Sea shanties, hats and fish!


It was a beautiful Friday evening down by the harbour in Weymouth. As we arrived we immediately spotted a tall ship in the distance and followed the sound of music to its berth.


The magnificent three mast scooner Le Marité was visiting from Normandy. We watched the sailors folding up these front sails. It seemed such a long way up and it must be quite a terrifying experience doing it in rough seas.


Weymouth sea shanty group the Dorset Wrecks were on board adding to the atmosphere. This was   the open event for a Waterfest over the weekend, which was celebrating the maritime history of the town.


Unfortunately we didn't see any more of the Waterfest as we already had another event in our diaries- Bridport Hat Festival ! Regular visitors may remember this event from last year  it is when  everyone even dogs wear hats around the town!



It was so much fun we had to join in again this year and also encouraged our daughter and boyfriend to come with us too!

 As always there were some wonderful creations........

 These were some of my favourites ones- there was so much detail in the wildlife one on the top left. The one that copied the ceramic poppies currently surrounding the Tower of London was a brilliant representation.

 

Our hats were quite ordinary in comparsion - maybe next year we will have more time to be creative! I bought mine in a charity shop for £3.75 a few weeks ago, I think I need to visit Ascot in it now!


 The highlight, the mass hatted photo is always an incredible sight -  so many hats!



We ended the weekend with a walk and evening picnic down the Fleet. It is always such a peaceful location.



  As we watched the tide flowing in, two local fishermen returned to shore with a boat full of mullet.





 Sarah x

Comments

  1. It's so nice that you take the time and trouble to photograph your trips and share them. Loved the video of the singers.

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  2. Oh Sarah, how FUN IS THIS! I loved hearing those men sing like sailors, your photos are captivating, and then seeing YOU and your smile....SARAH SMILE....like the song.

    We went to a hilarious festival last weekend called, WOOFSTOCK. It was a dog festival with everyone coming out with their dogs. I took photos, and I thought of you, because one of my favorites was a little westie. She was precious.

    I so enjoy coming here. You take me away. Anita

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    1. Woofstock sounds wonderful. Westies are so popular here you can't go out without seeing one! Sarah x

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  3. Thanks for the interesting pictures of the hat festival, I have often wondered what it was like.

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  4. It looks like it was a terrific weekend, Sarah! The community hat event was amazing. And I thought some of the knitted hat patterns I have run across were "out there." :-)

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  5. Absolutely beautiful photos - I really love the one with the boat full of mullet. I have always thought it must be terrifying being up on a tall ship working on the sails, especially when the weather is rough (and I like climbing and don't mind heights). Juliex

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  6. Oh my word!! What a great day, I was thinking of you, while sitting ONE ROW from the top at Twickenham!! I love all the hats, human and dog variety!!! We were all lucky with the weather, weren't we? To finish your day off at Fleet must have been perfection. I managed to get to Borough Market and see the poppies at theTower of London, a very thought provoking sight. We ended our day at the Rainforest restaurant in Shaftsbury Ave, which was great fun, especially the thunderstorm!!! Hopefully next year Plan A will come together! All the best X

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    1. I'm glad you had a wonderful day out in London. Bridport Hat festival will be there next year too! Sarah x

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  7. Sounds like a great day out, and lovely photos as always.

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  8. Oooh, I've got a hat that would be perfect for that. Great big 80s ostrich feather job, goodness knows when I'd wear it any other time. Beautiful restful shots at the end.

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    1. You will have to take a visit to Bridport Hat Festival next year and wear it there! Sarah x

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  9. The hat festival is certainly a special event with a lot of fun.How wonderful photos you have taken Sarah, the first is my favourite but all photos are gorgeous especially those of the sea.You look so elegant with your floral dress and hat.

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  10. What amazing hats everyone had created. It looks like a great event, with a great turn out. Stunning pictures as always Sarah! I hope that your doing well x.

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  11. Hi Sarah, such a happy post! I am glad to see you blogging again, and your usual chirpy self (hopefully!) Love the hats I think it must have been wonderful to see everyone in different hats, how delightful! A beautiful day out! Hugs Sharon x

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  12. The hat competition looks like such fun!!! I'm trying to remember why Weymouth sounds familiar, was it the scene for any of Jane Austen's books??? Lovely place, thanks for sharing! xox

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    1. Weymouth was mentioned in several of Jane Austin's books see http://janeaustensequels.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/jane-austen-and-olympics.html .
      for more details! Lyme Regis further down the coast was a favourite place of Jane's and Persuasion was part based there.Sarah x

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  13. Lovely pictures, I never tire of seaside pictures. Love all the hats what a lot of fun!

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  14. What a fun hat tradition!

