BANISH THOSE JANUARY BLUES WITH A VISIT TO THE TULLET PREBON LONDON BOAT SHOW 2013 AT EXCEL, LONDON FROM THE 12TH – 20TH JANUARY
Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or boat owner, or you’re merely looking to dip your toe into some form of aquatic activity, the London Boat Show 2013 is a great day out – and has something for everyone.
The Southampton Boat Show saw a mixture of weather patterns this year especially over the last weekend with blazing sun and 18 degrees on Saturday, and the highest visitor attendance of the week, to high winds and torrential rain on Sunday. Attendance figures for the Southampton Boat Show were down slightly on 2011 to 109,722. Retailers reported good sales.
Here are some images from the Southampton Boat Show in case you could not get down to Mayflower Park this year. Just a reminder that the London Boat Show runs from 12th-20th January 
2013 at the ExCel Centre in London Docklands. Also running at the ExCel Centre from 17th to 20th January 2013 is The Outdoors Show, The Active Travel Show and The London Bike Show. One ticket should gain entry to all four shows.
The Pontoon was a hive of activity this year with lots of boats to look at and board. One of my favourites was the Amelie Rose the replica Isles of Scilly Pilot Cutter that appeared in the ITV programme The Hungry Sailors.
My picture does not do her justice. If you can hunt her down do so, as she is so beautiful. She is a working cutter so there are many ways to experience her from taking RYA qualifications to traditional boat building courses. Also down on the Pontoon was the Free Do and Try. Visitors new to sailing could sign up and have a go, and those with some experience had a chance to participate in free workshops to improve their skills.
Whatever your boating interests, there was plenty to satisfy you down on the Pontoon at the Southampton Boat Show.
Back on dry land, there were lots of attractions around the showground. One of my particular favourites was the Sea Kitchen Theatre at the Southampton Boat Show. Fabulous talks on all manner of subjects could be heard here throughout the day, from Sarah Donohue talking about her life as a Power Boat Racer to cooking with celebrity chef Mark Sargeant. Running talks throughout the week was Katy Davidson
from Mangez-Moi. Katy is very knowledgeable about all things oyster. She wants to raise awareness about the health benefits of oysters and to highlight the plight of the native oyster which is functionally extinct in the wild. Katy’s talks were very informative, funny and she was a joy to watch. 
Her enthusiasm for the oyster was contagious and I for one, an oyster virgin, decided to give them a try. Oysters from different Oysterages were given out for visitors to try and also compare and I can confirm they were delicious. Let’s hope Katy will be attending the London Boat Show in January so more visitors can sample all the delights that oysters have to offer.
Once the oyster tasting had finished it was over to the Burley Fudge stand to try some crumbly (crumbly is the best) fudge. 
There were many flavours to chose from including chocolate (my absolute favourite), rum and raisin, strawberries and cream and good old clotted cream fudge. After dessert, it was decided that lunch would not be complete without a drink so it was off to the Guinness Bar for refreshment and to meet up with some members from the site. 
Always a good place to meet friends and make new ones, the Guinness Bar is a firm favourite with many a seasoned Southampton Boat Show visitor.
Suitably refreshed I had to make my annual visit to the GN Espace stand for a chat with Julian and Ralph. Always at the forefront of galley equipment, I like to catch up with what is going on in the field of cooking on board. GN Espace is now proud to be partners with the Wonderbag. The Wonderbag is a heat-retentive cooking bag that can be used onboard to save gas used during cooking. It’s a bit like a slow cooker. Food is heated up in a pan on the 
stove and then the pan is placed into the bag where it continues to cook without the need for additional energy.
Last of all but by no means least is a stand that always seems to have a presence at the Southampton Boat Show. Latitude Kinsale is a family run business that specialises in unique handcrafted 3D nautical charts that are custom made to order. Using selected charts from any part of the world, they create a relief 3D chart showing the depths and contours around the coastline. They look terrific and would make a great gift idea for a birthday, wedding, anniversary, retirement or the “C” word! Not only can they be hung on the wall they can be made into furniture. Any chart can be chosen so
it could be where you live, sail or a special place where you have fond memories.
