#Haslar marina (Portsmouth)

[grandmaster-anne]

1 November 2022 Princess Anne, Princes Royal visiting Gosport to re-commission a historic yacht, Boleh at Haslar Marina, Gosport 📸: Habibur Rahman © The News, Portsmouth

[jbrasseul]

Solent

[royllowarch]

Portsmouth Habour by Roy Llowarch Via Flickr: Portsmouth Habour. Photos taken from Gosport side. Haslar Marina, Gosport Marina and harbour

[noisykate]

Rain, and Painting

We arrived back in the UK in July, after an uneventful trip from Coruna. Lovely to meet up with Jeremy and Patricia in Falmouth, then heading up the coast a way to John and Sue’s mooring in the river north of Plymouth. An idyllic spot, absolutely wonderful for a few days R&R, although not desperately convenient as a live-aboard spot - we have had to buy a hard-bottomed dinghy to cope with the boat club launching ramp, which would have trashed our soft-bottomed dinghy in no time. Thanks to John and Sue’s friend Steve, who looked after us, and drove us to the station for transport into Plymouth. 

Mike got stung by a bee at the railway station. 

We hired a car, and got about a bit, exploring this lovely part of the world. Found a fantastic butcher in the village - still selling local produce, including freshly made local sausages. (”Are these local?”, “Yes, I made them this morning”).

We moved the boat down to Plymouth for the day to watch the National Firework Championships - enjoyable evening out. Came across a little motor boat bobbing about - nearly ran it over in fact - with no lights, behaving oddly. Turned out they were all drunk, and something aboard was broken, so they had no power, and could not start the engine or even show any lights. We towed them in, after trying to provide them with a jump start. The harbour master came and took over the tow when we got in close, thankfully. The motorboat crew were utterly hopeless, no clue about anything, including how to tie up for a tow. He pulled his anchor up before we had a line to him. 

From Plymouth, we made our way up the coast to Haslar marina in Portsmouth, then a few days bodging about between the Isle of Wight and the mainland, including a trip  up the Beaulieu river with some visiting friends from London. We were heading upriver, when we got a text from Trina off Restless Spirits (last seen in Majorca!) who were on the tripper boat we just passed! What are the chances?? 

A bit of walking on the Isle of Wight with some walking group friends from Twickenham, then back to Haslar.

I went to pick up our new car from Alison in Farnham, who has acquired it from a relative who is going into care. 

I then headed off to Colchester for a few days, while Mike took the boat round to Ipswich with a friend. 

The boat has now been lifted out of the water, and we are in our little flat in Southampton, getting used to having all this space, while we redecorate and sort out the flat. Getting there, but really quite bored with painting now. 

I have been up to see brother Jamie, Di and the boys, and do some paid work (I know, I know...) now back at the flat to finish off the decorating and other stuff. 

Next stop is Shepperton, where we are taking back the house, probably to sell it and buy something a little further out - no interest here in living in Shepperton again, although what we get instead is uncertain. 

Plans for next summer - a topic for debate, although in outline we are intending to go around the UK, focusing on the west coast of Scotland. May leave the boat up there next winter....dont know. 

[phoenixexplorers]

Summer(ish) Solent Sailing

It was 6:00 on Thursday 29th July and the Phoenix Explorers were preparing for a four day sailing trip in the Solent. All that was needed was some quick covid tests and food/kit packing and we were off. Our destination was the Hamble Universal Marina on, as the name implies, the River Hamble where the two boats we were to be sailing in, Discovery and Thermopylae, were moored.

When we arrived, we were introduced to our skippers and mates before being given blue rugby shirts and waterproof oilies, a necessity for the trip. In my boat, Thermopylae, there were 11 people. Ian was the skipper with Richard and Paul as mates. The explorers in our boat were JC, Connor, Mounir, Jimmy, Joseph, Alex, Nicholas and I, Alexander.

After loading our kit and food onto the boat, we were given a briefing on rules and the boat by skipper Ian. We were also split into two groups of four, port and starboard, and then swiftly headed to bed.

