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Shipping from China to the UK? Here's How to Get It Right
By Chris Crutchley on March 22, 2022
Are you looking to start shipping your goods from China to the UK? Smart choice. Make sure you don't overlook any crucial steps with this guide.
What can you ship from China to the UK?
Goods you can't import into the UK
Goods you can't export from China
Restricted goods:
Prohibited goods:
How much will shipping cost?
Import Taxes
How long will shipping take?
The UK's Major Ports
China's Major Ports
Shipping Time Estimates
What rules and regulations should you know?
Protocols for shipping from China to the UK
Who can you look to for help?
Cross-border logistics made easy with CBIP
As the world's manufacturing powerhouse, China ships a huge amount of goods to the UK each year. And British consumers, making up the world's fifth-largest economy, continue to buy more and more Chinese goods each year.
More than 13% of all UK imports come from China, valued at more than 91 billion USD (nearly £70 billion).
If you're looking to enter the market, you're probably wondering where to begin. In a post-Brexit world, UK laws and import regulations are more complicated and complex than ever. Add in language barriers and seemingly endless shipping options, and knowing where to start can feel like an impossible task.
Luckily, CBIP specializes in east-to-west shipping, and we're here to handle the details for you. Read our brief introduction to shipping from China to the UK below, and learn how we can help you navigate this trade line to expand your business.
Like most countries around the world, the UK puts restrictions on what goods and materials you can import into the country. China also has export restrictions, so make sure you familiarize yourself with the laws in each country before you try to ship anything from China to the UK.
For safety, economic, and cultural reasons, the UK government restricts and prohibits some imports. Examples of prohibited goods include:
Offensive weapons
Self-defense sprays
Rough diamonds
For the same reasons the UK restricts imports, China also has strict rules about which goods and materials can't leave the country. In general, you should know which items are restricted, meaning you need a license or special approval to export them, and which ones are prohibited, meaning that you can't export them in any circumstance. Here are a few examples of both:
Precious metals or products made from them
National or foreign currencies
Chinese cultural relics
Chinese traditional medicines
Certain tiger bones and other animal horns
Certain chemicals for cleaning agents, like chloroform
Certain treated and untreated logs, like mahogany, teakwood, or beech wood logs
RELATED: How to Ship From Hong Kong Today - Explained by a Hong Kong company
The shipping method, speed, distance, and service you use can make your costs differ dramatically. Your costs won't stop at transport, though. Don't forget about duty tax and tariffs the UK places on incoming goods from China.
Post-Brexit, the UK has implemented new, complicated import tax laws that affect sellers shipping goods into the UK. The rules are different for foreign sellers stocking British shelves versus e-commerce businesses selling directly to British consumers, so make sure you read up on the rules and understand what your situation calls for. (Or you can hire someone to help you, as the official customs website suggests.)
In general, you should be prepared to pay anywhere from 5% to 20% value-added tax (VAT) on Chinese exports, depending on the type of product. The UK has a de minimis threshold of £135, so if you're shipping a container of goods worth less than that, you won't have to worry about customs or excise duty.
For tariffs, the UK government has a handy lookup tool for you to calculate potential fees if you want to get an idea of how much you'll be charged.
Related: New to terms like 'VAT' and 'de minimis'? Check out our terminology cheat sheet.
If you're shipping to the UK, you're probably sending your goods by sea, along with 95% of all UK import and export tonnage. Chances are you'll be using one of the ports listed below, so take a moment to get familiar with a few of your options.
While the UK has several major ports spread across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the three below process massive amounts of international cargo, including shipments coming from China. You can read about other UK ports here.
Immingham - This is the largest cargo port in the UK by tonnage, moving more than 55 million tons in 2018.
Felixstowe - The busiest port in the UK by TEU alone, Felixstowe is also the 9th busiest port in Europe.
London - Central to London's economy, this port moved over 53 million tons of cargo in 2018 alone.
China has 34 major ports along its 32,000 km of coastline, but these three ports are major players and can help you estimate shipping times.
Shanghai - The largest port in the world, the Port of Shanghai is near many manufacturing hotspots and handled over 514 million tons of cargo in 2019.
Shenzhen - Located near an electronics manufacturing hotspot on the southeast coast, the Port of Shenzhen handled a little less than 195 million tons of cargo in 2018.
Ningbo-Zhoushan - The busiest port in the world in terms of cargo tonnage, this port handled 1.12 billion tons of cargo in 2018.
While your carrier, port of departure, and port of entry will all affect your shipping speed, you can generally expect sea transport from China to the UK to take between 30 and 40 days.
Crossing the ocean is just one leg of the journey, though. Don't forget to factor in that first mile, last mile, or the time it takes to get through customs, which could take anywhere from an additional 24 hours to several weeks.
For people importing into the UK, the government lays out an 11-step process to help you along the way. For people sending goods from China specifically, these steps are especially important:
Get an EORI number
You'll need to apply for an Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number to move goods into the UK. It should start with GB (for goods going to England, Wales, or Scotland) or XI (for goods going to Northern Ireland). You can apply directly on the website.
Check if you should register for VAT
If you do a certain amount of business in the UK each year, you need to register for VAT. Check this website to see if this rule applies to you.
Check Chinese exportation laws
If you're working with a Chinese company, they'llprobably need an export license to send goods worldwide. Export regulations can be just as complicated as import laws, so make sure you check with local authorities in China before trying to move products out of the country.
Make your goods declaration
This part can be a little difficult and requires high attention to detail, so many businesses that send goods to the UK hire services to help out with the paperwork.
Look up the commodity code for your product
Every product has a commodity code in the UK, and you'll need to find yours to calculate taxes and figure out if you need any special licenses or permissions.
Determine the value of your goods
This step can get a little complicated too. Hiring a customs broker who knows all the rules can save you time and money by keeping your goods from being returned to China.
Check your product's labeling
If you're sending goods to be sold in British stores, you'll have to follow strict labeling guidelines. Mislabeled goods may be denied entry to the UK.
If you're stuck on where to start, you can use the UK's official import/export website to see what specific rules and regulations apply to the product you want to ship.
Clearly, getting through UK customs can be complicated — so complicated, in fact, that the UK government itself actually recommends commercial importers hire someone to help with the process. The three options they provide are:
customs agents or brokers
fast parcel operators
Working directly with any of these can help you move goods along your supply chain or get through customs. But if you want a fully integrated logistics experience that includes
✅ order management
✅ Shipment tracking
✅ access to a global network of logistics partners, and
✅ a personalized shipping plan to meet your business needs
then a 4th-party logistics (4PL) firm will be your best option.
Since Brexit and the UK's departure from the European Union, shipping to the UK has only gotten more complex. If you want a stress-free, comprehensive logistics plan for getting your products from your Chinese manufacturer to your British buyers, CBIP is ready to help you every step of the way.
We have on-the-ground experts in China and logistics partners across the globe. Keep your supply chain moving in sync from the first to the last mile with an international, adaptable network.
Our full-service logistics can do it all: Looking to find freight forwarders or customs brokers recommended by the UK government? We have those connections. We'll help you make it through customs too, keeping track of all key regulations for you and ensuring you never lose time or money by having your shipment stuck at the border. You can even track the status of your shipments and look at your business trends through our licensed logistics software, giving you insight into the best ways to grow.
If you want to learn more about how we can meet all your logistics needs, send us an email. We're ready to help you expand into the UK today.


