Pokey Smokey II_DSC_2011_7037

Pokey Smokey II_DSC_2011_7037, originally uploaded by Olde Towne Photos (Clyde).

Pokey Smokey II - Up and Running

Via Flickr:
Pokey Smokey was a 19th century replica steam engine train that provided fun rides on the Portsmouth City Railroad in the City Park. Due to safety concerns, Pokey was retired in 2005 and auctioned off to a train collector. The Portsmouth City Railroad is still at the City Park. $50K had been raised; I believe it is up to around $63K now, but about another $200K is required. If you would like to donate to the Pennies for Pokey fund to raise money for Pokey Smokey II, please contact me at stacey.parker@nscorp.com
Tax ID#54-6062589

* The new Pokey Smokey II miniature train has revved up its engine for a comeback.

The seven-bench carriage and locomotive will be unveiled at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in City Park, the city announced. The attraction will reopen to riders on May 14.

The original Pokey Smokey stopped operating in 2005 because of safety concerns. The Southeast Virginia Community Foundation raised $216,000 to buy the new coach. It will be handicap-accessible and run on gasoline.

http://hamptonroads.com/node/229731

Royal Wedding

The British Monarchy's Photostream on Flickr

 ~  The Official Royal Wedding Photograph  ~

Click on photo to enlarge or link for original size.

The Royal Wedding Group in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace on 29th April 2011 with the Bride and Groom, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the centre.

Front row (left to right): Miss Grace van Cutsem, Miss Eliza Lopes, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HM The Queen, The Hon. Margarita Armstrong-Jones, Lady Louise Windsor, Master William Lowther-Pinkerton.

Back Row (left to right): Master Tom Pettifer, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, HRH The Prince of Wales, HRH Prince Henry of Wales, Mr Michael Middleton, Mrs Michael Middleton, Mr James Middleton, Miss Philippa Middleton.

Picture Credit: Photograph by Hugo Burnand

Note: The photos are for editorial use only, and they are must not be re-sold or commercially exploited in any way. For requests other than editorial use, please put your requests in writing to Press Office, St James’s Palace, London, SW1A 1BS.

The Tulip

The Tulip, originally uploaded by Olde Towne Photos (Clyde).

So you won't have to break your neck reading this, I've printed it here:

Tossing turban style contours, with an aloofness as one passes by,
Utilizing every charm it possesses, under a lupin blue cloudless sky,
Like a guardsman, gallantly standing, holding up his noble head high,
In rainbow colours, brilliant and stately, a vision to surely yield a sigh,
Ponder thus upon the regal tulip, it has pure beauty, you cannot deny.

The Tulip ~ by Ernestine Northover

Having to turn the print to read the verse, causes it to yield three different views. Purely accidental. :-)

Nikon D-70 / iso 200 / 8 sec. @ f22

13th Annual Olde Towne Scottish Walk

For information on the Scottish Walk, see last year's post.  More photos are being posted on my Flickr photo-sharing website.

Scroll down to bottom to adjust Playlist.

Holidays in Olde Towne

Click here to go to photos :-)

Click on the link above to view snapshots of Santa's arrival and various entertaining groups that were performing in Historic Olde Towne Portsmouth December 11.  You may to view and download your favorite images (if you have a free Yahoo account).  Thanks to all who sponsored, supported or performed in the Festival.  Despite the Scottish sunshine weather, I didn't see one sad face.  I had the pleasure of making photographs of some of the cutest and best behaved children.  Ya think Santa's presence had anything to do with that?  Shoot me an email if you want the high resolution image file for printing.

OldeTownePhotos@aol.com

Tall Ship HNoMS Statsraad Lehmkuhl to Visit Norfolk

The world's fastest sail training three-masted Tall Ship, Statsraad Lehmkuhl from Norway will again grace the harbor at 9:30 AM Thursday.

Click for > Photos from previous visits and other related images

Website Home Page

Facts & History: HNoMS Statsraad Lehmkuhl


•The Barque ‘Statsraad Lehmkuhl' is from Bergen. It is a three masted Barque, launched in 1914. She was built by JC Tecklenborg, Bremerhaven, Germany and is Norway's oldest and largest sailing vessel.

•Overall Length: 98 metres ( 321.5' )

•Length of Hull: ( 259' )

•Rig: Three-masted barque

•Height of Rig: ( 158' )

•Beam: 12.6 metres ( 41.34' )

•Draught: 5.2 metres ( 17.06' )

•High Carbon Steel Hull

•Carries a crew of 125 ( 100 training )

From Festevents Website:

On Thursday November 4, 2010 the unique and majestic 96-year old Norwegian tall sailing ship "HNoMS Statsraad Lehmkuhl" is scheduled to arrive in Downtown Norfolk at 9 am, docking at Otter Berth next to Waterside. The ship will depart on Friday, November 5, 2010.

Arrival will be immediately followed at 9:30 am with a dockside public welcome ceremony. The public is invited to tour the ship on Friday, November 5, from noon - 4pm; school groups can reserve a private tour from 10 am - noon.
The Statsraad Lehmkuhl is sailed by the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy's first year officer cadets, who are participating in leadership training and teambuilding during the trip. The cadets also get a strong foundation of basic seamanship during their weeks onboard. Stripped of modern communication technology, the students are forced to work together to overcome the timeless challenges and dangers of travelling the seas by sail. Statsraad Lehmkuhl has been part of the basic training program since 2002, whereby the Royal Norwegian Navy leases the ship for several months every year. Norfolk has become a favorite port of call for the ship and her crew; this will be the 6th consecutive year that the ship has called on Norfolk as part of their sail-training schedule. The port visit is sponsored by Norfolk Festevents, Ltd.
The City of Norfolk and her community leaders will officially welcome the HNoMS Statsraad Lehmkuhl on Thursday, November 4 with a flag-raising and dockside ceremony scheduled to take place at Otter Berth in Downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Lake Taylor High School's NJROTC Color Guard will carry out the flag-raising ceremony beginning at 9:30 am.
School Tour Schedule: Friday, November 5, 2010, 10 am - noon. Please contact Hank Moseley with Festevents, at 757-441-2345 ext.3019 or moseleyh@festevents.org for more information and to arrange for school tours. Schools must provide their own transportation to and from Otter Berth. Ship tours are FREE.
Public Visitation Schedule: Friday, November 5, 2010, Noon - 4 pm. Ship tours are FREE and open to the public from Noon - 4 pm only.

Departing Norfolk at sunset, heading for Baltimore, New London and Norway.

Departing Norfolk at sunset, under a champagne sky.

Bloggers' Photo Community Challenge

Click on the link above for this month's images ( Autumn Colors )
or here > http://communityphotochallenge.blogspot.com/

Here's mine