Sunday Steam

Britain's oldest working standard gauge steam locomotive, Furness Railway No. 20, will be in steam again tomorrow at Ribble Steam Railway



I am hoping to get some photos tomorrow, as I missed it last time.

The locomotive is visiting Preston to mark the 2012 Preston Guild celebrations, there are a number of events planned for the city this year.



Around the dock, the swans have started building their nest in the same place as last year. The coots have already finished theirs, and it looks a more substantial construction this time. I haven't heard or seen any terns or swallows as yet, if the mild weather continues they may arrive early.

Sunday Sunshine

We have had some visitors to the dock this week, and quite a few people have turned out to watch them and enjoy the Spring sunshine.



Two Royal Naval vessels, HMS Charger and HMS BiteR are both based in Liverpool. They are attached to University Royal Naval Training Units. Charger has visited before, this is the first time I have seen Biter.



A rather more mundane visitor, the trawler B927 Drie Gebroeders.

On The Waterfront

The Waterfront has a new roof to replace the one damaged in last year's fire. Let's hope it will be re-opening soon.

Last week is the first opportunity I've had to walk around the dock for a few months. The 2 swans are around, I haven't seen any signs of nesting yet. The usual mallard, coot, cormorants, blackbacks, herring, common and black headed gulls are all present and correct. There have been a few people out there with telescopes at the weekend, perhaps we have a rarity amongst our gulls.