Britannia - First Greenock Visit

P & O Cruise's flagship 'Britannia' arrived at Greenock this morning for her maiden visit to the port.

She appeared at Gourock just before 07:00 and the sun was there to greet her arrival.

Then on to Greenock and past the Esplanade before canting and berthing at the Ocean Terminal.

There was a fair crowd at the Esplanade to see her arrival, though the sun didn't stay long enough to enjoy.

She will be departing around 17:00 this evening if all goes to plan.


 Off Gourock

 Passing Gourock

 Approaching Greenock

 Flags to Meet Britannia


Twin Funnels


Majestic in the Sunshine

 Off the Esplanade

 With 'Eclipse' in the background


'Annie' greets 'Britannia'


Beginning to Cant


Canting

Final Stages of Berthing

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

Catalina - Miss Pick Up - at Loch Lomond

'Miss Pick Up' dropped in to Tarbet Bay on Loch Lomond this morning.

Catalina (PBY-5A) second World War II aircraft that operated it's military career with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

She was picking up passengers about to embark on a field trip to Greenland.

This is the first time she has landed at Loch Lomond and this was an exception.

She is not permitted to land on fresh water anywhere in England.

Based at Duxford Airfield from where she is operated by 'Plane Sailing'.

Coming through the Gloom to Land at Tarbet Bay

 Seaplanes

Flyover

 Greenland Here We Come

Waving to Family and Friends

 Airborne

 Soaring over the Banks of Loch Lomond

 Close Enough

Touchdown

 Waiting on Passengers

Taking Off at Loch Lomond

Flying over Loch Lomond

Bound for Greenland

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

'Eclipse' - Superyacht in Greenock

Superyacht 'Eclipse' - owned by the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich - arrived in Greenock today.

A very unusual visitor to our waters she caused quite a stir with the local population, and many cameras and mobiles where on display on the Esplanade after she anchored.

She is currently the world's second largest private yacht and built in 2010/11 at a cost of around €340 million, but is known as the 1.5 billion dollar yacht.

About seventy crew members are needed to operate the yacht and to serve guests. 

There are two helicopter pads, twenty-four guest cabins, and two swimming pools.

 She is equipped with three launch boats and a private submarine.

I doubt we'll see a larger superyacht on the Clyde, but you never know.

Meanwhile here's a fair selection of images taken throughout the day.

Passing Dunoon

Crew aboard Shows the Scale 

Approaching Greenock Esplanade

 Heading to Anchor

 At Anchor


At Anchor

 Tender Runs to Victoria Harbour

 A Closer Look

 Very Elegant

Evening Illuminations

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

MS Eurodam - Greenock Visit and Self Tour

The Holland America Lines cruise ship 'MS Eurodam' made an early arrival at Greenock this morning - appearing before 06:00.

As I was up nice and early I caught a few images as she arrived.

Went home for a change and then back again as an invited guest to take a self tour and enjoy a sumptuous four course lunch.

This was served by a very friendly and attentive restaurant staff - who also treated the diners to an impromptu chorus of a lively song from their country of origin.

My impressions once aboard was that she was very well equipped and the decor carried a degree of old style elegance.

I felt at home as I wandered the decks and took in the ambience.

I found the crew to be very helpful and friendly. We exchanged information as they advised me on locations aboard, and I for my part on how best to get in to town and where to get their shopping done.  They only have a few hours ashore so this local knowledge would be invaluable.

One of the chefs I spoke with was keen to try haggis so I pointed her in the right direction and explained how best to cook and serve the entire haggis, neeps, and tatties experience.

I hope she enjoyed.

Then back ashore and some home time before returning to catch her departure late afternoon.

A thoroughly enjoyable experience, and one I hope to manage again.


Arriving at Greenock Esplanade

 Rembrandt Dining Room

 Atrium Looking Down

 Observation Deck

 Radar and Comms

 Observation Deck

Lido Pool Complex

Tamarind Restaurant


 Burmese Disciples

 Promenade Deck

Looking Aft

 Interior

 Cabins

Departing the Ocean Terminal

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

Royal Scotsman Train Tours - Inverclyde

Another Sunday, another 'Royal Scotsman' tour arrives in Inverclyde with it's passengers enjoying the local scenery and activities.

I firstly stopped off at Greenock to get the Class 57 that was heading to Gourock to meet up with the train.

Then on down to Gourock station to see the train and other locomotive that had come down from Bridge of Orchy earlier in the day.

As I departed the station some of the passengers had disembarked from their their coach and were heading for the train to dine and carry on down to Kilmarnock.

I opted to catch her as she headed through Fort Matilda before heading home for my own dinner.

Class 57 - 57316 - Approaching Greenock 

57316 - Through Greenock Central

57316 Arrives in Gourock 

 Class 47- 47854 - Rear Traction

Welcome Aboard

Class 47- 47854 Awaits Departure

Opulence

 Dining Car

'Royal Scotsman'

Chink

 Tour Coach for the Passengers

Approaching Fort Matilda Station

Through Fort Matilda

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