Voyages of Norman James: Beaulieu to Portsmouth : 25th October

Sue's birthday started well with a most spectacular sunrise over the river. We left the berth at 10:50 heading upstream towards Beaulieu until we ran out of water. With high tide at 08:00 the water was rapidly disappearing. There was no wind, a beautiful sunny day with a little misty autumn haze. By 12:15 we were exiting the river at Lepe.

One of many photo's taken of the sunrise.

Heading towards Beaulieu on a glassy smooth river.

A very average local property!

Bucklers Hard.

Heading down river towards the Solent.

Once out in the Solent again, we turned east and headed for Portsmouth, dodging the Red Funnel and Wightlink ferries on the way. More birthday excitement was to come as we entered Portsmouth, a Brittany Ferries vessel was entering the port followed immediately by a Royal Navy frigate being towed/escorted out to sea by fore and aft tugs. While these large vessels were obviously in the main channel, we kept to the small vessel channel on the west side of the entrance passing close to an outgoing pilot boat.

A busy harbour entrance.

Queen's Harbour Master HQ Portsmouth.

Sharing the small vessel channel with an outgoing pilot boat.

A quick call to Haslar Marina secured a berth for two nights near the entrance to the marina, just inside a hammerhead. To finish off a nice day on the boat we had a walk and in the evening celebrated Sue's birthday with a meal onboard the converted lightship 'Mary Mouse 2'.