EDITOR'S Blog -- Things We've Seen

AN occasional look at some of the different sights we've come across in Inverclyde (and beyond).

4 December -- This fishing boat off Gourock seemed to be proving particularly popular with the gulls.  Click for bigger photos

4 November -- Hanging Gardens Of Greenock's Babylon. Bigger Photos

Walking past the former Babylon Nightclub (formerly Mecca Bingo; originally the BBC Cinema) in West Stewart Street, Greenock, I was struck by the flourishing vegetation now adorning this building. Permission was given to turn the building into flats in June 2009 but that doesn't seem to have got very far. The structure features on the Buildings At Risk register.

9 September -- Unusual River Traffic. Click for bigger photos

Dirt-biking on the mudflats on the Clyde at Parklea, Port Glasgow – a Special Protection Area because of its birdlife -- is probably not to be welcomed, and illegal for all I know, although it made for some interesting photos – and note the heron which so far seems unfazed by what was quite a racket. The biker made one trip down the Clyde and then headed back towards Langbank and wasn't seen again -- I'm hoping he realised there was a deep channel that prevents an actual crossing of the river.

6 September -- Moon through Ocean Terminal crane, Greenock, seen from Campbell Street, last night (Wednesday). Click for bigger photo

1 September -- Car Overturned, Shore Street, Gourock, August 2012. Click here

29 April 2012 -- It' surprising how often there's something interesting to be seen on Ashton Prom in Gourock. This week it was filming for TV series Waterloo Road and earlier this month I came across a fashion shoot for local shop Parma Vintage. Click here

14 April -- Not long after Port Glasgow’s Endeavour sculpture was unveiled, causing huge public interest and divided opinion, I happened to be in Stenhousemuir and came across that town’s distinctive public art. Who knows, the Endeavour detractors may actually be grateful it was Inverclyde’s maritime heritage rather than the area’s agricultural scene that ended up being depicted in the new piece at Port Glasgow although I can think of some local butchers who may have stepped in as sponsors. Click for bigger photo

7 April -- These pigeons had been hunted in the hills above Greenock by crew members from a Clyde vessel and were hanging on board pending use in a pie. Bigger Photo

7 March -- Here's a scene to strike fear into all those motorists abandoning their cars wherever they feel like it across Inverclyde since the demise of the area's traffic wardens -- a police officer issuing tickets in Westburn Street, Greenock, this afternoon. Click for bigger photos. [Some background on the parking situation]

No.4 Crushed Cans In Scott’s Lane

One Sunday morning last year I had occasion to spend time in Scott’s Lane which runs between Dellingburn Street and Bakers’ Brae, Greenock. I got distracted by these cans – I just really liked how someone had crushed them all.

[Given the controversy over last week’s Things Seen picture, can I stress Inverclyde Now does not condone litter or over-indulging in canned drinks. Photos in this series are just things that have caught my eye and don’t really fit in any of the normal categories. Future entries may involve dead birds and graffiti so please don’t look if you are going to get upset.]

No.3 Birthday Cut

No.2 Stray Sheep

These sheep had strayed into the channel below Loch Thom after being scared by a dog. They later made it back to dry land.

No.1 Every 'Little' Helps

Inverclyde's motorists grown used to high fuel prices but even they would have been shocked as the cost of diesel in Greenock appeared to hit an all-time high in May 2011, although hopefully this wasn't the amount being charged. This photo was taken the day after gale-force winds hit the area so maybe this was one if the less obvious bits of damage. The display was rectified soon after.