Map of The Solent (courtesy of Solent Boatshare, based on the Itchen River in Southampton). It shows the Isle of Wight surrounded by the Hampshire coast from The New Forest to Portsmouth and on to Chichester. The Solent is one of the most popular places in Europe for sailing.
Repairs being carried out on two of the “Dunkirk Little Ships”. At the end of May 1940, at the government’s request, thousands of boats set sail to rescue almost a quarter of a million Allied troops who had retreated from Hitler’s forces onto the shores of Dunkirk. This is where the phrase “The Dunkirk Spirit” was coined.These were once ship lifeboats and sold off for scrap. Six guys snapped them up to convert them into homes for themselves.These ex-life boats are very secure and dry. more spacious than they look – each a bright floating tardisA weekend boat-builder working on his projectAll boat junk might come in handy
Used fenders anyone?
In dry dock – awaiting a coat of anti-fouling.Tide out under Itchen Bridge. Southampton is unique with two tides a dayBobbing together at the Town Quay
A house with boat outside. You see quite a few of these in SouthamptonAnd a few of these: House with boat and mooring.chink, chinkGood night
Cool pics! I am not too sure about those ex-lifeboats. One person houses, perhaps. Is the location for the bats good? Did you see anything you like? It looks like the view would be pretty. You could sit and watch the sun go down.
I’ve put in a map now – it is never too far to go to get a good view and if you don’t like somewhere you can just move. There are some real bargains – need to do more dejunking first – Bats? Do you mean boats?
Great photographs. Being in dockyards/marinas/harbours and so on is something so familiar to me and very comforting. I am genuinely excited for you in your current adventure to fins a floating home. Wonderful stuff.
Yes I remember reading about your Japanese sailor dream and some of your haikus – one about noah’s ark and being in the boat yard! Bristol is great for boats too – my husband is from there.
My work is three or four minutes walk from the floating harbour. I love to go and fantasise about owning some of the boats down there. There is something about the paint, the weathering, boat design and the water that I find compelling.
You know how much I loved this series of photos. I’m intrigued by many of the differences I see, as well as the similarities. We often have two tides in a day, but our tidal range is far less: only a foot or two. Occasionally, with a strong norther in the wintertime, some sailboats will rest their keels on the bottom, but there’s nothing like this.
I just can’t pick a favorite photo — even the gangway is appealing. And thanks for adding the map. Of course I’ve read about the Solent many times, but I’ve never taken a good look at it in such detail.
As for living aboard a sloop and sailing? Don’t forget the value of museum putty!
Thanks for your kind comments and the link to museum putty (we have something similar called white tack) also a type of rubber mesh that you put between say a cup and a table that stays that grips so it doesn’t slide. We used to have a sloop 20 years ago for sailing in the coast of Portugal through the Start of Gibraltar and into the Mediterranean Sea (not for living on) and think that it would be good for sailing and living on. Old boats with sails tend to be cheaper than houseboats as many do not know how to sail. I was fortunate enough to go to a school where sailing was on the agenda, due to so many getting work as boat-builders or sail-makers. We have thought of buying or renting storage space. Put the sails there when we are at home then swap them for our homely comforts when we go sailing. We don’t plan to go to far – just within the map!
Great pics! Speaking of boats outside houses, i assume you’re very aware of the catamaran in midanbury? it’s been there as long as anyone can remember and if it ever sets sail i’m sure there will national news crews to record the event!
I was going to mention the Midanbury garden boat but see I was beaten to it. What a shame it’s never made it to the water. I love the idea of watching the sun go down over the water every day from a boat. Good luck with your hunting.
No but we have a similar one a Maxi 95. We used to have one 20 years ago and sold it because I had a baby who kept being sea-sick. Now she has moved out and we must too – we bought this identical one and it brings back happy memories. Not much to do on her now, but we have to wait until we have moved out of the house as we cannot afford to pay rent AND mooring fees (it is cheap in dry-dock compared to being in the water). I think I need a quick refresher course too, especially if we are sailing in the Solent. The chemo wiped a lot of memory out, but I am sure it will come back quickly.
