Thames in Central London 21st March

Not so much a trip to see ships as seeing some ships while taking my son on a boys day out around the capital.  We normally stick to the tube but I fancied trying a Thames Clipper service and we opted to hop on at Embankment.  Our vessel was the Typhoon Clipper and I was very surprised at how good a vessel she seemed on first impressions.  Very comfortable on board with a decent rear platform
for photographing passing vessels, although there is a low roof which restricts photos to the rear.  As usual the river was busy and as the tide was at low water space was a little restricted as we backed away from the piers at the Eye, Millennium and Tate Modern.

I struggled to get too many decent photos what with the number of fellow tourists and keeping my other eye on my 3 year old.  But amongst the spots was the Skate IIE work platform, fitted with a substantial outboard and transmitting AIS so a vessel as far as I was concerned!

Plenty of authorities buzzing around as usual but very difficult to get an isolated shot of any one vessel.  I did manage to get the Police Launch John Harriot IV going against the tide with a couple of very bored officers at the helm.

As we left Tower Bridge I was pleasantly surprised at the acceleration and speed of the Typhoon Clipper as we headed eastwards.  The website of the operator lists the top speed of that particular craft as 28 knots and it certainly felt like it, especially with the tide out and the river banks close by.  I would recommend a trip for those who have never been along the river and at £5.30 for Embankment to Greenwich via the Eye, its not bad value either although I am guessing getting a prime spot for photos may be tricky in the summer months.

Falmouth 11th Feb 2010

I was blessed with getting work finished early so enabling me to get to Falmouth in glorious sunshine with plenty to see.  First things first and a trip to Castle Drive and an Oyster ice cream from the van parked above Pendennis Shipyard.  Luckily I wasn't too distracted to spot the RFA Argus come into the dock attended by three tugs.  Apparently she is in for 3 weeks for maintenance. 

This was my third trip to Falmouth and it never fails to have something interesting about to snap and once again it didn't disappoint as moored off of Carrick Roads was the heavy lift ship Falcon.  She was loaded with the Safe Bristolian, an accommodation block bound for Stavenger.

Plenty was laid up in Fal Bay with a couple of ships bunkering with the Lizrix.  As usual the sun prevented any decent photography so all I was able to capture was the SD Neon heading out towards Plymouth.

Each time I've been to Falmouth I've meant to visit the creeks of the Fal to get some close up shots of the ships laid up waiting for business and this time I've managed it.  Its not easy to find but a visit to the Smugglers Tavern at Tolverne is well worth it.


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The light was still good enough to get the Santa Guiliana and four of her sister ships squeezed into the river.  If you get the chance it is an amazing sight and this photo doesn't do it justice.

Handily on the way back from here you can either get the King Harry Ferry back to Falmouth/Truro or if it floats your boat then there is a great pub with brewery attached just a couple of mins up the road at Philleigh.  If you like your real ale then The Roseland Inn has three beers brewed next door.  I had the Cornish Shag, very, very nice!  In the summer all three beers are on.