Friday 20 August 2010

52 Walks in 2010 - Walk 18 - Weymouth, Dorset (1) (7th August 2010)

We have just spent a fortnight on holiday in Dorset and managed to take quite a few walks whilst we were away so hopefully I am not now quite so far behind with my '52 Walks'!

Our first walk was to the harbour at Weymouth. On our way we walked alongside the marina. Weymouth marina is a modern, purpose built marina and on this day it was full ready for the Skandia Sail for Gold 2010 Regatta (part of the ISAF Sailing World Cup) which was taking place the following week.



A few minutes later and we arrived at the 17th Century harbour with its pubs, restaurants and family attractions. The port of Weymouth was once two communities, Weymouth on the south side and Melcombe Regis on the north. Arguments over the harbour were, for centuries, so bitter that in 1571 Queen Elizabeth I intervened and proclaimed that the two unite, becoming the Borough of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis. Our walk took us along the north side. As well as numerous pleasure boats there were several fishing boats moored up.









The ports of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis are joined by a bascule bridge - a type of drawbridge that uses counter weights to raise the road levers.The bridge known as Town Bridge opens at two-hourly intervals during the summer to allow ships to pass through that are too high to pass under it.



Whilst we were there the bridge opened allowing several tall sailing ships to pass through on their way out the sea.




1 comment:

Deb said...

Karen, glad to see that you are catching up on your walks & photos. Loved these harbour shots - especially the lobster pots and the one with the bridge up.