BourneFree's photos

Following on from my previous picture MV Suilven is seen manoeuvring by the pier. Apparently she berthed bow in at Stornoway and stern in at Ullapool - I assume this was operationally easier but I'm no maritime expert! Being surplus to requirements in 1995 she was sold to Strait Shipping, for service between the North Island and South Island of New Zealand – for an interesting video of her operating in difficult conditions see www.youtube.com/watch?v=G10KuLTQWzU In 2004, she moved to Fiji but by August 2012 was advertised for sale and expected to be sold as scrap. However in late 2012, it was reported that Ben Naidu, owner of Venu Shipping, had acquired the ship for refitting and further service in Fiji However the old girl came to an undignified end, capsizing and sinking on approach to Suva Harbour in Fiji on November 24th 2015 (0200GMT). All crew and passengers were safe.see www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-34908416

Caledonian MacBrayne’s MV Suilven operated the Ullapool to Stornoway route across The Minch from 1974 to 1995, and is seen here in September 1986 approaching Ullapool Built in Norway, she was originally intended for a service across the Oslofjord, but was put up for sale while still on the stocks because of operational issues for her Norwegian owners. Entering service after modifications to comply with British standards, Suilven remained on the Lewis route until 1995, when she was replaced by the larger MV Isle of Lewis.

The iconic black and white ‘Imagine’ mosaic pays tribute to John Lennon, singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who was shot and killed while walking into his home at the Dakota Building, on December 8, 1980. The memorial is located in Strawberry Fields, a landscaped area in Central Park, just across from the Dakota Building. The area is named after the Beatles' song "Strawberry Fields Forever". Designated as a quiet zone in Central Park, an official plaque calls the site a "Garden of Peace." The memorial is often covered with flowers, candles in glasses, and other belongings left behind by Lennon fans. On his birthday and the anniversary of his death, people gather to sing songs and pay tribute.

HKL 826 was one a batch of Beadle-bodied AEC Regal buses delivered to Maidstone & District in 1946/47. Converted to open top configuration in 1957 it saw use on the Hastings 'Round the Town' tours. Subsequently passing to the Hastings & District operation when that became a separate company in 1983,it can be seen here on Maze Hill, St. Leonards in 1986 (note it retained the M&D fleetnames) It subsequently operating for Guide Friday and eventually became part of the collection amassed by the late Chris Moyes, Chief Executive of the Go Ahead Group. It has been in the care of the North East Bus Preservation Trust since 2007.

Seen lined up around the Depots at Crich during the 1979 "Transport Extravaganza" on August Bank Holiday weekend that year is selection of the museum fleet. They include representatives of the Blackpool, Glasgow and Sheffield fleets,

Postally used postcard. Published by Sanderson & Dixon (Colour Printers) Ltd., Ambleside (code SDS 103) with the description: "A popular resort in East Lothian with a small harbour and beaches. In the centre of this picture is the Old Town House with its leaning tower." Sent by my late father-in-law to his wife sometime in the sixties when he was working in Scotland. Looks like a positive car-fest!

Track-laying the hard way - this is Swanage Railway in the early eighties. As can be discerned it was manual and labour intensive with the help of a small crane, of GWR origin, if I remember correctly. The location looks like the straight that runs behind the houses in Kings Road West, with the Victoria Avenue bridge in the back of the shot.

Seen at Salisbury in August 1979 is Crompton 33039, on a Brighton to Bristol service

Seen at Town End, Crich on the August Bank Holiday weekend 1980 is Trent Leyland National 508, a 11.3m model delivered in 1978. The Tramway Museum, as it was then, is out of shot to the left The August Bank Holiday weekend at the Museum, at that time, featured the popular "Grand Transport Extravaganza" . It has been replaced in more recent years by other events. Also of note is the Ford Escort MkII 'panda car' in the background

Bournemouth Alexander-bodied Atlantean 243 (SEL 243H) is seen approaching Winton Banks junction in Bournemouth - the name deriving from the suburb and the proximity (in the past) of a large number of bank branches. It carries posters for the 'Use us or lose us' campaign to get people back on the buses - I'm not sure whether it seems desperate or vaguely threatening with the perspective of hindsight!

Only 7 years separate these two AEC Reliances on Green Line services back in 1980 RP84 (JPA 184K) delivered in 1972, but (theoretically!) demoted to bus work is about to be passed by RB66 (YPL 66T). The Duple Dominant II bodied Reliance is representative of the belated attempt to upgrade the "Green Line" image The location is Green Line's Victoria 'hub' - Eccleston Bridge Also of interest is the remains of a Swan Vesta advert on the Lost Property Office wall in the background

D1102 started out as DM1102 in June 1975. It lasted in normal service until 1983, being converted to open-top at Aldenham. By 1989, carrying the name "MV Royal Daffodil" , it had passed to Selkent as part of the charter operation at PD. I believe this 1989 view is at Greenwich, next to the "Cutty Sark" - but I am open to correction

Another one from the Sony Car Park! This one is a 1971 VW "Beetle" decorated in the style of "Herbie" the anthropomorphic hero of the 1968 film "The Love Bug" (and a few sequels!) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbie

There in the Waitrose car park was ULH 926F, a Triumph Herald convertible. I thought it's just another old car, but I'll take a picture as it's over 40 years old, and might bring back some memories. It turns out that, according to the current owner's website, it was once owned by Germaine Greer, the occasionally controversial feminist academic and journalist. The Herald looks in good nick, which is not surpising when you see the amount work involved in the restoration - see homepage.ntlworld.com/groves.darren/herald.htm .

The Green Line of the "T" was operating these Type 7 Light Rail Vehicles in 2000. They were built by Kinki Sharyo Co in Osaka, Japan - the first batch of 100 was supplied between 1986 and 1988, with a further 20 delivered in 1997 It is is seen on Huntington Avenue, Boston near the Museum of Fine Arts

Following on from previous post - this shot taken from Tower Bridge Approach shows how much taller The Shard is than anything around it - the only other buildings clearly visible above the foliage are the buildings of Guy's Hospital (Tower Wing)

I sense this is definitely a 'Marmite' building An article in "The Guardian" newspaper on 14th Jan 2013 opened with .... The best thing about the view from the Shard?.....You can't see the Shard It is a 95-storey skyscraper at London Bridge, on the site previously occupied by Southwark Towers, For more info see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shard The Shard website ( the-shard.com ) says "The Shard is a timeless reminder of the power of imagination to inspire change" - others say carbuncle - I'll leave you to decide!

A Bentley Continental GT seen in the visitors Car Park at work today. It's not actually a paint job but a vinyl wrap see www.mfxwraps.com/vehicle-wrapping