Cloch Lighthouse & Submarine

Headed to the Cloch around lunch time as the USS Albany was departing Faslane to head downriver.

After a long chat with a local from Inverkip I decided to grab a few shots of the Cloch Lighthouse - an icon of the Gourock area.

 Cloch Lighthouse

 USS Albany Departs

 Cloch Lighthouse

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

Waverley Returns

A day later than expected the PS Waverley exited the Garvel Dry Dock and was towed to Custom House Quay in Greenock for the final preparations before the season begins.

 Exiting Garvel Dry Dock

 Lyrawa Bay Leaving James Watt Dock

 Close Quarters Work

 Battler and Waverley

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

James Watt Dock - Busy Today

The dock was fairly busy today with the arrival  of the VUC32 puffer, and some tug activity.

VIC 32 Puffer

Ayton Cross

 Sir John Murray

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

Gourock Highland Games

It was Gourock's annual Highland Games this afternoon.

Remarkably, it stayed dry for the entire duration - which I believe is not always the case.

Had discussions with some French visitors - one of whom was a Professional Photographer, and a couple from Seattle on a short holiday.

 Measuring

 Pipe Bands

Entertainer

 Tossing the Caber

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

Greenock Cemetery

Hadn't been up the cemetery for a while and it's just so beautiful on a day like today.

What a pity the local 'talent' has seen fit to destroy so much in this peaceful and tranquil place.

No respect ................

Can only be described as 'mindless'.

 Anchor - Fitting for the Clyde Area

 Faithful Friend to the End

 Greenock Cemetery

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

Riverside Today

Nice and sunny this afternoon, but not quite summer temperatures yet. Shame after yesterday.

River was quite busy for a while after a quiet start.

Seagull in Flight

Suomigracht Departs Greenock Ocean Terminal

CMS Buster on Duty

 Marida Mimosa Heading to Glasgow

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

Sunny Day

Weather was much better today. New tripod head arrived so caught a couple of shots to try it out.

AB Liverpool Approaches Port Glasgow

 Passing Port Glasgow Light en route to Glasgow

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

Another Busy Day on the River

A much nicer day today and the river was well busy.

Just a few of the many vessels around this afternoon.

 Clyde Marine's Rover

 'Ayton Cross' Leads 'Mimosa Dream' Down River

 Tugs Charging Home

 Very Busy River Clyde

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

Mimosa Dream - Wood Chip Carrier

Seen here heading towards Glasgow.

Assisting Tugs

Mimosa Dream

 Passing Port Glasgow

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

James Watt Dock - Today

Having been delayed, I missed the Waverley going in to Dry Dock, but held on and was rewarded with a bit of activity in the area.

Also had a chat with Gerry and Graeme, having briefly spoke with John and another Gerry.

All in all, not a bad morning.

 SD Impulse Leaves James Watt Dock

Svitzer Milford Arrives at Harbour

 Fishing Boats Returns

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

Russian Arctic Convoy Veterans Honoured - Edinburgh

30 Russian Arctic Convoy Veterans from around Scotland were presented with a medal to mark the 65th anniversary of the end of World War 2.

The veterans - who transported vital supplies to Russia - were honoured at a ceremony in Edinburgh, and I had the privilege of accompanying my friend George Gray to see this historic event.

Winston Churchill once described these convoys as the most dangerous of the war.

The Consul General of the Russian Federation - Sergey Krutikov - said "It is a great honour for me to carry out the wishes of the President of the Russian Federation and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces and present these medals to these British Russian Convoy veterans."

"The Russians, like the British, have the same warm feelings for their veterans."

 Speeches

 Proud Hero

 Jock Dempster and George Gray

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

Faslane - A Quiet Day

I was expecting we may had a few more of the Joint Warrior Exercise ships return.

Weather wasn't great for photos either. Not the best.

 HMS Sutherland (F81) - Type 23 Frigate

 Flags Flying - HMS Iron Duke (F234)

 HMS Iron Duke (F234) - Type 23 Frigate

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

Back in Greenock after visiting Gareloch

After the bitter cold at Gareloch, I found myself on the other side of the river in Greenock - just as she was passing.

Ternvik Passes Greenock

Bow Wave

Ternvik - Departs the River Clyde

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

Another Trip to the Gareloch

A few vessels returning early from the Joint Warrior exercise  - perhaps due to the volcanic ash disrupting the world's air transport schedules.

French Submarine Perle (S606)

Flying Flags

USS Barry (DDG-52) - Arleigh Burke Class Guided Missile Destroyer

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

River Clyde - Busy as Ever

While catching some images of the Grand Princess - another two vessels were on the same stretch of the river.

Whitchampion Departs

Flinterforest heading to the Ocean Terminal - Greenock

 Flinterforest passes Grand Princess

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

Grand Princess - Greenock

Today saw the start of the Cruise Liner season with the visit of the Grand Pincess as she arrived from Bermuda. This would be her only call here this year.

She then continued her crusie as she headed to Dublin.

 Grand Princess Departs Greenock

 Grand Princess - complete with  extra large TV Screen

 Grand Princess Leaving the Clyde

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