12th May 2017 Cracknore-Hythe Marina
| Having sailed around the Dibden Bay and Western Docks area twice already this year, and hearing that there were four cruise ships in, I decided to explore from the shore side. There are few places where you can get to the shore, I tried Cracknore Hard but with the tide in I had to hang from an iron fence to work along a wall and have a clear view of the docks. I then parked at Hythe Marina and walked along the footpath that traces the original line of the sea wall before the land "reclamation" project. All that land is owned by ABP and it turns out they allow no access over it; it is presently used to graze cattle. At Hythe Marina Village there is a small "park" area with a built-up viewpoint approached by a spiral path. There is also public access along the southeast edge of the development as far as the lock control building. But there seemed to be no easy access to the Dibden Bay shoreline. I will have to try again when the tide is out! |
 From Cracknore Hard |
 The massive MOL Triumph |
 Cunard Queen Elizabeth |
 Fred Olsen Lines Braemar |
 Royal Carribean Navigator of the Seas |
 Norwegian Cruise Lines Norwegian Getaway |
 Cracknor Hard |
 Military Port |
 Lock to the Husband's Jetty |
 Dibden Bay - the old Sea Wall |
 Southampton from Dibden Bay |
 View from Hythe Marina Village |
 View from Hythe Marina Village |
 Norwegian getaway (47 berth) |
 Aida Prima (39 berth) |
 Navigator of the Seas (101 berth) |
 Note on right X-Pres Etna swinging |