Sunday, April 11, 2010

First Signs

Polish flag, sailship Pogoria, port of LivornoThe same day I took the first picture of this post, the Polish sail training ship “Pogoria” was moored in front of me. Let me borrow her ensign, even if not at half mast, to salute and comfort all our Polish friends in these days of mourning.
COncrete blocks, port of LivornoA pile of huge concrete blocks at the end of the Elba pier is usually the first visible sign of the approaching TAN. This is the short form for “Trofeo Accademia Navale” or Naval Academy Trophy, an international multi-class sailing competition taking place every year, at the end of April, in our waters. The Trophy took place for the frst time in 1981, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the “Accademia Navale”. After its initial success, TAN then became an annual event. Preparing the jetties for the TAN, port of LivornoFew days later the pontoon crane “Meloria” is sinking the blocks on the bottom of the “Porto Mediceo”. Floating docks for the boats will be anchored to these for the time of the event.TAN village, port of LivornoNearby what is called the TAN “village” is taking shape under the usual white roofs.

15 comments:

Fio said...

Grazie...
Mi mancano le parole per esprimere quello che proviamo noi Polacchi in questo momento.
Vi ringraziamo per il vostro segno di solidarieta'. E' cosi' commovente...

Lowell said...

A very nice tribute to our Polish friends, VP!

And you should have numerous photo opportunities in the days ahead as TAN becomes a reality. Looks like a lot of preparation going on!

tapirgal said...

It's a beautiful way to honor the people so devastated by today's tragedy. It's such a depressing thing to have happened.

You have another interesting post. Don't they re-used the blocks at the bottom of the harbor each year, or do they bring them up again after the event?

Dina said...

Good that you had a Polish flag on file to add an image to your nice words.

So, we are in for (more) excitement at the end of April? Great.
Meanwhile, a pontoon crane is a sight to see!

VP said...

@ tapirgal - The water inside the old port is quite shallow and those blocks would be quite dangerous if left there.

@ Dina - When I saw the blocks I was in port just to check the “Pogoria”. The poor ship has suffered a terrible incident last summer, losing two of her masts when en route to Russia.

joo said...

Thank you so much for this post and for your such important and supportive words!

cieldequimper said...

Nice one for the flag and interesting for "the rest" of the post.

Saretta said...

Interesting, as always!

Hilda said...

A lovely tribute for Poland and her great tragedy.

I hope you will be taking pictures of the TAN — it sounds so exciting!

B SQUARED said...

I join you in your tribute to Poland. A terrible tragedy.

Unknown said...

Great flag shot! And, of course, a nice tribute too.

Leif Hagen said...

Hearts are heavy and sad around the world after yesterday's Polish plane crash in Russia!

Magdala said...

Thank you very much for such warm sign of friendship and solidarity with us!

Kaori said...

Our hearts reach out to the people of Poland. So very sad. Quite a coincidence that you were able to catch their flag beatifully in a photo!

Small City Scenes said...

Thanks for the tribute for the terrible tragedy of the crashing of the Polish presidential plane.

MB