Saturday 28 September 2013

The Viking Invasion of Rothesay, 2013 style

As part of Rothesay Castle re-enactment day, we were treated to a role play of the Vikings invading Rothesay.

The landing was slightly scaled down and I'm afraid it might not be completely historically accurate.

Never the less, this was how the story unfolded on a sunny September afternoon on Rothesay beach.


A lone Viking longship approaches the town of Rothesay on the island of Bute. Either he has raced ahead of the rest of the fleet or he thinks one ship load of warriors is enough to beat the Scots.


A solitary Viking jumps out of the boat onto the beach and challenges the awaiting army to a battle. I reckon he has been watching too many episodes of Rab C Nesbit and thinks he can take on the world single handed.


This is going to be a dawdle he says to himself when he notices that Scots army are all under the age of ten. He squares up ready to wipe out the foe.


The might Scots soon have him seriously wounded. His colleagues back on the longboat obviously don't realise the seriousness of his situation.


The foolhardy Viking makes it back to the boat and tells his fiends to make a hasty retreat back to their own country.

Carnival Legend

The cruise season draws to a close today at Greenock with a second visit from Carnival Legend on a misty autumn morning.

We have had small liners and the very biggest of liners this year, in every type of weather ranging from cold and wet to beautiful sunshine, but I'm sure every passenger has enjoyed their visit and been made to feel welcome by the welcoming party at the ocean terminal.

I'm already looking forward to next years visits and the hope of seeing some more new visitors.


Sunday 22 September 2013

'The Great Marquess' 61994 - Steam tour

With hopes of an improvement in the weather today, we headed up the West Highland Line to see steam loco 61994 "The Great Marquess" hauling a tour up the line to Fort William.

We followed her up from Garelochhead to Tyndrum, via Arrochar and Crianlarich.

Having left Arrocaher on time, we headed up to Crianlarich, only to learn an hour later that she had been delayed further down the line.

Well, most of that hour was spent standing in the rain which had decided to spoil our day.

61994 pulls out of Garelochhead hauling the West Highlander tour
Steam loco 61994 passing Arrochar
Crianlarich station is a popular place for steam lovers
Steam loco 61994 "The Great Marquess" sitting at Crianlarich
61994 climbing out of Tyndrum
61994 on the West Highland Line heading for Fort William

Thursday 19 September 2013

Vision of the Seas

Contrary to popular belief, it is not always sunny in Greenock.

Vision of the Seas paid her second visit of the year on a miserable, dreich autumn day.

Visibility was pery poor as she sailed out this evening, surely in search of better weather elsewhere.


Saturday 14 September 2013

Emerald Princess

The Princess liners are regular visitors to the Clyde, but this is the first visit this year by Emerald Princess.

She arrived early this morning while it was still dark but I managed down to see her leaving at 7pm this evening.


Thursday 12 September 2013

MS Bremen

MS Bremen paid her first visit to Greenock today.

She is run by Hapag Lloyd, a shipping line I remember coming to Greenock many years ago with container freight.

Bremen is currently on a round Britain cruise, her next destination being Staffa.


Friday 6 September 2013

Seabourn Sojourn

As the cruise ship season is nearing its end at Greenock, we had a visit this morning from Seabourn Sojourn.

It was good to see her arrive looking beautiful in the early morning light.

She had a bit of a struggle a few days ago at Leith, requiring three tugs to help her out of the harbour into a strong wind.