IRELAND TO THE MEDITERRANEAN, Part 1

My one experience. It takes quite a while, the post shows on TF and says the vid is processing. But I don`t see a post from you showing that, so perhaps you have a different problem. Someone techy is sure to respond. Meanwhile, I like the stills.

Video clip - Snow Mouse and Cool Runnings - Limerick - Kilrush

Hi Geoff,

Glad to hear that you had a smooth passage to Weymouth yesterday.

I have added a 34 sec video clip (50Mb) of passage from Limerick to Kilrush which hopefully will eventually display correctly in this post!

Best to all.

Paul,
MY Arthur

Hi Geoff,

Short clip of boats departing Kilrush bound for Fenit.

Hope that you solved your problem re uploading video.

Paul

Hi Bruce and Paul, Paul, Thanks for the 2 short clips, I'll keep working at it until I beat it. best regards to yourself and the lovely Mary. We've bought data sims for Internet but they sadly lack the sellers promises. As we only need it for a few months it's not worth the trouble.
In Weymouth now, super place, great Internet in the port so will catch up on all IT and posts.

Great Photos Geoff,
Safe onward journey
Brenda & Cathal

just read this post from start to present, very good , we are considering a similar trip from Norfolk down then the French canals so cant wait for the rest , safe sailing Expat

Welcome aboard Brenda & Cathal, As Chairman of our IWAI branch, very ably assisted by Brenda. Thank you for all the hard work you do for the Inland Waterways of Ireland and in particular our Belturbet branch, a warm welcome also to Expat, if you have any questions for your preparation please feel free to ask.
Glad you all enjoy the posts, our journey continues this year until we reach Dunkirk, our winter 'hivernage' moorings, then we return to Narbonne for the winter (it's warmer in the South of France) to our other boat which we'll be giving some TLC, servicing it etc.

This is the first port on our journey where we've been able to stay for a few days without worrying about the weather and we couldn't stay in a nicer place with it's friendly efficient harbour staff in a deep water port right in the middle of town. On the way in we had to pass through the Portland race, thankfully with good timing it was calm but look at the chop and the line of smooth water beyond, photo, we were doing 8 knots though the water and 3 over the ground as we rounded the lighthouse.


On our port side is the naval base in Portland harbour, it was here during the war that the Mulberry harbours were built, towed across to Arromanches, sunk in place and joined together with metal linkspan roadways to form an artificial port for the all important supplies for the 'D' day landings.
My first association with Weymouth began over 50 yrs ago when I was a young soldier and we used to 'thumb it' here to catch a ferry to the Channel Islands to go tomato picking to earn a few shillings and meet some nice girls.
One night I arrived here in Weymouth in torrential rain and a kindly policeman directed me to the Salvation Army and got me a hot drink and a bit of dry carpet to lay my head, I never forgot that kindness and I'm happy to say that the people of Weymouth are just as nice today as they were then.
In the 1600's during the English civil war, a cannonball hit a wall and got stuck in the stone wall, photo.
During Queen Victoria's reign it became, and still is a popular seaside resort, photo,
the fine golden sands here with donkey rides, sand sculptures and crazy golf and fun rides for the families to enjoy, photo's.
Nearby here is the Tank museum at Bovington and being ex services I just had to go, what a cracking day out ! we really needed 2 days to see all the 'Boys Toys'.
The photo's are just a tiny selection with English, American, French, Russian, Swedish and German tanks and other assorted vehicles.
The engine photo is a Rolls Royce designed K60 6 cylinder 2 stroke opposed piston multi fuel engine, during my army career I was seconded to Rolls Royce diesels for a while proud to say I was involved in the testing and modifications of this engine.
Did you know that the concept of a crude wooden tank was first sketched by Leonardo Da Vinci ?
Did you know that Hannibal used his elephants like tanks ?
Did you know that Sir Winston Churchill whilst in the Royal Navy during the 14-18 war called for a 'Landship' to crush enemy opposition troops in trenches ?
The name was later changed to the codename 'Tank' in case the Germans discovered the term Landship ?
I can heartily recommend Weymouth as a 'must do' port of call, you won't be disappointed.

