Comments (Newest First):

 

Post 543

  howard mcsweeney, Dover

fascinating photos from ed, love the clapperboard one but will it be on british television as jan assumes?

just an afterthought the clocks go forward on the mothers day weekend i believe so best to check carefully before booking.

Tuesday, 11 March 2014 - 22:08

 

Post 542

  PaulB, Dover

GREAT DEALS HERE FROM P&O.....


MUMS EAT FREE IN THE BRASSERIE ON MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND


Mums get a treat by dining for free in the waiter service Brasserie when travelling with their families or friends on a P&O Ferries day trip over the Mother’s Day weekend on 29 and 30 March.
In addition, book by 28 March to receive six free bottles of wine into the bargain.

The offer is open to those booking a Dover to Calais day trip for a car and up to 9 passengers with each mum dining for free when accompanied by a full paying adult. Fares start from £29 return for travel on 29 March or from £23 for travel on 30 March.

The Brasserie offers a wide range of quality freshly cooked dishes including chicken chasseur and sirloin steak with menu prices from £10. For those wishing to further indulge their mums, there’s the opportunity to upgrade to the exclusive Club Lounge on board where a complimentary glass of champagne is served in relaxing surroundings. Club Lounge entry is from £12 per person booked in advance.

Also, the same weekend, Clinique will be offering free makeovers to mums and daughters on board the Dover-Calais flagships Spirit of Britain and Spirit of France.

For more details or to book, visit www.POferries.com and check out the ‘offers’ section or call 08716 64 66 64.


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Great stuff there Ed getting those pictures. Hopefully one day that series will come our way courtesy of BBCFOUR.
Bet that spiced up life on the Dover Seaways.

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Tuesday, 11 March 2014 - 08:00

 

Post 541

  JanT, Dover

Yes as said one can see below the pictures from a glorious day yesterday, great for a stroll along the seafront and a well deserved ice cream along the way.
Good to see the pictures Ed of the French film crew, loving all those foreign drama's we are seeing on BBC4 at the moment.

Monday, 10 March 2014 - 14:00

 

Post 540

  Ed Connell, Dover

A French film crew did a round trip on the Dover Seaways yesterday filming an episode for a TV police drama series called "Les Temoins" (The Witnesses).




Monday, 10 March 2014 - 12:10

 

Post 539

  PaulB, Dover

Sunday was a sunkissed mesmerising day along Dover Seafront. Hundreds were out and about strolling in the surprising weather. It made such a change after the recent horrors of wintry howling winds and ever turbulent seas. But this time all was tranquil...much to the delight of everyone. Dover Seafront really does look good in the sunny weather and is always worth a visit for fine times. Could it be that Spring is here at last. Even the ice cream lady was doing very well, don't tell anyone but yours truly went for a double whopper!

Of course our newly acquired Norwegian Larvic Rock formations are currently providing the fascination. The picture above I thought was mildly amusing...no diving...rocks below! That's the warning in normal times but even more apt nowadays. You wouldn't want to hit those after your high triple somersault !
Great to see the sailing boats out there. Looking good and glorious in the picture above as they sail hither and tither in the blinding sunshine and in the shadow of one of our newly acquired features.
In the distance one of the P&O Spirits readies itself for imminent departure to Calais.

Andy a very good picture there below of the TSS Dover. Hope the Dance to France goes well...all for a good cause.


Monday, 10 March 2014 - 10:54

 

Post 537

  Andrew MacLean, Canterbury (jazzandy@btinternet.com)

Dance to France ticket sales really taking off this weekend!

Help raise money to restore this grand old lady named TSS Dover and hopefully to be returned to her original home port!

Also raising money for another great cause, the Dover Lifeboat.

This should be the last week of general ticket sales!!!

Call me on 01227 732414 for tickets either by car or as foot passengers.

Sunday, 9 March 2014 - 11:08

 

Post 536

  PaulB, Dover

Our old friend the tidal line is back. Here she is in graphic line right across the harbour yesterday. The distinctly different colours presumably fuelled this time by the beach and groyne workings which as we know are currently taking place. Thought it was worth showing, worth taking a few easy snaps. It is quite an unusual phenomenon in all its simplicity.

The cargo ship below is called the Ecuador Star. Pictured about 3pm yesterday afternoon as the tugs readied her for instant departure. In the background you can see the Dieppe Seaways in its all new livery heading towards Calais.

I noticed from Chris T's great Channel Traffic page at the top of dover.uk.com, which he has now expanded even further, that the Ecuador Star was off to mother Russia and St Petersburg in particular. I thought I would undercut the cruise liners that go there from here...so I offered my services as a deck swab onboard for the entire trip at low wage, but the captain wasn't having it. I could have done up to two hours a day too, as long as I got rum and fags...but no.
Ah well pity...always wanted to visit L'Hermitage.


