04 September 2023 - 16:59:47
Surprise visitor (to me, at east) of this futuristic vessel. Turned out it's a Royal Navy craft built by Damen and only very recently finished sea trials
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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett

04 September 2023 - 16:59:56
Also known as X01 it's an testbed for new technologies including unmanned craft, surface and underwater.
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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett

04 September 2023 - 17:00:31
There may well be lots of new technology aboard, but there's always a place for what shall we say? the old way of doing things. Ladies and gentlemen, I present the wheelie bin Mk X.
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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett

04 September 2023 - 17:00:06
Look at the tech on that.
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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett

04 September 2023 - 17:00:17
Check it out on the web - it's the Navy's experimental vessel the XV Patrick Blackett. 42 metres long, powered by four Caterpillar diesel engines and kitted out with up to the minute technology. It's the Navy's test bed for all new futurist stuff that's coming out of development.
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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett

04 September 2023 - 17:00:17
The QR code on the side is to let any one interested know what it's all about. So it's top technology, just not top secret.
Or so they say.
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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett

04 September 2023 - 17:14:04
Arriving at Dartmouth's town jetty.
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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett

04 September 2023 - 17:20:
Successfully moored. Probably time for fish and chips.
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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett

04 September 2023 - 20:56:36
What was I expecting? Underwater lights ? There's a reason why it's painted matt black.
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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett

05 September 2023 - 07:51:37

05 September 2023 - 08:02:32

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French yacht Arrayan II departs Dartmouth

05 September 2023 - 08:13:11



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Dartmouth ferry, ferry, ferry.

05 September 2023 - 08:13:44

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French yacht Arrayan II departs Dartmouth

05 September 2023 - 08:14:43

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French yacht Arrayan II departs Dartmouth

05 September 2023 - 08:51:21
Just before we went off on holiday this Royal Navy experimental craft came in. Seen here leaving the town jetty. Sideways.
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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett departs Dartmouth

05 September 2023 - 08:53:55

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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett departs Dartmouth

05 September 2023 - 08:54:09

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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett departs Dartmouth

05 September 2023 - 08:54:34
And as the Navy's most technologically advanced craft, it was still carrying its wheelie bins
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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett departs Dartmouth

05 September 2023 - 08:54:40

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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett departs Dartmouth

05 September 2023 - 08:54:43

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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett departs Dartmouth

05 September 2023 - 08:54:57

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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett departs Dartmouth

05 September 2023 - 08:56:37

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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett departs Dartmouth

05 September 2023 - 08:58:58

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Royal Navy experimental vessel XV Patrick Blackett departs Dartmouth

05 September 2023 - 09:15:04

05 September 2023 - 09:16:04

23 September 2023 - 20:22:30
It's a replica of a ship that could have fought in the Spanish Armada. Launched in 2009 it's a pretty big tub, over 40 metres long. The two front facing spotlights didn't help with taking a night shot, but an impressive craft none the less.
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'Spanish Armada' galleon El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

23 September 2023 - 23:41:03

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'Spanish Armada' galleon El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

24 September 2023 - 07:40:35
In daylight hours there's a threatening element to the front end.
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'Spanish Armada' galleon El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

24 September 2023 - 11:17:57
Competition Time. Previously I jokingly suggested that this is really a parabolic reflector to try and improve the mobile phone signal. Clearly not so (well it's not parabolioc, is it?) Well it's getting bigger so perhaps it could instead be an observatory. Or a gun emplacement ? Or.....?
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One Gun Point roof

24 September 2023 - 11:25:24
Imagine this bearing down on you in the midst of a sea battle. We would all be a trembling. Tours around the El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth were £10 a time. Travelling as crew to France would set you back 250 euros.
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'Spanish Armada' galleon El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

24 September 2023 - 11:26:02

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'Spanish Armada' galleon El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

24 September 2023 - 11:26:39

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'Spanish Armada' galleon El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

25 September 2023 - 07:38:26

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Seals on Kingswear seal pontoon

25 September 2023 - 07:41:24
Not really in their natural habitat. Still fun to have them around.
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Seals on Kingswear seal pontoon

25 September 2023 - 08:09:23

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African Queen wildlife river cruise

25 September 2023 - 08:09:32

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African Queen wildlife river cruise

25 September 2023 - 08:11:18

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'Spanish Armada' galleon El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

25 September 2023 - 08:12:27
Wildlife guide Mike Langman has been running occasional Osprey and other wildlife spotting trips aboard the African Queen for the last few months. Today's trip went upriver after first checking out the seals on the Kingswear pontoon.
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African Queen wildlife river cruise

25 September 2023 - 08:12:45
There was some serious camera gear aboard in the hands of the passengers. Apparently they got to see two ospreys fishing for almost two hours. Along with four kingfishers and plenty more.
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African Queen wildlife river cruise

25 September 2023 - 10:24:51
Look again. What's wrong here?
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Lower Ferry - car facing wrong way.

