South Coast destinations?

[alavarre]

As you know it has been a formidable month, gales, hurricanes (sorry, not a named hurricane, just a "mild" 984mb depression - Category 1 hurricane by any book), et al.

As a result I've only gotten from London to Littlehampton in three weeks and have only a week left before having to go back to work.

I'd like to make Southsea, Chichester or somewhere else, preferably with a pub, green grocer, fishmonger, and butcher within walking distance.

Premier do good work, but sort of a one-size-fits-all. We enjoyed Eastbourne, but there is nothing there except the marina and an ASDA and some other mall type shops without a thirty minute bus ride....

Emsworth is lovely, except they don't have room for me. Ditto for Arundel/Ford Ship and Anchor.

Bosham was lovely too, except no shops and no marina.

Littlehampton is pleasant and will do, but the the river current is fierce, as is the tide and the flotsam and jetsam. I can find a berth at the marina, but it is still on the outside by the river, so am concerned about moorings, flotsam, jetsam, etc.

I've discovered the MCA river classification site, wonderful.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga-mnotice.htm?textobjid=2501FF6153039897

As we have gone up the Thames almost to Oxford I know that I can handle the Arun Class B river, except nobody lives there with a dock...

Chichester and Northney marinas are HUGE, so I fear that I would only be a number, and as I can't stay here that wouldn't do without special concern on the part of staff. Southsea might be better, but it depends.

Time is short, so even if I could carry on to the Solent then the prices are horrible, so better to go to Poole or beyond, but there isn't time for that.

So I must stop short: either Langstone Harbour (somewhere) or Arun.

So in short, what would YOU do?

Kind regards, Andy

 

[Hadenough]

So in short, what would YOU do?

Kind regards, Andy

I'd have turned left instead of right!

 

[Seven Spades]

I think you have just described Bembridge.

 

[WestWittering]

Why not come to Chichester Marina? You can walk to two lovely pubs (long walks mind), bus every 15 minutes to Chichester & to the Witterings or you can walk to Chi along the canal path. Day trips by boat to moor at East Head, Emsworth, Bosham, Itchenor. Take the tender up to Dell Quay for a pint....

The chandlers rent bikes by the day so you can visit Sidlesham and other picturesque villages The yacht club will rent out sailing dinghies if you fancy a change.

The Indian restaurant will deliver to the boat.

Our loos & showers are fabulous.

The wi-fi is fast.

And if you must, you can nip over to Bembridge for a night or two.

We have our boat in Chi Marina and honestly, you could spend a weeks holiday there and not get bored! We go there even if we can't get out on the boat - we sometimes need a break from the hectic pace of life at the Witterings!

Go on, go on, go on - you know it makes sense!

Di

Ps our staff are lovely!! Really friendly - even the lock-keepers - lock is opened on demand when it's not free flow. They are a smashing bunch..

 

[DJE]

Are you looking for somewhere to leave the boat unattended while you go back to work or is it somewhere to live aboard for a while? Can she take the ground?

 

[alant]

As you know it has been a formidable month, gales, hurricanes (sorry, not a named hurricane, just a "mild" 984mb depression - Category 1 hurricane by any book), et al.

As a result I've only gotten from London to Littlehampton in three weeks and have only a week left before having to go back to work.

I'd like to make Southsea, Chichester or somewhere else, preferably with a pub, green grocer, fishmonger, and butcher within walking distance.

Premier do good work, but sort of a one-size-fits-all. We enjoyed Eastbourne, but there is nothing there except the marina and an ASDA and some other mall type shops without a thirty minute bus ride....

Emsworth is lovely, except they don't have room for me. Ditto for Arundel/Ford Ship and Anchor.

Bosham was lovely too, except no shops and no marina.

Littlehampton is pleasant and will do, but the the river current is fierce, as is the tide and the flotsam and jetsam. I can find a berth at the marina, but it is still on the outside by the river, so am concerned about moorings, flotsam, jetsam, etc.

I've discovered the MCA river classification site, wonderful.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga-mnotice.htm?textobjid=2501FF6153039897

As we have gone up the Thames almost to Oxford I know that I can handle the Arun Class B river, except nobody lives there with a dock...

Chichester and Northney marinas are HUGE, so I fear that I would only be a number, and as I can't stay here that wouldn't do without special concern on the part of staff. Southsea might be better, but it depends.

