Tranquil

Happy to say that there is always something fresh on the water . . . one of the joys perhaps of living on the South Coast.

Today, it is a stop off at Eling once again, a tidal inlet on the northern reaches of Southampton Water.

There were picnicers, swimmers, crabbers, even though perhaps not a great deal of sailing activity in the time I was there.

But what a contrast to the waterfront at Cowes at the weekend when I was there, or throughout all of this week of the sailing regatta - a frenzied hive of activity but a diary must for diehard yacht racers and those who go just to drink in the carnival atmosphere.

There is not so much to drink in here at Eling, although there is a conveniently located pub on the quayside. But then I wouldn’t miss calling at locations like this for the world.

There is a magic tranquillity to the place.