Monday 7 March 2011

And all I ask is a tall ship...


Did you know it's only a fifteen minute walk from our house to the Aberdeen harbour?  I haven't been down there before, 'cos there's a big road in the way, with scary noisy lorries. But I had an urge to go and have a nose around and Gail finally agreed that we could go.

OK, I'll be honest with you, it's been a long hard winter here in Scotland and I've been fantasizing about stowing away on one of the boats, so that I might perhaps visit some of my blogging friends in far off lands (as Gail is too mean to pay for the air fare). A good plan don't you think?

One problem with the harbour, I find out, is that it's hard to get close to the ships due to 'security'. The only car ferry that runs from Aberdeen was blocked off behind a big fence.  But anyway, as it goes to the Northern Isles (Orkney and Shetland) and I don't have any friends who live there, I didn't see any point in trying to sneak aboard.


Further down the quay, we found an open gate and I ventured inside, reckoning that on a quiet Saturday afternoon no-one would object.  It would have been so easy to jump on to  this orange vessel, but Gail told me it was an oil field supply boat, and that she doesn't think any of my pals live aboard a North Sea platform either.


In fact I was disappointed to discover that most of the boats in the harbour were something to do with the North Sea oil industry. (I had been picturing myself on a luxury liner...)


We did see a vessel which appeared to be shipping timber. Perhaps this one was headed somewhere exotic?  But it was so huge, I couldn't figure a way to bounce on board.


On the opposite side, I spotted some small fishing boats, but Gail said that fishermen were having a hard time enough as it is at the moment, what with fish stocks being so low, and all the European quotas to deal with, and I probably wouldn't be a welcome addition to the crew.


Finally we came across these funny orange capsule things.  Well I can tell you, when I learned that anyone who goes out to the North Sea has to do special survival training in case the ship or oil rig sinks, and that you might end up bobbing around in 30 ft waves in one of these little craft, I decided once and for all to stay true to my terrier instincts and keep to dry land.


Sorry, bloggie friends across the water, but as the great Rabbie Burns said:

'The best laid schemes o' mice an' men, Gang aft agley',

We'll have to rely on communicating in cyberspace!

22 comments:

  1. A tall ship - and a star to steer her by. Something deep in Mom's soul is always soothed by the site of the harbour and the sounds of the sea. I dare say she might have been a pirate in her past life! Thanks for sharing these gorgeous shots!

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  2. Bartie - A wee tip. We used to buy our wine from a bonded warehouse just across from where your standing in the second photo. If it wasn't for the weather we'd be homesick !

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  3. Wow! Those ships are massive! Would be SO awesome to sail on one of those giants huh? huh?? Love the pictures!

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  4. Even if you couldn't stow away, looks like a great walk. Bet there were lots of interesting smells.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

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  5. Bertie,
    That was a near thing. What if you had accidentally found yourself in the north sea? That is not a tropical vacation.

    Slobbers,
    Mango

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  6. So cyber-sniffing it is, for now, young man.

    XOXO
    Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Ruairi

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  7. If its luxury liners you want, Bertie, we do suggest you get Gail to find a few pennies for a trip to us -- just a few miles from where we live are dozens of beautiful cruise ships tat will take you to the warm Caribbean waters!!!

    Come on!!! We'll join you!

    Wirey woofs,

    Jake and Just Harry

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  8. Well Bertie, I used to have a Pontoon Boat... and I can tell you.. Boats are only good fur getting from place to place... We be LAND CREATURES.. you would not have found a single place to DIG a HOLE!!

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  9. Hello Bertie!

    I will get my friend Clooney on the wire and see if he will pick you up in his plane when he is over that way.

    It would be a shame not to be able to visit us all!

