The last Sea going paddle steamer.

"Long time no blog" So Hi again to those of you who still pop in occasionally. Today's blog is about the worlds very last passenger, sea going Paddle Steamer "The Waverley". Last week we popped into Ilfracombe ( North Devon) to pick up some bits of fishing tackle, while there we noticed this lovely vessel just about to dock.The "Waverley" was built in Scotland in 1946 and is now owned by the "Paddle Steamer preservation society". Her first owners were the "London and North Eastern Railway" she is 240 feet long and nearly 60 ft wide, with a draft of around 6ft- 6inches.During her launch Speed trial she reached 18.5 knots, although now she cruises around 13 or 14 knots. Her normal maximum passengers are around 900. Between 2000 and 2003 she underwent a massive refit at Yarmouth, mostly funded by the "Heritage Lottery fund",  this year is a crucial year for the her and her sister ships (not steam) MV "Balmoral" and PS "Kingswear Castle".Costs are very high, particularly maintainance, a lot of Finance is needed to keep these boats afloat.
Below, Ilfracombe's town crier welcomes passengers to the town, during a whole week in June a lot of the towns shopkeepers and residents dress in period costume too.

A couple of pictures of her as she goes astern from Ilfracombe pier.

The last picture shows her as she starts the return journey to Clevedon, Bristol.

Joke of the day.

These are classified ads,  which were actually placed in an Aberdeen .  newspaper: FREE YORKSHIRE TERRIER.                                                                        FREE  PUPPIES. 8 years old.                                                                               1/2  Cocker Spaniel,  Hateful little bastard.                                                                  1/2  sneaky neighbour's dog. Bites! FREE  PUPPIES.. Mother is a Kennel Club  registered German Shepherd. Father is a Super Dog, able to leap tall  fences in a single bound. COWS, CALVES: NEVER  BRED.                                                  Also 1 gay bull for sale.                                                JOINING  NUDIST COLONY!  Must  sell washer and dryer £100 WEDDING DRESS  FOR SALE .Worn once by  mistake. Call Stephanie. **** And the WINNER is...  **** FOR SALE BY  OWNER. Complete set of Encyclopedia  Britannica, 45 volumes. Excellent condition, £200 or best offer.  No longer needed, got married, wife knows  everything. Subject: Irish Railway The following is an actual exchange of correspondence between a customer and the Irish Railway Company. Gentlemen, I have been riding your trains daily for the last two years, and the service on your line seems to be getting worse every day. I am tired of standing in the aisle all the time on a 14-mile trip. I think the transportation system is worse than that enjoyed by people 2,000 years ago. Yours truly, Patrick Finnegan --------------------------------  Dear Mr. Finnegan, We received your letter with reference to the shortcomings of our service and believe you are somewhat confused in your history.  The only mode of transportation 2,000 years ago was by foot. Sincerely, Irish Railway Company ----------------------------------- Gentlemen, I am in receipt of your letter, and I think you are the ones who are confused in your history. If you will refer to the Bible and the Book of David, 9th Chapter, you will find that Balaam rode to town on his ass.  That.... gentlemen, is something I have not been able to do on your train in the last two years! Yours truly, Patrick Finnegan