Kevin yes they should look great when finished. Will change things on the beach for the better. All great stuff !
Nice pic below Mike . Local wildlife will like 'em for sure !


Saturday, 8 March 2014 - 06:24

 

Post 535

  howard mcsweeney, Dover

very droll mike i will have to get down there on the morrow to see things myself now that summer has been predicted for the weekend.

great photos all round but good to see things in the flesh.

Friday, 7 March 2014 - 23:13

 

Post 534

  Kevin Charles, Dover

I think the new Larvick rock groynes will look great. It's been fascinating to watch, although a little noisy one night! As well as looking aesthetically pleasing, I presume they will also be good for marine life.

Friday, 7 March 2014 - 12:51

 

Post 533

  Mike J., Dover

Re Vic's concerns - the locals are climbing all over the rocks already . . . .




Friday, 7 March 2014 - 11:00

 

Post 532

  PaulB, Dover

HARD ROCK !

I don't know about you but this rock is starting to look beautiful. Perhaps it was all that sunshine yesterday. Its gone straight to my head. There is no doubt about it...Spring hits a chap hard after that long winter..
The pictures shown here were taken yesterday. Top one is the early morning shot and shows the diggers working hard while the tide is out. The rock formation increasing yet again as you can see..with substantially more delivered the night before. You can understand why kids might want to climb it as Vic has said. Might have tried it myself a year or two back!
The picture below shows the evening scene last evening. All this brilliant sunshine basking the seafront in an evening glow with our new monoliths raising their prehistoric-looking peaks out of the water. All in fab weather. Bizarre times indeed weatherwise and no mistake.


Well done lads with the pictures below. First time I have ever seen that zig zag path..wow! that looks risky these days, especially with the cliffs being soft with all that rain. A welcome picture....was just what Karlos was asking for. Smashin' selection from Mike.. who was clearly right down there in the thick of the action.
Good to see the two Jans enjoying the pictures too.



Friday, 7 March 2014 - 07:14

 

Post 531

  JanT, Dover

Some really great pictures there guys of what is happening on the sea front, a big job indeed and they seem to have bought in the heavy guys.
Keep the pictures coming its interesting to see their progress

Thursday, 6 March 2014 - 12:35

 

Post 530

  Karlos, Dover

Thanks for the photos. Your photo Ed is the shot I was looking for showing the fall affecting the path.

There's a picture in a (Dover Express website article I can't link to) article suggests that the path could just about be accessible for the brave.

dover express . co . uk
Safety-warning-cliff-path-collapses-close-forever/story-19717349-detail/story.html


Thursday, 6 March 2014 - 11:16

 

Post 529

  Mike J., Dover

A few more from ground level.










Karlos -

Was this the cliff fall that you were enquiring about ?

Crab Bay, just to the east of Langdon, 10/3/12.



There's spectacular footage of a recent cliff fall at Birling Gap on the BBC SUSSEX website - look for 'Section of cliff falls into sea'


Thursday, 6 March 2014 - 07:04

 

Post 528

  Ed Connell, Dover

Karlos: Wider view of the Zig Zag taken at the same time as that of the ladder.



Thursday, 6 March 2014 - 03:09

 

Post 527

  Jan Higgins, Dover

Isn't it nice to see that just like humans the diggers like playing in the water and on the beach when the sun is out.

Great pictures Paul.

Wednesday, 5 March 2014 - 17:40

 

Post 526

  PaulB, Dover

Lots of dramatic action on the seafront today..so many pictures I don't know where to start. But let's start with early morning...the first two pictures were taken at low low tide in the early morning slanting colourful sunlight. Could spring be here?? The first shot below takes a wide view and you can see the overnight delivery of Norwegian larvic rock lying at the waters edge. At about 2am, in the wee small hours of the morning, the massive barge Charlie Rock, and I hope I am able to show the scale here, dropped off its first delivery...and you can see it here...these rocks will become the groynes...
These two JCB digger guys below were all at sea for a while, as ever fighting against the unrelenting unforgiving tide..fortunately the sea was benign.
Once the tide was in to a workable extent around midday, a trio of Holyhead Towing vessels arrived, the main player being this massive barge on a scale never seen in the harbour before..delivering more rock on a grand scale.
I have made the pictures quite large so that everyone can see the detail...hopefully.

Karlos I myself don't have any of the pictures you request but when Ed looks in he may have something further.
also
Don't miss below how DFDS are taking on six further apprentices..offering young hopefuls a life out there on the briny blue


Wednesday, 5 March 2014 - 14:55

 

Post 525

  Karlos, Dover

Is the Langdon steps path cliff fall just out of picture? Have you a picture showing it?