Did you know that 'Lawrence of Arabia' T.E Lawrence joined the tank corps for a while and he was a familiar sight on his Brough motorcycle. he later Joined the Royal air Force as Aircraftman TE Shaw.

Just a few more.
Did you know that the first track laying vehicle was built by the Holt tractor company in America ? Unfortunately the tracks kept coming off and it wasn't practical, the modern day design is by an Englishman Mr Wilson who ran an agricultural repair business in Lincolnshire. the name Caterpillar was an English term for a track laying vehicle and was plagiarised by those guys with American big yellow machines.
The other photo is of the first propeller driven torpedo, also invented by an Englishman.

Finally, the last few photo's of Weymouth.
As you can see the English people still like to take their afternoon tea.

Long time since we have heard from you Geoff.
Hope all is going well and that you are well tucked up today as Tropical Storm Henri heads your way.
Love the photos and the narrative.
Give our best regards to "her indoors" and also to P & G

Wishing you all safe passage
Michael

Hello Michael, great to hear from you, I hope your getting the hang of this retirement thing. p.s I can give you a bunch of maps if you want to follow on.
After Weymouth we've been plagued by the lack of, or very inferior Wi-Fi to update our posts, incidentally the tank engine photo is of a Rolls Royce K60 opposed piston two stroke multi fuel engine that I worked on in R&D at Rolls, brings back a lot of memories, now you know why my Perkins is a multi fueller.
We left Weymouth and moved up to Torquay, another cracker of a place to visit, Lymington was next on the cards, followed by Southampton for the Boat show and were now in Gosport (over the river from Portsmouth) to see Horatio Nelsons flagship, the Victory. Diving museum, Submarine museum, Explosive exhibition etc.
I'll upload photo's of each place with a short description when I get a stronger Wi-Fi connexion, we've only 4 actual cruising days before we cross the channel and then we'll have 4G on tap 24/7 and I can bring the post bang up to date for you.

Lymington is the largest leisure port in the South of England and lies tucked away behind the Isle of Wight. The tidal races here are a challenge as the Atlantic tide comes up the channel and the North sea tide comes down and as they are not in sync it creates local anomalies to tax the unwary navigator.
As we approach the Isle of Wight the much photographed 'Needles' mark the entrance to the channel, when we passed our 7/8 knot boat was doing 13.5 knots over the ground, get it wrong and ? photo.
The entrance to Lymington is marked by a peculiar seamark called 'Jack In The Basket' folklore says it was where the fishermen's wives left their 'jack' a local slang term for lunch. Another version is that anyone exhibiting anti social behaviour was put in the basket and pelted with fish offal, I prefer the latter version myself..
Since the middle ages salt was the main income from the low lying salt marshes until salt was discovered in 1865 in Cheshire and could be mined much cheaper so Lymington turned it's hand to smuggling and there's said to be many secret tunnels and cellars under it's Main St where goods could be landed from the creeks and salt marshes and transported by pack horse or cart and swiftly unloaded in the many courtyards in the town.
The Revenue (Customs) had a house here for it's men who tried to catch the smugglers trading in Wine, Brandy, Silks, Coffee and tea to evade the taxes.
Berthon boatyard founded in 1877 is the oldest private boatyard in England and traded continuously since then.
A native son John Hansom designed the Hansom horse drawn cab seen in many old English films like Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes.
Being close to the Isle of Wight frequent ferries keep the skipper on his toes. apologies for lack of photo's, I've been constantly trying but as you know the Wi Fi is terrible around here, I promise I will post them as soon as we get a strong connection.

