Ships in May 2021, Part 3, the final one

Saturday 22nd May 2021

I was up and out for some fresh air before breakfast this morning, as the gales seem to have died down slightly, and life seemed less turbulent. 

 

After checking out of the hotel, we drove to Portsmouth Gunwharf Quays underground parking.  The first piece of good news was that the harbour cruises were running, and we were soon in the short queue to buy tickets to board ALI CAT OF COWES for a real harbour cruise around Portsmouth Harbour. 

 

Ali Cat of Cowes, near Jenny M and Albula

Victoria of Wight

We were soon on board, wearing face masks of course to comply with one of the remaining Covid restrictions in this part of the UK;  the number of passengers allowed on board was reduced too and we were reminded to follow social distancing, but it felt wonderful to be there, and everyone around looked cheerful. 

 

At 11 a.m. we set sail, and the cameras were again in use.  Nearby was the little JENNY M, and the rather larger ALBULA.  In a couple of minutes we arrived at our first stop at the Dockyard, to pick up more passengers, and finally we left that quayside and sailed out into the harbour proper.  We could see so many ships and small vessels, including the mighty HMS WARRIOR built in 1862, and other tugs and Naval vessels. 

 

Haslar Marina

Wight Ryder 1

Wight Ryder II and the Spinnaker Tower

The old floating bridge number 5, Hempel

HMS Warrior

Vessel number 68 from the USA

HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH

Ahead we could see the very new Aircraft carrier HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, who is due to sail from here in Portsmouth this very evening.  She looked vast, compared with the other vessels around her, but I was very pleased to see her for real.  There were many other Royal Navy vessels nearby, many of whom are probably going to accompany HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH this evening. 

 

As we approached these ships we had to keep outside a restricted area of course, with several Police vessels showing where we could sail.  I started taking pictures of the Aircraft Carrier and suddenly became aware of something unexpected.  Near a high point on one of the top turrets I could see a sight I thought  I recognised:   I could see the Royal Standard, the flag flown on a building or ship when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is on board!  The more I looked, the more certain I felt.  What an occasion to be here, on my first sailing since September 2019, with a good friend, and it wasn't raining! 

That looks like the Royal Standard

On board the new aircraft carrier

The bow and ramp

 

At the furthest part of the route we could see another new cruise ship, the VIKING VENUS.  I was pleased to see her, knowing that she starts her maiden voyage from here today.  She will head up to Liverpool as her first port of call. 

The brand new Viking Venus

Viking Venus bow

SD Helen

HMS Enterprise

SD Christina and others

Diligence, who went to the Falklands

The bow of Viking Venus

Logo and funnel of Viking Venus

Geest Line Lombok Strait

HMS Victory

On the way back I was happy to see H.M.S. VICTORY, launched in 1765, and of course best known as Lord Horatio Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21st October 1805.  I believe many in the UK consider that 21st October would be the ideal date for an extra Bank Holiday, because of the long gap at present between the Bank Holiday on the last Monday in August and Christmas Day on 25th December.

 

Our little harbour cruise finally came to an end and we had to disembark back at Gunwharf Quays.  It had been a good morning, at sea, and was a very reassuring way to start to get back to what we all hope will be normal life in the coming months. 

 

Back on dry land we headed for the small cafe at the bottom of the Spinnaker Tower and considered all the ships we had seen today, many of them about to leave on big adventures.  We wish them all well. 

 

Ships seen:  Ali Cat of Cowes, Jenny M, Albula, Wight Ryder I, Wight Ryder II, Spirit of Gosport, HMS Warrior, HMS Victory, HMS Queen Elizabeth, St. Faith, VIC56, Diligence - a Royal Navy ship who had been to the Falklands, HMS Enterprise, the floating bridge number 5 called Hempel now at Gosport Marina, HMS Duncan, SD Victoria, SD tugs including SD Helen, HMS Bristol, SD Netley, Norton, Suzanne, Christina, Yorkshireman, Scotsman, Geest's Lombok Strait, Viking Venus, Victoria of Wight, St. Clare, Mont St. Michel

