Well, actually, it was a coincidence. I went the Poole last weekend to a party to celebrate my grandson’s second birthday.
We had lunch in restaurant in Poole Quay, and I noticed this vessel. I thought at first sight that it was ex-naval ship doing tourist cruises, but on closer inspection, I thought not.
It turned out to be HMS Cattistock, a 750-tonne Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessel (MCMV) on a courtesy visit. She is apparently built from GRP which does have advantages over a steel hull in not attracting mines!
“HMS Cattistock is 60 metres long with a beam of 10m and is the largest warship ever constructed from glass reinforced plastic. The ship carries a crew of 45, many of them clearance divers whose job it is to swim to mines in order to place explosives; however, the ship also has a mine disposal system consisting of a remote controlled submersible.”
Not good photographs, it was a lovely sunny day and very crowded. I couldn’t retreat far enough to take a photograph of the whole ship. This is a photograph of her underway.
Boadicea's Chariot 
Morning Ara
I do enjoy the occasional lunch in one of our harbour diners. No restaurants though, a choice of 2 clubs, The Yacht Club or the Deep Sea Angling Club.
Lots of hustle and bustle to watch, ours is a reasonably active port, be it container ships, freighters, fishing boats or yachts coming and going or even the diesel electric trains pulling their very long carriages.
Last visit we had a wayward seal (there aren’t any in this part of the world normally) ‘ducking and diving,’ kept the children entertained.
Arrers, I see you parked the Harley with other Angels – very wise. Btw, did you happen upon Dockside Doris?
Morning Soutie.
Yes, I agree, there is always something happening, but I didn’t expect the Royal Navy! We don’t usually visit the Quay in the summer, I prefer it when it’s not so crowded.
Hello Janus.
No, I didn’t bump into Doris, although the bikers appeared to be quite a civilised lot, but I didn’t have time to stop and chat. 🙂
Gudnite tru Araminta. Why does your mixture of motorrbikes and matelots not surprise me? 🙂
OZ
Hello OZ:
I’ve changed the title to more accurately reflect the contents of the photos. 😉
I have to say that the bikers inclusion in the photographs was unavoidable, considering where they decided to park their bikes. I was rather more interested in the fact that the Royal Navy still do have some ships left on active service!