Waverley – First Sailing of 2014
Waverley departed Pacific Quay at 10am this morning with a good number on board, bursting with anticipation and eager to enjoy her first sailing of the 2014 season to Rothesay (pictured above).
A number of changes were evident on board; the pennant and flag fluttering from the masts, the new Dining Saloon menu, table service, afternoon tea, whisky tasting and a new range of shop souvenirs.
The crew were as welcoming, friendly and helpful as ever and the ship performed impeccably throughout the day.
The only low point of an otherwise perfect start to the season was the sad news of the fire outbreak at Glasgow School of Art. A pall of smoke hung over Glasgow on the journey upstream to Waverley’s berth.
The busy scene before departure. Notice the pennant and flag that were absent throughout the 2013 season because of issues with the pulleys at the very top of the mast. A little more work is required before they can again be flown at full height. Any volunteers to climb the masts?
A fountain, palm trees and a fine pair of funnels. It can only be Rothesay in the summer.
All the right colours but not necessarily in the right order. This woolly hat wearing statue of Alexander Bannatyne Stewart, a former Convener of the County of Bute, looks down on Waverley at Rothesay pier.
One E or two E’s?