The Kintyre Forum

QE2 leaves Greenock 2200hrs local tonight (Sunday) and is due at Rosyth 36hrs later. Lights should be visible around midnight in the Wee Toon area?

Tickety Boo - you just beat me to it - I came on here to post that very message.

We all went along to Greenock today to see her. If I can work out how to do it I will post our pictures of her for others to see. What a marvellous sight, on a stunning day too. Really great party atmosphere at the 'tail of the bank'. Everyone on the Clyde who had a boat seemed to be there too. As well as a couple of big Navy vessels.

What added to the sense of drama was that two people fell into the water, just nearby the Esplanade (think they must have come off a boat, but could not tell fully). So the Police launch and other Coatguard vessels that were there anyway sped along to do a real rescue . Ambulances arrived, and it seems that no-one was much the worse for their ordeal.

There are fireworks tonight at around 2130, just before she leaves at 2200. And you will be able to check out her exact progress on the Ship AIS site - I just love that system: http://www.shipais.co.uk/showship.php?mmsi=232089000

I went down the Learside around 8.30 this morning to see her passing up towards Greenock. She was clearly visible but too far off to photograph unfortunately. I remember taking a day off work (it was OK - my boss did too!) back in 1990 or 1991 and taking my son, then about 6 or 7 years old, to see her on a previous call at Greenock. A memorable and strangely emotional experience which neither of us will ever forget I think.

I went flying this morning down the river, and then took the boat out for a wee trip later on.

If anybody is interested, pics are here.........

http://s95.photobucket.com/albums/l141/TickettyBoo/QE2/

Ticketty Boo

Great pics - wonderful - and captured the carnival atmosphere on the Clyde. Don't think I will bother posting my meagre offerings ... decent enough, and close-up from the quay-side ... but yours are obviously very special. Perfect weather for it.

I must have a closer look over the first ones you took ... think you may have got a shot of our house

M

Glad you enjoyed them Mary. If you see any of particular interest - eg your house, let me know and I'll email the full sized image to you?

Fab pictures, I loved them for the nostalgia. My father was a joiner at John Brown's Shipyard and we all went to the launch. I have very memorable memories of that day. My father went away on the ship that day on I think a fitting voyage as there was still a lot to do on the ship. Later, he went on the maiden voyage to New York and he has quite a few pieces of memorabilia. On the launch day, I can recall my shock at how huge the ship was. After it was over,there was a lot of pushing and I fell over and hurt my leg. My poor mother, with four young children in tow, thought I was fussing and I can still recall not only crying all the way back on the bus to Govan but my mother saying I was a wee besom for spoiling her special day! She had to get us all off at the Southern General and it was discovered I had broken it!!!
At primary school, I had to stand up in my stookie in Assembly to tell everyone about the launch.
I wish I had seen her today.

Check out the Ardentinny webcam, showing her leaving now ...

http://ardentinny.org/cam/

Wow!

She still has a flotilla following her ... and the webcam guys are doing a great job following her route, zooming in and out as needed.

Did you catch the fireworks, Govan Girl?

Sadly, I didn't but noticed that the video footage of it will be added later this week so I'll be able to see it then.

Fantastic pics from the air, nice one

Seen on the AIS that she is North of the Cumbraes at 2300 doing 12.5 knots, probably coming down the East side of Arran, so maybe difficult to see from the Toon.

Crackin' shots, TB. Where was HMS Invincible when you saw here?

The carrier was HMS Ark Royal Gary. The french one beside her was called "Thunder". Mounts Bay emerged from Faslane whilst we were there too.

Not sure what the frigate was that followed QE2 up river? There were also a couple of minesweepers cutting about near the tail of the bank.

T B sure , ye hid yer lens well polished fur these -- brill !