It's work Jim, but not as we know it!

Antibes is one of the main hubs for superyachts on the French Riviera. This year more than any other there are a lot of pretty big boats around. The following is a view of the international quay or IYCA (International Yacht Club d'Antibes) from the opposite side of the marina.

As some of you probably know I'm an engineer on board one of these nice vessels. It's a pretty good way of getting some year round sunshine. On the other hand there are some interesting live aboards in the marina. The following boat is permanently occupied and named ça suffit, or "good enough" in English. Quite amusing considering the overwhelming wealth surrounding it.

Antibes itself is has a lovely old town with some extremely expensive bars. There's also an old fort on the opposite side of the marina from the IYCA. Here's a snap with some dramatic weather coming our way.

And finally a picture of my boat (well, not mine, but maybe one day!!)

A little more of the Outer Hebrides.

The community boat An Sulaire getting a bit of TLC in Stornoway harbour. An Sulaire trust is a registered charity which owns and sails the only full size Sgoth Niseach (Ness Boat) in existence. You can check out the website at http://www.ansulaire.com/

A panoramic of Tarbert. The main town on the Isle of Harris and the connecting point to the Isle of Skye. The Ferry link span can be seen on the right. Unfortunately the Calmac ferry Hebridean Isles had just sailed and gone round the headland before I took the pictures. The picture consists of 8 shots stitched together in Photoshop. Hopefully I'll get it again one day when the weather is a bit more clement and the ferry is in view.

North, South, East and West

Firstly The Butt of Lewis

Next, not quite as south as you can get but Horgabost beach in Harris is getting there

A view from my Dad's house in Point on the east coast

Finally Dalbeg beach on the west coast

As I've just been on the islands I thought I'd load a small selection of my Isle of Lewis pictures. Unfortunately I was incapacitated due to a badly sprained ankle so couldn't get out and about too much. It's the perfect time of year to take photos up there at the moment as the dreaded midgy hasn't come into full force just yet.

Coming home

 

Looking from Stornoway towards Tolsta with Tong, Coll, Back and Gress in between.

Looking east over Broad Bay with Point in the distance and the mountains of the mainland on the horizon.

Another view towards Tolsta with Tong sands in the foreground.

The village of Coll where I grew up. Tiumpan Head light house can just be seen in the top right.

Another shot towards Tong over the sands, Sandwick in the foreground.

Coll beach in the center of the shot. My local beach as a kid.

Stornoway looking south west.

A closer shot of the town. Goat island on the left and the castle grounds on the opposite side of the bay.

The offending plane. Not exactly a jumbo but pretty expensive for the owner I'd imagine.

It's not very often you get put into a holding pattern when you're flying into Stornoway. I wasn't even aware of a holding pattern on the island. I thought you could just cruise around at your leisure. The co-pilot came across the tannoy to announce that an aircraft had crashed on the 2nd runway and they were awaiting assistance from the fire service. This half an hour sojourn above Stornoway and the surrounding area gave some fantastic opportunities to take a few snaps. They came out surprisingly well considering the scratched state of aircraft windows. Quite a few did have to be discarded due to the engine exhaust getting in the shot.