Ferryman's Notes
Charlotte Rose has now joined the fleet. Previously a dive boat in Portland, she has now been converted to passenger carrying and now started work. She will be particularily useful for the occasions we are asked to scatter ashes at sea.
The other boats now busy with their summer duties and at present Solent Rose is carring many groups of school children.
The Needles trips this year will be provided by the RIB Wightwater Rose which is proving to be a popular move.
Charlotte Rose at her renaming ceremony 11 July 2011:
The renaming was performed by Dawn assisted by 4 year old Charlotte (William's friend)
The custom is to name boats with names of monarchs or consorts from the period whilst the castle existed; Charlotte was the wife of George 111.
Bird Spotting Notes
Winter arrivals now showing in the river. First of the Brent Geese now with us after their summer holidays in Russia. Lot more wader to be seen with large numbers of Godwits and Curlews. Big numbers of Egrets and Herons also moved into the river. Sad to watch the Swallows and Wheatears passing through Hurst heading South and also to watch the last of the Terns disappear, but as the number of Winter visitors grow daily still plenty to see.
Fishy News
Catches of Bass and Mackerel still holding up but not as plentiful as mid Summer, even a few Bream still being caught off the beach. The Seal in the river is catching good size Mullet and Flounders.
10th October 2011