Gavin Atkin's weblog for the sort of people who like looking inside boat sheds. It's about old boats, traditional boats, boat building, restoration, the sea and the North Kent Coast
Phwoarrr! If you’re 16-25 and can find the reduced price of €1495 from somewhere, this might just be an irresistable opportunity: http://www.classic-sailing.co.uk/log/youth-15-25-bark-europa
Participants will sail in two legs of the Tall Ships Race on the Europa, starting from Lerwick in the Shetlands on the 22nd July, then across the North Sea to Stavanger in Norway, and then to Halmstadt in Sweden.
My thanks to Mike Goodwin for pointing this out!
A music event has taken me off air for a few days, but here are some more of my brother Matthew Atkin’s photos from New Zealand. He doesn’t usually get around to telling me much about them, but I guess it’s pretty obvious that the above are Maori canoes. I gather the tall structures are stern-pieces.
As usual, click on the images for a much bigger view.
The city in the shots below appears to be Auckland – don’t miss the spectacular photo of the America’s Cup contender catamaran on a blowy day in Auckland Harbour. Thanks Matt!
The relaunch of Bob Roberts’ old sailing barge Cambria at Standard Quay, Faversham just after noon on the 21st March 2011. Hoorah!
Roberts was the last working barge skipper, and Cambria the last working barge. She’s now being refurbished, and this short film shows the first short trip she has made on her own bottom for some time.
I should add that old Bob was also a noted singer and melodeon player – although the sound track I’ve used on this clip is not by him, but an old recording of mine. Read all about the Cambria here .
Very sadly, this launch may be one of the last from Standard Quay, as there are plans to develop the area. To support the campaign to save Standard Quay and Faversham Creek’s traditional maritime industries, see http://standardquay.com/
PS – Graham Phillips spotted this clip of Cambria arriving at Standard Quay. Thanks Graham!
