Festival of the Sea

[Hagar]

A friend & I decided to venture down to Pompey (Portsmouth) yesterday. Here's a few shots to show the wonderful atmosphere, taken during a boat trip round the harbour when we first arrived. We were more interested in the tall ships than modern warships. The ships were all dressed in their finery which made the whole place a riot of colour.






HMS Illustrious fresh from a refit. Flagship of the Royal Navy. We had a tour round the ship later in the day.


We had a brilliant day out & my photos don't do it justice. The weather wasn't bad but a little sunshine would have made all the difference. My only regret was not seeing those magnificent sailing ships in full sail. Still, you can't have everthing.

Last day tomorrow. If anyone's thinking of going I can recommend it. http://www.festivalofthesea.co.uk/

[Craig.]

great photos Doug. Thanks for posting them. What is that weird building in the back there? the white twisty one.

[alan_harmi]

Smashing shots m8...how I envy you being able to see such a sight.  I was over in January and toured HMS. Victory, I was most impressed, but sadly my mother in law threw out all my pics of her  >:(  Anyway nice pics

[Hagar]

great photos Doug. Thanks for posting them. What is that weird building in the back there? the white twisty one.

Thanks Craig. That's the (in)famous Spinnaker Tower. Actually a very impressive piece of sculpture. You can see the viewing gallery near the top - not open yet. As usual it went way over budget.

[Craig.]

sounds familliar:) thanks

[Fozzer]

......colour......

Good-on-you, Doug...!
Keep up the good work...>>>
...none of this "color" malarky...!
...(St LOO-EE).... ;)...!
LOL...!

Fantastic photo's, Doug...
Especially with the angry, stormy clouds overhead....just as it was during the Battle of Armada...>>>

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/state/mona ... a_01.shtml

Our old mate, Woody will be eager to see them... ...!

Cheers Doug.

Paul....Festival of the Sea.....Fish 'n Chips... ....!

[ATI_7500]

This is really a fresh breeze in the photos froum. All those aircraft pics are getting boring...

I'm still drooling - not because I'm sea-sick, but because of all those b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l ships.

[C]

Very nice Doug. I would have popped down there myself if I hadn't just moved to the far north (well, relative to Watford Gap...)

At our end we had a "Gala on the Green" outside the mess at Linton last night, rounded off with a Spitfire flypast, which turned out to be a full display (for 2100hrs) by AB910 of the BBMF...

[Hagar]

Wow, I've impressed Bjorn. There's a first time for everything. Glad you like 'em chaps. It really was a beautiful sight & a very pleasant time was had by all - despite the murky weather. Reminded me of the old Navy Days my Dad took us to in my yoof. That was when we had a proper navy with proper aircraft carriers. Think the last time I visited Pompey was for the fleet review in 1977.

At our end we had a "Gala on the Green" outside the mess at Linton last night, rounded off with a Spitfire flypast, which turned out to be a full display (for 2100hrs) by AB910 of the BBMF...

Ah well. I intended going up to Old Warden tomorrow but the forecast doen't look promising. I know, they usually get it wrong but it's a long way to go to get wet. No good for photos either without a little sunshine. This is July isn't it?
There's supposed to be some sort of flypast by a Hurricane & Spitfire along Worthing seafront tomorrow afternoon so I might just toddle down there instead.

[ozzy72]

A tad overcast but looks to have been interesting Doug

[C]

Ah well. I intended going up to Old Warden tomorrow but the forecast doen't look promising. I know, they usually get it wrong but it's a long way to go to get wet. No good for photos either without a little sunshine. This is July isn't it?
There's supposed to be some sort of flypast by a Hurricane & Spitfire along Worthing seafront tomorrow afternoon so I might just toddle down there instead.

I think my next foray down to Old Warden may be for the Flying Prom - I feel very guilty that I've never been to it, and I must go to the OW one before I go to one of the "clones" which are appearing like flys around doggy doo-doo...

[citationX]

Nice pictures Hagar, I wish I could go on those boats, their so bueatiful.

[beaky]

Terrific! Great set. Nice to see the ol' USCGC Eagle over there "representin'"...

[ATI_7500]

Wow, I've impressed Bjorn. There's a first time for everything.

Hehe, glad to make you happy.

[TSC.]

Great shots Hagar, I wish I could've been there, but i was 'oop north', I didn't realise the Fleet Review was on so soon, I just assumed that, because it was marking the 200th anniverary of the Battle of Trafalgar - it would be on, or very near, October 21st.

Being born in Portsmouth myself, I tend to have a in-bred sense of admiration & respect for Lord Nelson & HMS Victory (the oldest commisioned warship in the world).

Cheers,

TSC.