Warhol at the Ferens

There's been an Andy Warhol exhibition at the Ferens art gallery most of this Summer. I went earlier in the year and was underwhelmed. I suppose it was worth seeing just because of the hype that surrounds him but it was a totally unmemorable experience. I wouldn't call him a great artist more a great self-publicising conman. Just as well that it was free to enter.

Lost at sea

The Flourish,  a  16-metre potter, was on its way back to Bridlington Harbour when it was in collision with the 88-metre vessel Nautica 28 miles off Flamborough Head. Three crew members including the skipper's son were rescued but the skipper John Collinson was never found. [Read more]

This is one of several memorial plaques on the south pier at Bridlington, reminders of the dangers of going to sea to earn a living.

Taphophile Tragics

Tat shop

Attention grabbing sign in Bridlington for the Identity tattoo studio on Manor Street. They have a website and it's here.

From the train

Farmers always moan. Earlier this year they moaned there was no enough rain, then there was too much rain then not enough sunshine and on and on.  If you believed the reports the potato harvest was doomed, bread would cost lots more and the end of the world was nigh. Well judging by the scenes on the way to Bridlington the harvest was coming in and it looks pretty much the same as last year and the year before that. The weather was perfect, dry and sunny and staying that way for about a fortnight just at the right time. And though some yields are down others are up. I guess you shouldn't always believe what you read in the papers.

Matilda

Matilda has been around by the harbour for a few years now, mixing with the ducks and geese. She sees no reason to go elsewhere. She has found happiness by the water's edge. No, not the lady with the bag; the barnacle goose. Obviously flying back and forth to Spitzbergen every year was too much of a drag when there's a free meal to be had every day. She's become a  bit of a favourite with the local fishermen who also feed her.

The crab business

To judge by the number of boats landing their catches the floor of the North Sea must be covered in crabs. In ten minutes I saw four boats landing their crates and this one was just coming into harbour. 

The main crab caught is the Brown Crab (Cancer Pagurus) the most commercially important species of crab in the U.K.

To catch 'em you'll need some bait, of course, some juicy looking salmon or trout heads will do nicely.

A few of these wouldn't come amiss

Load it up then you're ready to go.

Modernisation

The development of Bridlington harbour has been a long running saga with grand plans for marinas bubbling away in the background while local interest groups squabble among themselves. Here at last is something tangible. Built by the Harbour Commissioners, a £250,000 floating pontoon with electricity and running water and berths for 66 craft. This has got to be a boost for Brid's yachting trade and the money that follows that. Previously boats could only be reached at high tide now now they're available 24/7. Below shows the almost mediaeval moorings that have been replaced (no, don't laugh).