So all that remains is to tell you the dates for next years Southampton Boat Show 13th – 22nd September 2013. Also take a look at our article entitled The Boat Show which gives you information on how to get to the Southampton Boat Show, where to park, where to eat and where to stay. All from a local perspective.
Erica
The Boat Show in question is the Southampton Boat Show. The Boat Show is an annual event hosted by the vibrant port of Southampton in Hampshire, UK. I live just 10 minutes from this wonderful city and would like to impart my local knowledge to the readers regarding the boat show, how to get to the Boat Show, where to stay, where to eat and the best places to park.
2021: 10 – 19 September 10:00 – 18:30
The Boat Show incorporates 3 main areas, Mayflower Park, Herbert Walker Avenue, and West Quay Road. Stairs and raised walkways carry visitors over the two roads and to each area of the Boat Show. There is disabled access to each area if the stairs cannot be used.
Entrance to the show can be found in front of The Quays Swimming and Diving Complex. For mapping purposes use – SO15 1AJ this is the show entrance, but you cannot park here. See below for details on where to park.
Southampton Central is the nearest mainline railway station to the Boat Show. It is approximately 1 mile from the station to the Boat Show, but it is an easy, flat walk through shopping areas. Alternatively, there are usually plenty of taxis waiting outside the station if you would prefer not to walk.
Trains from Waterloo, Portsmouth and Weymouth have direct lines through to Southampton Central. If you are travelling from the West you can change at Salisbury and any Northern routes can change at London Waterloo, Basingstoke or Reading. When leaving the station leave by the South entrance and turn left towards the pedestrian crossing just after the footbridge. Cross over and follow the path ahead which runs up the side of ToysRus. Head across the car park towards Furniture Village and then walk around FV to the left towards JD Sport and Decathlon. Walk around to the left of Decathlon and then follow the path ahead, past the car park entrance, until you see the entrance of the show.
There no longer seems to be a park and ride scheme in operation for the boat show.
There is a National Express Coach Station between 1/2 and 3/4 of a mile from the Boat Show entrance. The station address is National Express, Harbour Parade, Southampton, SO51. See the map below for the location of the coach station.
Southampton is easily accessible from both the M3 and M27. The AA is very good at providing signage for the show and indeed their yellow signs are in place weeks before the event, so I won’t give you alternative directions for travel into the city, just head for junction 3 of the M27.
There are approximately 10,000 car parking spaces in Southampton but with approximately 100,000 visitors coming into the city to attend the Boat Show over the 10 days, some inside knowledge would be helpful. If you can, try and park in one of the city council car parks. Their prices are reasonable and they will not be increased during the duration of the show, unlike some of the privately-owned car parks in the city. All the city council car parks are open for 24-hour stays and most charges apply from Monday to Saturday 08:30 – 17:30 and Sundays 12noon to 17:30, however, there are some exceptions so please check.
The city council car parks nearest to the Boat Show are:
The Quays South; Albion Place; Castle Way; Bargate Stree; Harbour Parade; The Quays North.
Southampton City Council has details of other city council car parks.
West Quay Shopping Centre car park is very close to the entrance and in my view is the best. This is privately owned but doesn’t raise its prices and I’ve parked here a few times. Currently, they are offering all-day parking for just £5. It is, however, the main car park for the shops in the West Quay Shopping Centre so it can get very busy.
AVOID the NCP car parks, they have been known to raise their prices just for the 10 days of the Boat Show.
Parkopedia have a very good website detailing all the car parks and their charges.
Living so close to Southampton I have not needed to stay overnight for the Boat Show. However, along the West Quay Road in Southampton, just along from the Boat Show there are a great many hotels. The best of all is the Devere Grand Harbour Hotel. Within crawling distance of the Boat Show, this is the place to stay if you have money to burn! Within a stone’s throw of the Boat Show, there is the Holiday Inn, and opposite the entrance a Premier Inn and a new Moxy hotel. Further along West Quay Road, there are numerous cheaper hotels such as Novotel, Etap and Ibis. I know all the hotels near to the Boat Show get booked up very quickly so you need to book well in advance and you may see a price hike too. You could consider staying a little out of Southampton in one of the surrounding towns. Romsey is a lovely market town with Broadlands Estate, home to Lord Mountbatten. There are a few hostelries in the town namely The White Horse in the centre, and The Dairy, or The Mortimer Arms Inn a little further out.