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Department of Biology /
Science of the Total Environment /
Routti, H. (Heli), Atwood, T.C. (Todd C.), Bechshoft, T. (Thea), Boltunov, A. (Andrei), Ciesielski, T.M. (Tomasz M.), Desforges, J.-P. (Jean-Pierre), Dietz, R. (Rune), Gabrielsen, G.W. (Geir W.), Jenssen, B.M. (Bjørn M.), R.J. Letcher (Robert J.), et al. McKinney, M.A. (Melissa A.), Morris, A.D. (Adam D.), Rigét, F.F. (Frank F.), Sonne, C. (Christian), Styrishave, B. (Bjarne) and Tartu, S. (Sabrina)
State of knowledge on current exposure, fate and potential health effects of contaminants in polar bears from the circumpolar Arctic
Science of the Total Environment , Volume 664 p. 1063- 1083
The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is among the Arctic species exposed to the highest concentrations of long-range transported bioaccumulative contaminants, such as halogenated organic compounds and mercury. Contaminant exposure is considered to be one of the largest threats to polar bears after the loss of their Arctic sea ice habitat due to climate change. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of current exposure, fate, and potential health effects of contaminants in polar bears from the circumpolar Arctic required by the Circumpolar Action Plan for polar bear conservation. Overall results suggest that legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including polychlorinated biphenyls, chlordanes and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), followed by other perfluoroalkyl compounds (e.g. carboxylic acids, PFCAs) and brominated flame retardants, are still the main compounds in polar bears. Concentrations of several legacy POPs that have been banned for decades in most parts of the world have generally declined in polar bears. Current spatial trends of contaminants vary widely between compounds and recent studies suggest increased concentrations of both POPs and PFCAs in certain subpopulations. Correlative field studies, supported by in vitro studies, suggest that contaminant exposure disrupts circulating levels of thyroid hormones and lipid metabolism, and alters neurochemistry in polar bears. Additionally, field and in vitro studies and risk assessments indicate the potential for adverse impacts to polar bear immune functions from exposure to certain contaminants.
Keywords Emerging compounds, Mercury, Persistent organic pollutants, PFAS, Pollutant, Ursus maritimus
Persistent URL dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.030
Journal Science of the Total Environment
Organisation Department of Biology
Routti, H. (Heli), Atwood, T.C. (Todd C.), Bechshoft, T. (Thea), Boltunov, A. (Andrei), Ciesielski, T.M. (Tomasz M.), Desforges, J.-P. (Jean-Pierre), … Tartu, S. (Sabrina). (2019). State of knowledge on current exposure, fate and potential health effects of contaminants in polar bears from the circumpolar Arctic. Science of the Total Environment (Vol. 664, pp. 1063–1083). doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.030

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


With our mid drive system, the motor works through your gears, so you can get more power when going up hills and more speed on flat roads. The system comes with a console which allows you to see your speed and battery level. The system uses a multi-level pedal assist to run the motor based on how you pedal the bike. There are 9 levels of assistance from which to choose.


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Sheikh Khalil Abdur Rashid: Islamic Seminary Of America...
Posted by Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص on August 27, 2016 at 12:30am
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE //
It is with great pleasure that we announce the grand opening of the Islamic Seminary of America. The Seminary is dedicated to producing authentic knowledge about the Islamic Civilization and translating it into the American context in an effort to cultivate and articulate an American Islamic identity.
The American Muslim community is faced with daunting challenges as it pertains to its image and legacy in the face of the ongoing threats of foreign extremists from within the Muslim community disparaging Islam. Additionally, homegrown Islamophobic rhetoric perpetuates hate and threatens the safety of the community. This damage causes doubt, fear, and loss of hope in Islam. The seminary will counter extremist ideology by teaching the difference between culture, religion, and ideology and critiquing it. The seminary with all its resources will transmit authentic Islamic knowledge correlated with the American context in order to repair and prevent further damage by ignorance and extremism.
No accredited Islamic educational body that offers graduate level education to Muslim clergy members, activists, chaplains, leaders of non-for profit and educational centers exists today. No accredited Islamic education body educates Muslim leaders in the Islamic tradition as well as from an interdisciplinary approach, from a mainstream American and traditional Islamic perspective, thereby equipping them with the skills necessary to bridge the gap between the Islamic texts and American contexts. The abstract goal of this project of knowledge production, is aimed at cultivating certainty (Yaqeen) in the minds and hearts of all members of the American society. It is an institution where Muslims and non-Muslims may learn about Islam; theory and practice.
The Islamic Seminary of America is a graduate level Islamic educational institution that offers courses in Islamic Studies, Arabic, and various other topics. It offers certificate programs in basic Islamic Studies, ESL, Community Organizing and Activism, and Arabic. It will also offer a Master of Theology and a Master of Divinity in Islamic Studies. It will seek accreditation for both degrees. These certificate and degree programs will train and educate cohorts of students in the Islamic tradition, using an interdisciplinary approach, fit for the American context.
The seminary will counter this by taking the lead in knowledge production about Islam and transforming the perception of Islam; from an instrument of fear to an instrument of hope. Please join us at the inaugural open house on Saturday August 27th from 6:30pm - 8:30pm at 17740 Preston Rd., Dallas, TX 75252. RSVP HERE
Thank you and God bless.
Khalil Abdur-Rashid
President and Dean
Islamic Seminary of America
www.islamicseminary.org
Please direct all press and media inquiries to Ndaa Hassan at ndaa@linkmarketingstudio.com
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Islamic Seminary of America Grand Opening
Sheikh Khalil Abdur Rashid
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Bilal Mahmud
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Comment by Bilal Mahmud المكافح المخلص on August 27, 2016 at 12:48am
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Arise, learn and guide as we reclaim our tradition, and tell our own story. The Yaqeen Islamic Seminary of America is dedicated to producing authentic knowledge...
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Home / Arts + Entertainment / Stage / Theater Review: 'Oil' at Olney Theatre mixes fossil fuels with mundane drama
Theater Review: 'Oil' at Olney Theatre mixes fossil fuels with mundane drama
Ella Hickson's "Oil" simmers and simmers without ever reaching a proper boiling point
By André Hereford on March 7, 2019
Oil — Photo: Teresa Castracane
Sometimes no matter how carefully the pot gets stirred, ingredients just don't coalesce into a fully pleasing whole. That's the case with Tracy Brigden's staging of Ella Hickson's Oil (★★) at Olney Theatre. Or perhaps it's an issue with Hickson's play.
First performed in 2016 at London's Almeida Theatre, Oil ambitiously combines elements of kitchen sink drama, feminist social history, and science fiction to tell a story spanning 160 years of humanity's unabated dependence on petroleum.
Or, rather, the unfolding chronicle of how oil shaped the world serves as the mere skeleton upon which Hickson hangs the more predominant tale of mother May (Catherine Eaton) and daughter Amy (Megan Graves). The characters' individual and mutual journeys, shaped by sex and gender politics, class, colonial power, and the advent of petroleum-powered technology, are depicted via a different May and Amy playing out scenes of their family drama across vastly different eras and locations.
Leaping through decades from May's candlelit drudgery on a farm in late-19th-century Cornwall, to her servitude at a British colonial outpost in 1908 Tehran, to 1970 London, where she runs a corporate drilling investment firm while raising her rebellious teen Amy, Oil attempts to magnify mother and child to epic proportions. They are woman, the clarion voices of progress alongside the ebbs and flows of crude.
Although, so much of what concerns them and their families and their squabbles might just as easily relate to some other product. Oil could be Coffee, or Sugar, or any number of other influential commodities, for all that oil winds up actually having to do with the power dynamic between mother and daughter.
Hickson peppers scenes with details, like a mention of those new-fangled motor cars, that do plot the historical importance of petroleum to empires and households. Points are relayed or reiterated via video projections and sober narration by a number of characters. One projected interlude introduces the gas-guzzling machines of industrial warfare. But, for all the sounding off on the modern age of oil, on capitalism and the environment, it's May and Amy's relationship that emerges as Oil's true subject matter. Fossil fuel seems to be just the juicy hot topic baiting the hook for a fairly mundane mother-daughter drama.
Eaton and Graves' performances in the roles at least elevate the struggle between chilly, pragmatic mom May and her headstrong, free-spirited chip off the old block. In particular, Part Four of the play, set in near-future Baghdad, allows Graves the space in a lengthy, well-written monologue to bring the play's many shifting layers into focus in one piercing expression of Amy's anger and determination.
As good as Graves is, though, the scene might leave some wondering what on earth this second act moment has to do with the play's earlier scene of kerosene entrepreneur Whitcomb (Maboud Ebrahimzadeh) trying to buy the Cornwall farm out from under May's recalcitrant husband, Joss (Chris Genebach). Yes, there's the consistent presence of black gold in the background, or on the periphery, of each story, but what Amy's shouting her heart out about in the Iraqi desert seems worlds apart from Joss and May and Whitcomb back in Cornwall.
Check for discount tickets to Oil at Olney Theatre
Brigden teases out that first scene on the farm at the pace of a cold country night in the dark times before electricity. The 90-minute first act does not fly by, but thankfully, the pace picks up with the plot's trip to Tehran, featuring Christopher McLinden's charged turn as Officer Samuel, a British envoy tasked with persuading the Persians to sell off more and more of their petroleum to the empire.
Here, Hickson locates a moment pivotal to both the title subject and to the true subjects, May and Amy. Too rarely do those thematic stars align in this loose exploration of human progress and man's exploitation of a finite resource. The playwright's pot simmers and simmers, but without reaching a proper boiling point.
Oil runs through March 31 at the Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, Maryland. Tickets are $40 to $84. Call 301-924-3400, or visit www.olneytheatre.org.
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Related ItemsCatherine EatonChris GenebachChristopher McLindenElla HicksonMegan GravesOilOlney TheatretickerTracy Brigden
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The Bone Season is one of my favorite books EVER, so of course I'm dying to read this! The Mime Order should have been released already, but it was pushed back and the new date is January 27th. I think I'll survive until then, but I can't be sure. I am beyond desperate to get my hands on Paige's new adventure.
What are you desperate to read this week? Leave me a link and I'll be right there.
I know how much you loved the first book Maja, I really need to read it, especially since i won't be long before this one is out!
That is why I don't read series if there aren't at least three books published - I hate waiting.
OMG. YES! I need a copy of this one. I've been seeing bloggers with ARCs of this book. I'm sooooo jealous!
I still have to read The Bone Season, but I'm getting to it soon since I have this. :) Sounds so good though!
YESSS!! I read the sampler for this and it's amazing I'm just dying DYING for my preorder to arrive here already!!
I still have to read Bone Season. Maybe I'll start in January so that way I can pick up book two and still remember the details of the first book.
I can't believe I haven't heard of this series yet, great pick!
Oh yea... need to read the Bone Season! Oh and perfect... the second one isn't too far off!
Oh thanks for the reminder I need to read The Bone Season! Everyone raves about that book!
New to me but interesting.. hope that you get a chance to read it soon.