Time is short, so even if I could carry on to the Solent then the prices are horrible, so better to go to Poole or beyond, but there isn't time for that.

So I must stop short: either Langstone Harbour (somewhere) or Arun.

So in short, what would YOU do?

Kind regards, Andy

Keyhaven is exactly what you want - quiet, low cost, good YC + pub + Milford-on-Sea for all your needs regarding victuals etc. Also good travel routes back to London if needed.

 

[Fantasie 19]

I'd like to make Southsea, Chichester or somewhere else, preferably with a pub, green grocer, fishmonger, and butcher within walking distance.


Chichester and Northney marinas are HUGE, so I fear that I would only be a number, and as I can't stay here that wouldn't do without special concern on the part of staff.

Birdham is next door to Chichester - would that do???

http://www.birdhampool.co.uk/

 

[robp]

Why not come to Chichester Marina? You can walk to two lovely pubs (long walks mind), bus every 15 minutes to Chichester & to the Witterings or you can walk to Chi along the canal path. Day trips by boat to moor at East Head, Emsworth, Bosham, Itchenor. Take the tender up to Dell Quay for a pint....

The chandlers rent bikes by the day so you can visit Sidlesham and other picturesque villages The yacht club will rent out sailing dinghies if you fancy a change.

The Indian restaurant will deliver to the boat.

Our loos & showers are fabulous.

The wi-fi is fast.

And if you must, you can nip over to Bembridge for a night or two.

We have our boat in Chi Marina and honestly, you could spend a weeks holiday there and not get bored! We go there even if we can't get out on the boat - we sometimes need a break from the hectic pace of life at the Witterings!

Go on, go on, go on - you know it makes sense!

Di

Ps our staff are lovely!! Really friendly - even the lock-keepers - lock is opened on demand when it's not free flow. They are a smashing bunch..

And I see that they rent out decent bikes at the chandlery now. So a cycle ride to Birdham Store is easy. Farm shops on the way. As Di says, it is like a very pleasant holiday resort and loads of nice places to visit in the harbour.
Chichester is a great destination for tourist and shopping. Roman Palace at Fishbourne, easy walking distance.

 

[maybh1]

And I see that they rent out decent bikes at the chandlery now. So a cycle ride to Birdham Store is easy. Farm shops on the way. As Di says, it is like a very pleasant holiday resort and loads of nice places to visit in the harbour.
Chichester is a great destination for tourist and shopping. Roman Palace at Fishbourne, easy walking distance.

If you want peace and quiet and seclusion then Chichester is the place

We have just left after 4 very happy years on T Pontoon.

Downside is lack of any shops or restaurants close by except the Spinnaker where the Indian food is quite good but the other menu imho can be a bit hit and miss

May
xx

 

[WestWittering]

If you want peace and quiet and seclusion then Chichester is the place

We have just left after 4 very happy years on T Pontoon.

Downside is lack of any shops or restaurants close by except the Spinnaker where the Indian food is quite good but the other menu imho can be a bit hit and miss

May
xx

I'm on S - been here since May and we love it. We were regular visitors before as gawpers/walkers and now we have our first boat (Flora) here.
It doesn't feel huge, quite the opposite in fact, we are surrounded by trees & fields & birdsong.
Chichester Yacht Club welcomes visitors and is right on the water. It really is a special place.

We did spend one night at Eastbourne & I thought that was awful, surrounded by buildings & commerce & noise. Lock opened at set times only - but they didn't bother to tell us - just left me dangling on the rope for 30 minutes like a doughnut thinking we'll only be here a minute - didn't realise the whole dock moved or I would have tied off & gone & made a cuppa......

Come to Chichester and if you can, come onto S - quiet, near the showers & nice walks or go the other side near the little shop & restaurants etc. Don't know why you are anxious about the staff - give the ladies & keepers a smile and you will find they are chatty, warm & friendly.

Or there are visitors swinging moorings at Itchenor. There is a water taxi, pub is good, no dogs allowed in YC. Facilities limited.

Di

 

[alavarre]

Hello, thank you for your advice. I have ended up at Chi, with the boat on the hard. Hope to return in April to do the do about getting her back in the water.Then in summer, Ryde, Bembridge, Beaulieu, Hamble...

What a lovely area.

Cheers, Andy

 

[lustyd]

If you want peace and quiet and seclusion then Chichester is the place

We have just left after 4 very happy years on T Pontoon.