There are plenty of food outlets inside the Boat Show, and if you are planning to spend all day at the show then this will be your easiest option. The organisers of the Boat Show, in their infinite wisdom, do not allow re-entry to the show. Once you have left they did not allow to come back in. The vast majority of the food outlet can be a little pricey but do try and find the Mayflower Park Kiosk. This is a small cafe that usually serves the visitors to the park, but when the Boat Show comes to town the cafe is swallowed up inside the showground. However, their prices remain reasonable and they do a roaring trade during the duration of the show. There is a small playground for young children too. The cafe can be found over in the furthest section of the showground. When you come down the last set of stairs and onto the tarmac turn left and head between the Beneteau and Jeanneau stands towards the food outlet area, walk just a little further on and you will see the cafe tucked away on the left next to the playground.
The Boat Show is very close (2 minutes walk) to the West Quay Shopping Centre in Southampton, 90 stores over 3 floors and a food terrace on the 3rd floor. There is the new West Quay complex right next to the show with restaurants and a cinema. So before or after visiting the show, you will have plenty of restaurants to pick from. West Quay is also near to the old city shops, so there is a wealth of eateries. A cheap option would be the Ikea Restaurant. You can’t miss the big blue and yellow building close to the Boat Show, and the restaurant is close to the main entrance so you don’t have to traipse around the store to reach it. They have a fantastic view of Southampton Water and the Cinema! My favourite is the John Lewis Cafe. This is in the West Quay complex on the top floor and has a great view too, at least it did before Ikea popped up! Kuti’s is a pan Asian Thai restaurant located at the Royal Thai Pier (sandwiched between the showground and the Red Funnel ferry terminal). This is a very popular place to eat so booking in advance is recommended. One last place to try would be Ocean Village. A 15-minute walk from the showground. If the weather is good you can sit out here overlooking the marina. Admire the many boats and watch all the watery activities.
I hope you have found this article helpful, please re-post for others to share. Related articles: Southampton Boat Show 2013 – What’s new this year, Southampton Boat Show 2014
Erica
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As we near the end of the Olympic sailing events in Weymouth, the town can be congratulated for its fantastic organisation. Everything has operated like clockwork and nothing has been too much trouble. The crowds, granted not all from Weymouth, have shown the world what a friendly, welcoming, supportive, tolerant, bunch we are, not to mention our great sporting prowess!
If you can, do try and get down to the last of the events. Thursday 9th sees the Women’s Elliot 6m semis with the final on Saturday 11th and Friday 10th the Women’s 470 medal race.
Medal Count as at 08.08.12
Weymouth is found on the beautiful Dorset coast, called the Jurassic Coast and a World Heritage Site. Weymouth can be reached by car, an excellent park and ride service is in operation, train or bus.
Featured Image courtesy of CarolineG2011’s Photostream
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We are very lucky to have a wonderful guest blog this month from Richard Sibley, tall ships photographer from the Tall Ships Gallery. Here he talks about his trip to see the Lerwick Tall Ships Race and shows us some of his stunning shots of the ships.
We took off from Glasgow, the cloud cover finally breaking as we flew out over the North Sea to Sumburgh airport and the news that local traffic was causing a slight delay. Our pilot announced that we would fly up to Lerwick harbour for a birds-eye view of the Tall Ships, my first since they had left Waterford. Then a bus trip from the airport to ‘Solbrekke’ my B&B in Sandwick and a note on the door…..
“Gone to town back later, your room is down the corridor on the right”
The view from my window looked straight over the bay to Mousa Island and the 2000-year-old Broch that resided there. The landscape soft and flowing, sculpted by the wind and rain, no trees, I couldn’t say I was living out in the sticks but there were plenty of sheep and rabbits.