text:
Oqjetpes FK Kökşetaw (Kazachs: Оқжетпес ФК Көкшетау) is een Kazachse voetbalclub uit Kökşetaw, hoofdplaats van de oblast Aqmola.

Deze club, die we vooral niet moeten verwarren met Ajar FK Kökşetaw, werd in 1968 opgericht als FK Torpedo Koksjetau (Russisch ФК Торпедо Кокшетау); vandaar ook dat het stadion van de club tot op vandaag de dag Torpedo Stadïon heet. In de Sovjet-Unie gold het jaar waarin een club professioneel werd als jaar van oprichting; meestal was er een gegronde reden om een club na een jarenlang bestaan op amateurbasis te professionaliseren. Zo ook hier: in 1967 was FK Torpedo Koksjetau namelijk kampioen geworden van de competitie van de Kazachse SSR, op dat moment het derde niveau in de USSR. Wonder boven wonder bleef de naam 22 jaar lang intact, maar in 1990 werd de naam dan toch veranderd, in FK Spartak Koksjetau (Russisch ФК Спартак Кокшетау), hetgeen dan blijkbaar toch niet beviel, want een jaar later heette de club FK Koksjetau (Russisch ФК Кокшетау).

Als in 1992 de eerste Premjer-Liga van het nu onafhankelijke Kazachstan van start gaat, is de club uiteraard van de partij; hoewel ze uit het door Russen gedomineerde noorden van het land komt, speelt ze toch van meet af aan onder de "verkazachste" naam Kökşetaw FK (Kazachs Көкшетау ФК). Na anderhalf jaar in de Premjer-Liga doet de club - reeds tijdens het seizoen 1993 een stapje terug; gedurende een twee jaar durend verblijf in de Pervoj-Liga wordt de naam in 1995 veranderd in Kökşe FK Kökşetaw (Kazachs Көкше ФК Көкшетау). Ook na terugkeer in de Premjer-Liga gaat de club verder onder deze naam; in 1997 verhuist de club echter onder de naam Avtomobïlïst FK Şortandı (Kazachs Автомобилист ФК Шортанды) naar Şortandı, een buitenwijk van de nieuwe hoofdstad Astana. Omdat in de hoofdstad al andere clubs actief zijn, moet de club een jaar later alweer verhuizen, ditmaal naar Stepnogor, een berucht industriestadje (waar ten tijde van de Sovjet-Unie biologisch en nucleair wapentuig werd ontwikkeld) op ongeveer 130 kilometer van de hoofdstad en 239 kilometer van het lokale bestuurscentrum Kökşetaw; de naam van de club is sinds 1998 toepasselijk Xïmïk FK Stepnogor (Kazachs Химик ФК Степногор, genoemd naar een club die in de Sovjet-tijd onder die naam actief was); na allerlei geopolitieke herindelingen wordt het volgens de autoriteiten tijd om de nieuw gevormde oblast Aqmola te promoten; sponsorgelden van de overheid nopen de club om in 1999 verder te gaan als Aqmola FK Stepnogor (Kazachs Ақмола ФК Степногор); in 2000, als Stepnogor hoe langer hoe meer een spookstad wordt, verhuist de club onder de naam Aqmola FK Kökşetaw (Kazachs Ақмола ФК Көкшетау) terug naar Kökşetaw. In 2001 verandert de naam alweer, ditmaal in Esil FK Kökşetaw (Kazachs Есіл ФК Көкшетау) en in 2004 wordt dan eindelijk de huidige naam, Oqjetpes FK Kökşetaw (Kazachs Оқжетпес ФК Көкшетау), gekozen.

In 2008 eindigt de ploeg als negende in de Premjer-Liga, maar omdat Almatı FK en Megasport FK Almatı fuseren en Qaysar FK Qızılorda, Jetisu FK Taldıqorğan en Şaxter FK Qarağandı niet willen of kunnen, mag Oqjetpes Europa in; het avontuur in de Europa League is overigens van korte duur. In 2009 ontsnapt de ploeg ternauwernood aan degradatie: ze eindigt als 11de in de rangschikking en moet een play-off tegen de nummer twee van de Pervoj-Liga, Aqjayıq FK Oral spelen; die wedstrijd eindigt in een 2-3-nederlaag, maar omdat Vostok FK Öskemen om financiële redenen teruggezet wordt, mag Oqjetpes in de Premjer-Liga blijven. Het is uitstel van executie, want in 2010 eindigt de ploeg op de 12de en laatste plaats en degradeert. Een jaar later is de ploeg weer terug op het hoogste niveau, maar in 2012 volgt een nieuwe degradatie.

Erelijst
 Kampioen van de Kazachse SSR
1967
Eerste divisie (voetbal Kazachstan)
 2014, 2018, 2022

Historie in de Premjer-Liga

Naamsveranderingen
Alle naamswijzigingen van de club op een rijtje:

In Europa
 #Q = #kwalificatieronde, T/U = Thuis/Uit, W = Wedstrijd, PUC = punten UEFA coëfficiënten .

