Bucklers Hard - Day 3: Rock and a Hard Stone

We woke, after a couple of disturbances from Brody, to a dry morning. Breakfast was in a shared room as other dogs have joined us in the hotel, when we got there that table was laid for three, so another was laid for us. I ordered the kipper, when it arrived it had been skinned - don't think I've
ever seen that before, also the backbone had been removed - a very good kipper.
After breakfast we walked Brody through the woods on the path to Beaulieu, round and back along the gravel path. He doesn't like walking on gravel, but he still follows me even when there is grass to walk on.
A little over an hour later we were queueing with a load of school children for the river boat cruise.  Fortunately, they all sat outside, so we could sit inside. First we saw the docks where they built Nelson's favourite ship - the Agamemnon.  When ships were built at Bucklers Hard they were first moved a little down stream to an area known as Fiddlers Reach.  The ships were left here for plimming - allowing the wood to swell and close up the joints between the timbers.  At the end of this time a party was held to celebrate a new ship.  The music was provided by fiddlers - hence the name.
During war time the forerunner of the spitfire, and a missile, on which the cruise missile is modeled were both built in the yards on the banks of the Beaulieu River.  Now it is very peaceful and quite, and mostly a nature reserve.
For lunch we visited Beaulieu village, and found "Steff's Kitchen".  Very nice sandwiches, but a few uninvited guests that have to be tolerated.

One, as you can see, is helping himself from another customers plate!
The cafe is attached to a garden centre so we got a few ideas for the garden, and then took a short walk through some barley fields.
We then moved on to Exbury Gardens, arriving too late for the train, but it was still good to wander around. The azaleas and rhododendrons would be amazing in may, but there are still a few left.

There are also some amazing hydrangers, lots of little formal gardens, and some stunning views of the river.
We can't leave Beaulieu without mentioning cars, so here's my next car:

... well maybe for a day - one day!  I'll have to be careful because there are still cows on the road

So to Lyndhurst for tea, and some award winning fish and chips from Bertties, now back at the hotel watching supervet.