My host returned and I cadged a lift into town, I hadn’t eaten since early that morning, the smell of fish and chips heavy in the air as I walked along streets named King Harald, King Erik and the Closs or lanes that ran down to the quays, Nicholson, Greig and Pirate. I expected to meet a Viking any minute. After some Food and a walk around the boats, I found the appropriately named Viking Bus Station and checked out the times – the last bus had gone so a cab home, made a mental note to get a timetable and checked the cab fare before boarding (thoughts of Danegeld on my mind) but all was well.
Throughout the week the weather gave way from sunshine and showers to strong winds and decreasing visibility, I wondered if the tall ships race might be postponed. The Shipping forecast predicting northerly winds force 5 or 6 occasionally 7 and in adjacent sea area Viking severe gale force 9.
After the Captains Briefing on Saturday a press conference was called to announce a 24-hour delay, a relief! Although the Class A ships would cope the smaller vessels would have had a very hard time indeed and the smaller media boats wouldn’t venture out at all. It also meant I would miss my flight and the next available seat was not for another week.
Sunday arrived with strong winds, the spray rising above the island of Mousa, grateful for the cooked breakfast I wandered down to the beach for a walk, deserted except the pier for the ferry to the island, a few small houses and ‘Sand Lodge’ parts of which date back to the 1600s, it was used for many years as a home by the Bruces of Sumburgh.
On Monday at 3 pm as arranged the ‘Julie Rose’ down from Unst picked us up at the small boat harbour by the Lodeberries, the old houses by the sea once used by fisherman and smugglers of yore. Our skipper Davey and mate Edmund had brought some guests, a couple from New Zealand, although born and bred in the Shetland, Laurie and Mary, now retired were visiting family. I boarded with three other photographers one all the way from San Francisco. The weather was overcast and visibility very poor as we set out into the Bressay Sound. It was 1500hrs the tall ships race due to start at 1700, as we headed seaward we were soon passed by the naval vessels who would form the start line and the ship NLV Pharos with the media onboard.
Predicting where the ships would cross the line is always a bit tricky at least until the last minute. There is always a “No go zone’ (NGZ) by the windward start boat that no one is allowed to enter. The ships as one would expect usually pass fairly close to the windward mark, the NGZ preventing any chaos that might otherwise occur.
As we moved into position the MIR (Russia) crossed the line with her sister ship the Dar Mlodziezy (Poland) close behind, followed I think by Eendracht, Pogoria and Gloria. Aboard the ‘Julie Rose’ we steadied ourselves with difficulty as we attempted to keep up with the fleet, there was still a bit of a sea running the swell noticeably larger as we left the lee of the land, strong northerly winds and two photographers already feeling sick. Mary sat quietly in the saloon, petite, demure, her hair immaculate, she was a beacon of calm, her eyes bright, watching the events as they unfolded. She must have thought us all mad.
I had been yelling instructions to our skipper Davey who by now had dropped into the vernacular with Laurie and Edmund translating our demands, ‘stills photography’ being a precise science under these conditions. Davey responded superbly despite the difficulties.
A photographer tumbled and had to be helped up another was seasick and out of action. The ham rolls were passed around. Gloria was looking very graceful, the wind suited her better than Waterford, the Schooner ‘Gulden Leeuw’ (Netherlands) flying with 3 of her 4 topsail set and the Norwegian barque Statsraad Lehmkuhl at times hull down, hidden by the swell. Another photographer joined the sick list, the rolls came round again, egg this time.
We were travelling first class, the ‘Julie Rose’ handled the conditions well. We covered the Dutch Schooners ‘Eendracht’ then the ‘Wylde Swan’ who ended the tall ships race first on the water. Then the Dutch clipper brig ‘Morgenster’ and Europa also known as the ‘Ocean Wanderer’ a nickname acquired through her ambitious winter voyages to Antarctica and tall ship racing in the summer. We were back to 2.5 photographers as we headed for the Norwegian full-rigged ship ‘Sorlandet’, no sign of the ‘Christian Radich’ well… she is a witch, then the German barque ‘Alexander von Humboldt’ with her green sails providing a welcome contrast to the grey skies, she was eventually first in her class (A).