Ships in May 2021

20th May 2021 It's been a long, wet, cool and windy winter and spring during the latest pandemic restrictions in the south of England, but life seems to be getting better as the month of May comes to an end. I knew that several fairly new ships were keeping safe off the coast of Dorset in the UK, and some very new ships were heading into the port of Southampton or the port of Portsmouth last week. There was an appalling weather forecast due all along the English Channel from Thursday 20th May 2021 but I left my home and set off by train for the ports. I haven't been to sea since September 2019. I had several trips booked but all had to be cancelled during 2020 because of the Covid restrictions here in the UK and in other countries. I've had my two vaccinations, and so last week when Government restrictions were lifted I was able to go away from home and hope to go to sea, which was very exciting. In Southampton I met one of my 'shippy' friends and we headed off to a big local hotel for Afternoon Tea, up on the 6th floor. Of course it was raining, and the high winds were gusting all around, but I could see a huge ship through the rain on the windows at one end of the Restaurant Terrace: it was the new P&O ship IONA. Well, that was a good start to seeing the sea and a ship. Next we visited Mayflower Park, which was almost deserted. The rain had stopped for a little while, so I could get a photograph of the MSC VIRTUOSA which was berthed at 101, and seemed to have lots of ropes keeping her safely tied up alongside. She is 181,000 tons and looked huge; she is due to sail soon on her Maiden Voyage in a Covid-secure environment. In fact she sailed on her Maiden Voyage, and the first post-Covid UK cruise, that very evening.

MSC Virtuosa, Berth 101, Southampton

MSC Virtuosa, Berth 101 Way off in the distance behind her I could see the bright pink hull of the ONE COLUMBA, a 2018-built container ship, due to leave on 22nd May for Port Said and the Suez Canal. It felt so strange to look and see a space where the Solent Flour Mills used to be until a few months ago. I remember when I worked as a Purserette on board a Union-Castle Liner many years ago, standing on deck for lifeboat drill before sailing on a Friday at 1, and on the port side we could always see the Solent Flour Mills. However, turning round and looking behind me I could see the white-capped waves and feel so grateful not to be at sea, even here in Southampton Water. It was still not raining and now I could see the RED OSPREY of Red Funnel about to head to the Isle of Wight, P&O's IONA just beyond her, and way off in the distance I could see the huge shape of P&O's other new ship VENTURA.

Red Osprey, Iona, Ventura in the distance The gale force winds and rain was forecast for at least the next two days, and it would be interesting to see what would be able to sail. Certainly we knew that at Portsmouth and Southsea the Hovercraft would not be sailing/flying over to the Isle of Wight. In Port Solent, further along the coast near Portsmouth and Southsea, bags were checked into an hotel, and then we went back to the seaside to look at the sea. The waves were hurling themselves into the water's edge, onto the promenade and over it, into the roadside and filling up the gutters. I remember getting out of the car for a minute just to get a couple of photos of the Brittany Ferries GALICIA heading into Portsmouth Harbour from Santander in Spain. I had to jump across the water and didn't quite make it, so ended up with a little sea in my left boot, but it was the only alternative. The ship looked fairly steady but I didn't envy the passengers on their voyage.

Sea water at Southsea

Galicia of Brittany Ferries heading into Portsmouth Harbour from Santander Back in the car and further along the promenade the sea was hurling itself against the sea wall and rising up high into the air and then onto any traffic that was parked. It was quite dramatic to be safely in a car but flinching as the water hit the windscreen and car body. We soon moved further inland, and found somewhere for an evening meal. Ships seen: Iona, Ventura, Virtuosa, Red Osprey, One Columba, Galicia To be continued...

HOVERCRAFT & OTHER VESSELS Part 3 (the concluding one) - Brittany Ferries

22nd October 2016
MONT ST. MICHEL
Back at the Wightlink terminal we could disembark and return to the parked car, ready for another little journey - this time to the Brittany Ferry Terminal which is part of the Portsmouth International Port. On 20th October 2016 Brittany Ferries announced that they have just renegotiated a deal to continue sailings from Portsmouth International Port for the next eleven years. Two of us checked in here whilst the car was being parked safely, and then all three of us joined the queue to get the little bus to take us alongside our next ship of the trip.

