Epsom to Firestone Copse to Brading

A3 southbound more congested than usual in the Guildford area, but we made it to the ferry terminal in the old town with time enough. With the top deck of the terminal having already been noticed at reference 1.

The boat

The bill

One square rigger parked near the Warrior. Also, one flashy yacht, the Amaryllis. Rather out of our league, even for a trip around the harbour. But I was amused to find at reference 2, that one goes to all the expense of such a yacht so that one can hang a slide off the side, the sort of slide that can be had for a fraction of the cost at any self-respecting indoor swimming pool - and you could probably hire the pool for your private party for the loose change in your butler's pocket if you did not care to mix it with the great unwashed.

Schimmel straight

Schimmel bender

I did not think it right to score the elegant Schimmel Pegasus piano to be found in the yacht's piano bar in my piano series as we did not actually see it. See reference 8.

The only faintly naval vessel to be seen in the Solent was a sort of harbour master's launch, but in naval grey rather than harbour master blue.

Firestone Copse

Off the boat to picnic at Firestone Copse, a place we have been visiting for at least ten years. Although I may have rather exaggerated the diameter of the large pine trees which we mainly go to see.

Telephone and site not suitable for taking in this tree all in one go, so I slid up instead. Note the interesting pattern of the curved, higher branches. What controls the direction of the curve?

A bit of context - one

A bit of context - two

Another tree

With more curving branches

Once again we declined the milk machine in the little bus shelter style shed outside Coppid Hall Farm, a little to the south of the copse. See reference 4.

Arrived at Brading to find Heima closed and more or less stripped out, awaiting a new entrepreneur. A pity, as we had rather enjoyed our meals there - but not a surprise as they rarely seemed busy and their opening hours were idiosyncratic. See reference 5.

Later we took a walk around the back, up into Brading woods, woods which support a heritage tree walk, noticed a couple of years ago at reference 6.

In the woods

Some pyramid orchids on exit from the woods, above the Mall (that is to say what used to be the main drag in the days when Brading was an important harbour). See reference 7 for a recent sighting in Epsom. Perhaps they really are as common as the wild flower books say.

The recreational field, between the woods and the Mall. Must be quite a few acres, including young trees at the top, grass and ancient wrought iron benches for two in the middle and children's facilities at the bottom. Surgery beyond that. With the fence around the playground being visible beneath the tree. A splendid facility for a village to have; presumably the gift of a generous farmer or land owner.

Dined at the busy Bugle, taking their beef pie (home made) and house Sauvignon Blanc (from Chile). All very satisfactory and washed down with a spot of Jameson. The best house within walking range of our cottage. Unpretentious but good. Sadly, up for sale, so we hope it will still be there next year - Brading being one of the many towns and villages which did well out of stay-at-home holidays in the 1950's and 1960's, before the invention of cheap air travel, and are now having to adjust.

Reference 1: http://psmv4.blogspot.com/2019/07/fake-76.html.

Reference 2: https://www.yachtcharterfleet.com/luxury-charter-yacht-25046/amaryllis-photos.htm.

Reference 3: https://pumpkinstrokemarrow.blogspot.com/search?q=firestone.

Reference 4: https://www.chfwightmilk.com/. Quite an elaborate website for a farm. Perhaps they do tours?

Reference 5: https://psmv3.blogspot.com/2018/07/heima.html.

Reference 6: https://psmv3.blogspot.com/2017/07/heritage-trees.html.

Reference 7: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2019/06/mystery-flower.html.

Reference 8: http://www.schimmel-pianos.de/welcome.html.