'''Uitslagen vanuit gezichtspunt Oqjetpes FK Kökşetaw

Zie ook
 Deelnemers UEFA-toernooien Kazachstan
 Ranglijst van alle clubs die in de diverse Europa Cups zijn uitgekomen

Bekende (oud-)spelers

Oqjetpes FK Kökşetaw

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Sweeping corruption sentences hit Spain's ruling party
Staff Writer | May 25, 2018
Europe Politicians and business people sentenced to 351 years
Spain's ruling party has been fined and 29 business people and politicians have been sentenced to a total of 351 years in prison for involvement in a massive kickback scheme, the high court ruled on Thursday.
In the historic ruling, the governing Popular Party (PP) itself was fined 245,000 euros (US$ 287,000) for benefiting from the scheme. The court ruling also confirmed the existence of a party slush fund since "at least 1989".
The former PP treasurer Luis Barcenas was sentenced to 33 years in prison and given a 44 million euro ($51.5 million) fine for tax evasion and taking bribes.
His wife was also sentenced to 15 years. Other high ranking PP officials such as mayors, counsellorsand ministers also received sentences for charges, including fraud, embezzlement, money laundering and influence peddling
But businessman Francisco Correa was determined to be the leader of the scheme and sentenced to nearly 52 years in prison.
The investigation centered on a corruption ring in which public officials took bribes in exchange for granting and facilitating public contracts.
The trial investigated the first part of the ring, from 1999 to 2005 - years in which Spain witnessed a construction boom that was soon to collapse during the global financial crisis. ■
China punishes more than 1.5 million officials for corruption
SFO starts inquiry into suspected fraud and bribery in Airbus
Japan court says Tepco liable over Fukushima, will pay $3.36 million