25 miles offshore with the fleet spread far and wide it was time to head back, welcome news for two of us at least. A couple of pints in the ‘Lounge’ in Lerwick famous for its traditional music then back to my B&B the very comfortable ‘Solbrekke’ in Sandwick, head down and ferry to Aberdeen tomorrow then train home, about 36 hours.
Richard.
To see more of Richard’s work, please click on Tall Ships Gallery Here you can read about other tall ship races, and prints of the tall ships can also be purchased.
Article and Photos courtesy of www.tallshipsgallery.co.uk
MV ‘Julie Rose’ Muckle Flugga Charters www.muckleflugga.co.uk
So the snow never arrived and with temperatures of 12 degrees C today, I guess that’s it for the chance of snow for another year. It did make for a very lovely walk through the water meadows though with Milo, so I’m not complaining, and what better way to start the year than with a competition.
This months competition to win a years gold membership to the site is very easy. All you need to do is “like” our Facebook page during January and your name will be put into a hat and a winner drawn on 31st January 2012. The winner will be announced on the Lovesail News Blog. Here for a link to the Facebook page otherwise copy and paste this link into your browser www.facebook.com/lovesail Good Luck.
Last months winner of the Photo Competition and a year’s gold membership was Caribejohn with his picture of Lucy the dog. See here to see the winning shot, a very deserved win I’m sure you will agree.
Congratulations also go to Scubad1ver who entered the competition and won the months gold membership.
Any members visiting the London Boat Show this week, I am in and out throughout the week so if you would like to meet up for a yarn/drink then please do send me a message (Lovesail Erica) or email me through the contact form. It is always exciting to meet the members.
Wishing you all, but more especially my 16-year-old, a happy Winter-een-mas.
This year will see the usual attractions at the Tullett Prebon London Boat Show including the giant Watersports Action Pool where you can have-a-go at a range of activities from dinghy sailing to wakeboarding and also watch some live action including the canoe polo championships. The top boat manufacturers will be exhibiting their boats on the Boardwalk, which is unique in that it lets you view the boats as if they were on the water, but you can also view the underside without getting wet!
Other shows included in the price of your boat show ticket at Excel are The Outdoor Show (12th-15th Jan), which also features the Outdoors Careers Show, The Active Travel Show (12th-15th Jan) which also features the Year Out Expo and The London Bike Show can also be seen from 12th-15th Jan.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit the London Boat Show
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Congratulations to Caribejohn who has won the Lovesail Photo Competition with this picture of Lucy his dog. He wins a year’s gold membership to the site.
Please keep checking the blog, twitter or our Facebook page for details of our next competition when we will be giving away another Gold membership.
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Fed up with sailing solo or single-handed? Exasperated with meeting matches that refuse to step onboard a boat? Then join our friendly community and connect with sailing women and men who are ready for their next sailing adventure. Some of our members are liveaboards, some are weekend sailors. Whatever you are looking for you could find it on Lovesail. It’s quick and easy to join and once you have been approved as a genuine sailing enthusiast then you can build a profile and add sailing pictures to your profile. So join in the fun today.
Thank’s to those of you that have sent in your sailing pet pictures for the Lovesail photo competition. The prize for the best photo is a years gold membership to the site. Below is the gallery of entrants:
Fantastic entrants for the photo competition I think you will agree.
Not familiar with Lovesail? We have been established since 2004 and are the original dating and social networking site for single saling enthusiasts. We have a database full of single sailing women and men waiting to meet up for sailing and dating, friendships and crewing opportunities around the world. Our members are for all different walks of life with a variety of sailing experience. Join our friendly sailing community now. It’s quick and easy to sign up, and once you have been approved (we only let genuine sailors onboard) then you have access to the whole database. Look around and when you are ready to chat just subscribe to one our many memberships. We even have a lifetime membership, unheard of in the world of dating. The lifetime membership is our most popular and allows you to take your time searching for your sailing match. So whether you are looking for a cruising companion, a liveaboard lover or a weekend wanderer, find them on Lovesail today.