Arrivals

Departures


This afternoon we are to sail on a much bigger vessel: Brittany Ferries MONT ST. MICHEL from Portsmouth to the port of Caen, the city in the Lower Normandy area of northern France. We were soon on board and enjoying the prospect of sailing from here in sunshine at 2.45 p.m. We were last on here in May 2013 and up on deck we could see an immediate difference around the funnel area. She was built and delivered in 2002, at 35,586 gross tons, but now we could see where the exhaust gas scrubbers have been fitted, to remove sulphur from their exhaust emissions.

New exhaust gas scrubbers have been fitted


The ship can carry 830 cars/lorries at full capacity, on decks 3,4,5 and 6; and 2,120 passengers in deck 7 aft cabins and deck 9 forward cabins as well as reserved seat lounges and other public rooms.

We were soon sailing and enjoying the views of HMS VICTORY, the Emirates Spinnaker Tower as it is now known (170 metres high and open to the public) and Spitbank Fort out in the Solent. The Fort was started in 1859 as one of four of Lord Palmerston's Forts to defend approaches to Portsmouth Harbour, completed in 1878 and fitted with guns. These were replaced with newer armaments over the years until the Spitbank Fort was sold by the Ministry of Defence in 1982. It is now a most unusually-situated private luxury hotel, although still a Scheduled Monument.

HMS Victory

A hopper dredger named Reynaert, built in 2007, with a home port of Flushing in the Netherlands

Making her way past us

South Parade Pier, Southsea

Spitbank Fort

Our ship and route


On board MONT ST. MICHEL tea and cake was enjoyed in La Galerie Self-Service Restaurant with its forward views, and then we had the chance to 'show and tell' about our various ship-related purchases or events since we last met and travelled together. It was only last month (September) but we all seem to lead busy and interesting lives...

A hour or two later we had missed the Quiz in the main lounge, had missed the Wizard (!) entertaining the children in another public area, didn't want to see a film in the cinema, and realised it was time to enjoy evening dinner in the A La Carte Restaurant on board.

After that it was soon time to watch for the 9.30 p.m. arrival in Caen (Ouistreham) and disembarkation some time after that. We are booked to travel home again on the MONT ST. MICHEL overnight but still had to leave the ship, exit the terminal and could then enjoy a short walk in the dark fresh air outside.

When the call came to check in and board the MONT ST. MICHEL, we joined the inevitable queue and I admired the poster pictures I could see nearby.

Poster picture of Phare de Ouistreham (lighthouse)


Sailing time of 23.00 was fast approaching but the Security people had only just turned up so there were lots of delays at the first part of the queue as foot passengers were scanned and/or patted down, as well as putting luggage through the scanner. With luggage collected, Passports then had to be shown further along and this took up more time. We then had to get outside the building and onto a bus, to be taken to the ship. We noticed that some people had been so delayed that the bus left without them, but it was sailing time by the time we were on board, and presumably the bus went back to collect the remainder of the footies. That all seemed a little disorganised and time-consuming to many of us, but that was the way it was.

Back on board MONT ST. MICHEL it was good to leave weekend rucksacks in the cabin and enjoy the surroundings. I really like the flow of the design of this ship, and the various public rooms and staircases. They all seem very passenger-friendly to me.

Guide to Onboard Services

Deck 10

Deck 9

Deck 8

Deck 7


We are to sail overnight back to Portsmouth so there was time for a short sleep before arrival at 06.45 a.m.

Mont St. Michel


Sunday 23rd October 2016
That was indeed a short night on board MONT ST. MICHEL but breakfast up on the Deck 9 Le Cafe du Festival meant a good start as we headed into Portsmouth Harbour and disembarkation. It was barely daylight by the time we were on the quayside and saw the ubiquitous bus to take us to the terminal. We collected the car from the car park and I was then given a lift to the nearest train station, which certainly helped me.

