THE MENACE OF FRACKING COULD COME TO TORBAY

Area in red under consideration for licensing

Maps of UK locations for fracking (extraction of gas and oil deposits by hydraulic fracturing of rock formations) have revealed that about half of Devon is included for consideration.  The area includes Torbay and us here at Maidencombe. 

However, although parts of Torbay could be affected, Maidencombe should escape this menace as it is designated an 'area of oustanding natural beauty'.

We can only hope that no deposits are located anywhere in Devon as cash-strapped councils might be tempted to sell  out to the oil and gas industry.

SUMMER QUEST

It's that time of year again when I get the urge to set out on a summer quest.  It was last September when Neil D'Allen, the owner of the Orestone Manor Hotel and his son James teamed up with me to mount an expedition to locate the footprint of the legendary Labrador Bay Hotel.

With that success behind us,  there is now an opportunity to expand our knowledge of this once thriving community and perhaps identify some other key landmarks.

Snippet of medieval map

The snippet of medieval map (above) though crude by modern day standards, gives us several clues.
The legend 'mere' is the Old English of a sea or inlet.  'Medencomb' is one of the earliest spelling of Maidencombe.  Interestingly, Smugglers Bay extends along several coves along this stretch of coast from Red Rob (present day Border Cove) to Smugglers Cove itself.  No mention of Labrador Bay (or its supposed derivation 'l'abri d'or' or shelter of gold).  Instead, intriguingly, the legend reads 'springs dor' ...

 

Early twentieth century map (locations hidden)

Fresh information in the form of an early  twentieth century map (above) has now passed into my hands courtesy of Bob Arthy, who will soon take up residence in the area.
A veritable 'treasure trove' of information has been gleaned on enlarging and enhancing the map.
Armed with this, I will be undertaking more expeditions to see if there is any evidence of these key landmarks.
Who knows,  we may even stumble upon one of the cannons that are believed to have been sited for defence and ultimately abandoned some three centuries ago ...

WOULD THIS MAKE YOU SLOW DOWN?

Common sense signage not permitted

After yet another serious RTA (road traffic accident) last Friday,  it is time Highways took more action to warn motorists of the very dangerous stretch of the A379 through Maidencombe. There have been numerous accidents along this notorious  'black spot' stretch.

Full details are not available, but it is evident that excessive speed was the cause of the accident which closed the busy road for two hours, causing tailbacks and frustration aplenty.

Although there is a 30 MPH speed limit in place, motorists persist in speeding along this stretch and are often caught out by traffic exiting from side roads onto the A379. The 30 MPH repeater sign temporarily sited at 'gantry island', Maidencombe Cross has no effect whatsoever and should now be removed.

Torbay council Highways state that their hands are tied with central government legislation.
I wonder if a sign similar to our mock-up  (above) would make motorists slow down?

However, since when did common sense prevail in these days of political correctness and madness?

SIX-SPOT BURNET DAY FLYING MOTH

Six-spot Burnets on a Scottish thistle

On a mini expedition, Tuesday afternoon, I spotted a cluster of  Six-spot Burnet (Zygaena  filipendulae) day flying moths clustered upon a Scottish thistle. Such was the glare of the sun,  I had to wait until I got back home to definitely identify the number of spots on each wing .

GERONIMO!

Swinging pensioner Jim (photo courtesy David Hyde)

Would you like to swing on a star?
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
Or would you rather be
An OAP?

THATCHED TAVERN CALENDAR 2015

Front cover and sample month

The Thatched Tavern 2015 calendar is now available.  Priced at £5 it comes with a heavy card envelope ideal for posting to family and friends.  The calendar is month themed and includes images of the area as well as the beautiful Thatched Tavern gardens.  Call in to the pub to collect.  Postage rates will be made available.

GIANT BARREL JELLYFISH INVASION

Jim Campbell holding up a beached giant barrel jellyfish

Bathers are being advised to keep a lookout for swarms of giant barrel jellyfish which are appearing off the South Devon coast.  I found this one at Shaldon yesterday evening.  Although quite alarming due to its size, the barrel jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo) or the dustbin-lid jellyfish or the frilly-mouthed jellyfish, is relatively harmless though you are advised not to touch the trailing stingers.

Further information can be gleaned from this news story of May 20th this year on BBC News Cornwall:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-27483262

OUTRAGE AT FLY-TIPPING INCIDENT

Yet another fly-tipping incident in the village.  For the third time in the past three weeks, rubbish has been dumped in Brim Hill.  I encountered this latest outrage at just before 1 am today on returning from our Night Patrol.

Also dumped:  sachets of medication

There was also a box of constipation sachets scattered in the middle of the road.  I retrieved these for the safety of the public and animals.

Presumably, this happened late evening as Tor2 react swiftly to calls.  In a serious large scale dumping in Steep Hill, the council failed to investigate fully, even when allegedly supplied with the identity of the perpetrator.

Residents should be extremely vigilant and take registration numbers of vans/lorries they see acting suspiciously.