We've left Gosport and most impressive it is, I just have to show you some of the photo's later.
We then cruised along the coast to Eastbourne once the weather had eased for just the one night.
The next day was supposed to be brilliant, wall to wall sunshine and flat calm seas, well we did have a fantastic sunrise and calm seas in the morning but later the wind over tide saw us headbutting in Force 4 waves with occasional tantalising views of France on our starboard side on the way to Dover, our last port of call in England.
Here we've to pick up spares for servicing/modifications and wait for the right weather and as soon as that's sorted we'll cast off for France.
It's a daunting prospect as it's a marine superhighway out there with ferries leaving here every 15 minutes plus seaborne traffic from the Atlantic en route to the North sea and vice versa.
We've come this far with no real problems except the uncertain weather and we'll not be beaten by a bit of heavy traffic.
Dover is the busiest port in Britain and the constant stream of lorries on and off the is unbelievable.

At last we have better Wi-Fi so here are some photo's of Lymington as I play catch up and bring you up to date with our journey.
The first photo is of 'The Needles' just off the Isle of Wight.
2nd is Hurst fort with fast patrol passing,3rd 'Jack in the Basket' 4/5/6th Lymington old town and car.
When the tide goes out you can clean your bottom and re anti foul.
Harbour scene. Cool Running's leaving harbour keeping well clear of the ferry and finally Snow Mouse in the sun.
Our friends from Ireland joined us for a cruise to our next port Southampton for the boat show weekend.

Entering Southampton water passing tankers unloading at Esso refinery. Visiting the boat show to look at things we can't afford and buying things we think we need ! Fortunately we enjoyed good weather for the show and we like virtually everyone drooled over the gorgeous Fleming.
Queen Mary 2 in her home port, Cunard line are based here.
This sailing ship is taking a break from filming, she's been in every major film Pirates of the Caribbean, Mutiny on the Bounty, Master and Commander etc. it's real name is the 'Earl of Pembroke and she's privately owned by a company specializing in old sailing ships for films and promotional work.
This Wallenous lines boat just transports cars worldwide. Well how did you think your import got here ?
The boat show from the water and cruise ship World Odyssey paying a visit to Southampton.

Navigating in Southampton water you need to be very alert as these fast ferries shuttle commuters to and from Cowes on the Isle of Wight

It really is incredible how big that Queen Mary is.

Hi Wayfarer.
To be honest she's even bigger than the she looks in the photo. Very very impressive but a cruise on her is above my paygrade.

In all my rush to catch up I overlooked a port we stayed in after Weymouth, Torquay. From Weymouth to Torquay the coastline is called the Jurassic coast because of the rock formations along it and Torquay is referred to as, The English Riviera.
Apologies for that oversight but we've been plagued with bad weather and indifferent Internet connections and I screwed up, oops !


In WW2 Torquay figured heavily in the D-Day landings and special concrete ramps were built so that the landing craft could, after the initial assault, ferry more men and all the necessary supplies to support them, then they started a 24/7 shuttle service from Torquay to Omaha, Juno and Gold beaches.
They simply dropped the doors and ran the landing craft up the ramp where it would be loaded while the crew grabbed food and drink which they would consume on the run over as time was precious.
As all the ports were heavily defended they had to make their own, after the initial assault phase, concrete structures called 'Mulberry harbours' were towed over the channel and sunk in precise locations close to the coast, these Mulberry's were then connected to each other by metal linkspan roadways and ships could then dock in the artificial harbour to unload and fleets of truck ferried the goods ashore for distribution.
Close to Torquay is Brixham harbour, home to a large fishing fleet and the most incontinent seagulls I've ever encountered, the reason I didn't moor there was because of the constant deluge from these flying rats. Boy does it stick like the proverbial s..t to a blanket. Moored in Brixham harbour is an exact replica of Sir Francis Drakes ship the 'Golden Hind'.
The 'pirates tell tales to the kids(and Mums too). the guy in the red costume is showing the 'Cat O nine tails', seamen who broke the law were given lashes across the back then sluiced off with salt water.
While moored in Torquay we had magnificent fireworks displays.
Incidentally, all the boats, some 25 or so, that had taken part in a race around Fastnet rock who spurned us as 'stinkpot cruisers' ALL used their engines returning to their respective home ports, the sailing boat shown was going the other way ! Some freakin sailors eh !
When we saluted them NOT ONE returned our wave, such bad manners.

