Das boot in de North Sea

Interesting article from a German online newspaper - in English - on fishing today in the North Sea - there is room for a wry smile at the end of the article, sort of.

One down, one up

Beginning to make her way down from the slip.......
the Dom Bosco, once afloat gets pushed out of the cradle by Andrew in the harbour boat.....
another gig gets out through the gaps for another practice session......
as the netter CKS makes her way carefully into the cradle.

Home grown herbs and veg to go with your fresh fish

Time to review the veg and herbs home-grown to compliment fish dishes, runner beans, mange tout and toms, with the toms being the most prolific, won't bother with the broad beans next year......
finally found a thyme plant that manages to see off the interests of the local gastropod population......
now in its second year and now beginning to show evidence of suitably thick roots, the horseradish is looking good......
unlike the beets which continue to fall in the bonsai veg category.......
making slow progress, and a first time effort, the daikon look OK on top........
after months of inactivity these minute Mexican gherkins are finally fattening up.......
never plant rosemary they say, it'll overtake your garden - we wish........
not so the tarragon, found out too late that it should have been the French and not a second-rate Russian variety - will have to head over to Rocket Gardens to get the real thing.

Not a good forecast for this evening

A long hard drink for one of the many pigeons that inhabit the dockside buildings in Penzance.....
a sure sign the summer is drawing to a close, this fin-keeled yacht is on its way out of the water.....
over in Newlyn one of the temporary residents is searching for his supper amongst the weed.......
originally built for the Lakeman family up in Mevagissey in 1930 and now weather bound in Newlyn after the fish festival, the Ibis is looking for crew (07788186818 for more info) - listen to one of four accounts of drifting for pilchards including one of working on the Ibis as told by Eddie Lakeman himself on the Pilchard Works web site........
with 50-60mph sou' westerly winds on the way the Mission's flag is already at full stretch.

Back to normal on Wednesday's market

A group of visitors on the western end of the market this morning has a trip of hake from the Ben My Chree to see and not much else.....
taking over as guide Lionel completes the market tour......
there's a good supply of mackerel still coming across from St Ives.

Top of the Times' list - 35 things to do over the Bank Holiday weekend!

Number One in the Times' list of things to do last weekend was our very own Fish Fest - the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen must be well pleased with this flagship festival - Cornwall's biggest one day event!

A quiet Saturday morning

The Admiral Gordon refit is nearing completion which will be good news for skipper Archie.....
so, too is the work on the topsides of the Harvest Venture.......
you can't miss Jean Shrimpron's hotel the Abbey in Penzance.....
celebrating their centenary, Mousehole Male Voice Choir are still in fine voice - a must for any visitor to catch them in action down the quay or in one of the pubs in Mousehole......
the Dom Bosco is still waiting for a suitable shaft......
possibly the first gig race to be held from Sandy Cove......
bound away, the George Johannes makes her way to the gaps.....
followed by a classic wooden yacht that has stayed in Newlyn for several weeeks.....
and, following on again, Roger Nowell with the Imogen.

Newlyn Fish Festival 2009 - in the sunshine!

See the slideshow of images from Fish Festival day - yet again the sun gods were smiling down on the harbour and the rain which threatened to sweep across from the Scillies held off till 4 pm, just as all hands were heading home.

Early morning - Newlyn Fish Festival day

With plenty to set up, exhibitors and others attending the fish festival get a helping hand from a handful of dedicated volunteers and of course the harbour staff. The gates are due to open at 10 am and there is much to do by that time. A short slideshow gives a flavour of the behind the scenes activity that belie the calm that greets visitors later in the day! Use the arrow to the right side of the screen to bring in each image.

Stroll to St Ives

Some of the sights on a walk from Lelant Saltings on the Hayle Estuary on the way to St Ives for an evening out......included this unusual cloud formation.....
spotted entering the Hayle estuary under sail only - a real sailor......
unlike this guy who chose to ignore the 5mph speed limit sign....
the Anglian Princess makes her way into St Ives Bay for the Bank Holiday......
dining out at On Shore, St Ives - home made fish cakes and local mussels - superb - but when its busy, expect a time limit on how long you might have your table!