text:
silverfox175
Thoughts of un PC Silver haired Fox
Walk the Walk in BA
My first view of Buenos Aires from our balcony – not a very attractive site with the heavy rain clouds.
Our arrival meant that we would be alongside from early Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon, when the ship would sail with a new 'cargo' of passengers.
Our plan was to experience BA on Saturday morning, using a 'walking guide' to get an idea of the layout of the city.
We booked our walking tour via the internet with http://www.buenostours.com/ and for a small extra price besides picking us up from the ship (which was part of the basic price), they would return us to the ship, which meant that we would not have to experience using a local taxi.
I may be doing BA taxi drivers a disservice, but I had read many negative comments of taxi drivers taking advantage of cruise passengers.
We would return to the ship and spend part of Saturday afternoon packing, and leave the ship on Sunday morning around 8.30 am, We'd booked transport via another company http://www.transferlubre.com.ar/ to take us all to our hotel.
I can recommend both companies, because they were both efficient and easy to deal with over the internet – and both spoke English.
Our guide was an American, Jack, who had lived in BA for five years – he was very good and answered all our questions and also suggested various places to visit and what to be careful about when out and about.
We met Jack outside Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Rosario Convento de Santo Domingo.
The statue in front is the mausoleum of Manuel Belgrano, who took part in the fight for Independence and he also created the Argentinian flag.
Flag of Argentina.
Not your average BA taxi – something different.
The one thing that Jack told us to do while out and about was to look up and view the tops of the buildings – very good advice.
Many buildings reminded me of Paris & Madrid.
The oldest pharmacy in BA
Inside – it was as if it was yesteryear.
Paintings on the wall and the ceiling
Ceiling painting – first opened in 1835 and still trading.
As well as being the oldest pharmacy in S. America it is also the oldest shop in BA.
The first book shop in Buenos Aires opened here in 1785, but it was originally a pharmacy that sold books, and later was where the first newspaper for BA was produced.
Later in 1830 it was the library for the nearby college. In 1926 the original building was demolished and the current building took its place.
Literary café underground
A copy of a painting of the original book shop in 1830 is shown in the current book shop's window.
We had a short trip on the metro, which began operating in December 1913, it is standard gauge, and the system was 55 km (34 miles), and was extended a further 7.1 km in the 1980's.
The station at which we boarded the train was named Peru.
The platform going the other way – everywhere was spotlessly clean and I didn't see any litter.
Alejo Julio Argentino Roca Paz 1843 – 1914,
the area around this statue is a favourite place for demonstrations . . .
Now this is what you might call a wide street –
An aerial view of the same street – which is called 9th of July Avenue.
(La Avenida 9 de Julio)
Seven lanes in each direction – parallel streets on either side, which each has two lanes, a total of eighteen lanes and through the centre area (the white centre pieces) are for bus lanes and rapid transit.
There are two wide medium strips between the side streets and the main roads. When we crossed at a normal walking pace we were never able to get from one side to the other in one 'go', before the pedestrian lights changed.
We (as were many others) were always stranded on islands waiting for the next pattern of pedestrian lights. This is not a complaint, because we never felt threatened by the traffic, but I wanted to emphasis just how wide is this avenue.
The avenue was planned in 1888, but it took until 1935 before work began, and it was eventually completed in the 1960s.
It is said that this is the widest street in the world.
As a comparison – Buenos Aires in 1820 (from a paining).
Time for a short break and a cup of coffee at the London City
Memories of a European coffee house . . .
Some had tea, one couple shared a slice of cake, and as usual I had black coffee (lack of imagination).
London City opened in September of 1954 and was a refuge for poets, artists, politicians, who moved from the Municipal Palace to the Deliberative Council building, journalists who entered and left the neighbor building of the newspaper La Prensa and of the porteños and tourists who strolled and worked along the beautiful Avenida de Mayo.
"London City" was declared notable coffee by the Commission for the Protection and Promotion of the notable cafes, bars, billiards and confectioneries of the city of Buenos Aires.
The comments in italics have been copied from the London City web site.
Our group and the guide at the end of the table.
Had to take this guy in the corner and after a little research realised that he was one of the 'refugee writers', perhaps one the most famous, Julio Cortzázar 1914 -1984.
He was born in Belgium of Argentinian parents, his father was attached to the Argentinian diplomatic corps. Because Belgium was occupied by the Germans in WW1 the family moved to Switzerland, and even had a short time in Spain before moving back to Buenos Aires in 1919.
He planned and wrote his novel 'The Awards' at one of the tables in London City. It was published in 1960.
Our next stop was the Metropolitan Cathedral – the land for this site was set aside in 1580, and various churches have been built here since that date. The first church was replaced in 1605, and ever since there have been ongoing changes due to danger of collapsing, being rebuilt in 1684, being added to and changed until the final building was completed in 1863.
Looking towards the main alter area.
I was surprised to see a mausoleum within the cathedral guarded by armed soldiers.
They may look ornamental, but I don't think they missed much of what was happening.
The mausoleum contains the remains of
General José Francisco de San Martín y Matorras Feb 1778 – Aug 1850.
There are three figure guarding the tomb, and they represent Argentina, Peru and Chile, which are the three regions freed by the general from Spanish rule.
The mausoleum also contains the remains of remains of Generals Juan Gregorio de las Heras (1780 – 1866) – he was in business until he was twenty six and then joined the hussars and worked his way up in rank, and after many battles became the Governor of Buenos Aires Province.
Also in the mausoleum is Tomas Guido (1788 – 1866) after some military service he moved in to politics and eventually became vice president of the Senate of the Argentine Confederation in 1857.
Finally the mausoleum it is also the resting place of Unknown Soldier.
On to our final destination and the end of our walking tour.
Casa Rosada (Pink House)
Set at one end of Plaza de Mayo, which has been a large square for the people since 1580.
The origin of Casa Rosada is that it used to be a fort and over time it transformed in to government offices for the colonial Spanish and eventually became Government House. It is no longer the residence of the President, but mainly a museum, which is free to enter on Saturday & Sunday.
The President lives in Quinta de Olivos, which is located at the north side of Buenos Aires and has been the residency of the President since the 1930's.
For those who are interested the famous 'balcony' of Eva Perón (Evita) is the one with the five arches, not the one with the windows.
Eva Perón (Evita) in 1944
Born María Eva Duarte May 1919 – Died Eva Perón July 1952
After her death she was embalmed with glycerin (she was to be displayed in a similar way as Lenin), but while the monument, in which she would be displayed, was being built the governments changed and her body 'went missing' for sixteen years. It was not until 1971 that the government admitted that the body was in a crypt in Milan, Italy, under the name "María Maggi."
In 1971 her body was flown to Spain where Juan Perón maintained the corpse in his home, and kept it in the dining room for two years.
Perón returned to Argentina in 1973 as President for the third time, but died in office in 1974. His third wife Isabel, who had been elected Vice President, succeeded him.
She had Eva Perón brought back to Argentina from Spain, and for a brief time Eva Perón was on display along side her husband.
Eventually Eva Perón was buried in the Duarte family tomb in Buenos Aires
In a later blog I'll have more to say of where Eva Perón is buried.
Author 1944aprilPosted on April 30, 2019 May 15, 2019 Categories History, TravelTags Buenos Aires, Casa Rosada, Evita, Jilio Cortzazar, Juan Peron, London CityLeave a comment on Walk the Walk in BA
Old friends are always wanted . . .
Will, John and I first met in September of 1960, and we had kept in touch – on and off – over the years, so when we had the opportunity of sailing together we jumped at joining Azamara Quest for the South American cruise.
When Will & John found out that during the cruise Maureen and I would be celebrating our Golden Wedding Anniversary, they insisted on inviting us to dinner at Prime C, which is a specialist restaurant on Azamara Pursuit that specialises in meat dishes.
Prime C – starboard side, aft, over looking the sea.
The booking had been made for the evening of the 22 nd February, which was the evening of our day in Punta del Easte, Uruguay, and also the date of our anniversary.
Fortunately, by late afternoon of the 22nd, Maureen had recovered from the excess amount of exposure to the hot sun.
Knowing that Maureen is a coeliac, and that I was not fussy on spaghetti, the Italian specialty restaurant was not a consideration.
The six of us around the dining table.
The restaurant has limited seating, so seating can be at a premium, especially when at sea, as against being in port.
The entrance to the restaurant was at the end of this area – on the left hand side of the picture is the galley (kitchens).
Same area different angle.
Our table was the far end of the restaurant, beyond the support pole.
Once the dining staff realised the reason for our celebration, they produced a cake with 'Happy Anniversary ' iced across the centre – and from memory it was GF!
I'm not sure if you will be able to read the menu, but I can say that all the food was beautifully cooked and the steak done perfectly for me – medium – rare, knife went through the meat without any strain!
We were offered a menu of various wines at an additional fee, but we were also asked if we wanted the daily wine special – after checking the prices, we stuck to the daily special.
Old friends from 57 years ago . . .
It was June 1962, after two years at HMS Conway, that we left to go to sea, we joined different shipping companies, so sailed in different parts of the world.
Will (who now lives in NZ) is on the left, John (UK) on the right, and the daft one in the middle is yours truly, now living in Australia.
I'd just turned 18, and was the oldest of the three of us, I think Will & John were still 17.
I extracted the above from the photograph of the thirty six cadets leaving HMS Conway that time.
Excuse the pun – but a lot of water has passed under our 'bridges' since we left the 'Conway'.
Once again I close with Golden Wedding a different version than the Woody Herman 1939 version.
Author 1944aprilPosted on April 26, 2019 May 15, 2019 Categories Cruises, Food, TravelTags Brian May, Golden Wedding, HMS Conway, Prime C, Woody Herman2 Comments on Old friends are always wanted . . .
Punta del Este – Uruguay
Perhaps A Brief Encounter should have been the title of this blog.
Celia Johnson & Trevor Howard in a 1945 romantic drama, which might have links to Punta del Este.
A British lady, Margaret Elizabeth Douglas, was born in Punta del Este in 1918. Her mother was Anglo – Argentinian and her father was Canadian and he owned a beef ranch in Argentina, and also a beach house in Punt del Este, Uruguay.
Margaret went to school in England, and in 1941 she joined the WRENS – (Woman's Royal Naval Service) and was training at Westfield College, London, to become a cook
She and her class mates received a training request, said to come from Winston Churchill, for volunteers for secret war work. Margaret Douglas volunteered, which lead her to become involved in decoding work at Bletchley Park, and not a naval base that she expected.
In 1942 she met a Canadian Air Force officer on Bletchley Station and had a brief conversation on the platform, but they didn't exchange names. Margaret caught her train and they parted.
Later, Margaret received a letter addressed to "the blonde Wren from Argentina on the platform at Bletchley station". They married in 1945 and moved to Canada where they farmed beef, horses and a cherry orchards.
I wonder if Noel Coward's inspiration for 'A Brief Encounter', came from real life . . .
Margaret never spoke of her time at Bletchley until the secret work become public knowledge in 1974 when Frederick William Winterbotham's book The Ultra Secret was released.
Margret Cooper (née Douglas) January 1918 – July 2016 (she was 98).
