It's amazing how many dumbo fairweathers thought the Cunarders were going at 4.30pm because they read it on the internet. Inaccurate cruise schedule???? None of these people, past or present, ever look at the movements. Because the 6pm fireworks would be held by Moorhead Buoy near Hythe pier instead of by or on Ocean or City terminals as usual, we needed to try and find a good place for when they left. We didn't know if they'd hold off or what either so it was difficult, even more so with a ruddy great dredger alongside the pontoon! We went across to the other side of the lock and as I was trying to work out the best position to photograph with crappy tripod (hate them!) and which rock was sticking in my bum the least, my dad went to find the toilets. Then he reappeared along with three men who were heading in my direction. They changed course slightly when my dad spoke to the security guard but after he'd walked off towards the lock, they began heading my way again. So I grabbed the bag and tripod, holding it so I could do someone some damage if they tried anything, and they began following the security guard. For once I was glad to have the crappy thing. We kept up with them, one constantly looking over at me. They even asked the security guard for directions. Once they'd gone, we went to him and he'd seen their actions so was onto them, calling to the lock keeper to get pictures of them as they crossed the lock. Not knowing whether they would do a circuit and return, we went back the other side. They need more lights the Dibden Bay side but won't do anything. I dread to think what could have happened if the security guard hadn't been around. My dad made sure I wasn't left alone again but there are more lights and people the seat side. We saw the Wilcarry 250 barge being pushed by the tug, Wilcat, then stop just past the pier so we headed to the corner to set things up and wait. Mary called at 5.50pm to say she'd be going at 6pm and Betty FINALLY shifted her backside towards the Upper Swinging Ground! Mary singled up bang on 6pm and I overheard a woman say, "It's six o'clock now, they must be running late." No! Mary gave quite a few deep growls on and off, as opposed to normal blasting, and took an unbelievable thirty-five minutes to back out and straighten, thus giving Betty time to catch up for the fireworks. Mary zoomed along towards the pier and sailed straight past the barge! We wondered if they were going to have the display but once she was safely out the way, Betty gave three blasts and they started. This really was unusual as well because both ships continued to sail as they went off. The bloke on the bench next to us was talking to someone aboard Betty and asked, "Are the fireworks coming from the ship?" Duh! |