Rowing boats, Sidmouth, Devon

The answer to the question, "what is the difference between a boat and a ship", is much less clear cut than nautical folks would have us believe. For some (including me) it is all to do with size. I've seen 150 gross tons being quoted as the cut off point. I've also heard that you can put a boat on a ship but you can't put a ship on a boat, and that you can row a boat but you can't row a ship. Then there are those who see the distinction in the deck i.e. you work on the deck of a boat but below the deck of a ship. A technical distinction quoted by some is that a boat leans into a turn but a ship leans out. My conclusion is that the difference cannot be described without exceptions being found. All that being said, the pair above are boats!

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Beach at Sidmouth, Devon

The shingle beach at Sidmouth, Devon, is constrained by the presence of cliffs to the east and west. Like many towns along this coast its name derives from  its geographical location where a river flows into the sea. In this case the town is at the the mouth of the River Sid. The settlement, again like many of its neighbours, was principally a fishing village but today its prosperity derives from tourism. The attractive sea front with thatched houses on the cliffs now draws visitors who want to experience the beach and the water sports that are available.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Sea front at Sidmouth, Devon

The success or otherwise of a seaside town that relies for its livelihood on tourism is very dependent on what it offers for visitors to see and do. Attractive, interesting buildings contribute enormously. So too do activities connected with the sea. The small Devon town of Sidmouth has a good mixture of buildings and sea-linked activities, in fact rather more than you might expect in a settlement of its size.

 
The building shown is a fanciful mixture of styles and materials, something that is a feature of many British seaside towns.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2