Tall Ships Belfast 2009

Courtesy the Belfast Telegraph, you can now find all information in one place.

30 of the World’s finest sailing vessels
berthing in Belfast from August 13–16

Dr Gerard O’Hare, chairman of the Belfast Tall Ships company said: “The Port of Belfast and waterfront will look amazing.

“Whether you stand at the Odyssey or Clarendon Dock, looking north or south, you will see spars, masts and rigging, all the way up and down the water’s edge.”

If any of you should go and take some pictures, please share! Unfortunately, I can’t make it to Belfast that weekend myself.

Emma Collingwood: Cover art for “The Radiant Boy” by Amandine de Villeneuve

From the blog of Emma Collingwood:

I received the illustrations and the cover art by Mlle Amandine de Villeneuve and was once more completely stunned and in awe of her talent at drawing as well as catching the personalities of my characters with pen and Indian ink.

“The Radiant Boy” is almost finished, and I can promise you eery tales set in the Age of Sail, tributes to the classic ghost stories of the 18th and 19th century. Mlle de Villeneuve has produced once more truly amazing artwork, and I’m over the moon that I can share the raw art for the cover with you today.

Charlie, the main character in the title story of “The Radiant Boy”

I’ll give you soon more information on publishing date, price etc., but costs should be about the same as for “Lieutenant Samuel Blackwood (deceased)”. A release in E-book format isn’t planned yet (thanks to assorted e-pirates, screw you lot), and just like the tomes in the past, this little book comes with – a book curse. Where firewalls fail, curses might help. 😉

I herewith hug and kiss Mlle de Villeneuve through the screen; I won’t call her George, though, unless she insists…

Happy 4 July to my friends across the big pond! :-)

I haven’t posted cartoons from the 18th century for quite a while, so I thought you might enjoy the following one. It was made in support of America’s independence, and while it’s political incorrect up to the nines, it seems to be a rather spot-on look at the political situation back in 1776…

Mother Britain: “I’ll force you to Obedience, you Rebellious Slut!”
Daughter America: “Liberty Liberty for ever Mother, while I exist!”

Last Minute Tall Ship Tip: See the Krusenstern (Kruzenshtern) at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Look at the beautiful Крузенштерн (or, in German, Krusenstern). Many of you will known her as Padua, though – built in Bremerhaven/Germany in 1926, she’s a native “Fischkopf”.  😉

If you’re anywhere near the

Massachusetts Maritime Academy on 5 and 6 July

you can admire her in all her beauty!

Sail Massachusetts announced today that KRUZENSHTERN, the famous Russian tall ship, will make a port visit to the Massachusetts Maritime academy in Bourne on the Cape Cod Canal on July 3rd. The Academy will host the Class A vessel from July 3-6th.

And you’ll be pleased to hear that the tours are free!

Exciting Events: Tall Ships in Northern Ireland and Maine (USA)

I wish I was two people and could attend both of these events! Mark the dates in your calendards for July and August!

TALL SHIPS ON COURSE TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITIES

“The port of Belfast will be transformed to host the grand finale celebrations of the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge from August 13-16 when thousands of people are expected to flock to both sides of the River Lagan for the massive four-day festival.”

On the other side of the big pond, one of my favourite maritime museums has something great to offer, too. Every Canadian’s heart should beat faster upon reading this news:

TALL SHIP VISIT: SCHOONER BLUENOSE II

“In conjunction with our Net Worth Fisheries exhibit, the replica of the famed Grand Banks fishing schooner BLUENOSE II will be docked and open for tours July 5th,6th , and 7th. Generations of Atlantic Canadians have grown up with stories of the Original Bluenose Nova Scotia, her Captain Angus Walters and Bluenose II.”

Check out their other summer activities as well!

Talking about the Maine Maritime Museum: I can only recommend once again Chris Hall’s excellent blog,

NEWS FROM THE ORLOP

I can’t praise it enough. Interesting, educational, but most of all, lots of fun! 🙂