Wednesday, 5 March 2014 - 11:06

 

Post 524

  vic matcham, Dover

great photos, is putting rocks down where the children can get on them a good plan? we will have to wait and see.

Wednesday, 5 March 2014 - 08:36

 

Post 523

  PaulB, Dover

NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK - A Life on the Ocean Waves...

DFDS Seaways Lights the Way in Launch of New Maritime Trailblazer Apprenticeships Scheme

- First ferry operator to sign up to apprenticeship scheme with six deck ratings apprentices (2012) on Channel

- DFDS to take on six further deck and engine ratings apprentices in 2014


DFDS Seaways is one of the key organisations taking part in the second round of the new employer-led Trailblazer Apprenticeship Scheme launched today (March 4) by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). Trailblazers are tasked with testing the new approach to apprenticeships recommended by Entrepreneur Doug Richards in his Apprenticeship Review in November 2012.

DFDS Seaways was the first ferry company to introduce ratings apprenticeships for deck and engine trainees on its cross Channel service to Dunkirk, underlining its commitment to both the British shipping industry, as well as local people from the South East of England looking to enter the important maritime sector.

The first six apprentices joined DFDS Seaways on the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) developed apprenticeship scheme in December 2012 as deck ratings, working towards their Able Seafarer Certificate, which will enable them to work in the navigation (deck) department of any ship. The scheme is a two year initiative which comprises a mixture of on the job training with DFDS Seaways, as well as classroom based learning, which the apprentices undertake at North West Kent College in Gravesend, Kent. Four of the apprentices are currently on track to receive their Efficient Deck Hand certificate, marking the half way point in their apprenticeship.

DFDS Seaways has launched the second wave of its apprenticeship scheme this week (Monday March 3), as part of National Apprenticeship Week, taking on an additional six apprentices, comprising three further deck ratings and three engine ratings. The engine ratings will receive practical, hands on experience and training in welding and other workshop skills designed to give them the knowledge and expertise they need to become certified Able Seafarers (engine). This includes the day to day monitoring and maintenance of the engines and equipment in the engine room, as well as maintenance activities elsewhere on the ship.

Gemma Griffin, Vice President HR & Crewing for DFDS Seaways, and Chair of the Employment Committee at the UK Chamber of Shipping, chairs the Maritime Trailblazer Apprenticeship Scheme, which also includes representatives from Princess Cruises, Carnival, P&O, James Fisher and the Royal Navy. She comments:

"Employer-led apprenticeships of this kind are not only vital for DFDS Seaways, but also for the maritime sector as a whole. They help us safeguard the future of our industry by ensuring that we have young people entering the industry with the right skills, expertise and support they need to be able to work effectively and safely.

"At DFDS Seaways, we also have a ratings to officer scheme, providing our Able Seafarers with the training and support they need to progress to the top of their chosen field. That means that the apprentices who sign up to our scheme could feasibly become a Captain or Chief Engineer in the space of 15 years or so, if they demonstrate the right aptitude and competence. And although we might not be able to guarantee a job for life in our particular organisation, we can definitely help our apprentices gain a life-long career in the maritime sector."

UK Chamber CEO and former seafarer, Guy Platten said:

"The UK is known the world over for its seafaring skills and the UK has a proud maritime history, but this investment proves we are determined to build a maritime future too.

"The long-term prosperity of the UK shipping industry depends completely on the people entering it. Training must equip seafarers with key skills and develop their careers as fully as possible while meeting the needs of employers, and today’s Trailblazer announcement is a huge step towards this."

Gemma Griffin will be attending the official launch event for the second wave of Trailblazer Apprenticeships at 10 Downing Street on Thursday March 6. She will be accompanied by DFDS Seaways deck ratings apprentice, Brandon Payne.

For more information about DFDS Seaways, which operates up to 44 crossings a day on its Dover-Dunkirk and Dover-Calais services, please visit www.dfdsseaways.co.uk.

* * * * * * * *

Great stuff above there from DFDS and great stuff below from Ed and Mike. Well done with all that lads and a great call by Capt Andy. Fascinating to see those pictures below there from the base of the cliffs and indeed of the old wreck of the Preussen.

NORWEGIAN ROCK ARRIVES ON SEAFRONT: As mentioned by Mike here is the Afon Goch below left from Holyhead Towing...(don't talk to me about Holyhead as I always get a touch of the tremors arrrgh!!) She was perusing the scene yesterday prior to her and other vessels dropping off a huge amount of Norwegian rock on the seafront in the dead of night last night. Worth popping down to have a look. Yes sir!...Norway has come to town in boulder-size lumps. Ed mentioned low tide, the guys picked the right time of year to do the work..there is also high tide in counter of course..here we see it below right pinning the workgroup to a tiny corner of beach.


Yes indeed will have more pictures following in due course.


Wednesday, 5 March 2014 - 07:05