I saw 52 ships on my holiday to France most of which were seen in Dover and from the ferry mid-channel. 

Lots of work to do to check IMO numbers to ensure they are not on my list under a previous name and populate my list with the all the other details.

Plenty of photographs to go through too.

Photograph of Dover Hoverport taken 4 August 2013 from the Prince Of Wales Pier.

I took the hovercraft from here to Calais back in 1994 when we went on a two week circuit of France. Unfortunately apart from the pad the hoverport has largely disapppeared.
 
The hoverport was originally opened on 5 July 1978 and had a berth to accommodate Seacat ferries next to the pad. Its location at Dover's Western Docks was originally decided in terms of its proximity to a planned rail route from Dover to Canterbury, providing quick change from train to hovercraft. However this idea was phased out due to financial difficulties.
 
Strong ferry competition and the opening of the Channel Tunnel forced the company to close, the last service being on 7 November 2005.

Following a cross channel ferry operation from the site the hoverport was demolished in 2009.

It did look as if there was some construction activity on the site but this might just be a local contractor renting the space for storage.

I imagine it will end up as a carpark for the main ferry terminals. 

I took these photographs when we were walking around Dover the afternoon before we sailed and from the back of the Pride of Kent as we left port on route to Calais.

The picture above is of the Southern Breakwater which was constructed at the beginning of the 20th Century and together with the Eastern Arm and Admiralty Pier formed part of the harbour enclosure. 

It is constructed of large granite blocks and during WWI and WWII formed part of the ports defences housing gun and search light emplacements, barrack blocks, magazines and other facilities for the troops who manned the guns.

Some of the gun encasements can be seen in the photograph above.

The lighthouse at the end of the Dover Southeren Breakwater was built in 1909 and consists of a round cast iron structure with lantern and gallery. This lighthouse together with the Admiralty Pier Light bracket the Western entrance to Dover Harbour.

The photograph above is of the 1908 Admiralty Pier Light house.

A station has been on this site since 1842.

Again this is a round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. This lighthouse replaced a 9 m tower built in 1876. It is located at the end of the pier which extends 1220 m out into the sea enclosing the Western side of Dover Harbour.

The above lighthouse is at the end of the Prince Of Wales pier which we walked along in the early evening to the cafe at the end where we just managed to get a couple of cold soft drinks before it closed.

This lighthouse was built in 1902 and is a round stone tower with lantern and gallery. It is located at the end of the pier which separates the outer and inner harbours.

The Prince of Wales Pier was named after Edward VII who as Prince of Wales, laid the foundation stone in 1892.

The Pier opened in 1902 and at the time was constructed of stone with a section of cast iron pier connecting it to land. It had ship berths along its length which at the time were capable of accommodating some of the largest ships afloat.

In 1905 a railway track was laid along the pier.

In 1978 the cast iron section close to land was filled in with concrete as part of construction of the Western Docks Hoverport.

Spirit Of France (IMO 9533816, GT 47592, 2011) at Dover on 4 August 2013.

This was one of the first vessels I saw after arriving in Dover following a 6 hour drive.

We were stopping overnight in Dover at the Premier Inn which is right on the dockside. As a result I was able to photograph quite a number of ships some of which are shown below.

Berlioz (IMO 9305843, GT 33940, 2005) operated by My Ferry Link. Ferries operated by DFDS, My Ferry Link and P&O were constant visitors to the docks over the afternoon I spent in Dover. It was also a clear day and the coast of France could be clearly seen on the horizon. With the help of AIS on my phone I also managed to identify a number of ships out to sea.

Saga Sapphire (IMO 7822457, GT 37049, 1981) pulling out of the docks before heading out into the English Channel.

Delft Seaways (IMO 9293088, GT35923, 2006) heading into Dover after crossing the channel.

Tomorrow we are heading down to Dover to get the ferry over to France for a camping trip. 

I have not been to Dover or Calais before and should see quite a few new ships and get some good photographs. 

Ill post pictures and details of my trip when i get back. 

I saw this on the internet - Cars sliding around and falling into the sea!

Not a good trip!

www.gcaptain.com/dozens-cars-slide-ship-heavy-seas/