An early start with cereal and bacon rolls for breakfast kicked off the day but turbulent winds above 20mph meant we didn’t immediately depart from the marina but instead prepared the boat and got used to the small environment. After lunch the winds had calmed down enough for us to go out onto the Solent in order to practise tacking and gybing maneuvers. Luckily it was good weather and we went up the Solent, against the wind, before turning and returning to the Hamble, in total out for about four hours, enough time to get used to the ship and our crewmates. Most people even got a chance to steer the ship at the helm, which was certainly enjoyable and everybody made sure to fill up on loads of biscuits.

Dinner was “Skip’s famous pasta bake”, and there was enough of it to fill up everyone on board two times over. Additionally there was Eton mess, which was as tasty as it was a pain to clean up. As it was getting late, after the washing up it was pretty much straight to bed. We were more used to sleeping in a nautical environment now so everyone got to sleep faster.

The next day, we were heading to Chichester harbour which was about 20 miles away as the crow flies, and for the first time in this trip we were heading properly out into the Solent, with dangers such as other boats and massive container ships. Breakfast was a choice of warming, if not slightly bland, porridge or cereal. Unexpected amounts of water use in Thermopylae meant we made our way upstream to refill on both water and fuel before heading out.

Weather started out fine. At the start of the day it was sunny but as we headed past the forts in the Solent we went under a large rain cloud. It started raining and the waves grew larger, giving the feel of old seafaring. Lunch in these conditions was just simple vegan hot dogs, which were surprisingly nice and tasted exactly like meat based frankfurters. Luckily though as the day drew on the weather cleared up and we entered Chichester Harbour in good, sunny conditions.

Dinner was fajitas, cooked by the starboard team, but we ended up making a more sauce-based meal that happened to have fajita chicken. Dessert was waffles with blueberries and cream. After eating, many people headed above deck and talked with the other boat whilst looking at the beautiful sunset.

However, not all was fun and games as it was revealed to us that we were to wake up early the next morning, about 5:40, so we could make good timing. Hearing this, most people headed to bed to get the most shut-eye possible.

The plan of attack the next morning was to head to Osbourne bay to have lunch before going to Portsmouth for showers and dinner. Because of a swift departure, breakfast was merely pain au chocolat and squash, which was tasty if not meagre. Luckily weather was on our side today as for most of the journey there was not any rain, and even some sun. The section from Chichester to Osbourne Bay was the longest stretch of the day and the wind direction meant we could employ our tacking and jibing skills extensively while sailing.

A sunny arrival in Osbourne Bay was welcomed by a lunch of sandwiches, soup and sausage rolls. It wasn’t an adventurous meal but it was filling and could keep the team going until dinner. Thermoplyae ate slower than Discovery, which meant we rushed to leave after eating.

The trip to Portsmouth wasn’t that far and when we arrived, we all looked forward to having showers in the large Haslar Marina Lightship. After getting ourselves clean, we went out to have dinner in a Wetherspoons with the other boat. Getting onto dry land for the first time in four days was weird as whenever your eyes closed you could feel yourself go up and down as if on a boat. Luckily the food came quickly and tasted very good with adequate space to enjoy it, unlike in the boats. Afterwards the Thermopylae crew walked around, going to the park and chatting before going to the walkway by the marina and looking at Portsmouth in the dark. One could see the Prince Of Wales Aircraft carrier and a clear view of Spinnaker Tower all lit up. Ferries and expensive yachts also lined the docks, though not quite as impressive. We then went back to our boat and slept, ready for our final day.

The day started with torrential rain. After a breakfast of cereal we headed above deck to depart and got soaked in the process. However, that didn’t stop us and sure enough after leaving the weather cleared up. We practiced our triangulation for DofE as we sailed and all in all it was a calm day. The wind was behind us so no major maneuvers were needed for the majority of the journey back to the Universal Marina. Lunch today was more hot dogs, though they were still tasty.

When we arrived back at the Marina, we started by filling up on water for the next group before mooring. Packing up was quite swift, with everyone given a specific job to do, and before we knew it we were back on land. Following a thanks and farewell to our mates and skippers, we departed in the minibus, back to London.

Overall it was a fun trip that helped us all grow new skills and learn more about sailing and the sea in general. I would happily do it again.

