An Idyllic Morning on a Rib

 The weather was beautiful when we met Gemma and Emmie in Christchurch for an ice-cream.  Gemma said "Fancy a trip on the river tomorrow in Alun's rib?"  Yes please!

Alun picked us up at Christchurch Quay and we started off exploring the routes less travelled on the River Stour up to The Old Bridge at Iford.  Once on the water the stresses of life just ebb away.

At The Old Bridge we turned around, passing the Iford Bridge Park Homes.  One Christmas all the residents were evacuated as flood water rose a metre above the banks.

The river winds gently passed Iford recreation ground.  After just under a mile the river widens before the newly refurbished railway bridge, which carries the Weymouth to Waterloo line.  This area was used by the army for the development of the Bailey Bridge from 1941 onwards.

The river then takes a large meander past Tuckton and the site of Tuckton House.  This house had many uses and was used by Count Tchertkov, in the 1890's, to print radical works by Tolstoy, when he was banned in Russia.  It has also been the home of a pacifist vegetarian community, a noted KGB spy, Melita Norwood, and the production line for Bournemouth's first motor car.

Passing The Riverside Pub ( must stop for lunch one day) we then went under Tuckton Bridge.  The bridge was built in 1905 having been commissioned to replace a timber toll-bridge.  Many features imitate in reinforced concrete the original timber design.  This marks the point where the river becomes significantly busier.

As we passed the Quomps and the Quay we had a beautiful view of Christchurch Priory.  Founded on the site of a church in 800AD its site changed from a hilltop to its present location when all the building materials inexplicably moved overnight.  The story of the Miraculous Beam also explains how Christchurch got its present name!

Passing Christchurch Sailing Club, we now crossed the entrance of the River Avon.  We meandered up a little way admiring all the boats.

We then doubled back and followed the Stour to the right as the river widens again, passing Stanpit Marsh to the north.

Christchurch harbour is home to a large variety of birdlife and is a nature reserve, with some areas marked by buoys to prevent disturbance.  The large areas of mudflats at low tide provide good feeding for the birds and a trap for the unwary boater.

Mudeford Quay sits opposite the very expensive beach huts at Hengistbury Head.  Hengistbury was the site of Britain's first airshow in 1910, where Charles Rolls, of Rolls-Royce fame was killed when his aircraft disintegrated.

We had to stop for a couple of cheeky beers and prosecco at The Beach House.  A bit pricey but it's worth it for a Brew with a View.

The harbour entrance to Mudeford is narrow and the waters can get very choppy.  Known locally as "the run" the strong tidal flows can stop even powered boats and tide tables must be consulted.  In easterly winds waves break over the sandbar, enhanced if there is an ebb tide.  We decided at this point we didn't have time to try our luck so we retraced our route back to Christchurch quay.

It took approximately 40 minutes to cruise up the river from Hengistbury Head to Christchurch and the views were spectacular.

Thank you for a very special day.