@TheSirfurryanimalWales The Balmoral had a drumming troupe belting it out and you could visit it. There was a lot to see and I believe them when they said it was the biggest. I had to come away because of the heat, but everyone was having a great time, it seemed. The little boats in the picture were all made from card by schoolchildren and were racing. None sank, which is amazing.
Lovely to see all those model yachts under sail on big water.
The Balmoral.... I had wondered where this companion vessel to the paddle-steamer Waverley now is. I didn't know she is Bristol-registered. Is she still giving cruises?
A friend once owned a steam-launch similar to that in Photos 3 and 4. I helped him one day launch it on a tidal river for the Summer. As we approached a bridge adjacent to an area busy with locals and tourist I could feel all eyes on us, and hoped to God he had judged the tide, boat height and arch correctly.... Fortunately he had.
@ArishMell Unfortunately MV Balmoral has been laid up in Bristol docks for several years with a number of issues so has not been giving cruises. A pity, since this summer would have been ideal. That was indeed a steam launch. It's called 'Duet'. Is that the same one?
