There Comes a Time for Cake and Candles

It was my birthday. Sarah treated me to a surprise trip on the Sunday although the actual day fell on the Monday, of which I had the day off. I'd asked the boss if it was OK and he said it was. As the boss is me I couldn't really refuse could I?
We had a pub lunch prior to the trip upon which Sarah revealed the surprise. A mini cruise on the steamship Shieldhall, leaving from Southampton cruise terminal... 

The Shieldhall was moored next to P&O ship Ventura, one of 4 cruise ships leaving port that day.
The modern cruise ship resembles more like a floating block of flats compared to the Shieldhall.

Along from Shieldhall was the Tug Tender Calshot, going through the slow process of restoration

The Light Ship Calshot now preserved and shorebound marks the entrance to Ocean Terminal

As we headed down Southampton Water, I looked back towards the cruise liners loading their passengers.
Further ahead is Fawley oil refinery with the tankers moored along the jetty.

Just a little way beyond is the now redundant Fawley power station. Closed in March 2013 and awaiting it's fate. A housing estate and marina complex is proposed in years to follow.

Next up as you reach the mouth of Southampton Water and the entrance to the Solent is Calshot Castle, built between 1539 and 1540 by Henry VIII. The RNLI lifeboat station is next to it with the old Saunders Roe flying boat hangers behind. Seaplanes were mass produced here but was closed in 1961 and is now used as an activities centre.
As a child in the mid 70's I used to watch excited as a Shorts Sunderland, operated by Antilles Airboats fly pleasure trips along the Solent from here. The said aircraft is now housed in a museum in Southampton.

The Solent is one of the busiest shipping channels in the world and there is always something to see. Here a vehicle transporter heads out of Southampton.
This day coincided with the annual cricket match on Bramble Bank. A sandy spit that is only accessible for a few minutes each year at the very lowest tide right in the middle of the Solent.
The game only lasts a few minutes and the winner is pre determined beforehand regardless of play!

As we reached Norris Castle on the Isle of Wight, we turned and headed back. The first of the cruise ships had begun to depart. First up was Navigator of the Seas.

She is nearly 140'000 gross tonnage, carries 3'800 passengers and 1200 crew.

Not far behind is the P&O ship Aurora, followed closely by the same companys' ship Ventura

Back on board the Shieldhall, the old way of sailing had more appeal to me than the modern. You could even visit the bridge too.

Looking down from the bridge the volunteer crew had a well earned cuppa along with the passengers. I had visited the engine room too and I can report than even on the chilliest of Solent sailing days it was the quickest way to warm up. I don't know how they stood the heat working in such conditions!

Nearly home, we passed the site of the Royal Victoria Hospital. The only building remaining is the chapel. Before the demolition on 16th September 1966 - 50 years and 3 days prior to our trip - it was an enormous structure stretching in equal direction either side of the chapel and behind with it's own pier also.

Netley Abbey founded in 1239 now a ruin

The Red Funnel 'Red Jet' catamaran speeding it's way to Southampton and to our journeys end.
I thoroughly enjoyed my surprise trip out and seeing the sights of Southampton Water and The Solent aboard such an old ship lovingly kept afloat by people with a passion for such heritage.  Certain sights leave me feeling a little uneasy however, such as the oil refinery and the cruise ships, given their poor record regarding their 'green' credentials or acute lack of them.

Day 2 had me back by the sea but firmly on terra firma and firmly back in the bosom of Mother Nature 
Having the day off on a Monday has always instilled in me some form of decadence and I was going to enjoy it for all it was worth.

I began my walk in the morning at Hill Head. Sarah dropped me off on her way out as I was to walk a partial way to the Haven Nature Reserve and up along the canal path heading north to Titchfield Village where I was to meet her, my Mum and Mother in law for a pub lunch, then walk home.

The harbour at the Haven was calm and warm as the tide receded.    

Redshank fed along the exposed shore

I love the beach shacks here too

Looking into the reserve, A Little Egret posed nicely and a Cormorant dried its wings after a fishing expedition.

I began on the canal path. The previous couple of days had produced northerly winds and my hope of migrant birds showing themselves would have been dealt a blow by this, but I didn't let it dampen my spirits, especially when I stumbled across a beautiful male Golden Ringed Dragonfly.

Butterflies are becoming less abundant but you can always rely on a Speckled Wood for a late show

This individual proved an obliging model

The Ivy is beginning to flower. Very much maligned,  it is one of the most important plants, providing food, shelter, reproduction and home for a diverse array of species.

Another dragonfly gave great views upon resting, a Southern Hawker this time

I managed to see 4 species of Butterfly,a Red Admiral, Small White and this Comma posed well for me

One bird I had hoped to see was this Whinchat. It stops off for a final feed prior to hopping across the channel for warmer climes. It proved elusive so this was the best shot I could get.

I had nearly reached the village for lunch. I could hear a pint of real ale calling to me. I could also see a female Sparrowhawk being mobbed by two Jackdaws. They gave chase for quite a while. After they gave up, so did I, and headed for my intended hostelry.

After an enjoyable birthday lunch with my family, I was dropped off at Warsash for a walk along the coastal path.
The pylons were chattering, full of roosting Starlings battling for the best perch.

I followed the path down to the shore where the heathland has a chance to throw up a few rare species. A few early waders and ducks were on the scrapes and a Whitethroat flitted obligingly in the scrub ahead of me.

Moorhens always have the odd way to surprise. This one sat on top of the bramble bush and feasted on the fruit.

As I wound my why back towards the Haven, the Black Tailed Godwit were leaving their high tide roost to feed on the receding shore.

Kes put in an appearance. Always a welcome sight

Out on the sea, the Great Crested Grebes were beginning to build in numbers. They spend the winter here after breeding on inland lakes, rivers and reservoirs. This one is still in it's summer plumage

The Mediterranean Gulls have receded into their winter plumage however and make it harder to tell them apart from the numerous Black headed Gulls. They are paler, stockier and have a thicker, less dainty bill too. There were twenty or so among the couple of hundred Black Headeds'.

I had nearly reached the Haven by now and my legs were telling me I had traveled far enough. Luckily Sarah had agreed to pick me up from there but I was able to get a last shot of a Chiffcaff feeding in the scrub ready for its own journey which was considerably longer than mine. I don't envy this tiny creature that but rather in awe of it's ability for one so small. Good luck little one.

N.B. The title of this post is from a lyric from the song 'Happy Birthday' by Lenny Kravitz