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

James Watt Dock

6 days to go - this time next week the event will be in full flow with the area bustling with activity.

Work is progressing on getting the site ready for the Tall Ships arrival. I took a look in as the sun was setting. The area around what will be Brewin Dolphin Avenue looks great and work has begun on erecting the indoor facilities.

Flags line the main entrance into the dock

One of the indoor areas under construction

Brewin Dophin are one of the main sponsors of the event

Titan crane and sugar sheds in the twilight glow

A few small vessels alongside one of the pontoons

Cornalees nature trail

Greenock fair Saturday along with good weather was too good a day to spend in the house so I took a wander along Cornalees nature trail. This little gem of a walk is only a few miles from the centre of Greenock but it feels as if it could be another country.

Riverside Museum

It's a long time since I've been to Glasgow's transport museum. I remeber going to the old museum in Pollockshaws about thirty years ago. I'm not sure if I ever went to the one at Kelvin Hall. So I was looking forward to the new Riverside Museum opening its door to the public.

I spent an very enjoyable Friday afternoon along with my daughter Caitlin and my grandson Julian. With 10,000 visitors per day, the place was too busy to be able to concentrate on taking photos - a good excuse for a second visit in the near future.

Subaru Impreza beside the front entrance

Julian posing beside a horsedrawn tram

A couple of classic British cars

A busy exhibition hall