novel in daily instalments & musings on theatre, Ilfracombe, Devon, food, wild & other life

The Balmoral visits Ilfracombe, North Devon

Yesterday afternoon we went for fish and chips at Maddie’s and strolled down to the harbour to enjoy the summer afternoon. The MV Balmoral was just coming in and people were queuing to board. It doesn’t matter how many times we walk down here, it’s always lovely a lovely sight to see.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr keep that camera steady

I know it’s only down to -3°C here, but that’s cold for this part of the world. Yesterday morning I took the camera out as I walked the dogs before dawn; the harbour view was picturesque, but instead my unsteady hands produced this impressionistic image, which I quite like . . .

squiggly lights of Ilfracombe harbour before the dawn

squiggly lights of Ilfracombe harbour before the dawn

Anyway, this morning I took out the one-legged-tripod-thingy, but still my hands shook in the cold. But I did get this . . .

Ilfracombe harbour at dawn

Ilfracombe harbour at dawn

. . . and this one looking across to Wales . . .

Looking across from Ilfracombe to Wales at dawn

Looking across from Ilfracombe to Wales at dawn

Worth getting up in the dark to see.

Winter in, boats out

As we turn back the clocks for winter, in Ilfracombe many of the boats have been lifted out of the harbour on to the quay and harbour car parks to protect them from the ferocity of the stormy weather until next spring.

Boats lifted out of the harbour on to Ilfracombe quay

Boats lifted out of the harbour on to Ilfracombe quay

It’s also a sign that most of the holiday-makers have gone and the town is back in the hands of residents, who can enjoy its beauty in the winter months.

It’s not all peace and quiet though, as it’s the only time that many of those in the tourism industry have to enjoy themselves after spending the summer season working all hours of the day.

Ilfracombe quay in October 2008

Ilfracombe quay in October 2008

It’s a wonderful time to enjoy the town and countryside, even when the sea and sky are grey, it’s raining and the wind is howling. Certainly beats the M25.

Balmoral’s first 2008 pleasure cruise from Ilfracombe

What a glorious July day, just right for the first excursion of the pleasure steamer ‘Balmoral‘ from Ilfracombe.

There was quite a lot of activity out in the Bristol Channel: a grey warship . . .

robzlog Ilfracombe - the Balmoral passes a warship

The Balmoral passing a ship off Ilfracombe, Devon

. . . and a passing speedboat. There were also quite a few other boats in the harbour.

robzlog Ilfracombe - the Balmoral passes a speedboat

Speedboat passing Balmoral as she approaches Ilfracome quay, Devon

Eventually Balmoral docked to pick up passengers for its first cruise of the summer.

robzlog Ilfracombe - the Balmoral docking at the quay

Blamoral docks at Ilfracombe quay, Devon

They certainly picked a fine day.