Today began one of the biggest shows my birth town of Greenock, in the west coast of Scotland, has put on for many years. The famous Tall Ships have arrived at the historic James Watt Dock and the whole area has taken on a wonderful carnival atmosphere. They last came to Greenock in 1999, when the ships sailed into the East India and Victoria Harbours, spilling over to the Custom House Quay.
This time, however, the extravagana is taking place over the next few days at the site of a multi-million pound development of this historic part of the docks. The A-listed Sugar Warehouses are included in the regeneration and form a back-drop to some of the tall ships this weekend. Apart from the thousands of visitors descending on the area, it's wonderful to see the variety of crew members from all over the world. Any ship taking part in the Tall Ships Races must have a majority of crew members in the 16 to 25 year old age group, allowing young people to experience the adventure of sailing on the open seas.
Rosemary
12 comments:
Love the photos Rosemary. Even though it is only with events such as The Tall Ships that most people get to see these fantastic sights, they appeal instinctively- perhaps because we are an island nation...
Thanks Carol - it really was an impressive sight and I'd have loved it even more if the sails had been unfurled! We did sail on a Star Clipper years ago and that was great.
LOVE Tall Ships! Of course, being in the desert, we don't see them very often. ;-)
I was thrilled to go aboard HMS Victory in Portsmouth twice, and have been aboard a couple in San Diego, but sadly have never been sailing on one. Someday I'd like to do that around Cape Horn.
Going to check your other blog now...
Great to see the tall ships through your photographs, Rosemary. Wonderful that these graceful vessels exist, evoking days of old.
Hi Jude - thanks for visiting. I can imagine you won't see many ships! I'm sure you'd love to sail on a Clipper or something like that.
Hi Maggie - it's an amazing sight when they are all together like that. Glad the photos gave a you a little taste!
Hi Jude - thanks for visiting. I can imagine you won't see many ships! I'm sure you'd love to sail on a Clipper or something like that.
Hi Maggie - it's an amazing sight when they are all together like that. Glad the photos gave a you a little taste!
How amazing. Wish I could've seen them. I love that kind of stuff.
What lovely pictures! Also I have just been reading about your son's wedding, it looked absolutely perfect. Best wishes to the happy couple!
Oh what fun! Scotland is one of my dream places to go and mix that with sailing vessels, wow!
Awesome pics - must have been amazing to see them in person. Thanks for sharing :-)
Hi Diana - thanks for visiting. It was an impressive sight!
Hello P&P - thanks for your good wishes. The lovebirds are in Oz now on honeymoon!
Hi Ciara - nice to see you! Thanks for leaving a comment. We don't get the sailing ships very often, but Scotland has its own beauty!
Hello Diane - thanks for your comment! I really wish we'd been here yesterday to see them depart in full sail, but we were away again.
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