Pebble.

A tidy little "Yorkshire Pebble" bobbing on her quiet and pleasant mooring.

Seine Net

A restored seine net boat berthed beside a quay that appears not to altered since her heyday.

Spartan

The puffer "Spartan" looking spruce after her restoration work, at her berth on the pontoons at Irvine.

Nelson

These image's of one of my favourite make's of small workboat were sent to me by a friend.

She is a "Nelson 18" and is the best example of the boat I have seen for a while.

Pioneer

This is an image from the Pioneer sailing trust's website. "Pioneer CK18" is the only remaining deepsea smack,and was restored by and is now operated by the trust. Why not pay them a visit and read the full story. http://www.pioneersailingtrust.org.uk/

Dawncraft

Alone on far off moorings this cathedral hulled "dawncraft" gets a buffeting from the February winds.

Please double click on image to enlarge.

Westerly

A well maintained "Westerly" looking good in the winter sun, lie's at her berth.

Mirror

Yet another old and worn photo, this time of the "Mirror" dinghy a boat that gave many people an insight into building and sailing their own craft. Designed by Jack Holt and Barry Bucknell and produced by the Bell Woodworking Co. of Leicester, they were available as complete boat or in kit form. The price in the mid sixties was, complete boat £103 and in kit form £57.

Dolphin 20

This is a classic cruiser built to a high standard in the 1960's by the Brooklands Aviation Co. The model shown is the "Dolphin 20" although their were a few models this is my personal favourite.construction was cold molded marine ply on mahogany frames, they were also fitted with toughened glass windows in steel frames, unusal in that era. Two bunks were provided in the main cabin, together with a gas cooker and sink unit, a further two full size bunks were available in the aft cockpit enclosed by a canopy with side screens which was supplied as standard. The price in 1966 was £750. Once again I must apologise for the poor quality of the image .

Moonraker

To start off two or three days of popular boats from the sixtie's and seventie's this is an image of an original advert. Initially this boat was designed and built by Vic Bell of Brundall, the was taken over by Colin Chapman . Sorry for the quality but the poster is almost forty years old.

Keeping To Schedule.

The Caledonian MacBrayne ro. ro. ferry "Caledonian Isles" rounds the breakwater at Ardrossan.

Heading for her berth to decant her passengers and cargo right on time.

Please double click the image to enlarge.

On The Hard.

A smart work Catamaran sitting on a nice tri. axle trailer, she seems to be rigged for hydrographic surveying, a very tidy trailable workboat. Do'nt know the owner's but wish them fair winds. and happy use.

Please double click image to enlarge.

Sheltered Corner

A well appointed " Motor Catamaran " comfortably berthed behind two workboat's.

Please double click image to enlarge

Waiting For A Lift

This is a close view of the crane jib of heavy lift barge " Mersey Mammoth. " How would you like to operate it from the little pod up there

Please double click image to enlarge

Strawberries.

Here's an interesting image that I came upon while repairing some old photographs.

Lost.

This well restored example of a Lister Engine driving a pump looks ready for work even in it's present surroundings.

In Harbour

A solitary inshore fishing vessel ready to go to sea.

O.B.H.

This wood sculpture at "Kip Marina" display's characteristic's of the small boatbuilders craft

Please double click image to enlarge

Continental ?

This image of a small corner of Kip Marina, on the Firth of Clyde show's why it continues to be the premier marina in the area. Would you believe this photo was taken on the 09/02/08 with the temperature reaching double figures.

Please double click the image to enlarge

Shelter

Small workboats lie sheltering behind a heavy barge, while a once useful jetty continues to lose it,s battle with the elements.

Please double click the image to enlarge

Going Astern

While loading some heavy machinery at Ardrossan harbour, " Mersey Mammoth " breaks from her job, going astern to stand off and give way to a ferry which is about to arrive.

Black Loch

The "Black loch" certainly live's up to it's name on a very dull winter's day. Then the sun began to break through the cloud.

Please view large image.

Impending Spring.

Encouraged by yesterday's fine, but chilly weather, a trip to "Dundonald hill" produced this image of Troon on the firth of, Clyde with the southern end of the " Isle of Arran " visible through the Mist.

Freedom

Taking advantage of a welcome glint of February sun, she's out and off on her own for a taste of sweeter Grass

Laigh Milton Viaduct

As I mentioned yesterday this is the " Laigh Milton Viaduct " built as part of the "IV Duke of Portland's Kilmarnock and Troon railway, completed in 1812 it is reputed to be the oldest in the world still standing. The structure has been refurbished in recent years, the project winning an award from the " Saltire Society. "

Dilapidation

Another historic building allowed to fall into an abject state of neglect. Originally the lower mill on the " River Irvine " undergoing a conversion in the nineteen sixties, then operated as a hotel and resturaunt for a number of years. Two or three years ago it became the subject of a project to be turned into flat's, sadly this has not yet come to fruition. The building then fell into it's present state of dilapidation. A situation made worse by the fact that it stands close to another historic structure which has won awards for it's excellent refurbishment.

Reaching Their Level

Viewed from this angle are they really so obtrusive. Would you prefer a smoking chimney in their place.Please view the large picture.

Hill Loch

A small hill loch on the moor near my home on this dull winter morning, just before the snow started.

Out Of Season

A welcome though brief glimpse of the sun during this cold and stormy spell, leads me to hope for an early spring.