19th March - Poole

This is a planned day off, so after an early breakfast, I walked the short distance down to the waterfront

along to Poole Quay

and waited 

for the 11:30 departure for a cruise around Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island. 

......so that's what happened to Aunty Betty!!!..

We went as far as the entrance to Poole Harbour

to see the chain-ferry outside the Dunes Hotel

before turning to have a look at Brownsea Castle

which was commissioned by Henry VIII to protect the entrance to Poole Harbour from attack, now owned by the National Trust and leased to John Lewis Partneship.

I was able to watch some close Sunday morning yacht racing

and then watch a Dutch registered fishing boat

dredge netting for shellfish

which I later watched tie-up on the wall back at Poole Quay.

with all its catch on display!

I can't imagine it was what the vocal fishermen in the South West wanted when they voted to "take back control"!

Then back ashore for a relaxed lunch on the Quay

before walking passed a shoal of Sunseekers at their boatyard - I counted 16 of them..... 

...is this what they mean by 'capital tied-up'??

Before returning to my hotel passing this attractive assemblage on the public slip. 

A good day and well rested for tomorrow.