Alexander,

Foxes Junior Patrol Leader

[missbookay]

Spinnaker Tower against a stormy sky #spinnakertower #portsmouth #marina #gosport #hasler #stormyskies #rain #lights #boats #sailing #solent ##sailingboat #storm #gunwharfquays #optoutside #iphone8 #ig #picoftheday #masts #sailingship #goexplore (at Haslar Marina) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHlR4kqDVI7/?igshid=17aqobyabnjrn

[patern29]

Portsmouth, une escale pleine d'histoire

Portsmouth est un port du sud de l’Angleterre, dont le nom est associé à l’histoire maritime du pays et de l’Europe. Une escale qui mérite le détour, pour les plaisanciers.

Portsmouth fait partie de ces ports qui ne laissent pas indifférents. Tout comme Brest ou Lorient, en France, évoquer Portsmouth, c’est faire référence à l’industrie navale, la marine militaire. Pourtant, tous les visiteurs ayant effectué un séjour dans ces lieux chargés d’histoire, invisible, vous le diront : L’atmosphère qui y règne est inoubliable. L’ambiance et la culture font partie intégrante de ces ports. De vrais ports de marins.

Si Portsmouth n’est pas l’escale anglaise la plus pittoresque, elle a de nombreux atouts. Sa culture du yachting, tout d'abord. En effet, L'endroit est considéré, par certains, comme la Mecque du nautisme. Ici, des noms comme Camper & Nicholson, la Semaine de Cowes ou l’île de Wight font écho à une véritable histoire du nautisme. Dans le même temps, la situation géographique du port, et ses services, en font un endroit idéal pour arriver en Angleterre. Bien situé, il permet, ensuite de varier les programmes. Entre le cabotage pour une semaine, dans le Solent et l’île de Wight, ou une navigation, plus longue vers les rivières de Cornouaille, vous aurez le choix. L'arrivée à Portsmouth La traversée, vers Portsmouth, s'effectuera au départ du Havre, de Honfleur ou Cherbourg. Depuis Saint Malo, il sera possible d'effectuer une pause à jersey. Ensuite, c'est la traversée de la manche, le début de l'aventure, et son trafic intense. La rade constituant le port de Portsmouth est située, en face de l’île de Wight, dans le sud de l’Angleterre. On y

arrivera, soit par l’est, directement, soit par l’ouest de l’ile de Wight, en passant près des Needles et son célèbre phare. L’arrivée dans le solent, ce bras de mer se trouvant entre la côte anglaise et l’île ne pose pas de problème particulier. Si ce n’est, évidemment, le trafic des cargos et des ferries…nombreux dans cet endroit. Le courant, lui aussi, peut être assez puissant. Il sera pris en considération lors de la préparation de la navigation. Enfin, l'arrivée vers Portsmouth doit se faire en respectant bien le chenal, afin d'éviter les nombreux bancs de sables. Un port à fort trafic Portsmouth est un port ou le trafic est intense. Ce port militaire voit passer, continuellement, ferries, cargos et bateau de la marine de Sa Majesté. Il est donc important de s'informer sur les règles de navigation, dans le chenal. Les bateaux de plaisance se doivent d’être en veille VHF. C’est obligatoire. Dans le même temps, les plaisanciers devront utiliser un chenal spécifique. Enfin, la navigation se fera obligatoirement au moteur, à partir de la bouée rouge n°4. Une côte à plusieurs visages La côte offrira plusieurs photos au marin arrivant d’Europe. En effet, en arrivant par le sud, vous serez accueilli par les falaises, blanches, de l’île de Wight. Ces falaises laisseront place aux autres versant de l’île, plus verts. Vous apercevrez aussi les premières plages. Le courant du Solent vous fera vitre comprendre que vous arrivez bientôt. Portsmouth se présentera à vous, avec ses immeubles, sa grande roue et sa tour. Vous approchant du chenal, vous serez accueillis par les forts sécurisant le port depuis de nombreuses années. Ils sont impressionnants. Mais plus vous vous approcherez de l’entrée de la rade, plus celle-ci sera accueillante. Vous arriverez dans l’entrée de la rade, très étroite, accueilli par le fort du vieux Portsmouth. Le courant y est assez fort. Celui-ci peut atteindre 5 nœuds environ trois heures après la marée. Une fois l’entrée passée, vous vous retrouvez dans la rade, large et ouverte sur la ville, l’arsenal, et les ports de plaisance. Ou amarrer et faire escale ? Les ports de plaisance qui accueillent les visiteurs sont principalement du côté occidental. Un voyage en ville