Punta del Este, the playground for the rich and famous, along with wealthy Argentine and Uruguayan holidaymakers have made this town a place for the elite to holiday. The town doesn't have any public housing, so it all boils down to the haves & the have nots . . .
Approaching our anchorage – the town doesn't have berthing facilities for larger vessels, but only for small boats.
We anchored and as the ship swung around, Gorriti Island came in to view – rich in wild life – seals, right whales, orcas chasing tuna, along with fur seals and sea lions.
We stepped ashore after about a seven minute boat ride.
It was a reasonable temperature so we decided to walk to see the 'The Hand' monument, and according to the the map the monument was not too far away.
We started our stroll through a residential area, which was very pleasant, and we could see that the sea was not too far away.
They wouldn't have a lighthouse too far from the sea.
I was interested in the houses as many looked very attractive, and having a beach so close would be an asset for the owners.
Different styles all mixed together.
At the bottom of the street – the ubiquitous block of beach side flats.
Couldn't knock the view from the flats.
As we reached the sea, the temperature started to rise . . but it wasn't uncomfortable.
The monument was just around the point of land, and it didn't look all that far.
As we reached the point of land I looked back – you can just see the lighthouse, on the right.
The monument must be around the next small point of land.
It wasn't and now Maureen was not feeling all that well, due to the heat as well as the walking, so we had to find some shade.
Fortunately we found a bus shelter not too far from this position. So once Maureen was inside the shelter I could see the 'The Hand' and Maureen was happy to stay 'in the cool' while I went to take some photographs.
Found it at last . . .
I met our dining room steward who kindly took the above, to prove that I'd made it . . .
On returning to Maureen I decided to take a taxi back to the ship, because she was not at all well. Fortunately across the beach road, towards the main shopping strip, we found a taxi stand.
Once back at the pier and we were able to sit in the shade and enjoy a cool breeze, Maureen began to feel better.
As our tender boat left the wharf I wondered it this fellow was going to hit us.
The single sailing craft were very popular.
Took the above from the Living Room.
As we left the wharf to return to 'Azmara Pursuit' we saw seals playing under the landing stage and around the small boat mooring areas. Of course I couldn't get my camera out in time as the tender boat swung round so as to head out to the ship, but one of our New Zealand friends did manage to get some pictures.
Must admit this was a welcome sight, the sun had become very hot, and after our long walk we'd had enough for the day – we didn't even get to look a round the shops.
With hindsight, instead of walking towards the beach after leaving the tender boat, we should have turned to our left and walked along the main shopping street, which would have allowed us to pop in and out of the shops to keep cool – isn't hindsight wonderful?
A close up of the fingers, thanks to my New Zealand friends.
Author 1944aprilPosted on April 23, 2019 May 15, 2019 Categories History, TravelTags A Brief Encounter, Celia Johnson, Hand Monument, Trevor HowardLeave a comment on Punta del Este – Uruguay
Since I was a child, the battle of the river Plate has always fascinated me, and I never expected, in my wildest dreams, to be able to visit Montevideo.
The above shows the Admiral Graf Spee in 1936.
As we entered Montevideo harbour we were given the back ground of the battle and an indication of where the remains of the German battle ship is located.
At one point our captain told us to look across the starboard side for a buoy, which indicated the location of the Admiral Graf Spee as the masts, which were the final indication of the ship, where no longer visible and only a buoy indicated the spot.
The only buoy I could see is the one in the picture, but I doubt that this is the buoy in question as it was too close to the channel used by larger ships to enter Montevideo, and even our size (30,000 gt) would have been at risk of damage if the remains of the wreck had shifted.
Going ashore, to join the tour that we had arranged with a local tour company, took us past a few nautical items, but even though I checked as best I could in the time allowed, I didn't find any artifacts from the Admiral Graf Spee.
We were met just outside the dock area by our tour operator's driver and his minibus, and being a party of ten it didn't take long for us to set off on the tour.
Our first stop was Plaza de la Constitución, which was the centre of the old city when it was called Plaza Mayor in 1726. Even today the the area is also referred to as Plaza Matriz, it is the oldest plaza in Montevideo.
During our visit a small local market was in full swing.
Second hand plates and other household items always seem to attract me – what did the owners do for a living, where did they live, how many in the family . . .
It was a beautiful day and being among the trees was very pleasant.
In the centre of the plaza was a fountain
Looking closely at the fountain I saw the symbol of the Mason's – the fountain was built (or perhaps donated) by the local Masonic Lodge for the benefit of the people.
Facing the plaza is the Montevideo Metropolitan Cathedral. There has been a church on this site since 1740 (colonial times) and in 1790 the foundations for the current cathedral were laid. It was consecrated in 1804.
After visiting the cathedral we made our way to the old post office, which is now a museum, and outside I photographed the roof across the road. I asked why they stacked the tiles as such – they were not tiles, I was told by the guide but art! I live and learn . . .
Before the government postal service a private system existed via stagecoach. It was not until 1859 that the government issued the Uruguay Mail decree, which stated that All correspondence will be franked by postal stamps, without which no letters will be delivered.
The postal museum is just behind the two yellow post boxes –
For my British readers it appears that Uruguay had giros years before the British :- o)
Display of early stamps
Jose Gervasio Artigas – 1764 – 1850
A Uruguayan hero that helped create the Uruguay that we know today, there are many statues of him and also a national holiday.
We were dropped off at the Plaza Independencia to enjoy a short break and the plaza is a photographers delite (and I don't mean that I am that photographer).
Once again we see Jose Gervasio Artigas in a place of honour.
From the plaza looking down the main shopping street. Plaza Independencia is a beautiful spot, cool shade from the trees, lovely buildings of yesteryear, I found the plaza to be very relaxing.
Legislative Palace – we drove past it after leaving Plaza Independencia.
The government began building it in 1904 and it was inaugurated on August 25th, 1925 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The building contains twenty seven different colours of Marble, which were quarried from various Uruguayan quarries.
Parque Batlle is the public park in central Montevideo, where we visited the memorial that depicts yoked oxen pulling a loaded wagon, which is how things moved around the country before the motor car or the railways.
The artist José Belloni (1882-1965) created the sculpture in 1934 from bronze.
Our next stop was a small rise that overlooked a beach area of Montevideo and to make sure you hadn't forgotten were you were . . .
Of course everyone wanted their photograph taken while climbing or leaning on the sign, so I had to wait and snap the above while the 'climbers' were swapping over.
As we drove back to the ship, I could see the sea and couldn't help but think of the last few hours of the Admiral Graf Spee.
Han Wilhelm Langsdorff March 1894 – December 1939
Captain of the Admiral Graf Spee, Captain Langsdorff, had entered the neutral harbour of Montevideo due to battle damage to his ship, and he had a number of casualties.
He hoped to be able to repair certain aspects of his ship, but once he had inspected the damage he realised that the oil purification plant, which prepared his fuel for the engines had been destroyed, plus the crew galleys were wrecked and the desalination plant had been destroyed – he would not be able to make it back to Germany without major repairs.
Those who were killed in the battle were buried in a cemetery in Montevideo – note Captain Langsdorfff gives a naval salute during the burial service, whereas others, mainly civilians, gave the Nazi salute.
According to Article 18 of the Hague Convention, neutrality restrictions limited Admiral Graf Spee to repairs only to make her safe to go to sea, but not to increase or repair her ability as a fighting machine.
The Uruguayan government under Article 14 extended the twenty four hour rule that a belligerent had to leave within twenty four hours, to seventy two hours, to allow for further repairs to be made for safety at sea.
In the meantime, the British Admiralty had broadcast, on a frequency that they knew the Germans would intercept, that HMS Renown (battleship) and the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal and other capital; ships were concentrating at the mouth of the River Plate. All this was untrue as the two ships mentioned were 2500 nm away, but the Germans and Captain Langsdorff believed the British broadcast. Captain Langsdorff decided to scuttle his ship rather than allowing it to be interned in case Uruguay entered the war on the side of the British.
On Sunday, 17th December 1939, five days after the first shots had been fired between the British ships and the Admiral Graf Spee, Captain Langsdorff had the great vessel moved out of the harbour and headed towards Buenos Aires.
His crew, all but forty two volunteers, left the ship and boarded the German freighter Tacoma.
The Admiral Graf Spee was maneuvered so that she faced west, towards the setting sun. The remaining crew, including Captain Langsdorff, left her and boarded the Tacoma.
At 20.54 hrs, six minutes before the 72 hour period of grace had ended, and just as the sun set over the hills the estimated 20,000 watchers saw a flash of light and the centre of the ship seemed to twist upwards as she began to blow herself to bits.
The end of the battle.
Captain Langsdorff and his volunteers were taken to Buenos Aires aboard the Tacoma.
Of his crew 37 were buried in the cemetery in Montevideo, 28 were in a Uruguayan hospital, 4 in a Uruguayan gaol, (but that is another story), and the rest were interned in Argentina.
During a meeting with all of his men in Buenos Aires he said 'A few days ago it was your sad duty to pay the last honours to your dead comrades. Perhaps you will be called upon to undertake a similar task in the future.'
Some of his officers understood what he meant, particularly when he gave certain officers some of his personal items, such as his camera.
At midnight on the 19th December he wrote three letters, one to his wife, one to his parents & one to the German Ambassador in Buenos Aires. He sealed the envelopes, and placed them on a table and unwrapped an Imperial Germany Navy flag,
He then shot himself.
He was found the next morning at 8.30 am by one of his officers.
It was noticeable that he was covered by the Imperial Navy flag,
and not the Nazi naval flag.
His funeral was the following day in Buenos Aires and attended by his crew, the German Ambassador, representatives of the Argentina armed forces and Captain Pottinger, Master of the British cargo ship Ashlea who represented the captains and officers who had been held captive on the Admiral Graf Spee during the battle.
SS Ashlea sunk off the west coast of Africa 7th October 1939.
Author 1944aprilPosted on April 20, 2019 May 15, 2019 Categories History, TravelTags ASdmiral Graf Spee, Captain Langsdorff, Imperial Germany Navy, Jose Gervasio Artigas, Montevideo, Nazi naval flag, Parque Batle, Plaza de la Constitución, Plazz Independencia, SS Ashlea8 Comments on Montevideo, Uruguay
Puerto Madryn, or Y Wladychfa Gymreig
The sailing ship Mimosa sailed from Liverpool in May 1865, with 153 migrants from from Wales, who wished to emigrate to Argentina.
Groups gathered in three main points Abedare (S. Wales), Birkenhead in Cheshire, England, and Mountain Ash, which is in the Rhondda S. Wales, before they all made their way to Liverpool to board the Mimosa. The cost per adult was £12.00 and £6.00 per child.
They landed in Argentian in July of 1865 and named their landing place Porth Madryn after Sir Love Jones-Parry's estate in Wales, which was called Madryn Estate.
Jones Parry 1832 -1891
An advert to encourage those who wished to emigrate.
The name of the our next port of call, Puerto Madryn, (due to Port Stanley having been cancelled), rang a bell with me, but not a S. American bell, but a North Wales bell.
As a child I spent many holidays with my parents on the Llyn Peninsula, because my mother came from Caernarvon, and her married sister still lived in Caernarvon, so we had free accommodation. We would all take the bus to various beaches, and places of interest, and one of my favourite places was Nefyn.