I live in an area with frequent planned and unplanned strikes and cancellations by the Southern Rail company, plus staff shortages, so I was pleasantly surprised to discover a train leaving in ten minutes to a destination that would help me. I think I was the only passenger on board for a few miles, and there was no heating whatsoever - the train guard and I had a friendly moan together as he passed through my carriage - but at least I was on my way home.

Yesterday had been a FIVE SHIP DAY and what a contrast in vessels they had been, as well as an enjoyable day out.

HOVERCRAFT & OTHER VESSELS Part 2 - Wightlink ferries

22nd October 2016 WIGHTLINK ferries
On the promenade beside the beach I saw a Memorial plaque, stating that nearby on 14th September 1805 Admiral Lord Nelson embarked for the last time, being killed on the following 21st October at the victorious Battle of Trafalgar. Yesterday evening I raised a glass to Nelson, on what I hope might one day be a Trafalgar Day Bank Holiday in the UK.

There was also a blue plaque to Sir Alec Rose commemorating his single-handed round-the-world yacht voyage in 1968.

St. Clare leaving Portsmouth as we left the Hovercraft terminal

The blue plaque to Sir Alec Rose


Then it was back to the car for a fast drive to the Wightlink ferry terminal, and boarding ST. CECILIA for the 40 minute ride from Portsmouth to Fishbourne on the Isle of Wight.

About to board St. Cecilia as a foot passenger


She was built in 1992; there were many passengers on board and we enjoyed seeing the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, the Mary Mouse 2 former lightship, now a floating restaurant at Haslar Marina, Gosport, as we sailed out of the harbour.

The linkspan built in 1982

The bell on St. Cecilia

The Spinnaker Tower at Portsmouth Gunwharf Quay

Mary Mouse 2, a former lightship and now a floating restaurant in Haslar Marina, Gosport

We left our berth and watched St. Faith arriving

This picture was on board St. Cecilia

This was a view astern


We sat in the sunshine near the Fishbourne terminal building and then waited for the ST. FAITH Wightlink ferry to take us back to Portsmouth.

At Fishbourne

The Sealink linkspan built in 1983

As we boarded St. Faith we could see a builders plate from 1990

There were few foot passengers


There were few of us passengers on board but our little tour of the ship showed us a familiar poster picture: it was the same one used on board the ANNA MUR, the ex ST. HELEN of Sealink and Wightlink fame, that we sailed on last month in September to and from the Sardinian mainland port of Portovesme and the St. Peter island port of Carloforte, where we had stayed. It made us smile happily to see this reminder of another fascinating ferry trip.

The same advertising picture as the one we saw on board the Anna Mur, the ex-St. Helen, last month sailing to Carloforte, on the Sardinian island of St. Peter

This is the picture we saw on the Anna Mur in September, in Carloforte

This is the GB Conte, the ex-St. Catherine from Wightlink, in Carloforte

With the name very clearly seen

This is the Anna Mur, the ex-St. Helen, in Carloforte

Again with the name clearly to be seen

This gives an idea of the route we sailed to and from Portovesme on the Sardinian mainland to Carloforte on the island of St. Peter

On board St. Faith

Life ring on St. Faith

The Bridge


Here on the ST. FAITH I got talking to a member of the crew up on deck and mentioned that we had recently been sailing on the previous ST. HELEN in Sardinian waters, and seen the previous ST. CATHERINE as well.

He was fascinated to see the pictures and asked if we could wait just a moment, disappeared inboard for a couple of minutes, and then returned to ask if we would like to come onto the Bridge and talk to the Captain about our trip and photos! We certainly did and would, and followed him up on to the Bridge. That proved an interesting and enjoyable time up there with the Captain, as the Quartermaster skilfully took us around the many Saturday sailors out on the water as we headed towards Portsmouth again.

View from the Bridge

On the Bridge of St. Faith


We had to leave the Bridge as we neared Portsmouth Harbour but had enjoyed meeting the Captain and the views as we sailed along.


To be continued...