Bianco Venture

Bulk carrier Bianco Venture passing Greenock on her way to Shieldhall Quay in Glasgow with a cargo of animal feed.

A trip up-river

With the hope of seeing Renfrew's bascule bridge open, we took a trip last Sunday morning, but when we got there, there was no sign of activity.

After waiting around for a while we learned that plans had changed and that the bridge would be staying down.

The day was not wasted as another opportunity arose for us to get some pictures of dredging work taking place slightly further up the River Cart.

At one time the River Cart was dredged regularly as the river had shipyards as far up as Paisley. That industry is long gone, but the river is sometimes used by barges bringing finished goods from the manufacturing units in the background.

This is  apparently the first time in around twenty years that this section of the river has been cleared.

On our way back down the road we stopped at Erskine Bridge to see the bulker Graig Rotterdam making her way up to Glasgow.

 

Cape Elise

After an eventful journey, bulk carrier Cape Elise has come to Greenock where she is expected to undergo repairs to damage caused in the winter storms.

She lost some of her control systems and had to be towed from off the west coast of Ireland to Hunterston where her cargo was unloaded before making her way to Greenock

Some of the damage can be seen on the rear of her superstructure and the railings around her deck.

Electric Glen

Now in its second year, East Renfrewshire Council have created a spectacular winter light display at Rouken Glen Park.

One of their woodlands walks has been transformed with the help of clever lighting displays and music.

The event was attended by thousands over the space of two weekends.

The large crowds sometimes made it difficult to capture clear images. I'm sure that in more than one picture you will find ghostly images of passers-by.

Monte Carlo Historique Rally

One of the starting points for the 2014 Monte Carlo Historique Rally was Paisley. The cars gathered at Abbey Close, where a large crowd came along to view these beautiful cars.

The rally started shortly before 6pm with cars departing at 1 minute intervals. By this time darkness had fallen which caused problems with the sharpness of some of my pictures.

I have only added a few of my pictures below. More can be viewed on my Picasa gallery

Paisley Abbey plays host to the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014

Advertising for the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014 at Paisley Abbey

1958 Standard 10 waiting to lead off on the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014

Car 317, a Riley 1.5, being prepared for the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014

Made in Scotland, a Clan Crusader waits to start the Monte Carlo Historique rally 2014

Morgan 4+4 hopes to get off to a flying start on the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014

Car 0 ready to start the Monte Carlo Historique rally 2014

Drivers waiting for the start of the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014

Chrysler Sunbeam sets off on the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014

BMW 1802 at the start of the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014

Austin Healey Sprite (Frogeye) sets off on the Monte Carlo Historique Rally 2014

Ben My Chree

Inchgreen drydock opened its gates late last night for a visitor from distant waters.

Isle of Man Steam Packet's ferry Ben My Chree came in for some work following the recent stormy weather.

She is due to have one of her stabilisers removed for repair. The stabiliser will be refitted at a later date, possibly at another drydock.

Ben My Chree is due to leave at some time on Monday.

Pretty Ivy

I thought I'd go big for my first photos of 2014. At 180 metres in length, Pretty Ivy is one of the larger ships to sail up the River Clyde to Glasgow.

After unloading her cargo, she sailed back down today using one of SERCO's tugs for assitance as well as the more usual Svitzer tug at the front.