Nefyn Beach
Near Nefyn was Madryn Estate and Madryn Castle.
Found the above picture of Madryn Castle on the internet – the building burned down over 30 years ago, and the grounds appears to have become a caravan park.
It was this place that rang a bell with me as I was disappointed with the 'castle' affect as I expected something like Caernarvon Castle, but as an eight year old I was big in to castles and knights.
I took this picture of Caernarvon castle in 2008.
The view of Porth Madryn from our ship earlier this year – now called Puerto Madryn
The beach and prom
We were in the town when I took this picture to show how close the ship is to the town centre, which was about a ten to fifteen minute walk.
This street name caught my eye –
ARA General Belgrano, which used to be the USS Phoenix. She was launched in 1938 and survived the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour. She was sold to Argentina in 1951 and eventually became ARA General Belgrano.
During the 1982 Argentinian / British war ARA General Belgrano was sunk by a British submarine on the 2nd May 1982.
A more peaceful scene – the Monument to Women, on the promenade, the Azamara Pursuit can just be seen in the background.
Still on the prom – a statue to Hippolyte Bouchard – 1780 to 1837 – he was the first Argentinian to sail around the world. He was also a corsair and attacked various places in California, which were under Spanish controls at the time.
My photograph of him didn't do him justice. The above is off the internet.
A peaceful scene as we made our way back to the ship.
As we walked along the pier we kept a lookout for penguins, as we'd seen some earlier in the day. We did see various penguins, but as I tried to take a photograph they were too fast .
If you see a penguin in the above pic please let me know . . .
From our balcony we were able to watch sea lions between the ship and the wharf, but once again, each time I grabbed my camera they disappeared – perhaps they were just camera shy.
Coat of arms of Puerto Madryn
The living room on the ship and a quiet drink before getting ready for dinner.
Taken from the Living room, which is near the bow, so you can see the walk-way into town. The blue screen is due to the filter they have on the window.
If you are wondering what the title of this blog means –
Y Wladychfa Gymreig = The Welsh Settlement
The flag of the Welsh colony in Patagonia.
Author 1944aprilPosted on April 16, 2019 May 15, 2019 Categories History, TravelTags ARA General Belgrano, Hippolyte Bouchard, Jones Parry, Madryn Castle, Mimosa, Nefyn, Patagonia, Puerto MadrynLeave a comment on Puerto Madryn, or Y Wladychfa Gymreig
Jealousy is a bridge . . .
View from Azamara Pursuit's bridge
sailing north to Puerto Madryn, in Argentina
Sailing with two master mariners can come in handy if you are only a second mate. I left it to my two seniors hands to see if a bridge visit could be arranged for a short time during a sea day. They succeeded, and we received an invitation from the Captain to visit the holy of holies on board a ship in today's troubled world.
The ship's Master was Captain Carl Smith from the Isle of Man, which is located in the Irish sea between Northern Ireland and the Lake district, in England.
He'd been at sea since 1989 starting with Shell Tankers as a deck cadet, and moving in to cargo ships slowly moving up the ranks to Chief Officer after passing his Master's ticket. He moved to passenger ships in 1999 and joined Azamara in 2007 and again worked his way up until he became Master of Azamara Journey in 2017, followed by Azamara Quest in 2018.
We thought it would be a quick in and out, but it wasn't, Captain Smith was happy to chat about the difference in today's sea going world compared to ours when we started in the early 1960's.
Between us there must be close to 150 years of sea time – Captain Smith on the left, my New Zealand friend (Captain), yours truly, and my UK friend (Captain), the three of us first met in September 1960 at HMS Conway nautical training college. When we left Conway we joined different companies and it was years later before we met again.
To say that I noticed the difference from my time at sea is an understatement. My two friends had been at sea all their lives and had experienced the gradual change, but for me it was an eye opener.
The height of technology when I was 3rd Mate in 1966 in LST Frederick Clover, was an azimuth mirror, and a very old radar set – luxury !
I'd never seen a ship's bridge with a three piece suit !
Same LST all mod cons – open bridge (what's air conditioning) and note the H & S rope to stop my seat being washed overboard . . . well it wasn't my seat, but the captain's and I only got to sit in it when I knew he was not around – I used to like the 'grave yard watch' – mid-day to 4.00 pm and midnight to 4.00 am.
Most people used to sleep during those hours, so I had the place to myself.
The bridge was big enough to play indoor cricket.
The chair near the computer screen was not the Captain's – his was the tall chair near the bridge window.
They had enough electronic stuff to launch a satellite – we were also shown the screen that monitored the amount of chlorine in the fresh water – it had to be just right – I think the bridge monitor was a repeater from the engineering department. Every aspect of the ship was monitored from the bridge – there were alarms that sounded for anything that was not 'right'.
If there wasn't any movement of personnel, officer of the watch, lookout etc for a set number of minutes an alarm would go off, which was repeated I think in the captain's cabin. A very big incentive not to fall asleep on the grave yard watch. . . . .
I think we were on the bridge for about an hour and a half and the time just flew, because the visit for me was so interesting and Captain Smith (aka as Captain Carl) was happy to chat and answer all our questions. Our wives in particular loved the experience, which gave them an idea of the life of their husbands.
Azamara Quest – 30,277 gt launched in 2000
Frederick Clover on the Sarawak River, Borneo,
approaching Kuching to disembark troops.
We had to cancel our movies under the stars, and compromised with a drive-in.
The LST was launched January 1945 & her displacement was 2,140 tons when light,
Overall I think preferred Azamata Quest :- o)
Author 1944aprilPosted on April 12, 2019 May 15, 2019 Categories I'll never go abroad, TravelTags Azamara Pursuit, LST Frederick Clover, Master;s ticket4 Comments on Jealousy is a bridge . . .
Falklands Is. or Islas Malvinas
Coat of Arms of the Falklands
After leaving Ushuaia we would be at sea for a day before our next destination, which was Port Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands in the S. Atlantic.
Port Stanley, which was named after Lord Stanley in 1843, who was at the time, Secretary of State for war and the colonies. He later became Prime Minster three times.
Edward George Geoffrey Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby
29 March 1799 – 23 October 1869
The old capital Port Louis, was replaced under instructions from the island Governor who was Richard Moody at the time.
During HMS Beagle's second voyage to the area, they visited Port Louis in 1833. Charles Darwin being aboard, wrote in his book – The Voyage of the Beagle –
After the possession of these miserable islands had been contested by France, Spain, and England, they were left uninhabited. The government of Buenos Aires then sold them to a private individual, but likewise used them, as old Spain had done before, for a penal settlement. England claimed her right and seized them. The Englishman who was left in charge of the flag was consequently murdered. A British officer was next sent, unsupported by any power: and when we arrived, we found him in charge of a population, of which rather more than half were runaway rebels and murderers.
HMS Beagle in the Straits of Magellan – illustration by Robert Taylor Pritchett for the 1890 edition of Darwin's book.
In anticipation of our visit to the Falkland Islands we had booked a day tour with Patrick Watts of Adventure Tours , which would include lunch, and also a visit to Port Stanley to have a look around – and of course the main attraction would be to Volunteer Point to see the penguins.
Part of the journey would be off road, so the trip would be in 4 x 4 vehicles. As well as details of the nature of the islands we would also have various points of interest from the 1982 Falkland war, which was between Argentina and the UK.
According to a friend of mine, who sent me the above picture – you can get quite close to the penguins , , for some reason as I looked at the above, it reminded me of a political gathering – none of the members seemed to know which way to go . . .
I also wanted information about SS Great Britain, that had been abandoned in the Falklands in 1937, and is now a museum piece in Bristol, UK.
SS Great Britain in 1969, before her 'repatriation' to her place of birth – Bristol, UK.
Launched in 1843 – she was the first iron ship to be driven by a propeller, & powered by steam. She was the largest ship in the world at that time and was the first iron steamer to cross the Atlantic – it took her fourteen days.
One of our group John, had been in the Falklands during the later part of the 1982 war and he was a fund of stories and anecdotes – he was First Officer of Mv Stena Seaspread ,
which was a fleet repair ship – look closely and you'll see a submarine alongside the repair ship.
Ariel view of the Mv Stena Seaspread with an RN ship alongside her. The view also give one an idea of the landscape.
even the penguins came out to welcome my mate's ship !
John did tell me that he knew each one by name . . .
With John's memories and anecdotes, we were all looking forward to our visit.
It was during our day at sea from Ushuaia that the Captain announced that we would not be going to Port Stanley because the weather forecast for the area anticipated swells of 8 to 10 meters (26 to 33 feet) and this type of swell would make for a very unpleasant voyage when leaving Port Stanley, and considering the average age of the passengers (let's just say 'mature') very dangerous when the passengers moved about the ship.
Once we left the sheltered area of the Beagle Channel and passed Isla de los Estados on our starboard side, which is 29 km (18 miles) off the coast of eastern coast of Argentina we entered the open sea and the ship altered course to port and head away from the area of high swells, yet even so we could feel the slightly unpleasant movement of the ship as we headed north.
We were bound for a completely different type of port – Puerto Madryn, now that name rang a bell with me!
I thought a comment on the island that we passed may be of interest.
Isla de los Estados in English means Staten Island, named after the same person as Staten Island New York.
A Dutch explorer passed the island on Christmas Day in 1615 and named it Staten Landt and believed that it could be part of the Great Southern content.
When Abel Tasman saw New Zealand in 1642 he named the land Staten Landt, and assumed it was part of the great southern land i.e Antarctica.
Of course I always seem to come back to books . . . but there is a link, however small . . .
The island was mentioned in 'Two Years Before the Mast' by R.H. Dana, which was first published in 1840 – well worth a read.
The author shipped out of Boston as a common sailor in 1834 and kept a diary. He sailed round Cape Horn and returned to Boston two years later. The book was made in to a film in 1946 with Alan Ladd in the lead part & Brian Donlevy who plays R.H.Dana.
The Pilgrim is the name of the original ship involved in Two Years Before The Mast, built in 1825 and lost at sea due to fire in 1856.
Today's Pilgrim (which is a replica & pictured above) was a three-masted schooner on the Baltic trade in 1945.
In 1975 she sailed to Lisbon to be converted to her present configuration as a brig.
Since 1981 she has been based at Dana Point Harbor (named after the author) in California, and has been used in 'Amsitad' the movie, and is a classroom that sails in the summer months with volunteers.
But it doesn't sail around the Horn to Isla de los Estados.
Author 1944aprilPosted on April 9, 2019 May 15, 2019 Categories Cruises, History, TravelTags Great Britian, Isla de los Estados, Pilgrim, Port Stanley, R.H.Dana, Staten Island, Stena Seaspread, Two years before the mast3 Comments on Falklands Is. or Islas Malvinas
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Taste tkemali on our Tbilisi market walk!
Tbilisi -- There is a day in February when we raise our noses to the sky like dogs and catch the first teasing wisps of spring. Our eyes widen, we nod and chime with giddy grins, "It's coming." Then the weather turns with a cold snap or even snow and we forget all about spring until one day in mid-March we wake up, pour a coffee, peer out the window and cry out, "Whoa, look!" jabbing our forefingers towards our tkemali tree and its little white flowers that bloomed overnight; the first blossoms of the year.
Tour the backstreets of Tbilisi with us. Join our Culinary Walks!


