Joint Warrior Military Exercise 132 - Departures

Another very early morning rise to get across to Glen Mallan (Mallon) to photograph the first vessel of the day - HMS Monmouth - the 'Black Duke'.

Drove through the heavy rain in the hope that despite the forecast things may be better than anticipated.

On arrival at Glen Mallan it was not only still raining, but very dark with low cloud. Hardly ideal.

Still, we persevere and after she berthed I headed on down to Rhu to catch the outbounds from Faslane.

Met up with a couple of the regulars so we chatted while we waited for the first to depart.

Lo and behold as the first one came down the Gareloch the sun actually shone and the clouds lifted.

After getting some images I headed to Roseneath as the sun was now over that side and got the Norwegian submarine as she left.

Then back across to Helensburgh to meet up with friends from Morecambe and a bite of lunch.

Then back to Roseneath for the two American Virginian class submarines - one outbound and one inbound.

Then a dash back up to Glen Mallan (Mallon) to catch HMS Monmouth as she departed, but arrived too late to get her coming off the berth.

A quick u-turn and up to Portincaple to get a long shot from the top of the hill.

Finally it's time to head home and get Maya her long awaited walk before darkness sets in.

HMS Monmouth (F235) Approaching Glen Mallan at Speed


HMS Monmouth (F235)


HMS Monmouth (F235) berthing at Glen Mallan


HMS Monmouth (F235) berthing at Glen Mallan


'HMS Monmouth' (F235) Berthing at Glen Mallan Assisted by 'Anglegarth' and 'SD Reliable'


French Frigate 'La Motte-Picquet' (D645) Approaching Rhu Spit

French Frigate 'La Motte-Picquet' (D645) Outward Bound

HMS Enterprise (H88) Passing Rhu Spit

HMS Enterprise (H88)

HMS Blyth (M111) Approaching Rhu Spit

HMS Brocklesby (M33) Approaching Rhu Spit

HMS Cattistock (M31) Approaching Rhu Spit

HMS Bangor (M109) Approaching Rhu Spit

KNM Utaer (S303) Passing Rhu Spit Outbound

Virginia Class USN Submarine Outbound

Another Virginia Class USN Submarine Inbound

Virginia Class USN Submarine

HMS Monmouth (F235) Heading Out to Sea


Joint Warrior 2013 (132) Video

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.

A Day Around the River

Spent a fair bit of the day around the waterfront in Inverclyde.

The car ferry 'Isle of Lewis' arrived for repair at Greenock having suffered some damage - due to snagging a lobster creel I believe.

Then we had the bulk carrier 'Bosphorus King' coming down from Glasgow having discharged her cargo.

Then HMS Northumberland (Iron Duke) also made her way downriver from Glasgow to anchor off Greenock for the night - before departing on her Joint Warrior exercise duties on Monday.

Two of Clyde Marine Services tugs who assisted as she left Glasgow powered past but seemed unable to keep pace with the the Iron Duke as she sped past Port Glasgow.

'Isle of Lewis' Passing East India Harbour

'Isle of Lewis' Entering Dry Dock

'Isle of Lewis' in the Garvel Dry Dock 

'Isle of Lewis' in the Garvel Dry Dock 

'Bosphorus King' Passing East India Harbour

'Bosphorus King' Passing East India Harbour 

'Bosphorus King' Heading Out to Sea

HMS Northumberland (F238) Passing Dumbarton

HMS Northumberland (F238) Passing Langbank

 HMS Northumberland (F238) Approaches Port Glasgow at Speed

HMS Northumberland (F238) with Turbines Whistling

Bridge Party Aboard the HMS Northumberland

HMS Northumberland (F238) Heading to Anchorage for the Night

The tug 'Bruiser' Heads Home at Speed

The tugs 'Battler' and 'Bruiser' Charge Past Port Glasgow

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.

Renfrewshire Witch Hunt 1697 Re-Enactment in 2013

In the year of 1697 it was decided that Christian Shaw - an 11 year old - had become possessed by witches.

 As a result of this decision, 7 citizens of Renfrewshire were put to their death. Their remains were buried under a horsehoe at Maxwellton Cross in Paisley.

 Superstition of the time was that if the horseshoe was ever removed then the fortunes of the area would go in to decline.

Today saw a re-enactment of the events and we owe a big thanks to all who took part in organising and participating in the day.

Players from the Day

The Crowd

Procession

Procession

Taking Part

Gossip and Mischief

This Face Tells a Story

On Horseback

Heather

Accused are Transported to Their Final Destination


Execution Awaits the Accused


Sad Faces for a Sad Event

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.

Joint Warrior - Military Exercise 132

The time of year has come around again when we have the second of the Joint Warrior military exercises in Scotland.

Sadly this time around we have a very reduced number of ships visiting the Clyde prior to the exercise beginning.

So, an early start across to Rhu to see what the day would bring.

The outcome is that we had two vessels arrive at Faslane, and one headed to Glasgow - meaning a hurried dash to try and catch the Glasgow bound HMS Northumberland.

Nothing more expected so we'll wait until Monday when they will probably depart.

 KNM Utvaer (S303) Norwegian Submarine Approaching Rhu Narrows

 KNM Utvaer (S303) Norwegian Submarine Bound for Faslane

 French Frigate 'La Motte-Picquet' (D645) Passing Rhu Spit

 French Frigate 'La Motte-Picquet' (D645) Passing Rhu Spit

French Frigate 'La Motte-Picquet' (D645) - Off Rhu Spit

 French Frigate 'La Motte-Picquet' (D645) Faslane Bound

HMS Northumberland (F238) at Braehead

HMS Northumberland (F238) Passing Braehead

HMS Northumberland (F238) Passing Braehead

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.

Viking Event at Rothesay Castle

It was a trip across the Rothesay on the Isle of Bute today on the ferry 'MV Bute'.

The weather was exceptional for this time of year and in the warm sunshine it was hard to believe we were only days before October begins.

Historic Scotland were running one of their most excellent events at the castle - the first in ten years - so it was a special day.

The Viking longboat started proceedings by making a landing on the beach.

This was followed by a parade of the group members who had set up an encampment in the castle.

Once at the castle - which was extremely busy - we watched the Scottish soldiers defend the castle from a fierce Viking attack on the 750th anniversary of the Battle of Largs.

 A tour of the encampment demonstrated the day to day life of the Norse and Scots people of 1263.

 We were entertained with combat displays and weapon demonstrations relating to the Norse invasion.

 Unfortunately as the last ferry was at 19:45 I missed the torch lit parade at 19.30, not to mention the hog roast and firework display on the promenade later in the evening.

I'll be adding more images later to my Blog if you care to visit again next week.

 War Memorial - 'The Angel'  in Rothesay

Viking Battle at Rothesay Castle


Carol Hard at Work at Rothesay Castle

 Kids Join in at the Viking Event in Rothesay Castle

 Viking Longboat Landing at Rothesay

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.