SNIPS & SNAPS 
Cool pics! I am not too sure about those ex-lifeboats. One person houses, perhaps. Is the location for the bats good? Did you see anything you like? It looks like the view would be pretty. You could sit and watch the sun go down.
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I’ve put in a map now – it is never too far to go to get a good view and if you don’t like somewhere you can just move. There are some real bargains – need to do more dejunking first – Bats? Do you mean boats?
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Yes. Sorry I was tired but wanted to look at the days posts.
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You were busy at the dock! Cool shots… those lifeboats are intriguing. So, are you all moved into your houseboat?
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Not moved yet – still dejunking – thinking of a sloop as we like real sailing and there are some bargains.
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Enjoyed your photos. And yes, those ex-lifeboats were an interesting discovery.
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They were originally for 70 people – so really huge inside.
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The Solent, boatyards and sailing boats. Its all making me feel nostalgic. Thanks for posting.
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I can tell that you are a Mush then!
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Great pics. So, will you find a Tardis?
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They go really quickly. We fancy a sloop so that we can do some real sailing too!
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Great photographs. Being in dockyards/marinas/harbours and so on is something so familiar to me and very comforting. I am genuinely excited for you in your current adventure to fins a floating home. Wonderful stuff.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I remember reading about your Japanese sailor dream and some of your haikus – one about noah’s ark and being in the boat yard! Bristol is great for boats too – my husband is from there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My work is three or four minutes walk from the floating harbour. I love to go and fantasise about owning some of the boats down there. There is something about the paint, the weathering, boat design and the water that I find compelling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad there seems to be plenty of scope for your search.
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There is – easier than looking for flats.
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Beautiful and very exciting pics!! 🙂
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You know how much I loved this series of photos. I’m intrigued by many of the differences I see, as well as the similarities. We often have two tides in a day, but our tidal range is far less: only a foot or two. Occasionally, with a strong norther in the wintertime, some sailboats will rest their keels on the bottom, but there’s nothing like this.
I just can’t pick a favorite photo — even the gangway is appealing. And thanks for adding the map. Of course I’ve read about the Solent many times, but I’ve never taken a good look at it in such detail.
As for living aboard a sloop and sailing? Don’t forget the value of museum putty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your kind comments and the link to museum putty (we have something similar called white tack) also a type of rubber mesh that you put between say a cup and a table that stays that grips so it doesn’t slide. We used to have a sloop 20 years ago for sailing in the coast of Portugal through the Start of Gibraltar and into the Mediterranean Sea (not for living on) and think that it would be good for sailing and living on. Old boats with sails tend to be cheaper than houseboats as many do not know how to sail. I was fortunate enough to go to a school where sailing was on the agenda, due to so many getting work as boat-builders or sail-makers. We have thought of buying or renting storage space. Put the sails there when we are at home then swap them for our homely comforts when we go sailing. We don’t plan to go to far – just within the map!
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Great pics! Speaking of boats outside houses, i assume you’re very aware of the catamaran in midanbury? it’s been there as long as anyone can remember and if it ever sets sail i’m sure there will national news crews to record the event!
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i assume it’s a catamaran, i’m not boat expert. most people refer to it as the boat in the garden
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Haven’t been that way for a while. You mean it is STILL there?
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Yep! Most weekends he is out there working on it.
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I was going to mention the Midanbury garden boat but see I was beaten to it. What a shame it’s never made it to the water. I love the idea of watching the sun go down over the water every day from a boat. Good luck with your hunting.
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Going slow with the dejunking
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Is that your boat ‘in the dry dock’ picture? Made me teary to see that map of the Solent!
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No but we have a similar one a Maxi 95. We used to have one 20 years ago and sold it because I had a baby who kept being sea-sick. Now she has moved out and we must too – we bought this identical one and it brings back happy memories. Not much to do on her now, but we have to wait until we have moved out of the house as we cannot afford to pay rent AND mooring fees (it is cheap in dry-dock compared to being in the water). I think I need a quick refresher course too, especially if we are sailing in the Solent. The chemo wiped a lot of memory out, but I am sure it will come back quickly.
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