Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 360

  howard mcsweeney, Dover

looks a total mess but usually the harbour board staff are very quick to sort things out after a storm - wasn't aware of new lanterns on the promenade.

Saturday, 28 December 2013 - 13:01

 

Post 359

  PaulB, Dover

You can see how much of the beach came up on the promenade in this picture above. They do try earnestly to get it back to its rightful location and off the walking area as it can get difficult for some people to negotiate, like those in wheelchairs for example, but just as soon as the way is clear.. up comes the next and regular storm and with thundering spray the beach is back on the prom again (and those waves dont half thunder against the seafront wall I can tell you !). At the moment it seems a never ending task..with even more stormy conditions forecast for next week.

SEAFRONT LIGHTS: Also in the picture above you will notice the new seafront lights and very welcome they are too. All along the seafront from The Premier Inn to the Yacht Club all the lanterns are new. And all working fine, save for one chappie in the very middle of the aforementioned line. But that is nothing more than a teething problem I'm sure.

They emit a white light now rather than the orange glow we were used to...but environmentalists say that that's a better option with regard to light pollution. But whatever colour the light, its very good to have the seafront properly lit again so that allcomers can see where they are going.
The picture at the top was taken on Boxing Day, as was the sad one with the wreath immediately above. As you can see someone is clearly being sadly missed through the Christmas period. The lonely wreath is a poignant reminder to us all of the transient nature of things in general and life in particular.


* *

Yes Howard..twas a bit chilly round the dangly bits even though the weather was relatively mild. As we stood there and the Lifeguards hollered out with gusto " 4 minutes to go" it seemed to get chillier and chillier, but that might have been in anticipation of the sudden splurge to come.
That water looked....cold!
Needless to say yours truly remained well wrapped up while holding on to the camera for dear life, pressing the shutter button at intermittent intervals and hoping for the best !



Saturday, 28 December 2013 - 06:49

 

Post 358

  howard mcsweeney, Dover

great photos paul, despite the unseasonably mild temperature i bet those chaps wearing what our australian friends refer to as "budgie smugglers" were feeling the pinch.

saw ronnie philpott in town earlier trying to extricate her dog's molars from the leg of a member of the public, thinking back she must have been on her way to the seafront.

Thursday, 26 December 2013 - 20:44

 

Post 357

  PaulB, Dover

The Annual Boxing Day dip took place at 12 noon today. A big turnout of watchers and dippers enjoyed the springlike sunshine here in Dover.
I took a few pix with my little pocket camera and here they are.
The first one shows 100% pure Dovorian Beef waiting for the whistle...

Whoosh and they were off at breakneck pace. They came thundering right by me like a herd of wild unfettered untamed horses and plunged into the surf.
As soon as it all calmed down a tad I ventured forth to take the few shots.

In the words of Bobby Darin..."they were a splishing and a splashing"

And here are some very colourful ones doing it in fine style. Love those cutesey pink bows !


Didnt see many of the old familiar faces there...but bumped into our old friend Vic Matcham who was among the spectators. Vic has been one of the most colourful dippers in recent years, that was until health problems put him out of the fray. He still hopes to do it again one day. But Vic tells us his wife Lesley isnt too well....so here especially for them is a picture from the heat of the Boxing Day action in 2010. Vic on the left and Lesley supporting him on the right as ever. Get well soon Lesley.



Thursday, 26 December 2013 - 17:15

 

Post 356

  PaulB, Dover

The port had its annual rest yesterday for Christmas Day. But here she is..already up and running again very early this morning.
The Spirit of Britain moves away from Dover Pier 9 and heads out across the harbour to leave by the western exit. To the left you can just see the early My Ferry Link already arriving from Calais... and the sun's not up yet. All in action again very early on a calm and tranquil sea. All's well.