    As always, I love your photos.

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  15. Fantastic hats! I love yours,you just need a dress, shoes, handbag to go with it! Once again beautiful pictures. Did the tall ship come from the recent tall ships race? X

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    1. I assumed that it took part in the tall ships race, but I couldn't find any evidence on the internet to back that up. Sarah x

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  16. I do love your sea-life. The boat full of fish is such a delight to see...the sea, the people, all of it. Thank you always for sharing your beautiful life with us. xxo

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  17. Those last two photos are beautiful, really beautiful. The hat festival looks like brilliant fun, and the ones you've pictured are amazing. People have really gone to town. Wishing you a good weekend. CJ xx

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  18. Lovely post and stunning photo`s.....really enjoyed it ! XX

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  19. I love that photo of the rigging Sarah, and the hats of course! xx

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  20. The tall ships are an amazing sight aren't they! Before I lived in London, I'd see them every year from a Solent viewpoint, as well as all the other boats and yachts. I do love your fishing boat photo, it's an absolute classic, so peaceful. Glad you had a lovely time at the hat festival, it's nice to see old traditions being kept alive! Have a lovely weekend, Caro xx

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  21. I love the look of the hat festival, looks like everyone joins in which is fantastic.
    The photo of the boat full of fish is beautiful was it early evening? I'd like a huge version of that for my kitchen wall it would look just right. Do you ever sell any pictures Sarah? I think you should if not.

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    1. I'm glad you loved the picture. I will contact you separately about getting a copy. Sarah x

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  22. Sarah, I so agree with the comments above that appreciate your gifted photography! The boat full of mullet and looking up into the ship rigging/masts are especially beautiful to me, too. How clever some folk were with their hat creations! And the music helped me feel such a part of the fun and beauty you enjoyed. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your adventure with us! xx

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  23. Hi Sarah, my friend Gracie from the blog Gray Sea Sailor mentioned how much she liked your blog - while we were swimming today! So, I am here to say hello and invite you to visit my blog too. I think we have a lot in common! Loved your photos today! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  24. I remember your post on the hat festival from last year, so glad you got to go again, it looks like so much fun. Some fantastic hats.

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  25. Looks great, as always your photos are stunning!

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  26. An interesting array of hats! I especially enjoyed the sea shanty song as I browsed your post. Made me feel I was right there with all of you, but without the hat!

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  27. Hi Sarah,

    What a fun day! first of all with seeing the tall ships,{ aren't they beautiful } and then seeing the Hat festival.
    You look fabulous in your elegant hat and pretty floral frock - yes, a day out at Ascot next.
    Also lovely to see the rest of your family.
    Have a lovely new week
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  28. Wonderful impressions, the dog is very funny. I love the sea.

    Lilith

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  29. Dearest Sarah!

    Hello my friend! Thank you for coming to visit and yes, isn't that painting of the sea just MAGNIFICENT? I adore art that is subtle and not too detailed, but just enough to see what it conveys.

    Hoping your September is sweet with memories and love. Anita

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  30. What a wonderful event - sounds like a lot of fun. And I do love me a good old sea shanty.

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  31. All those hats are wonderful, especially your own!
    I've not looked in for a while. I forgot the name of your blog and didn't think I'd jotted it down, but I had, in an old notebook! Thank goodness for pen and paper!
    Your photos are excellent - love tall ships. I remember when, as a child, my late uncle took me out on a pleasure boat into Torbay where the first tall ships race was being held (or started) in 1956 and I've not forgotten how spectacular they look, close up (as well as in full sail at a distance.)
    Margaret P

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    1. Hi Margaret, I'm glad you found me again. Thank you for the lovely comment. Sarah x

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    2. Hi, Sarah,
      I will look in regularly now - well, that is my intention - I have written down the blogs I like in a note book so as not to forget them!
      I don't have a blog but I hope to be writing for one occasionally, which might be fun!
      Margaret P

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  32. Dear Sarah,

    I am a bit late replying. Sorry! I enjoyed seeing your photo's of Weymouth harbour and the hat festival. The hat festival looks like a fun event! Lovely photo of you and your family :-)

    Happy weekend.

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  33. Dear Sarah,

    Your photos are always a marvel. I am a little lost for words but thank you for sharing all this beauty with us all.

    Stephanie

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  34. hello Sarah
    The hat festival is a great idea - oh those dogs take the cake for me - they enjoyed it too!
    The seaside villages are beautiful - I remember them as we drove around the coast!
    A delightful post.
    Have a happy weekend.
    I'm so glad to hear this evening that Scotland voted no to independence.

    Shane

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  35. It all looks so particularly English, and wonderful, and hatty!

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