In Search of Steam

Today was always going to be a gamble with the weather. The forecast was for heavy rain all day. We headed over to Helensburgh to catch steam loco 62005 on her way to Fort William for the start of the Jacobite tour season.

Unknown to us at the start of our journey, the engine had broken down at Beatock Summit and had to return to her base.

All was not lost however. Passing Helensburgh Pier we saw Vic32, a delightfully restored little steam puffer. The weather didn't improve but we did brave the rain for a few minutes to catch a few pictures of her leaving the pier.

Greenock today

Well, with the sun shining this afternoon, I thought a trip up the docks would be a good way to while away a couple of hours.

Balmoral showing off her new coat of paint

Tall ships Challenger 1 and Challenger 3

HMS Blyth in the drydock with HMS Penzance hiding behind

Kommander Calum and SD Salmoor

Section of disused Buoy

Waverley & Balmoral coming out of the drydock

All spruced up and ready for the new season and looking fabulous in their new coats of paint.

RSPB Lochwinnoch

Took another trip to the nature reserve this afternoon. Here are the fruits of my visit.

Little robin redbreast

Mrs Chaffinch

Mr Chaffinch

A heron watching and waiting

Success!! Well for the heron anyway

Nordic Copenhagen

Just a few pics of Nordic Copenhagen on her way to Rothesay dock this afternoon, being escorted by Svitzer tug, Anglegarth. I don't believe I have seen her on the river before.

Balmoral

I missed Balmoral and Waverley going into Garvel Drydock a couple of weeks ago. I think they are due out soon so I'm hoping that I'll manage to get to see them both coming out.

In the meantime I've been down a couple of times to see how they are looking.

Balmoral sitting waiting for a shiny new coat

Doesn't she look wonderful?

Clyde Marine tugs

Listening on the scanner last week, I heard Battler and Bruiser getting ready to depart for a job at Finnart. Next thing one tug came out of Victoria Harbour followed a couple of minutes later by the second.