Terrier Tuesday. Two photos of our Bella who passed away last year aged seventeen.

Saw anti whaling ship Bandero, being held in Reykjavik yesterday. Operated by conservationist action group, the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, it was boarded by the Icelandic Coast Guard after allegedly entering Iceland's 12-mile territorial waters, apparently heading for Icelandic whaling vessel.

The latest bi-monthly lunch of City of Hull AC old athletes in the Duke of Cumberland, Cottingham. A good time was had by all. Interesting to think that our club - formerly known as Hull Harriers - held its second ever event, a paper chase, from the Duke of Cumberland back in autumn 1882.

Photographs from opening of the excellent 'Reuben Chappell, Master of Masts' exhibition at Goole Museum. Dr Alex Ombler, one of my old students, curated the exhibition. Really worth a visit if you like a combination of art and all things maritime. Excellent documentary to watch there as well.

Dave Ainsworth, Robb Robinson, John Devaney and Pete Blowers, on the way to our marshalling positions near Ferriby Foreshore for the last City of Hull AC Champagne League Race of the 2026 season.

Sad state of Poplar Farm. Known to many people from across UK and beyond who pass by when travelling along National Cycle Highway One between Cottingham and Beverley, East Yorkshire. Working farm until sold a few years ago; part of historic fabric of area. Place seems unprotected and vandalised.

Talking of heatwaves, it is somewhat sobering to think this photograph was taken in the hot summer of 1976 when working at Capper Pass in Melton unloading railway wagons full of tin ore, probably from the Wheal Jane Mine in Cornwall. Had a beard back in those days. It was certainly warm that summer.

Akershus Fortress in Oslo. Construction started early 1290s. So much of Norway's history within its walls.

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creating-a...

Along the Cleveland Way between Staithes and Runswick Bay a couple of days ago.

Low tide down on the beach at South Landing, Flamborough yesterday looking at the remains of the medieval pier.

And in and amongst the undergrowth along a section of Danes Dyke.

On the Cleveland Way between Saltburn and Staithes.

Fun and games at opening race of 2026 Champagne League season. Marshalling with Pete Blowers and John Devaney in fields beyond Hotham. Great to see Steve Rennie who has been running in this race series since it started in 1970s and still in first 30% of runners when he passed us.

Outside the Levan Bar in Peckham yesterday. Launch of new album by the Orielles. Our Lou, Ben, Chef Helen and the Orielles. Food and music were excellent. All round great time.

Yesterday's views of the Second World War Bent Rigg Radar Station (1941) and also of the Beast Cliff on the path between Ravenscar and Hayburn Wyke on the North Yorkshire coast.

Down where the River Hull meets the Humber estuary, near The Deep yesterday afternoon.

Privileged to be presenting the prestigious Mike Stammers Memorial Lecture for Centre for Port and Maritime History at the Museum of Liverpool on the 6th May 2026. Looking at forgotten but vital role of fishermen and fishing communities all around the coasts of the British Isles in the Great War.

Lunch in Ambiente, Hull with other former Trustees and officials of Viola Trust after our final meeting. l - r. Myself, Dominic Ward, Norman Court, Phil Ascough, Paul Escreet, Andrew Marr, Prof David Drewry, Admiral Nick Lambert. PS paid for ourselves. Interactive Viola now with Hull Maritime.

Charlotte Carrivik Band at East Riding Theatre yesterday afternoon. Excellent.

Villefranche-sur-Mer, once HQ for US Sixth Fleet. A few years ago a large anchor recovered offshore was unveiled as a monument to the historic ties and friendship between US Navy sailors and local people. Made by W.L. Byers anchor manufacturers of Sunderland - their anchors used extensively in WW2.

From Edwardian North Sea trawler then Great War U-boat hunter to sub-Antarctic exploration vessel and witness to the Falklands War. Read the remarkable story of the people whose lives and livelihoods were tied up with this remarkable maritime survivor.

Hull and the Greenland controversy. In 1605 Christian IV, King of Denmark and Norway, appointed Hull sailor James Hall as pilot on Greenland expedition to locate Viking colonies founded by Erik the Red c1000 AD. Contact had been lost c1500. Made three voyages for King Christian to Greenland. His map

Fishing News article on how we worked with Glasgow School of Art to create a virtual Viola. The ship, which is still around, now beached at Grytviken, South Georgia, had an epic career and whilst on Admiralty service had many engagements with enemy U-boats and was directly involved in two sinkings.

Sad news. Death of Brian Cooke, epic runner and effervescent character. One of those who really established northern road running in 1950s. Formerly a Hull Harrier then Haltemprice Road Runners. Won many events including the SLH 30 Mile Road Race in 2hrs 52. Ran for England; represented Yorkshire.

Read more in my book 'Far Horizons: from Hull to the Ends of the Earth'.

This year marks 200th anniversary of 'Dendrologia Britannica, or trees and shrubs that will live in the open air of Britain, throughout the year' by Peter William Watson of Thwaite Street, Cottingham. Copy of beautifully illustrated book in Hull History Centre. Epitome of 19th cent. green Georgian.

Forgive my rubbish photography but very distinctive dawn rainbow behind our back garden this morning.

Really sad today. Baxter, who belonged to my brother and sister in law, collapsed and died last night. Part of an unforgettable trio with their spaniel Monty and our Bella. All got on so well, all have gone in the last couple of years. End of an era. The three musketeers gave us all so much. XXX

He had been a member of the Triple Alliance and NTWF and in the early tranche of working men who became JPs. Loved music halls and the like. George William McKee and his Hull Seamen's Union executive once set a challenge for Harry Houdini.