TRACTOR DRAMA IN BOWDEN MEADOW

The tractor clearing Bowden meadow Wednesday

Clearing of a heavily overgrown Bowden meadow commenced Wednesday and continued yesterday until the tractor (photo above) got into difficulties in the northern corner above the Beehive (top centre).   A JCB had to be called out to tow the tractor out.  A water line had been damaged during the operation and was still flooding yesterday evening.  No one is believed to have been injured.

Bowden meadow belongs to the Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust but it is not known who was clearing the field.

A local man was killed in the late sixties when his tractor overturned in the steep fields below Labrador.

THE ATLAS AND TOWS FROM ABOVE THE ORE STONE

Rapidly changing picture here with the three tug operation which has been going on for the last eighteen hours.  The MTS Vengeance has dropped her tows off and is now proceeding back up the channel en route to Rotterdam.

The Herkules which appears to have started her voyage and tows from Gdansk, Poland is some 15 miles off Salcombe and proceeding to Dakar, currently making 4.8 knots.

Seeing the Atlas on AIS some 6 miles east of the Ore Stone and nearly out of range, I drove up to the top of Marine Drive and got this footage of her.  She now has two hulks with her and these must be either from the Vengeance or the Herkules.  As the Atlas was escorting the Herkules without any tows it is logical to assume that these may be the tows from the Vengeance.  Shipping forum experts please take a close look at this close-up photo (below) I took along with the video footage and give me your opinion.  You'll know much better than me.

Tug Atlas behind the hulks off the Ore Stone

Earlier, when I was out walking So Cruise,  I might have spotted a single hulk lying unattended some way off Maidencombe to the north, but it was very difficult to pick out.  Keep you updated.  Still evaluating more video footage.

TUG ARMADA OFF MAIDENCOMBE (PART 2)

More footage of the MTS Vengeance, Herkules and Atlas with their respective tows.  The mini armada is currently stationary in Lyme Bay some 16 kms northeast of Maidencombe.  The Pilot vessel Celia T remains on station with the vessels.

TUG ARMADA OFF MAIDENCOMBE

First footage of the huge towing operation off Maidencombe.

MTS VENGEANCE IN LYME BAY

The Steindamm - one of Mts Vengeance's tows

Got up early to see what developments there have been with the MTS Vengeance and her two tows since 3:15 am this morning.  After closing to within a mile of the Herkules (also en route to Nigeria) the Vengeance tracked in westwards and is currently some ten miles east of Hope's Nose in Lyme Bay.  Her status is listed as 'restricted manoeuvrability'.
I popped up to the top of the hill to see if I could spot her but she was hidden in the early morning haze.
The other two GB flagged tugs, the Herkules and the Atlas are both within a kilometre of each other, though the Herkules is now underway, making over 8 knots and on a heading of 308 degrees.
If visibility improves, I'll attempt to get some footage.

THREE TUGS 'RENDEZVOUS'

Interesting development as the MTS Vengeance and her two tows en route from Rotterdam to Lagos are now within 3 miles of the Atlas and the Herkules which have been stationary for some time.  The Herkules has Dakar as her destination and it is not known whether she has any vessel in tow.  All three tugs are British flagged.  On their current heading, it is unlikely that they will come within sight of me here at Maidencombe.  The proximity of the three tugs cannot be coincidence and a rendezvous, for whatever reason is imminent.

MTS VENGEANCE CLOSING IN WITH TWO OTHER TUGS 'NOT UNDER COMMAND'

The MTS Vengeance and her tows, the Steindamm and Rana are now closing in on their first stopover at Brixham and currently making 3.2 knots.  However,  there are two tugs about 15 miles southwest of the Vengeance both showing the 'not under command' status.  I understand that this could signify a number of eventualities: either the vessel has encountered a mechanical or steering problem or that the vessel  has the auto pilot engaged but no one is at the helm.
The two tugs are currently about 2 miles apart.  The MTS  Atlas is showing Lyme Bay as her destination but interestingly, the other tug the Herkules  has Dakar as its destination.  
Dawn may well clarify matters ...

COMING TO A BAY NEAR US - ANOTHER TUG OPERATION

The Steindamm in questionable seaworthy condition

Information in from Martin, a most reliable source - another dubious tug operation en route to Lagos, Nigeria. 
The GB flagged MTS Vengeance departed Rotterdam on June 29th with two hulks in tow - the Steindamm (above) and the Rana.  Her first stopover is logged as Brixham and then she will continue to Las Palmas (bunkering) and then on to her drop off  point, Lagos, Nigeria.
The operation is currently about nine miles southeast of the Isle of Wight making 2.6 knots.  She is estimated to come within sight of me here at Maidencombe first light tomorrow.
As can be seen by the photo of the Steindamm (courtesy Jonathan S, Scheepvaart Forum) the vessel is in a questionable seaworthy condition - especially for the distance to be covered in open ocean.
Although the paperwork may be in order for the tow, questions as to the subsequent purpose of these vessels to Nigeria remain largely unanswered.   Several of these vessels have been impounded by the Nigerian authorities for oil smuggling operations after falling into the hands of Nigerian warlords.