Balmoral in Avonmouth

After completing her final sailing on September 19th on charter Balmoral made her way to Avonmouth docks. The ship is currently berthed in Avonmouth rather than Bristol due to the much greater ease of pressing her into service if the need arises over the next 3 weeks. If she were to be berthed at Bristol there would be a requirement to maintain crew on her due to the life saving appliances and equipment which is still on-board. Avonmouth provides a safe and secure berth for the ship.

The following pictures were taken and kindly provided by Chris Jones.

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A dressed Maid

The following picture of Maid of the Loch was taken by John Beveridge on Saturday (23rd September). The Maid is proudly dressed with signal flags, name pennant, flag staff at the bow and an ensign. The flags were provided by the Scottish Branch in time for the Jubilee in June this year.

John adds that they are only flown in dry weather, so they therefore have not been seen very often this summer!

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Balmoral at Oban

The following pictures (except the first) were provided by Roy Tait of Balmoral at Oban North Pier. Her visit to the Western Isles was marked by some poor weather but those who choose to join her for the Corryvreckan whirlpool trip on Sunday September 2nd were not disappointed. The whirlpool lived up to its name and for about 10 minutes it was lively as Balmoral made her way through.

Balmoral arrives at Oban North Pier having sailed from Fort William on Sunday 2nd September. (P Semple)

The Isle of Mull is also to be seen in Oban in this shot over looking the town.

 

Mean while Waverley has been carrying excellent loadings on the Bristol Channel with just shy of 700 carried to Ilfracombe on Sunday 2nd September and then over 500 landed at Lundy for the annual church service, the highest number of passengers landed at Lundy for a number of years.

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