A UK Alternative to Oostende

[CliveG]

I for one am not willing to pay our Belgium friends for the pleasure of haveing red Diesel on board.

In another thread I suggested a trip to Limehouse instead.
This seemed to find some favour.

Having now looked at some tide tables it would appear that the weekend of 26th / 27th May works quite well for a trip up the Thames with low water late morning and a rising tide to push us along.

I had already booked Friday 25th, the week of 28th and the following week off so my initial plan is to head to the Medway on the Friday and on up to Limehouse on the Saturday.
Then Stay in London for a few days and head back to the Medway and explore the area.
Maybe slip round the back of Sheppey and on to Ramsgate followed by a trip over the Gravelines.

Anyway, is anybody interested in visiting Limehouse around that time?

 

[sailorman]

I for one am not willing to pay our Belgium friends for the pleasure of having red Diesel on board.

In another thread I suggested a trip to Limehouse instead.
This seemed to find some favour.

Having now looked at some tide tables it would appear that the weekend of 26th / 27th May works quite well for a trip up the Thames with low water late morning and a rising tide to push us along.

I had already booked Friday 25th, the week of 28th and the following week off so my initial plan is to head to the Medway on the Friday and on up to Limehouse on the Saturday.
Then Stay in London for a few days and head back to the Medway and explore the area.
Maybe slip round the back of Sheppey and on to Ramsgate followed by a trip over the Gravelines.

Anyway, is anybody interested in visiting Limehouse around that time?

the bank holiday has been put back a week to incorporate the Queens Diamond Jubilee so a 4 day w/e

 

[CliveG]

the bank holiday has been put back a week to incorporate the Queens Diamond Jubilee so a 4 day w/e

Thanks for that Roger.
The Oostende vot Anchor has not been moved though.
I had booked holiday to visit that.
The Tides would work on the following weekend with an early start.
Low tide about 6 to 7 in the morning.

We will see how people would like to play this.

 

[sailorman]

One does not have to book time off this year

 

[Lucky Duck]

There is a River Pageant will be taking place on Sunday 3rd June 2012 to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee so I suspect berths in London will be hard to come by that weekend. Details here - http://www.thamesdiamondjubileepageant.org/EventInformation.aspx

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Keen Clive, but can't commit yet until i know how progress on Phoenix is going. In my heart I don't think i'll be ready in time.

 

[Koeketiene]

The Oostende vot Anchor has not been moved though.

How inconsiderate

Anyway Clive, I begin to detect an anti-Ostend bias in your postings.
Last year you wanted everyone to go to Brugge instead of Ostend, now this... Did Robert overcharge you?

 

[CliveG]

How inconsiderate

Anyway Clive, I begin to detect an anti-Ostend bias in your postings.
Last year you wanted everyone to go to Brugge instead of Ostend, now this... Did Robert overcharge you?

I have nothing against Robert and enjoy the town.
I went there last September as we could not go in May.
But I am not willing to risk a fine so I am looking at other possibilities.

Last year the Brugge trip was just for a change from Oostende.

 

[MoodySabre]

I'm interested. I agree that the fuel issue needs to be resolved first before heading east. London is on my to do list.

 

[Koeketiene]

But I am not willing to risk a fine so I am looking at other possibilities.

They were checking for red diesel last year too.
Just because a spokesman from the embassy reiterates the official line (the same official line since 2006), doesn't really mean anything has changed on the ground.
While Guapa was UK registered I've always been left alone, even though the Douane knew she had red in her tanks.
We only were checked once she had been re-registered in Belgium.
Belgian resident forumites have confirmed that 'local' boats are checked more often than visiting UK yachts.
Since 2006 there have only been two (maybe 3) confirmed cases of UK registered yachts being fined for having red diesel.

 

[LittleSister]

Oostende, anyway, anyone?

We can't commit yet, but might be interested in the London trip.

But is anyone still planning to go to Oostende? At the risk of tempting 'The Curse of LittleSister' on the ECF (An improbable run of bad luck/bad timing/bad weather means we've not managed to get to a single event yet!) we're quite interested in getting over there, either for Voor Ancher or another time.

I can't imagine the Belgian authorities would be willing to do anything to jeopardise the value of the event, and we're willing to take the risk anyway.

I couldn't make out from the Voor Ancher website what the score was for visiting yachts - the bit for 'participants' seemed to be aimed at clasic ships etc. Presumably one would need to book a marina space well in advance. Can anybody advise?

 

[Koeketiene]

We can't commit yet, but might be interested in the London trip.

But is anyone still planning to go to Oostende? At the risk of tempting 'The Curse of LittleSister' on the ECF (An improbable run of bad luck/bad timing/bad weather means we've not managed to get to a single event yet!) we're quite interested in getting over there, either for Voor Ancher or another time.

I can't imagine the Belgian authorities would be willing to do anything to jeopardise the value of the event, and we're willing to take the risk anyway.

I couldn't make out from the Voor Ancher website what the score was for visiting yachts - the bit for 'participants' seemed to be aimed at clasic ships etc. Presumably one would need to book a marina space well in advance. Can anybody advise?

We'll still be going, and I imagine sailorman wouldn't want to miss 2 years in a row.
The festival website is not aimed at visiting yachts - just participants (classic boats).
Booking a berth? Not in Ostend during the festival. Turn up and find one - there is (nearly) always room for one more. And if not, Robert will make room

 

[photodog]

I heard he hates Bavarias.....

 

[Koeketiene]

I heard he hates Bavarias.....

'Hate' would be too strong a term - 'not fond of' seems more appropriate.

 

[sailorman]

'Hate' would be too strong a term - 'not fond of' seems more appropriate.

 

[sailorman]

We'll still be going, and I imagine sailorman wouldn't want to miss 2 years in a row.
The festival website is not aimed at visiting yachts - just participants (classic boats).
Booking a berth? Not in Ostend during the festival. Turn up and find one - there is (nearly) always room for one more. And if not, Robert will make room

Mel has booked time off

 

[Habebty]

Must admit I fancy a trip to Limehouse so count me in.

 

[Jomo]

I'd be in for a trip to Limehouse, but on shift that weekend so neither Ostend or Limehouse for me I'm afraid

 

[CliveG]

I have e-mailed Limehouse to check that they have space for the weekend of 26th May.
I am sure that they will be full for the following weekend.

 

[Wunja]

Can we get white diesel there or near by?