nécessitera un court trajet en ferry à travers le port. Très proche de l'entrée du côté de Gosport se trouve la Marina Haslar, et elle est proche des ferriez Gosport qui peuvent vous emmener à Portsmouth. Deux autres ports de plaisance, Gosport Marina, et la Royal Clarence Marina arrivent juste après Haslar du côté de Gosport. Enfin, côté Portsmouth, vous trouverez Gunwharf Quays et Camber Dock. Cependant, ces deux derniers demanderont une autorisation préalable des autorités. Portsmouth, les chantiers navals de l'Angleterre

Portsmouth est le plus vieux port militaire d’Angleterre. Il a vu de nombreuses guerres et de nombreuses préparations. Les bateaux ayant participé à la bataille de Trafalgar sont partis de la rade, ceux du débarquement de 1977 aussi. La ville était même le quartier général des alliés. Le port est devenu une place stratégique à partir du 13ème siècle et a conservé son importance depuis. Cette histoire est rappelée partout dans la rade, ainsi que dans des musées. Vous pourrez visiter plusieurs bateaux historiques comme le vaisseau de Lord Nelson, le HMS Victory et le cuirassé de la reine Victoria, le HMS Warrior 1860. Vous pouvez également visiter le Mary Rose Museum, berceau de la caraque infortunée du roi Henri VIII, et retracer l'histoire de la Royal Navy au Royal Naval Museum. Le vieux portsmouth Si la ville a connu de nombreux bombardements, notamment pendant la seconde guerre mondiale, certains

bâtiments historiques sont toujours debout. Il sera, par exemple, possible de visiter Southsea castle, érigé en 1544, par le Roi Henry VIII, les tours carré e ronde, ainsi que ses deux cathédrales. Mais l'ancien port de pêche sera l'occasion de prendre du recul, de humer l'air britannique dans une ambiance calme. De nombreux restaurants permettront de s'y restaurer. Enfin, la nouvelle zone de commerces et cafés, avec sa fameuse tour Emirates Spinnaker, haute de 170 mètres, offrira un temps de shopping, avec un grand S. La rade et la baie Au départ de Portsmouth, plusieurs possibilités s'offrent à vous. L’île de Wight, bien évidemment, vous propose un condensé de tout ce qu'est l’Angleterre. Du cottage aux petits ports de pêcheurs, en passant par les châteaux et les demeures d'été de la belle époque, les occasions de se balader sont nombreuses. Une escale à Cowes est indispensable, tout comme Yarmouth ou Lymington. L’île propose de nombreuses escales entre mer et campagne, très agréables. Tout comme la côte et la rivière de Beaulieu, entre autres. L'occasion de naviguer entre des espaces verts préservés, en prenant le temps de s’intéresser à l a faune dont sternes, goélands, hérons cendrés, canards, bernaches, oies et autres courlis. https://youtu.be/L56LMzRP93c Read the full article

[royllowarch]

Portsmouth Habour by Roy Llowarch Via Flickr: Portsmouth Habour. Photos taken from Gosport side. Haslar Marina, Gosport Marina and harbour

[royllowarch]

Portsmouth Habour by Roy Llowarch Via Flickr: Portsmouth Habour. Photos taken from Gosport side. Haslar Marina, Gosport Marina and harbour

[royllowarch]

Portsmouth Habour by Roy Llowarch Via Flickr: Portsmouth Habour. Photos taken from Gosport side. Haslar Marina, Gosport Marina and harbour

[royllowarch]

Portsmouth Habour by Roy Llowarch Via Flickr: Portsmouth Habour. Photos taken from Gosport side. Haslar Marina, Gosport Marina and harbour