Ever watchful

I wonder if this will keep the seagulls away?

After the Tall Ship of the last two days ...

... here is a classic "Small Ship" 

making her way out to sea through Plymouth Sound.

Father and son

Low tide is the perfect time for checking over the family boat 

on a beautiful January afternoon  in Forder Creek.

Spring cannot be too far away.

In the deep mid winter

After a gloomy and wet Christmas Day we are enjoying

a few days of perfect, crisp, sunny and  crystal clear weather.

Just right for checking the moorings and it having a clean up.

What's in a name?

Many vessels are named after places and there is usually a clear reason for that choice.

but I was intrigued by the choice of "Djibouti" for a small craft in the River Tamar.

For many, Djibouti is synonymous with La Légion Étrangère.

As I strolled, I kept an eye out for a man with close cropped. iron grey  hair and a weather beaten face.

When, there sat on the beach, was such a man quietly singing to himself.

"J'avais un camarade", he whispered. Click to hear his song 

 

High and Dry

Low tide just up river from the Tamar bridges.

Spring is in the air.

At last we are enjoying an extended spell of dry weather

and people are out in small craft of all kinds, in and around  Plymouth Sound.   

Muscle Power

Wind Power

Craft of this type are widely believed to be powered by Gin and Tonic.

On a cold winter day ....

... we sometimes become  tourists in a world of stillness.

Up the Creek

Forder Creek provides a safe haven from winter storms for these small boats.

 

The last wisps of mist clear

to make way for another beautiful, cloudless autumn day.

Little Red Boat

The beginning of another beautiful autumn day.

The Thin Red Line

Careening

Careening is the practice of beaching a vessel at high tide so that that when the tide recedes 

one side of the hull is exposed to allow cleaning, painting or maintenance to be carried out.

The crews were waiting patiently for the water to recede so that they could set to work.

High, Dry and Handsome

The calm before the storm.

Merlin is a very long way from home

Check the red arrows for Lerwick and Plymouth

Bath Tub Toys

Bath time is going to be more fun from now on.