MV Balmoral

Built in 1949, MV Balmoral is now a heritage pleasure steamer but was originally used as a car ferry operating between Southampton and the Isle of Wight.

Once owned by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, who also own the paddle steamer Waverley, Balmoral is now operated by White Funnel Ltd, mostley around the coast of Wales and the south of England.

Having come up to the Clyde for September Weekend and Millport Illuminations, I managed to get some  pictures as she dropped off some of her passengers before returning to Glasgow overnight.

The latest reports are that Saturday and Sunday's sailings have been cancelled due to high winds forecast.

P1 Powerboat racing

The Scottish Grand Prix of the Sea has arrived at Greenock.

A crowd of over 20 thousand spectators lined the Esplanade to watch the spectacle as powerboats and jetskis provided the day's entertainment and enjoy the warm sunshine. Many more watched from small craft anchored in the river.

Having other places to go, I only stayed for one P1 race but enjoyed the competition.

I hope this event becomes a part of the regular Powerboat calendar.

Disney Magic

All the Disney magic couldn't make Greenock warm and sunny for the cruise liner's first visit to the Clyde.

The Esplanade however, was packed to a capacity usually reserved for the Cunarders when she was due to depart.

As she left around 6pm there was a row of people along the full length of the Esplanade, with many children among them, waiting for the expected musical departure.

Slowly backing away from the berth she played the familiar opening notes of the Disney anthem "When You Wish Upon A Star" as she backs up to No 1 buoy to start canting.

The cold and dampness were forgotten for a short time as Disney Magic sailed away from the Clyde to a second and third blast of her musical horns.

Vic 32

Watching the black smoke come out of her funnel reminds me of watching the tales of Captain Para Handy in the TV comedy Vital Spark: of the adventures of Para and his crew as they travel about the West of Scotland on board the little puffer.

Vic 32 has been restored and plies her trade nowadays carrying passengers on short holidays and day trips around the Clyde and Western Isles.

Here she is taking a party on a day trip from Glasgow 'Doon the Watter'.

MSC Splendida

Took a trip down to the Esplanade for the first of this year's big cruise liners.

MSC Splendida had arrived earlier this morning from Kirkwall on her trip round the British Isles.

She departed just after 7:30pm bound for Dublin on the next part of her journey.

HMS Bulwark

Having set my alarm for 5am, I headed up to Renfrew on the rumour of "something exciting" heading for Glasgow in the early hours.

Looking at MarineTraffic before I left the house, I saw that HMS Bulwark was the surprise visitor. That made the trip more than worthwhile. I had read that she spent her 11th birthday in Scottish waters a few days earlier, so I knew that she was in the vicinity.

She came up the river assisted by all three local Svitzer tugs.

Bulwark is expected to leave Glasgow on Monday morning.

Glasgow at Night

Once in a while I take a trip to the big city to see the bright lights.

Last week we went up hoping to see some of the Christmas lights around George Square before they came down.

We stopped around the Squinty Bridge and took some pictures of the bridges in that part of the city and of the  buildings alongside.

We then went to George Square but were disappointed that the attractions were away and high fences put up around the square. I did however get some pictures which I will add on a separate blog.

We then moved down to the Gallery of Modern Art which always looks good at night, helped by the ground being damp from the light showers causing added reflections.

Glasgow's Squinty Bridge

Bells Bridge leading to the Armadillo and Hydro

BBC television studio with Bells Bridge in front

The view up-river from Bells Bridge

Duke of Wellington protecting the GOMA

Gallery of Modern Art

Gallery of Modern Art

Key Scottish dates

Under a canopy of lights