Fishing boat registration codes

click photos to enlarge
Fishing boat registration codes are the letters and numbers displayed prominently on the side of European (including UK) fishing boats. The letters are derived from the first letter plus one or two more letters of the home port name followed by an identifying number. When we were on Portland Bill we saw the fishing boat WH296 cutting through the glittering sea, heading towards WeymoutH, its home port. Later we saw the boat moored at the harbourside and noted that it was, very appropriately, called "Portland Isle".

photos © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Quayside, Wareham, Dorset

click photo to enlarge

The Dorset town of Wareham has a long history with prehistoric finds and evidence of a  Roman settlement. The current town dates from Saxon times and Alfred the Great, and is unusual in having clearly defined Saxon-era earth ramparts or walls. It sits on raised land between the River Piddle and  the River Frome that connects to the east with Poole Harbour. The Frome was an important artery until the end of the C13 when it became silted up. However, it continued to be used locally with the South Bridge  (from where I took this photograph) being the point beyond which larger boats could not travel upstream. Today the quayside, boats, the old granary, pubs, houses and the tower of one of the town's three old churches, make a pleasant location on a sunny day.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5