Strathspey Steam Railway

Set in the Spey Valley, this beautiful steam engine runs betweem Aviemore and Broomhill. Between these two stations lies Boat of Garten.

We stopped off here on our way to Buckie and caught Caley 828 looking immaculate. The volunteers who run this heritage railway have done a great job of both the station and the train.

Caley 828 arriving from Aviemore

Caley 828 pulls away from Boat of Garten station

I wish all stations looked as good as this

The signal box at Boat of Garten

Returning from Broomhill, tender first this time

On her way back to Aviemore

Steam loco 44871 at Garelochhead

Last Friday was another attempt to catch a steam loco on the West Highland line.

The plan was to catch her coming into Helensburgh Upper station where she was scheduled for a 3 minute stop.

That fell through when the train arrived before we did but we managed to catch her while she was sitting waiting for the southbound sprinter to clear the line.

Success at last and here are someof my pictures from that day.

Steam loco 44871 sitting at Garelochhead station

Class 33 diesel loco hauling 44871 to Fort William

Crew happy to be on their way

Catching both engines pulling away

Edinburgh Zoo

I had a great day out at Edinburgh Zoo yesterday with my daughter Caitlin.

We spent around six hours walking around and feel as if we covered a marathon. 

The only disappointment was when we heard that there were no places available on the panda visits. Never the less, it was a great day out.

Sofus the Patagonian Sea Lion enjoying the sun's rays

A chimp contemplating the meaning of life

Bali starlings

A gang of squirrel monkeys hiding in ambush

Their possible victim enjoying an apple

A pair of Grevy's zebras

"Does my bum look big in this?", asks a Gelada baboon

A shy wave of the foot by one of the resident koalas

Watching me watching you

Did I say that we managed to successfully join the standby queue and got in to see the pandas?

Entrance to the giant panda enclosure

Yang Guang enjoying some tasty bamboo

The bare floor is comfortable enough for Tian Tian to fall asleep on

Queen Elizabeth

Not many things bring the crowds to the Esplanade like a Cunarder and today was no exception. As an added bonus, we had a rare glimpse of the sun too.

QE gave three blasts of her horn as she left the quay before heading off to Liverpool, her next port of call.

2 cruises this week

The cruise liner season is in full flow at Greenock Ocean Terminal just now.

We had an overnight visit from the Finnish liner Kristina Katarina, arriving on Saturday and leaving on Sunday afternoon with a new set of passengers.

Today Ocean Countess arrived for the first of two visits this week, as she returns on Saturday.

Kristina Katarina backing away from the berth

Kristina Katarina finishes canting, ready to head for her next destination

Kristina Katarina makes her way down river

Ocean Countess canting

Ocean Countess off Greenock Esplanade

Ocean Countess picks up speed as she departs

East Fortune airshow, part 2

Some more pictures taken on Saturday's trip to East Fortune airshow. Hats off to the crews in the open cockpits for enduring some extreme downpours during their displays.

Jungman Casa 131

Junkers CL1, part of the Great War Display Team

Hawker Sea Fury

Hawker Sea Fury during a brief sunny spell

Boeing OH-6 Cayuse, a veteran of the Vietnam war

Royal Navy flypast, Fairey Swordfish & Westland Sea King

Fairey Swordfish

East Fortune airshow

Yesterday was the first day of my "summer holidays". It was also my first visit to East Fortune airfield in East Lothian.

More than one heavy downpour tried hard to ruin the day but a good show was put on by the aircrews and the commentator.

Avro Anson

P51-D Mustang

Royal Navy SAR Sea King