On a very wet Saturday we crossed the causeway to Portland for lunch at The Boat That Rocks, a bar restaurant sited at  Osprey Quay, the venue of the 2012 Sailing Olympics.  The ambience is warm and welcoming, modern with stylish but minimal decor.  It somehow manages to be large and spacious without feeling cold and souless.  The staff were friendly, helpful and efficient.  We found a table by the window with a great view over the harbour, spectacular even in the awful weather pounding away outside.  In the summer it would be wonderful to sit in the outside area with a glass of wine taking in the amazing view across the Olympic Sailing area.  Rob had the Chilli Prawns with noodles and I had the Beer Battered Cod, with what had to be the best mushy peas I have ever tasted.  The portions were plentiful, well to be honest the cod was enormous and my dreams of following up with a pud were looking likely to be dashed, but after a pause I rallied round and managed the most amazing Treacle Tart, what I do for my guests, Im a martyr to the cause!  We would give the Boat That Rocks a resounding 9 out of  10.

www.theboatthatrocks.co.uk

There will be street parties, fireworks, a sail past in the bay, concerts and a series of burning beacons across the area.

Local organisations have joined forces with the borough council to co-ordinate and celebrate a range of events running throughout the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend, which will run from Saturday,  June 2 to Tuesday, June 5.

On Monday, June 4, the country will be commemorating the Queen’s Jubilee with nationwide beacon lighting. Weymouth will be joining these celebrations with a major fireworks display in Weymouth Bay,  beacon lighting and live music coming from Nothe Fort where a Queen tribute band will perform.

Bands and live music will play for crowds throughout the weekend from Wessex Folk Festival and Quayside Music Festival on Weymouth harbour.

Other events include a D-Day picnic at Nothe Gardens, Sail Past- a parade of boats, Sail for Gold at the Wey-mouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Passage to Portland at Portland Marina, an international triathlon on Wey-mouth Sea-front and the Hardy Country Vintage and Classic Vehicle Run.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council is hoping to build on the area’s great reputation to host community street  parties.

For more information visit www.dorsetecho.co.uk  or www.visitweymouth.co.uk

Maritime Mix London 2012 Cultural Olympiad by the Sea will offer a huge range of live attractions uniting individuals and communities with the borough of Weymouth and Portland at its heart.

The start of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Sailing will be clebrated witha three day mass clebration on Weymouth Beach.  This will include Battle of the Winds an epic outdoor theatrical performance from Cirque Bijou and Desperate Men. Coastal Voices on July 27th will see community choirs present new musical compositions from John Surman, Sonia Slaney, John K Miles, Billy Bragg and Marc Yeats.

Full details of all the events can be found at the link above.

The unusual-looking artwork, which has already acquired some affectionate and less favourable nicknames including the ‘mushrooms’ and the ‘stones on stilts’, stands in a balancing pond next to the Jurassic roundabout at Little-moor.

The idea is that the sculpture will greet drivers heading down the relief road into Weymouth.

It was created by Devon-born sculptor Richard Harris and the total cost of the project is £335,405.

The idea of incorporating art in the development of the relief road was part of the Weymouth and Portland Commissioning Plan for 2012.

The project has received funding from Arts Council England as well as support from Dorset County Council and other groups.

Mr Harris took his inspiration for the sculpture from the geology of the area and the large boulders that were discovered nearby during excavations for the road.

The boulders, which each weigh between two and nine tonnes and are known as bencliff grit concretions, are supported by stainless steel pillars.

It is the artist’s intention that the boulders are elevated above water ‘reminiscent of fish or a flock of birds’.

Mr Harris said: “What I am trying to do is give an inspiring image as people come into Weymouth and to reveal the geology in a dramatic way.

To read more visit Dorset Echo webpage at:

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/9490149.Weymouth_relief_road_sculpture_unveiled/?ref=mr

If you need to book your accomodation in Weymouth for the Olympic Sailing Events please call us on 01305 784 682.  Rooms are starting to book quickly.  If you haven’t a ticket to the official viewing area, dont worry!  From our front rooms you will have a very good view with binoculars, of some of the sailing waters, and from the beach you can watch the races and listen to the commentary on the big screen, as well as enjoy the party atmosphere that is bound to ensue, after all it is Weymouth!

Thanks for making our much needed respite from work brilliant. One thing one always worries about is will it be quiet …it was. Will it be clean …it was ….will it be close enough to the sea …it was will the breakfasts be good …they were. Will the hosts be pleasant …You were wonderful. You have ticked all our boxes and more. Have a great season !

I stayed at The Redcliffe a few weeks ago and had a fabulous break! The room was immaculately clean and comfortable with amazing views over the bay. The full English breakfast was delicious… definitely a home from home!