Weymouth to East Fleet - Sunday 31.7.11

Graham, MeWally and I set off to paddle back to East Fleet Farm on the rising tide.

We jumped on the water at FERRY BRIDGE, WEYMOUTH and dawdled up stream.

Things were a bit slow, in fact we were still on out-flow even though it was hours after high tide, Portland.

Sandbanks were still lurking about, we picked our way around them.

Signs are common on this gentle water, as this stretch of water is protected by the wall that is CHESSIL BEACH, which means that they don't get blown over very easily.

Oyster beds.

Not too sure why Graham decided to leave his sea boat at home, but HEY!

Decrepitude rules!

We stopped at this newly clad beach house, took their patio chairs from their pile, put them on their astro turf, 

sat on them.... and ate our lunch. The owner turned up and was a complete delight. 

The army base loomed large,

and the anemones waited for the tide to speed up and bring food.


We got off the rather low water having had a nice enough paddle - or, if you are Graham - NOT!

Then The Rain Came Down Tuesday 3.8.10

You know how it is, 

you see the weather forecast on the TV

and there's no way that going on the water,

or for a cycle ride is conscionable. The best thing to do, WE THOUGHT, was to visit the market at BRIDPORT. Well you can see how wet it was, we did our best to buy something, but came back empty handed. 


SHAME!!

We followed everyone else back to East Fleet Farm, discussing our choices of activity for the rest of the day.

The afternoon was a different kettle of fish,

which was all we needed to persuade us to take a walk along the Fleet.

In the threatening weather, the cloud formations kept us entertained ( it doesn't take much).

As the light faded, people come out to enjoy the evening - just like us.

It's not all perfection here,

but even junk has a graphic appeal that I can't resist.

Meanwhile, back at base, the MORRIS DANCERS have arrived

to entertain the campers

with their groovy riffs and moves.

COOL

TOO COOL

FOR RICH

Paddling The Fleet Monday 2.8.10

Today we decided to go out in our little boat.

We don't know how many perfect days like this one we'll get,

The tide was coming in  for the morning and flowing out in the afternoon.

This means we can paddle towards Abbotsbury with the current and later, paddle back to East Fleet Farm

with the tide helping to carry us along our journey.

The other side of the perfect day is the blue sky with its' fluffy clouds.

The only thing missing is ........ OH NO! There it is; CAKE..

MY TRIPLE WHAMMY.

We make our way across the current,

using the gentlest of FERRY GLIDES,

until we reach the pebbly beach of  CHESIL BANK.

This ridge of pebbles  runs from ABBOTSBURY to the West,

to WEYMOUTH in the East.

and to the SOUTH (roughly) is the, calm, blue ocean.

The top of the ridge sees a lot of bird life. Here a Heron takes off as it notices us.

MeWally also wants to take off, waiting patiently for me to finish BEACHCOMBING.

AA few more hours of pottering West with the tide,

only turning when the tide does.

Heading for home in the blue of the day.