June 10, 2016

Five more from Hull

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Here we are again on a a Friday and it's time to join in with Amy at Love Made My Home to discuss five things that have some relevance to us.  As you know we recently went to Hull and I've done a number of posts on both blogs about the visit and the city.

This week I'm taking a look around the Marina, which used to be Hull's heart and the centre of the port. It's still a busy harbour, but the kind of large pleasure craft it handles today don't need the heavyweight support systems that were in regular use when heavy shipping paid call.

As you walk around the area look down at your feet and you'll find plenty of these. Back in the days when cargo ships brought in and took out heavy loads many goods were transported by rail - right to the harbourside. The rails are still in place in many of the cobbled streets leading to the old dock.

This mooring post gives you some idea of the size of ship that used to call in to Hull. There's not a lot of clues for size until you realise that's a fence post. So yes, the bollard is about 18" to 2ft high.

Then there's this amazing bit of kit that stands inside a glass shelter by the quay. I apologise for the reflections. It's a horizontal steam engine that used to stand by the slipway leading to the Victoria Dock half tide basin. It was used to haul ships out of the river when they needed bringing in for repair.

This bell stood close by Victoria Dock too. It was used to warn people when the swing bridge over the lock (where ships gained entry to the dock) was about to open.  It's silent now, which is a shame.

And finally we have the Spurn light ship.  Spurn point is the end of the land spit that separates the Humber from the North Sea.  One of the problems with a tidal river is that silt, mud and sand gets moved around by the flow of water coming in and out of the estuary. Consequently the channel can be difficult to navigate because of the constantly changing hazards. The Spurn light ship was one of several fixed lights and moveable beacons that helped ships find safe passage to and from the sea.

So now you've had a wander around Hull Marina, pop over to Love Made My Home to see other Friday fives!

* Map borrowed from http://www.weather-forecast.com/ with thanks.

17 comments:

  1. All these clues to the city's past and the life it led bring it to life again. Have a good week :-)

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  2. Fascinating. I'm really enjoying your posts about Hull. Have a good weekend:)

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  3. Many thanks for another fascinating five. You really have jogged some childhood memories. I do remember the rails in the cobbles and walking down to the docks, many moons ago. Have a good weekend. B X

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  4. I have never been to Hull but looks very interesting. Have a lovely weekend x

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  5. Docks hold a fascination for me as my grandfather was a crane driver in Portsmouth dockyard many years ago. It is so interesting that clues remain of that past, busy life.

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  6. Thanks for the tour of Hull. I remember those old rails. There are some near the docks in Ipswich. When I was a child the factories were beginning to close and the whole place was a mess. However in the last few years the area has been cleaned and rebuilt. It's quite beautiful now. It's funny how things change.

    Have a great weekend!

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  7. Love history and clues to the past. Wonderful post.

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  8. Interesting photos and history of the Marina in Hull. Hope you have a nice weekend!

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  9. Another fascinating five, I have never visited Hull but would love to discover its history by following clues to the past. xx

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  10. We haven't been to Hull for a few years now but it certainly brought back some lovely memories. A pleasure to visit.

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  11. I really do need to visit this area. My local news always reports on Hull (I don't know why as we are East Midlands and no where near the place), and it looks very interesting. Thanks for showing us more of this area. Have a wonderful weekend xx

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  12. Interesting photos, when we go home to California we always want to visit the docks in San Francisco.

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  13. Really interesting to see more of Hull and experience some more history! I really enjoyed it! Thank you for taking part in Five On Friday. I hope you have a great weekend! xx

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  14. I love the sea and consequently docks and marinas. We have a disused lighthouse boat like your photo that's now used as a restaurant and bar. Thank Ms for today's 5

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  15. I loved reading about Hull and learning about it's history. Now, I'm wanting to know why it no longer has large ships using it's port. I hope you're having a great weekend. Pat xx

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  16. So much to see. You must be having a wonderful time. Thanks for taking us along.

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  17. Interesting stuff. Bill Bryson had some moving things to say about Hull in his latest offering, 'The Road to Little Dribbling'. He makes my views look almost liberal.

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