The pontoons go up to T AND it's peace and quiet?! Chi must be more of a caravan park than I thought

 

[alavarre]

Oooh. Good tip. A bit farther than we were prepared to go last year, but definitely in the sights now. Thank you.

Cheers, Andy

 

[alavarre]

No, it really is quite lovely. They are spread over acres and acres of terrain, so each pontoon feels quite private. And the bounteous vegetation keeps it so.

I was on G, which I cleverly chose as close to the pub(let) and showers etc. I know about walking in the cold and wet to the loo... So it was quite alright.

But now on the hard, need to get the bottom painted, then back into the water she goes...

Recommendations for proper people to do that sort of thing would be appreciated... The marina already power washed, but we need some minor bottom work, like a light sanding and then a new coat of Micron CSC...

Cheers, Andy

 

[alavarre]

Thanks again. Yes, indeed, quite lovely as posted elsewhere.

As for staff, I've become accustomed to people who attend to large numbers, who typically blow you off as one of the masses.

This indeed is NOT the case at Chichester Marina. They have been quite wonderful. The management and leadership are therefore obviously excellent... Q.E.D.



(You can always tell the quality of the captain by the behaviour of the crew...)

Cheers, Andy

 

[alavarre]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bembridge

Thank you. This sounds just right. We'll check it out this summer.

 

[LadyInBed]

July 2012

As you know it has been a formidable month, gales, hurricanes (sorry, not a named hurricane, just a "mild" 984mb depression - Category 1 hurricane by any book), et al.

Good to hear that you are still trucking on, the weather isn't being very kind.
Good luck.

 

[AB1707]

Hi
If you're looking for places to go in the Solent check out my friend Terry's musings in Up the Creek which explores a variety of lesser frequented Solent bays

http://www.terrypaynter.webspace.virginmedia.com/

Good luck

 

[alavarre]

Shall do!

 

[alavarre]

Hello all, thanks again for all the help.

We've had a lovely spring, being based mostly at Chichester Harbour. The staff and the local providers are mostly wonderful. Opal Marine did a fine job of recommissioning, and many other good things. Bottom cleaned and painted, lots of broken things fixed. All good.

So we're back in the water, ready to carry on, and plotting the course for a September/October cruise.

Have locked in Beaulieu and Bucklers Hard as a done deal and (based on earlier recommendations here and googling) Key Haven.

Have a shipmate for about two weeks (minus a day on either end to arrive and depart at LHR), so it looks like a good model:

TIME = 12
Do while TIME > 0
TIME = TIME - 1 '1 day To get there
TIME = TIME -2 '2-3 days To explore
Do While WX > 3 'If weather Force 4 or greater
TIME = TIME - 1 'Wait a day
READ WX 'And get the forecast for the next day
Loop 'Carry on
Loop

(Yes, a computer programmer, among other things...

So that allows about four ports in two weeks, less weather layover (WX) issues.

The optimum SCUBA profile is to take the deepest dive first, then shallower ones later, which argues for dashing to Key Haven, then do Beaulieu, then places closer to home.

So the strawman is:

+ Key Haven
+ Beaulieu, Buckler's Hard
+ Bembridge ??
+ ????

Bembridge is a curiosity. Haven't had the time to fully google it. OTOH, we've done Gosport, Cowes, *might* want to go further upriver on Wight... And Hamble is always an option. Really no interest in doing Portsmouth. Big cities are big cities, and I've lived in the best (London) and seen many others. And hate museums.

So back to beauty and pubs...

Since the boat needs to get back to CH, Emsworth or Ichenor might be the best answer for the last. I know them both and find them delightful. Emsworth has a marina. I actually found Emsworth quite charming: *real* fishmongers, ironmongers, greengrocers... And of course a panoply of pubs.

Not sure yet about Ichenor. Didn't see a marina, so we might have to row or wade ashore. But the pub is great.

And of course, once back in CH, shall have a few weeks for winterizing and arranging to be hauled for the winter.

(Although, based on this summer, the winter shouldn't be too fierce. 33.5°C at LHR??? Yikes..

Thoughts?

Thanks for the previous advice, that ended us up quite happily in Chichester. I've posted a full year's berth there, so shall not go much farther afield until perhaps summer 2014, but always looking for insights.

Such a lovely, peaceful piece of the world. So many lovely people.

Cheers, Andy