1 June 2012
...And the Storm Raged on.
We have quite a collection of storm pictures showing all the recent dramatics, but we just had to go with the pictures shown here. Normally in fierce conditions people avoid the raging surf like the plague, but not this guy. Donning a pair of red shorts only, he tackled the might of the waves as they roared in to Dover beach ...perhaps with the intention of commanding their submission, just like that king of old. The Health & Safety people would be having kittens if they visualised such a...well what can we say...foolhardy frolic!?
The Calm before the Storm....
Aaaah Tranquil, Tranquil..all is Tranquil..
This was the calm scene thursday as this delightful two master sailing ship entered the harbour here in Dover. As was once written with soaring cadence...a calm sea leads to a prosperous voyage...and it all looked very prosperous and calm for this gorgeous vessel, but it didn't stay calm for long. No sooner had the ship entered the harbour when the winds began to pick up from the west. The ship is still here, lanquishing securely in the dock, sheltering from the lashing gale..the name of the ship isn't known but if anyone knows it then please let us know.
That was thursday. The picture left shows the scene friday morning. An official 'Severe Gale 9 ' is blowing in the Dover Straits as I write. Brrrrr...PB
A great bit of research by our forumite Tom Austin has indicated that the ship above may well be the TS Royalist. Take a look at this thread in our Forum for much more info and links...
http://www.doverforum.com/letters/viewtopic.php?id=10521
Animals all at sea....
2012 is set to be a record-breaking year for the number of pets holidaying abroad with figures expected to double, according to P&O Ferries.
In the whole of last year P&O Ferries carried 19,478 pets on its Dover – Calais route. In just the first five months of 2012 the company has carried more than 13,000 pets on the service. Bookings increase dramatically in the summer so P&O Ferries expects to pass last year’s total before July is out and to double the number of pets carried this year.
P&O Ferries’ Brian Rees said: “Pets have tended to be the paw relation when it comes to overseas holidays but this year we’re seeing a dramatic rise in the number of pet owners who pre-fur to travel with their pets rather than face being parted from them.
“With household budgets cut to the bone, many owners have realised they’d be barking mad to pay for kennels and catteries rather than take their mutts and moggies on holiday with them. There is also now a better choice of pet-friendly accommodation available on the Continent and the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) process has been simplified.”
PETS allows dogs, cats and ferrets to return from overseas travel without being quarantined by verifying that they’ve been microchipped and vaccinated against rabies.
P&O Ferries was the first company to transport a pet – a pug called Frodo Baggins - under the scheme when it was launched in 2000. Since then it has carried a quarter of a million pets on its routes to France, Holland and Belgium. Information about the Pet Travel Scheme is available from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs at www.defra.gov.uk
Picture shows: P&O Ferries’ Captain Paul Barrett with, left to right, Ted, Reggie and Harvey.
And of course if you dont have any animals to take...you can go see some of the local varieties in action..
Leaping Seal at Nausicaa.
Hit the f11 key to see the pictures full scale, then hit it again to return to normal mode.
For all previous frontpage features.....
see the All Recent Features link on the menu left, and of course...
If you want to comment on any of our stories please do in our FORUM see links. Membership required.
