Calm seas and sunshine - at last!

[Centaur]

We have been down in Poole for the week (2-8 Aug) and have been pretty much weather bound in port for the whole time with strong winds. Due to the wind, we had to abort a meet with Mlines and Xboatboyx mid-week but finally got out for a brief run around to Studland Bay for a swim yesterday (Thursday 6 Aug).

All change at last today though (Friday 7 Aug) - it was flat calm this morning with wall-to-wall sunhine, so we had a run over to the Solent and up Beaulieu River to Bucklers Hard. A great day out but we must have used a fair bit of fuel - I will have to work that out later and post a few photos.

Heading home tomorrow but looking good this weekend for all you Solent based forumites. Have a great weekend!

Edit... Photos now added:


Running through Poole Harbour past Brownsea Island:



It's rare to see the sea so calm in Poole Bay:



... and on the approach to the Needles:





The chairlift down to the beach at Alum Bay:



The run up Beaulieu River - looked cloudier inland:



Arrived at Bucklers Hard at pretty much at low water but it was no problem navigating the River and there was plenty of water on the pontoon:



Lunch under the bimini cover to keep cool... haven't needed to deploy that up to now!



The ice cream boat was a welcome sight coming home as we approached East Looe Channel:



Anchored up in Poole Harbour the enjoy the early evening sunshine before heading back to Cobbs Quay:

[Xboatboyx]

We will be going to Poole on Sunday for a blast out. Shame the weather was a bit iffy last Wednesday so we couldn't meet up, although i did see Gin Trap on B pontoon with its red ensign up.

[Centaur]

I tend to keep the ensign flying so friends and relatives will know that we are around, even though we may not be aboard at the time. I know that's not the etiquette but it works for me!

[Ianfs]

Glad you got down for some boat therapy.

I know that's not the etiquette but it works for me!

I'm not entirely sure if there is or ever really was a written standard operating procedure or etiquette for this, apart from in the 17/18th Century or when George V entitled Merchant shipping with the title Merchant Navy. Certainly most of us aren't in the Merchant Navy and yet we use their symbol, in addition we are in our home ports so does it really matter?

I think its a grand idea that you fly it when you are aboard, in fact I think we should all do it. It shows great respect to her majesty who flies the Union Jack when she is in residence at one of her houses.

[Centaur]

Photos now added to the original post...

[ColinR]

Glad you got down for some boat therapy.

I know that's not the etiquette but it works for me!

I'm not entirely sure if there is or ever really was a written standard operating procedure or etiquette for this, apart from in the 17/18th Century or when George V entitled Merchant shipping with the title Merchant Navy. Certainly most of us aren't in the Merchant Navy and yet we use their symbol, in addition we are in our home ports so does it really matter?

I think its a grand idea that you fly it when you are aboard, in fact I think we should all do it. It shows great respect to her majesty who flies the Union Jack when she is in residence at one of her houses.

Surely the item in question is the Red Ensign which is worn by UK registered, non naval, vessels. Being picky a vessel wears the ensign, it is not flown

The ensign should be worn from dawn to dusk.

Her Majness flies the Union Flag, it's only (pedantically) the Union Jack when flying from a jackstaff on the bow of a naval vessel. Note flown not worn. Although the terms Jack and Flag are now interchangeable (since 1908)

Sorry for the pedantry but I would be strung from the yardarm if my uncle (RN retired) heard that I let such seditious talk go uncorrected.

[Xboatboyx]

Wow wish it was that calm yesterday!. The boat looks great with the covers off, you must be really pleased with her.

[Ianfs]

Delightful pictures Centaur, very good quality, which camera do you use? (This is when he says its a disposable camera from boots)

[Centaur]

It's not exactly a disposable but probably not much better to the purists!

I've simply got a pocket Nikon Coolpix AW120 - it's a waterproof / shockproof camera, which is handy on a boat, and fits easily into a pocket. I have only had it since Easter, so haven't used it a great deal yet but I am otherwise quite happy with the results so far.

The pictures posted above were reduced down to 1024x768 and compacted quite a bit by the picture-editing software, so the originals are better but probably nothing like the results that Martin could get with his SLR...

[Ianfs]

Nikon Coolpix AW120 - it's a waterproof / shockproof camera, which is handy on a boat

Very handy on a boat and also handy if you happen to get caught in a shower as my mate and I were last week taking shots on one of the surfing beaches near Padstow.