25 September 2023 - 11:47:19

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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

25 September 2023 - 11:49:47

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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

25 September 2023 - 11:50:05

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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

25 September 2023 - 12:05:36

25 September 2023 - 12:06:46

25 September 2023 - 12:08:41

25 September 2023 - 12:34:13

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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

25 September 2023 - 12:39:49
Missed the arrival of El Galeon Andalucia on Friday, but clearly the crew are here preparing for a departure on Tuesday under sail. Well, we can dream, can't we?
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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

25 September 2023 - 12:46:45

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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

25 September 2023 - 16:17:06

25 September 2023 - 16:26:06

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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

26 September 2023 - 09:13:11

26 September 2023 - 09:14:17

26 September 2023 - 09:14:53

26 September 2023 - 09:17:16

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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:31:25

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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:34:15

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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:37:36

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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:37:56

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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:38:08

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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:42:11
It was slow going but the combined horsepower of the Ribeye boats eventually did the trick.
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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:44:24

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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:44:47

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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:46:00

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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:46:19

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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:47:57
At one point there were five Dart Harbour craft pushing the El Galeon Andalucia into position on the river Dart.
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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:48:13
The galleon has its own engine (it's a replica remember) but with very limited manoeuvring ability. ie, there was very little steering to be done.
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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:48:35

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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:49:18

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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:49:18

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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:50:52

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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:51:18

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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:53:16

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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 09:54:33
Replica Spanish Armada galleon, El Galeon Andalucia has completed its public opening days moored on the town jetty. So this morning it was moved the hundred metres or so to a mainstream mooring. How they did it all those years ago is a mystery to me having seen just quite how much horse power and teamwork it took today.
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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 10:02:35
Almost there, even once the fore and aft lines were attached the pushing continued. Tide and wind seemed to be against an easy solution.
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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 10:56:36

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How to moor a galleon. El Galeon Andalucia

26 September 2023 - 15:02:59
Silly me, it's not a mobile phone aerial, nor a gun emplacement, nor is it a mount for a parabolic mirror to reflect sunlight back on to the 'dark side' of the valley. It's obvious now....it's Dartmouth's Early Warning Station. The new Fylingdales.
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Dartmouth Castle Road construction

26 September 2023 - 18:35:53
Speaking of construction, these guys seemed to be working late.
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Kingswear (Hoodown) construction.

26 September 2023 - 21:19:58
But later still.....they were still at it
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Kingswear (Hoodown) construction.

26 September 2023 - 21:24:27The two floodlights at the front of El Galeon Andalucia makes it difficult to get a decent night shot of the replica galleon as it sits in the river Dart.
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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

26 September 2023 - 21:26:49

27 September 2023 - 08:31:16

27 September 2023 - 18:16:15
At last some decent warm light to reflect the wooden hull of the galleon. Did I say wooden ? I understand it's actually plastic.
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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

27 September 2023 - 18:16:24
Wooden or plastic, it still looks good.
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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

27 September 2023 - 21:06:05
At last, the two blinding headlights have been turned off and so a decent night shot of our 'resident' galleon is achieved.
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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

27 September 2023 - 21:06:21
Kept in harbour to avoid Storm Agnes (only the hype was overblown) the replica galleon sat pretty and still in the river Dart overnight.
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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

28 September 2023 - 07:13:13
Four guests this morning on the Kingswear home for wayward seals.
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Kingswear seal pontoon

28 September 2023 - 09:03:30
If it moves, grease it, if it doesn't paint it. The galleon crew get to grips with some essential maintenance.
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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

28 September 2023 - 11:28:53

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

28 September 2023 - 17:33:21

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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

28 September 2023 - 22:57:40

28 September 2023 - 23:05:27

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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

28 September 2023 - 23:06:45

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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 09:28:30

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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 11:28:43

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El Galeon Andalucia in Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 11:49:45

29 September 2023 - 12:02:28

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:02:56

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:03:39

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:09:07

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:09:40

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:10:35

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:11:18

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:11:52

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:12:44

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:13:24

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:13:29

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:13:32

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:13:46

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:13:52

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:14:17

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:14:22

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:14:28

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:14:33

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:15:01

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:15:39

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:16:30

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:17:06

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:18:48

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:19:14

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El Galeon Andalucia departs Dartmouth

29 September 2023 - 12:53:04

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Froward Point lookout

29 September 2023 - 15:10:28

29 September 2023 - 15:41:52

29 September 2023 - 18:30:36

30 September 2023 - 10:40:46

30 September 2023 - 10:39:40

30 September 2023 - 10:40:46