Wednesday 26 February 2014

Painting Time

As the season is nearly here Peter and myself have been working on the boats to get them ready for the new season.

This is all the stuff we do behind the scenes before the season starts. The MCA have also been to inspect the hulls to make sure they have no holes and as not damaged before they get the tick to say  they are ok for the year. They will be back again in a few weeks time to inspect them in the water, then if everything is ok we will get the go ahead with our full licences for the season.

Serenity II was on chocks this year for the first time as we decided to give her a buff and the MCA wanted to check the boats shafts to see if they are worn. They passed which is always a relief as the last thing we want to do is to go away and buy new shafts.

Other than a few jobs to finish off and the sign writing to do, all the boats are ready to get back out on the water.

You might be thinking that if all the boats are on the pier then how do I go out. Well I have been using the dive boat as the wheelhouse is a bit bigger and if anyone gets really cold they can come inside to warm up. Also it has a kettle onboard which is a big bonus on those cold winter days.















Tuesday 4 February 2014

Grey Phalarope

On Sunday the rain had stopped and the sun was shining so after a call from a friend I decided to go across to Stag Rock at Bamburgh to see the Little Gulls and the Grey Phalarope.

As I go there this little beauty turned up and put one really good show. It was a pity the light was not the best and it was getting late in the day.

Sorry but the pictures are not the best as I have just had my lense fixed but I think its still not right so I'll have to send it back again. I took nearly 700 pictures and only a few came out ok.

Stag Rock





Little Gull

 
A Long-tailed Duck just the other side of the Lighthouse


A pair of Merganser's


The mighty Inner Farne
 

and last but not least Gary Woodburn sent me this picture of myself in action. Cheers Gary