    Kiaaes,


    Stella

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  10. What cool ships you have there Bertie!! If you got on one, they would never find you on that BIG ole ship!! Glad you had a fun day!!

    wags
    Jazzi

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  11. Oh, Bertie! You look so forlorn in front of that big fence in the second picture! But a good tip from Angus -- if you must stay there in the cold, good to know where to find the wine!! Soon we'll all be wanting to come visit you; what with your long, long summer days and many beautiful places to hike. Of course you're always welcome to visit Southern California though we have a Donald Trump resort on the coast here, too!!

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  12. Oh heck. Been missing your wiry walkies and workies. On account of a lock in - in the very naughty corner. For you know what. Mind. I do intend to remedy my unfortunate little...er incident.

    I left my remarkable scientific spring observations on your bloggie post today while I was half lying on TOP of Mom's lap top.

    Those relentlessly huge Mango size ships on top of the water....weird eh? How do they do that floating stuffie? Cos I'm only little and I don't float. I hate that nasty wet stuff don't you dear boy? Nope don't do it. Water doesn't float my boat...HHAAAAA!!!! Float my boat.....snort...

    Anyways Bertie I'm wagging you came to your senses and decided to stay home with dear Gail. You need to stay where your bread is buttered. Preferably both sides. With marmite and lashings of peanut butter. Smooth or crunchy? I'm not fussed.

    Wiry love and kisses from your Uncle Eric xxx

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  13. No, no, no, Bertie! No fishing vessels or trips to the North Sea. I hear wee doggies make good fish bait for those who don't like terrier-type spirits. Best to stick to those cruise ships with the all-you-can-eat buffets and the shuffle board tournaments. That's the best way to travel.

    Happy Tails,
    William Tell

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  14. Oh Bertie we never saw a tall ship like that. You look so tiny compared to the ship, BOL. Hope it was fun
    Benny & Lily

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  15. Ohhhhhh....I tink I is feelin' a little....seasick!

    If you evers finds a nice ship coming to Florida dat you can bounce, please be sure to stop by and sees me and brudder Max (DaOdderWeenie) :o)

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  16. We're entirely terra firma doggies, and we're not even terriers. [Although Abby is a boxer-beagel mix who lives to dig.] At least you got to see the port.

    Jed & Abby

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  17. Hey there Bertie Bud...

    Have you tried a rowing boat? Go on, it's not that far to South Africa! I think the closest port/harbour to me is Durban. From there, you'll have to hitch a lift. Just 'show a leg' - it'll be simple. Maxmom says Gail can come with too - I hear the kettle boiling, BOL!
    Sending lotsalicks
    Your pal
    TOBY IN SOUTH AFRICA

    ps. It's so wonderful to see that you have truly found your bloggin' voice. Go Bertie!

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  18. Bewtie
    while thewe is nothing I'd like bettew than to go out to the dock which is outside my window and see you bouncing off a boat to visit me, I don't think any of those options wewe pwomising. I do appweciate youw spiwit of willingness to twy, but you'we wight. until Gail comes up wif the gween papews to fund youw twip on a luxoowy linew ow plane, It's best that you stay in bootiful Abewdeen
    smoochie kisses
    ASTA

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  19. That was very intresting seeing all the different ships. You are wise not to be a salty sea dog, I would think it would be boring just seeing the sea each day and walking around in circles!!
    See Yea George xxx

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  20. Listen we agree,stick with the luxury liners... We have lots of those giant boats here too..... and we think they would NOT be comfortable.. You want a flat screen TV, bowl full of bones, TONS of treats, fluffy towels,a GIANT bed to roll around on(with lots of blankets to throw off the bed) and TONS of pillows... Archie said maybe some tapes of famous accordion players but I might pass on that...Love and a million A+A

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  21. Oh I agree with everyone, I would stick with the luxury lines.

    If Gail cannot afford it yet just give her time, it may very well happen...

    Until then I shall dream sweet dreams of you...

    woo hoo, Tessa

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  22. And bring us not but grief and pain,

    Instead of promised joy???

    Did you write that Bertie???

    Oh, you are so hot...Katie is far too young for ya....

    Flirty kisses,
    Lac

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