Monday 30 August 2010

Sandbanks Chain Ferry


pic by peter lloyd from Wikimedia Commons

We crossed on this chain ferry from Studland to Sandbanks today as part of a round trip drive out through the gorgeous Portland countryside and back to Poole. At first waiting in the ferry queue was a pain. Then we moved up near to the slipway and had a first class view of all the sea-going traffic heading in and out of Poole harbour.

Because it's a bank holiday here today, it was really busy. The short crossing is the only entrance to the enormous harbour area from the sea. People were enjoying themselves in craft small and large, slow and fast. There were water scooters zipping along in a shower of spray; cruise boats loaded with passengers; Sunseeker power boats with millionaire owners on board; fishing boats and pleasure boats.

And once we were on board the ferry had to wait as the harbour master's little boat led the way out for a small tanker with half a dozen containers on its deck. That crew had to work, bank holiday notwithstanding.

3 comments:

Sheila @ A Postcard a Day said...

I've been on that ferry a few times, when we used to live in Hampshire. I collected my mother from a short break she had there once or twice. I was amazed at how busy it could be.

Joanne Olivieri said...

That is a beautiful shot and a quite large ferry boat. I've always loved being on ferries, especially the Star Ferry in Hong Kong.

Unknown said...

Hello Sheila - good to hear from you.

Thanks Jo. I've never been to Hong Kong but love reading about it.

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