The prop ship from the Aardman movie The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists is currently docked at the M Shed, Bristol. We had a chance to peek at it last weekend after my fortunate youngest attended a free Watershed stop-motion animation workshop with someone from Aardman. I know! How cool is that? I have been touching the hem of his robe all week.

The detail on the sails was perfect: the faux rips…

…the roped edging, doing absolutely nothing functional but looking the part.

And I liked the humorous laundry line rigged on deck too.

And the wonderfully grotesque figure-head, apparently beheaded and then re-headed with Neptune’s.

The ship will remain at the M Shed for 6 months. Here’s some behind-the-scenes footage of the making of the film which (in spite of the presenter’s efforts) is fascinating and utterly breathtaking. These Aardman guys and gals go beyond the painstaking. Enjoy your weekend!