Thursday, 26 December 2013 - 09:42

 

Post 355

  PaulB, Dover

Thanks for the info guys..
Yes a horrendous night for anyone out on the sea and not too good even here on the seafront where the waves at 2.30am were pounding the seafront wall, leaping skywards, and being whipped not only across the road but across the seafront gardens. In daylight hours it would have made for spectacular pictures. Yours truly's high flat has a disconcerting way of swaying in the high winds too. That was the roughest night I ever had in Dover...and I'm on dryish land. Feel hugely sorry for anyone stuck out there on the ferries mentioned.
All calm now.

"
Port of Dover.
Port is open @0730hrs

We are pleased to confirm that the Port of Dover is now open and ferry services have resumed. The Port was closed due to adverse weather conditions and concerns over customer and staff safety.

The Port and ferry operators are now working together to ensure that services are running with minimum disruption and that customers get on their way before the Port closes for Christmas. Please note that there may be initial delays to services as the Port re-opens. Passengers are advised to check with their ferry operator before travelling and consult our website (www.doverport.co.uk) or twitter account (@Port_of_Dover) for the latest information.

We apologise for any delays or inconvenience as a result of the closure but you will appreciate that the safety and security of everyone is of the utmost importance

"
I hope those that needed to get away got away in time before the onslaught. Awful prospect of cruising out there.. even on the Aida Sol, see the mention in Kevins post at 21.35 ( Ship pictured further below in earlier times )



Tuesday, 24 December 2013 - 09:15

 

Post 354

  Kevin Charles, Dover

Port now open. Four ferries spent the night at sea - Spirit of Britain and Pride of Canterbury off Dover, and the Delft Seaways and Dunkerque Seaways off the French Coast. It would have been a long night for passengers and crew in very uncomfortable conditions.

Tuesday, 24 December 2013 - 06:54

 

Post 353

  Jan Higgins, Dover

Four Ferries apparently stuck out at sea in this awful weather according to the BBC.

Monday, 23 December 2013 - 22:32

 

Post 352

  howard mcsweeney, Dover

just read on the bbc website that conditions at southampton are the worst for 16 years.

doubt it is much better on the dover straits as kevin has said, hopefully things will calm down in the early hours so that crew and passengers can continue their journey in safety.

Monday, 23 December 2013 - 22:18

 

Post 351

  Kevin Charles, Dover

The port is now closed as wind gusts to 75mph. Ferries are sheltering off the Downs and the French coast. The AIDAsol cruise ship is just passing Dover on a very rough start to their Christmas cruise.

Monday, 23 December 2013 - 21:35

 

Post 350

  Kevin Charles, Dover

Shipping forecast giving Hurricane force 12 in the Channel - spare a thought for those at sea tonight.

Monday, 23 December 2013 - 21:01

 

Post 349

  ColetteB, Dover

Well I never!!! Can you believe it!!! They only went and won it

To the P&O Choir: We salute you, Dover is very proud this morning

I sat on the edge of my seat the whole hour, nail biting stuff for sure. All three Choirs did very well indeed, I thought for one minute that CITIBank had got it especially with their Gospel Chorus piece but what joy to hear P&0's name called as the winner.

And how awesome is Ely Cathedral! Gareth Malone, you have my vote

Just got back from town, be careful out there, very blustery & the winds are brewing just as forecasted.

Monday, 23 December 2013 - 10:34

 

Post 348

  JanT, Dover

In a truly splendid setting a winning performance by P&O Choir with Gareth Malone at the helm,this has been a program that has been a real pleasure to watch and hopefully given Dover a feelgood factor.

How this was kept under wrarps till the program was aired must have been tough, and I guess we must not forget the other Choirs who did so well.

