grendel

wasnt visible down here in the south east (or so the more dedicated members of our astronomy club tell me). Grendel

classic view of the dangerous end

I have had a quick look through now and have a few more that I have tidied up a bit.

its a very old canon camera, some of those marks have resisted all attempts at cleaning over the years, even resisted sensor cleaning pens. (though there do seem a few new ones) Grendel

lens was changed to a standard 200mm lens, not such good results (the first pic was before changing lens). then back to the telescope shooting into the sun as MTB 102 headed away. This is just a random selection as even I have not been through the whole set yet.

this was all shot through a 70mm x 700mm f/l telescope on the front of the camera,

then after I had been there a while - round the bend of the river something appeared.

then after I had been there a while - round the bend of the river something appeared.

Are we ready... first a lovely barge while I was waiting

pictures are now downloading off the camera and will be uploaded soon. Grendel

he should do- it was at the same time as MTB102 went by (Hmm suspicious, were they carrying a spare fake id?) Grendel

amazing Broad Ambition briefly appeared on the Thames, just by the QE Bridge (according to the ship tracker)

Back from taking pictures now, not sure I can download them at work - ooh yes the secondary camera can -

as soon as they get to shoeburyness I have to leave work to get to Tilbury Fort for my extended lunch hour. (scoffing my sandwiches as I work at the moment) Grendel

AIS is back online and on marine traffic site again

latest position report - just off Walton on the Naze Grendel

ah the lovely jobs that the crew get given. Robin, I had AIS until they were about a mile off Lowestoft this morning, but now they have vanished (stealth mode). Grendel

just received a text from Griff, Just passing Sizewell B, speed 13 Knots Grendel

had a look on marine traffic, and got their track leaving Lowestoft, they departed about 6.40 this morning and have gone out of range of their local tracking station, but last seen on a heading of 154 deg at 11.3 knots 56 minutes ago (Obviously travelling in stealth mode). Grendel

I found that a forward steer bathtub is easier to keep in a straight line if you look out of the back, as you can catch it wandering off course quicker, we used to travel with the back door open when we were on pearl horizon. Grendel

the biggest lens I will have will be the 700mm f/l telescope I normally use for photographing the moon (I do have a longer one at 1250mm but it gets a bit unwieldy) (so no mooning Griff ) just watching the live shipping map and planning when I will need to depart to catch them passing- I think maybe as they pass the mouth of the Medway, or shoeburyness at the moment, that will give me time to get to Tilbury Fort area and set up the cameras. Grendel

well I spent some time last night checking the camera gear and should be all ready and waiting at Tilbury Fort, I will be watching the live shipping map to see when they get close - and texting Griff en route. I have about a 20 min trip from the office to get down to the Fort, so my lunch time may well be slightly extended (I do get in half an hour early every day anyway so work have no problems with this). Good Luck with the Trip and I will try and wave as you pass. Grendel

Alan -That must be a RECORD... Grendel

actually, that reply was before I went looking, and yes you can get steam engines and boilers in that size Grendel

maybe a nice small oil fired steam turbine, no stoking, nice and controllable, ready made heating, yep, sounds good for me. Grendel