Northumberland Fusiliers – Hi Everyone
Very nearly there and what a great trip. Shame that we have had to motor the last three hundred miles but it has allowed us to clean and tidy Casamara. A few minor repair jobs scheduled for ST L. Thanks to everyone on board and bigger thanks to my wife and family who have indulged me in this adventure. Love to you all. Simon P
Over to Charles for the history lesson and Julian for gastro news.
Battle for St Lucia – the feather in my cap
Charlie’s second contribution and one that he’s keen to write as he has a story to tell; its one that isn’t however related to life on Casamara over the last 24 hours but is pertinent to our imminent “nearly there”arrival to St Lucia. In 1778, the British Army was sent to St Lucia to make battle with the occupying French and restore British sovereignty over the Island. The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, the 5th of Foot, was the unit selected to take on this task. Battle was joined on St Lucia, and the white feather hackles from the headdress of the defeated French soldiers were taken by the Geordie victors and worn in their hats. The popular myth is that the white feather hackles had red tips because they were dipped in French blood. The truth behind the story is that the Northumberland Fusiliers new addition to their uniform was so admired back in England that all infantry regiments were ordered to wear them; to give the triumphant Northumberland Fusiliers the recognition they deserved they were given a Royal status, thus the red tips. I (Charlie) am a serving soldier in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, the descendent regiment of the Northumberland Fusiliers, so have worn the hackle with pride every day of my service and will be wearing one in sailing hat today as we land. A few days in St Lucia gives me the opportunity to understand the detail of the run up to the confrontation in 1778 and visit the battlefield(s); very exciting if that’s what fires your rockets. If you want to know more about the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers do visit the Regiment’s Headquarters in the Tower of London adjacent to the Jewel House. Charlie
Well we are now only 6 hours from our destination, our ETA is just past midnight local time. I do have a similar feeling now to when I finished a trip I did some years ago, when we sailed from Hawaii to Tahiti. That trip was 2,500 miles straight down the middle of the Pacific. Essentially myself and my traveling companion Tom had overstayed our welcome on the US mainland and rather than try to leave via an international airport, we decided to fly to Hawaii (classed as an internal flight) and to slip away by boat instead. Having spent some time on Maui, we left around midnight one night and just sailed off in a 37 foot yacht that was very basic to say the least. It had no engine and no heads and the only means of navigation was a sextant. After nearly 4 weeks at sea and having overcome all sorts of challenges, we landed on Maupiti which is one of the outermost islands in the Tahitian island group and then had the pleasure of visiting Raiatea, Bora Bora and finally Tahiti itself!
As you know this trip has been somewhat different in terms of the total quality of the vessel we have sailed in, but the feeling of achievement is none the less because of that! I’m not sure quite yet, what we will have as our final supper before heading into the local restaurants for the rest of the time we all have in the Caribbean, but lunch was a filling pasta dish with prawns, sundried tomatoes, pine nuts and herbs all wrapped up in a white wine and cream sauce. I have very much enjoyed writing about my culinary adventure on this trip and hope that you have enjoyed reading about it. If you would like to keep up with my cruising cuisine column, you will find it in the Sailing Today Magazine, where over the following few months, I will be featuring some of the dishes that I have prepared over the past few weeks. Also a selection of the recipes will, as always be posted on our website GN Espace or you can always email me directly for information at julian@gn-espace.com on any of the issues and galley equipment highlighted on this trip.
One final mention is that of a new GN Espace cookery course that we will be launching at the London Boat Show in January 2012. Adam Gray, my Michelin starred colleague, who has his own cookery school in Northamptonshire and I will be doing a series of cookery courses, partly land based there in Northamptonshire and partly yacht based in the Solent, for anyone who would like to get more acquainted with the rudiments of galley catering. Again for more details please email me at my email address above or come and see me at the London Boat Show in January 2012.
Thanks again to everyone who has followed our progress and good luck in all your sailing adventures, wherever they may take you. Julian Kimberley
Image: St Lucia Sunset courtesy of Ardyiii’s Photostream
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