A few photos of the departure from Portsmouth

[rolf]

and the arrival in Le Havre.

The first picture is of the Fyffes Banana Boats.

Second, the Harbour Police

HMS Bristol in the third

HMS Exeter in the fourth, not sure what the name of the carrier is.

And last but not least, the pilot's launch to escort us into Le Havre, they had by this time already dropped off the pilot.

[andy b]

lucky you rolf, away for a bit!!! there used to be a fyffes banana depot just around the corner from my mums house when i was a little boy. i remember that tarantulas were a regular find amonst the bananas. the depot is now the site of a retail park!!. have a great holiday in france rolf

[rolf]

Thanks Andy, same with us in Reading, there was a big Fyffes depot near the station, I can remember seeing a dead monkey in the yard one day, had got itself trapped in one of the crates.

Here are a couple of Yachts having a bit of a race and the Isle of wight tour ship.

[Chocky]

Great photos Rolf. What a breath taking sight. Takes me back to my Navy days
The Carrier is HMS Eagle

[Catherine]

Really interesting pics, Rolf! I love watching (and recording) ships and yachts, etc. I see from other ships too!

Here is some info re. the yachts in the photo;
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2009-2010 - Hull - Visit East Yorkshire - E&A Details

The ones I've added below were from last year's 'PS Waverley' outing in the Solent - and were competitors in the last Round the World Clipper race.

Well done for remembering HMS Eagle, Beryl! I only know the RO7 by name! Anything else, and I have to look it up! (I guess your 'Navy days' more than helped there!)

We saw HMS Daring (and 2 others) being built on the Clyde in 2006 (pic below). I gather they have just entered service, but I find them strange-looking, and certainly not as elegant as the older ones!

Ministry of Defence | Defence News | Equipment and Logistics | Daring makes sail for Portsmouth

[rolf]

Here's the last three.

Pilot boarding the Ferry, A sail ship and the Spinnaker tower.

[Chocky]

Really great shots Rolf all of them.
I spent two and a half years at Pompey dockyard as a staff car driver for C in C Portsmouth.
Loved it. Great place

[Catherine]

More great pics, Rolf!

The tall ship is the 'Jeannie Johnston'
Jeanie Johnston Irish Sailing Ship -- Home Page (Read her history)

And I only know 'cos I took this AWFUL pic of her last year at the Southampton Boat Show - then Googled a bit!

[rolf]

These are some photos from the return trip entering Portsmouth.

The first is the ship I travelled to Le Havre on, the Norman Voyager, not as big as the one I came back on The Norman Spirit, which had lots more seating and more to do, plus some seats on deck.

Entering Portsmouth the next picture is the Prince William sailing ship, then HMS Warrior an iron clad steam ship built in 1860, some sort of fortification, the Spice Island pub, An interesting house with its own Jetty and a striking funnel shaped office block.