More activities along the Clyde

One of the new river class patrol ships heading into the Clyde. HMS Trent, is still undergoing trials, as observed from our upper deck. Designed especially for counter-piracy, anti-smuggling, fishery protection, border patrol, counter terrorism and maritime defence duties. A real mixture of roles. Would imagine in these days of budget cuts and ever-changing political unrest it has to be a flexible machine to cope with a varied array of possible scenarios. Especially when you consider that this little machine cost a whopping £350 million pounds, and we are going to have four of them. This all stems from an agreement between the government and BAE to provide a minimum level of business to sustain a credible warship building industry in the UK.

 

Small submarine coming back into port at Gare Loch

 

In fact, the Clyde has been exceedingly busy recently, what with cargo and container ships heading into Port Glasgow, but military vessels seem to heading in and out on a regular basis. Possibly due to the ever-increasing delving of the Russian submariners, into our territorial waters.  

Another effect of the pandemic, is the cessation of cruising, with most cruise lines mothballing their ships indefinitely. Although they still keep selling cabins for October and November of this year, along with a full itinerary for 2021.  We read recently that Greenock had denied access to eight cruise ships landing at the port. Not surprising, considering the press coverage surrounding the offloading of infected passengers into ports across the world. Inverclyde, which encompasses, Greenock and Port Glasgow presently has the highest volume of corona cases per capita in the whole of Scotland, with a death rate of 12.7 deaths per 10,000 people, far great than the capital Glasgow. But this is more attributed to the deprivation of the area, high-density housing, high levels of people with underlying medical problems and a higher average of elderly people living there. 

Further up the Clyde, at Shieldhall, on the outskirts of the city of Glasgow, the port authority has given permission for three cruise ships to be berthed on a short-term basis. The small luxury cruise ship Azamara Pursuit arrived last week with forty crew on board.

Excuse the quality of the image, but it was taken through triple glazing and the rather dirty glass balcony screen

 We were sat at the dinner table last night and out the corner of our eyes we notice a beautiful bird popping up and down collecting insects on our upper decking. Bright pink with a solid black coloured head and small beak. It was the renowned bullfinch, loved for its elegant and distinctive plumage, but hated for its destructive attacks on flower buds. As we don't really have much of a garden at present it's not causing too much of a threat. 

The bird feeding station is bringing in a mass of different and unusual species into view. Many are nesting in the varied habitats within our garden. I presume that the unusually high temperatures, combined with the coronavirus lockdown, keeping people out of the countryside has enticed new migrant birds to venture further north. Then again, it could be that we are noticing them for the first time. Being confined around the home and garden due to the pandemic. Whatever the reason, its delightful. 

Difficult to see, but it’s a small pheasant chic. The mum and dad bring the four chic’s up to the feeding station on a regular basis

 

sun is shining again

What a glorious morning, just ready for getting outside into the garden. The sea is calm, just like a mill pond. But no wind means a possibility of the dreaded black buggers, biting at will. legs, ears, neck arms. In fact any piece of flesh that is exposed.

Fortunately, if the sun is shining they stay hidden, only to appear late into the afternoon. If the wind gets up, they won't be able to stay airborne, so some respite.

Today the sun was strong and the wind was none existent, but fortunately within an hour it started  blowing a gale. Peace from the black marauders.

Realistically, we don't seem to be bothered too much. But when they are out in numbers they can send you mad.

Judith out in the sun, levelling the top bank in the hidden garden ready for the new path to be laid.

 

Hopefully not long before we have this area finished. Just the path at the top of the bank to complete, more steps down to the side of the house. Would also be good to get a couple of tree ferns and the odd Italian cypress trees to give height and form.

Filled out one bed against the new fence under the pergola with foxgloves and ferns. The colour of the flowers and foliage looks good against the blackened wood.

vegetable beds are at long last starting to show progress.

Good display of iris's around the pond. Must be down to the changing climate.