Thanks for the posts IR. I enjoy the photos

Here are more photo's of Brixham and Torquay.
The cruise ship anchored in Torquay bays previous port of call had been Amsterdam.
The dreaded lobster pots look harmless enough here but skippers need to keep a keen eye out for them when cruising.
The Red Arrows display lasted 20 minutes and was absolutely world class and massive crowds gathered to watch them.
Brixham trawler with marina in the back ground.

Great tour you're giving us. Thanks!

Thanks for the photos IR. Had Lunch at the Ship Inn last Christmas. There was mint Jaguar 150S parked right outside. Loved Lymington and the Isle of Wight.

You know exactly where we were moored Grae, I was looking at the car and having a crafty wee peek the blonde inside it !


Putting Lymington and Southampton behind us we left Southampton water single handed (the girls had gone to the South of France on family business and we'd rendezvous with them in Portsmouth later) by the Eastern channel on our way to Portsmouth, passing Lee on Solent on our Portside where there's a hovercraft museum.
The hovercraft was invented by Sir Christopher Cockerell and the experimental work was done on the Isle of Wight, there are many hovercraft in use by military forces in both the US and the Russians but the one's we see today are commuter craft and used for a more peaceful purpose. photo.
As we enter the approaches there are round forts built on sandbanks to defend the ports with cannon, later in WW2 they were used as anti aircraft emplacements.
Entering the Portsmouth one must be very vigilant and follow the port control directions as this is the second busiest port in the UK with up to 80,000 vessel movements per annum.
The spinnaker tower looks out over the entrance while the old forts on each side of the entrance still command the entrance.
Spice Island is just behind the starboard fort where sailing ships unloaded spices from the Orient.
Entering Portsmouth there are actually two ports, Portsmouth on the right with it's massive naval base and Gosport on the left where the majority of the marina's are, we're headed for the Royal Clarence marina in Gosport.
There is so much to show you from around here I will break it down into several posts for you.
The old sailing ship out at sea is the T/S Lord Nelson.
The one preserved in port is HMS Warrior, Britain's first Ironclad steam and sail ship and is now a museum and laid out inside as if the crew had just got up and walked out, food on the tables, glasses with drink still in them and clothes laid out as it would have been seen in service.
Enjoy.

You know exactly where we were moored Grae, I was looking at the car and a wee peek the blonde !


Putting both Lymington and Southampton behind us we left Southampton water by the Eastern channel on our way to Portsmouth passing Lee on Solent on our Portside where there is a hovercraft museum.
The hovercraft was invented by Sir Christopher Cockerell and the experimental work was done on the Isle of Wight, there are many hovercraft in use by military forces in both the US and the Russians but the ones we see today are commuter craft and used for a more peaceful purpose. photo.
As we enter the approaches there are round forts that were built on sandbanks to defend the ports with cannon, later in WW2 they were used as anti aircraft emplacements.
Entering the Portsmouth one must be very vigilant and follow the port control directions as this is the second busiest port in the UK with up to 80,000 vessel movements a day.
The spinnaker towers over the entrance while the old forts on each side of the entrance still command the entrance.
As we enter Portsmouth there are actually two ports, Portsmouth on the right with it's massive naval base and Gosport on the left where the majority of the marina's are, we were headed for the Royal Clarence marina in Gosport.
There is so much to show you here I will break it down into several posts for you.

I posted the last one twice, I thought it hadn't uploaded so I repeated it, oops !
When we arrived in Gosport we discovered lots of treasures, in the 1700's this was the Navy's worldwide logistics centre and there was a cooperage and stores for every imaginable thing a sailing ship would need including their own farm and slaughterhouse, once the colony's were gradually established Gosport lost some of it's importance as supplies were obtained locally to support the emerging colony's.
There are several museums depicting naval history, one is called Explosion and we had a great day out there as you will see from the photo's. I hope you enjoy them.
The first is the old 'Redbeard' nuclear bomb and alongside it the much smaller more modern version which has 20 times the capacity of the Hiroshima bomb, newer smart bombs are even smaller.
The mines are contact, acoustic and magnetic.
The business end of the barrel, and assortment of ammo for different applications.
Various types of torpedo.
Ronald Reagan let it slip about 'Star shield', well here's the proof that he wasn't joking.
The little rocket on the yellow trolley is an Exocet missile, nicknamed 'The Mother In Law' you couldn't prevent it arriving, when it did all hell broke loose.

