A Tale of two princesses

As the saying goes, what a difference a day makes. Yesterday Greenock was host to Dawn Princess on day 59 of her 105 day round the world trip. I'm sure her passengers were quite happy to leave our rain drenched shores yesterday evening on their quest for sunnier places.

Dawn Princess canting off the Esplanade

Container ship India heading in as Dawn Princess leaves Greenock

Dawn Princess sails off towards Dublin, the next stop on her global voyage

Twelve hours later Crown Princess, a regular visitor, arrives on a bright sunny morning.

India, with a new cargo, vacates the berth for Crown Princess arriving

Crown Princess approaching the control tower

Crown Princess canting on arrival

Crown Princess backs slowly towards her berth

Cruise liner Prinsendam

We had an unscheduled visitor today. Prinsendam had been due to visit Oban today, but because of poor weather she came instead to the more sheltered Clyde. I hope the passengers weren't expecting summer weather or they may have ended up disappointed.

Here she is passing the Esplanade and canting before backing into the terminal.

Tall Ships 2011 - Parade of Sail

Time to say goodbye to these wonderful tall ships and wish them a safe passage to Lerwick for the next stage of their race.

It took around 2 hours for all the vessels to get on their way through the host of small boats and craft who came out to bid farewell. The Clyde had a life and vibrancy that I have not seen for a long time.

Tall Ships 2011 - Day 3 - Fireworks display

Well, the final day finished with a bang, or a whole series of bangs, as the sky lit up with a short but spectacular fireworks display. The Russian tall ship Mir's masts provided a wonderful framework through which to view the light show.

Tall Ships 2011 - Day 1

All the preparation is over and the ships are here. James Watt Dock hasn't been so busy for many, many years. The sun has come out and tens of thousands of visitors came along to join in the carnival.

To all intents and purposes, the event looks to be a great success, although the ground could have been better prepared in many parts of the site.

I managed to make an early break from work at 6pm and took myself along to join in the event.

Some of the ships moored beside the finger jetty

3 small tall ships

Plenty of pennants on display from previous races

ARC Gloria flying a massive Columbian flag

Several historic fire engines formed a display beside the main entrance to the dock.

Tunnock's beautifully preserved delivery van

Among the free entertainment provided were local folk band The Wherries and almost local Lulu

Kenny and Dave of the Wherries had the sugar sheds rocking

Trying to act serious for the cameraman

Lulu on the main stage

Sunset across Great Harbour

Tall Ships 2011

Today is the first official day of the Tall Ships visit to Greenock. The weather is looking good so far. Unfortunately I am working most of the day, but I am hoping to go over this evening to have a look around the site.

Here are some more of yesterday's arrivals, starting with 2 local ships Alba Explorer and Alba Endevour.

Alba Endevour

Alba Explorer

Rona II

Pelican of London

Tall Ships 2011 - The fleet arrives

It all kicks off tomorrow and most of the ships arrived today.

A steady flow of ships came up the river into the James Watt Dock with some of the largest ones going round the corner into Great Harbour. The weather threw everything from sunshine to thunderstorms and back to sunny intervals.

Sorlandet assisted by 2 tugs heading for Great Harbour

Moosk

Lord Nelson

Dar Szczecina heading for her berth

De Gallant approaching during a shower of rain

Eendracht with a tug at the rear assisting

A head on view of TS Royalist

Tall Ships 2011

2 days to go till the start of the weekend's activities. The James Watt Dock is looking completely transformed, although some parts still look rather rough. I hope The weather improves and that the whole event is as successful as the previous visit in 1999.

I missed the arrival of the first ships yesterday, but several more came in today with more to come tomorrow.

ARC Gloria being assisted up river

Royal Netherlands Navy - Urania

Urania takes her place in the dock

Irene of Bridgewater refloated after getting a little too close to Arran

Carpe Diem on a showery afternoon

TS Ocean Spirit of Moray

Irish Navy warship Le Orla providing support for this leg of the race

Garvel drydock providing a humorous welcomr to the visitors