text:
Natural Gas | Oil | Metals
Market Movers Europe, Jan 6–10: Oil market on edge due to geopolitical risk
Capital Markets | Commodities | Energy | Electric Power | Electric Power Risk | Natural Gas | Banking | Infrastructure | Structured Finance
Global Power Markets Conference, 35th Annual
Watch: Market Movers Europe, Jan 6–10: Oil market on edge due to geopolitical risk
Featuring Mark Pengelly
Commodity Natural Gas, Oil, Metals
Topic US-Iran tensions
Mark Pengelly
Natural Gas, Oil, Metals
US-Iran tensions
In this week's Market Movers, the new year brings concerns about availability of compliant fuel for ships, while market players predict a decline in Russian gas flows via Ukraine. The oil market remains on edge due to increased geopolitical risk in the Middle East.
In this week's Market Movers, the new year brings concerns about availability of compliant fuel for ships, while market players predict a decline in Russian gas flows via Ukraine.
But first: the oil market remains on edge due to increased geopolitical risk in the Middle East.
The US killing of Iran's General Qassim Soleimani last week in Baghdad has increased the likelihood of further attacks on Middle East energy infrastructure. Market watchers and analysts say it has also heightened the possibility of a direct military conflict between the US and Iran.
Iran has vowed to exact "harsh revenge" for the US airstrike that killed its top military commanders. The US State Department warned on Sunday of heightened risks of attacks around oil facilities in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province. Meanwhile, Iraq's parliament voted to expel US forces from the country in a non-binding vote.
US President Donald Trump in a series of tweets over the weekend threatened further military action against Iran, should Tehran strike back as promised.
Brent crude oil prices leapt by almost 5% in early European trading Friday, hitting a high of nearly $70 dollars per barrel – and in Asia trading on Monday morning they again broke the $70/b mark. S&P Global Platts Analytics expects Brent to be capped at $70/b, unless a major source of supply is significantly damaged.
Over in the shipping markets, participants told S&P Global Platts they expected a retaliation and fear tankers could be among the targets. Most participants said they were erring on the side of caution, although a number of outstanding cargoes from the region are expected to fetch higher prices due to higher war risk premiums being factored in.
Staying on the high seas, the shipping market will be focused on low-sulfur marine fuel availability, and prices, after the introduction of the IMO global sulfur cap.
Since January 1, shippers have been required to burn bunker fuel with a maximum sulfur content of 0.5%. And as demand for these new marine fuels has risen in recent weeks, so have prices.
0.5% marine fuel typically trades at a premium over the dirtier 3.5% fuel oil. The premium of 0.5% FOB Rotterdam marine fuel barges over 3.5% fuel oil barges surged to a little over $314/mt last week. This is the highest level since Platts began assessing 0.5% marine fuel in January 2019.
With supply at major ports said to be relatively tight, the question on the shipping market's lips is for how much longer prices can rise. And that's our social media question for this week: How much higher can low-sulfur marine fuel prices go? Tweet us your thoughts using #PlattsMM.
Increased shipping costs are expected to be widely distributed across the commodities sector. An early example of this comes from the metals industry, where major miners are indicating that higher costs will be passed on to customers in markets such as iron ore and coal. The likes of Anglo American, BHP Billiton and Vale are pursuing various options for coping with the rules, all of which come at a price. Anglo American has said it will burn only compliant 0.5% fuel, Vale has said it will introduce scrubbers that reduce sulfur emissions on board, while BHP Billiton has released the world's first bulk carrier tender for LNG-fueled transportation.
Turning to the gas market, participants will be keeping a close eye on Russian exports to Europe via Ukraine this week. These have fallen since the start of the year, despite Gazprom agreeing a new five-year transit deal with Kyiv.
Gazprom may be choosing to meet customer obligations through storage withdrawals from its 11 Bcm of gas stored in Europe, instead of flowing it via Ukraine. The volumes held in storage are more than double those from previous years as Gazprom looked to mitigate any possible disruption to Ukrainian transit.
Demand across Europe is also low due to mild weather throughout the continent, with prices at the main European hubs down in the range of around €11-12/MWh.
Gazprom agreed to send 65 Bcm of gas via Ukraine this year, though Platts Analytics sees this as a peak volume rather than a minimum, so assumes transit of only 52 Bcm in 2020. This would be a decline from recent years. As you can see from the chart on your screen, annual Russian gas exports to Europe via Ukraine have been around 87 Bcm over recent years.
Switching from gas to power, there are concerns that further strike action could in France could disrupt supplies on Thursday. However, mild and windy weather has almost entirely negated the impact of industrial action to date – and this week is not expected to be much different.
French power currently carries a premium of roughly €10/MWh over that of Germany. But this has more to do the unprecedented level of French nuclear reactors offline due to maintenance delays.
Any changes in the weather pattern would accentuate this, but for now conditions are unusually benign.
Thank you for kicking off your year with us, and have a great week ahead.


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