.

The Gribbin

We have seen the distinctive red and white day mark on top of Gribbin Head many times from sea on our approach on Fowey and once walked there along the coastal path. While we were staying in Fowey the National Trust opened the tower for the day, so we took the opportunity to climb up the 84 feet high edifice.



Built in 1832 by Trinity House on land provided by William Rashleigh, the day mark identified Gribbin which sailors often confused for St Anthony, thus in danger of entering the shallow and treacherous waters of St Austell Bay rather than the safe deep water harbour in Carrick Roads. It also provides guidance into the narrow and rocky entrance to Fowey harbour.



Ascent is by torchlight, climbing the stone steps which spiral up inside the square gothic tower and is a surprisingly easy climb, even the short ladder which leads out onto the roof platform.



The wind was blowing a good force 5 from a clear sea but seemed stronger at that height.



The view is spectacular as this picture of the entrance to Fowey demonstrates.



Thanks to the members of the National Trust who opened the tower for the day, the Tower is open about six times a year.