South Coast
& Thames Part 4
Report and picture by Martin Longhurst
As we were leaving the
quayside at Southampton on Sunday 12 September 2010, we overheard Captain
O’Brian telling a docker that the weather forecast for the early part of the
week was poor. This turned out to be
correct and the steamer stayed tied up at Berth 49 until the morning of the
Thursday. Monday was a planned
off-service day but unfortunately the entire sailings for Tuesday and Wednesday
had to be cancelled in the face of high winds.
Away in the West Country, Balmoral made her last voyage of the season
from Penarth, Portishead (in place of Clevedon) to Bristol on the Wednesday and
moved safely to her winter berth the following day.
Things had settled down
completely by Thursday morning and Waverley was able to take up service at
Portsmouth Harbour. A good number of
passengers were on board as she sailed in bright conditions with light
airs. The first call at Yarmouth again
produced a large crowd and soon we were in the open sea heading for Bournemouth. The sea was calm and the call went ahead
unhindered. Across the Bay to Swanage
where excursionists were able to change to a steam train to Corfe Castle. On to the west, the firing range was in
action so we had to keep out to sea on the way to Lulworth. At three o’clock Captain O’Brian announced
that the Commanding Officer had ceased firing for the day and we able to head
straight for the Cove and then return by the inshore route. Chris Philips (of Wight) gave his well
researched commentary as we cruised along the Jurassic Coast once again.
As we rounded Durleston Head,
approaching Swanage once again, the local trip boat Solent Scene was spotted
heading for the Pier. Unfortunately she
uses the same berth as the paddler, so we had no alternative but to wait off
until she set sail again. This put the
Waverley about 15 minutes behind time and this deficit stayed with us to
Portsmouth despite some fast steaming.
Passing Cowes Purser Jim announced that sunset at 7.15 meant autumn was
here