Our next visit was to the Royal Navy museum in Portsmouth so we took a ferry over and had a wonderful day out, again you need a full day at least to view everything on offer. The entrance ticket also includes a harbour cruise with commentary.
First we looked at how the ships were built and maintained.
A ship of the line took 6,000 trees to build and 7 for 1 mast alone. A typical English scene is with Oak trees growing in the meadow and cows shading from the sun, gentry were encouraged to grow these oaks for the governments ship building programme.
The navy's constant demand for pulley blocks for sailing ships employed 100 men until Mr Marc Brunel invented machines and a production line that only needed 10 men and doubled the speed of production.
His son, Isambard Kingdom Brunel went on to design and build the great Western railway and the Great Eastern which was the first iron built, steam powered, propeller driven commercial ship.
Lord Nelson's flagship of course is the star of the show and I will post pictures here for you with a post later covering the battle of Trafalgar, his finest hour but one which cost him his life.
The fist photo is a WW2 Motor Torpedo Boat, they had Packard petrol engines and a small V8 for loitering or landing agents ashore in the nights.
An air sea rescue launch for collecting any fighter/bomber crews that had to parachute into the sea.
One of the gun decks (there were three) each of these guns could fire 3 rounds a minute.
Nelson's uniform.
Cat O' nine tails for unruly crew.
The spot where Lord Nelson fell.

The Battle of Trafalgar.
A Franco Spanish fleet of 39 ships sailed from Cadiz on Napoleons orders commanded by Admiral Pierre-Charles Villeneuve in the French ship Redoubtable.
Waiting for them was a British fleet of 27 ships commanded by Lord Horatio Nelson.
The winds were light and the British fleet had time to sit down to a breakfast of pork and a half pint of wine before commencing battle.
Nelson said to Mr Pascoe his flag officer 'I wish to say to the fleet that England confides that every man do his duty but be quick because I have another signal to send which is for close action'.
Mr Pascoe pointed out the 'expects' is in the flag vocabulary as a single flag, but 'confides' needs a flag for every letter' 'That will do Mr Pascoe, make it quick' that has now gone down into the annals of history as 'England expects every man to do his duty'.
Nelson never used the same strategy in any battle, tradition dictated that the two opposing fleets would sail on parallel lines and blast away at each other until one or the other was so damaged the engagement was broken off.
Nelson knew the weakest point of the ships was the great cabin at the stern where they weren't so heavily built, had a lot of windows and housed the crucial steering gear. Any sniper will tell you that if you take out the commanders confusion will reign, more so in this case because of language difficulties between the French and their Spanish allies.
Nelson's tactic was initially to sail alongside as tradition demanded, then turn his ships through 90% and sail between each of the enemy raking their stern cabins with cannon as they passed.
Nelsons Victory then engaged the French Redoubtable and locked rigging, a shot from a mizzen mast from one of the strong infantry contingent on board felled Nelson.
British ships could fire 3 rounds a minute as opposed to 1 round a minute from the enemy and British ships fired 1 and a half tons of shot on each salvo, 4 and a half tons a minute.
On the other side HMS Temeraire rammed the Redoubtable and lashed herself to it and continually raked it with point blank broadsides to stop the French boarding Victory and the French fighting complement was reduced from 600 to 150 in short order.
Even though the British fleet was out gunned and out manned the casualties were 14,500 French and 1,500 British.
Nelson's body was placed in a barrel filled with brandy to preserve it and taken back to London for a state burial, it's been suggested that officers of the fleet were given a tot of the brandy in which Nelsons body had been preserved and that it was used to raise a toast to Lord Horatio Nelson's life, the tot was referred to 'Nelson's blood'.
In London, Nelsons column stands high and proud, each of the lampposts in the square has a ship of the line on the top, even in death Lord Horatio Nelson still looks over his fleet.