But Dover's P&O came out the winners
Below some great pictures of our winners

Monday, 23 December 2013 - 07:58

 

Post 347

  PaulB, Dover

Well can you believe it !!! P&O won The Choir on BBC2 in fantastic style. Truly brilliant ! Here we are with a few pictures to enjoy.. as seen on TV.
Yes indeed..They WON! Despite stiff opposition in this the final from CITIbank and the Cheshire Fire Service, our local boys and girls from P&O won through in spectacular style and in equally spectacular surroundings. It was highly stressful for them performing in the beautiful Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire as the venue was hugely packed to the proverbial rafters and of course with the added stress of having sublime 'professional' choristers also performing. But they did supremely well, they held their nerve and their performance together and won through. They sounded magnificent. Everybody was thrilled including Choirmaster Gareth Malone.
The humble viewer watching here in downtown Dover was under stress himself as I'm sure were many of you...all hoping P&O would win. And win they did. We all went through the ringer and the mangle together.
Picture above shows a section of the choir.
The brothers above fronted last nights performance and they were great. The girls were overjoyed to win.
A huge well done to all. A proud moment for P&O and for Dover. A PR coup for sure all round.
More info and pictures from earlier performances down and/or over the page

* *

Thanks for the info Colette. Disappointing not to get a chance to see the AIDA Sol which would have been a bit special for this time of the year...but large cruise liners cannot get into harbour in turbulent conditions, as we have seen before. So as not to deprive ourselves too much, here is an image of the ship herself from April 2011

Yes very rough conditions Howard but when the sun came through for a tiny brief interlude I was lucky to have the Rodin approaching in full view. Glad you enjoyed the Choir.


Monday, 23 December 2013 - 05:59

 

Post 345

  howard mcsweeney, dover

great photos of the tempest on the Dover approaches paul, now to relax and watch the final episode of "the choir"!!

Sunday, 22 December 2013 - 21:10

 

Post 344

  ColetteB, Dover

Latest News: The AIDASol scheduled to arrive in Dover tomorrow 23rd December will now NOT be cruising into Dover as planned. So we have seen the last of the cruise ships this season.

We begin again next year in March with the very same AIDASol on Thursday March 6th 2014 at CT2.

Merry Christmas one and all

Sunday, 22 December 2013 - 14:26

 

Post 343

  PaulB, Dover

Some respite in the grisly oul weather allowed me to get these shots at long range of the MFL Rodin battling homeward through the very rough seas. Pictures taken just after midday. The second picture is a closer crop of the first. I cropped and enlarged a tad so you can see up close ..and you can hardly believe it... hardy souls braving the windswept weatherbeaten and maybe even dangerous decks.
Now, they are either ill or very robust sailors indeed. Which is it...I dunno.


See the note in the post below re THE CHOIR tonight.


Sunday, 22 December 2013 - 12:57

 

Post 342

  PaulB, Dover

Just a reminder that THE CHOIR Christmas Final is on tonight at 9PM BBC2.
They have switched to sunday for the final..
Can the ultra local P&O team win it??

The scene yesterday. It looks almost refreshing doesn't it? But perhaps on another day, maybe when the temperature is soaring into the mid thirties.
But not right now. The grim faced weatherman tells us there is much more turbulence to come. Some of it quite severe.

Sunday, 22 December 2013 - 06:18

 

Post 340

  PaulB, Dover

Took the following pictures about 3.30 - 3.40pm today saturday. Already it looks much later than it actually is because it is very dark and very gloomy...and of course very rough. Must be at least a Force 8 in the channel. Had a go at trying to get some pictures even though knew the quality wouldnt be the best, all in an effort to show just how difficult it is today for the crews and everyone else involved.
Above and below the My Ferry Link vessel gets underway..and below you can see the tugboat is beginning to pull the P&O off Dover 9.

Tough day.

Saturday, 21 December 2013 - 16:22

 

Post 339

  PaulB, Dover

The efforts of the Port staff and ferry crews will be put to the test again today Howard..as its a fairly rough and miserable old day once more. Very blustery. A couple of pictures below from a few minutes ago as I write. Nothing special but show the state of play at the moment..

As you can see there appears to be a bit of a backlog of trucks trying to get away but the Port is still open and working relatively well although there are some inevitable delays. The tugboats are in operation.

Saturday, 21 December 2013 - 08:53