Ship Shape and Bristol (Channel) Fashion!

No sooner have Waverley's Western Isles trips finished but our little paddler is on it's way somewhere else! Somewhere else at the moment is the Bristol Channel where she will spend a couple of weeks entertaining her friends, supporters and the public in general undertaking varied sailings. Her timetable for this area can be found here .

Waverley left the Clyde on Wednesday 2nd June arriving at Swansea in good time to take her first sailing from there to Lundy Island on Saturday 5th. This sailing took her from Swansea to Porthcawl, Ilfracombe, Lundy and back. It was at Portcawl on the outward leg that Chris Jones caught her in good weather loading a healthy number of passengers for the day's sailing. She left for Ilfracombe with 700+ aboard.

Chris has kindly given the branch permission to post photos taken by him at Portcawl.

Waverley backs away from Portcawl - next stop Ilfracombe.

Thanks to Chris for the pics!!

Gavin Stewart

Two Ships Day on Bristol Channel

Entering service for her 60th year, MV Balmoral made her first sailing of her 2009 season on Wednesday 17th June when she sailed from Bristol, down the River Avon and met up with her fleetmate PS Waverley in the Bristol Channel.

The following selection of photos have been provided by Chris Jones.

A well loaded Balmoral with Waverley in the background

Conditions look rather damp, keeping many passengers below
who missed the two ships passing in the channel

Waverley dressed overall to celebrate her younger fleetmate's
big event, salutes in the traditional manner
with her steam whistle as the two ships pass

Waverley alongside at Penarth Pier

A scene from the beginning of Waverley's time on the Bristol Channel
as she arrives into Avonmouth after her journey from Ayr

Her duties for the day completed, and having taken on necessary supplies,
Balmoral sets sail for the Irish Sea and this year's fleeting visit (just!)

to Scotland when she will operate two days of sailings from Garlieston on
the Solway Firth on Friday and Saturday of this week to Douglas, Isle of Man.

Only a few more days and Waverley will also be setting course
back to the Clyde for the start of her summer season -
but first the PSPS ScottishBranch Charter on 23rd

Thanks to Chris Jones for providing his photographs for use on our Blog

Charles McCrossan

Waverley at Lundy Island

Some pictures from Waverley's first visits in 2009 to Lundy Island. The photographers are Michael McKinnon (like Waverley from Scotland), who is working for the Landmark Trust on Lundy this summer, and long time PSPS member Ashley Gill. Click on the pictures for larger size images.

The first picture (above) of Waverley's first arrival at Lundy was taken by Michael and, coincidently, it captures the second photographer, Ashley, in the red jacket on the ship's upper deck, abaft the funnels, watching the ship's approach. On the bridge is Waverley's senior master Capt Andy O'Brian and Capt Luke Davies.

The views above and below, also captured by Michael, show Waverley alongside the east side of Lundy pier as her passengers enjoy time ashore to explore the island. The paddler is looking absolutely magnificant despite limited financial resources over the past winter - she is a great credit to her officers, crew, managers and the dedicated band of enthusiatic volunteers that look after her.

First picture by Ashley (below) shows the paddler berthed on the other side of Lundy pier on 7th June.

Below, Ashley's second picture captures Ilfracombe's Town Cryer at work onthe paddler's promenade deck

In the following picture, by Ashley, Waverley has moved off to anchor - this was a familar sight until the pier at Lundy was constructed in recent years.

Finally a super view, captured by Ashley, showing Waverley underway off Lundy

The copyright of these photos remain with the photographers - many thanks to Michael and Ashley for sharing these superb views with us.

Stuart Cameron.

Waverley in the Bristol Channel

(Photos reproduced with kind permission of Chris Jones)


On Thursday June 4th Waverley arrived in the Bristol Channel to undertake two weeks of cruises. The following three shots show her arrival at Avonmouth.







Moving on to Monday 8th June and the following shots show our paddler approaching, arriving and departing Penarth.





Off she goes to Clevedon and then onwards to Avonmouth for bunkers.

Thanks again to Chris for the photos.
Waverley's first sailing of her 62nd Clyde Season is the annual branch mid-summer evening charter on Tuesday 23rd June - details to follow.


Gavin Stewart