Belgium to keep red diesel...

[Koeketiene]

"By chance" I happened to speak to Belgian C&E (Douane) chief in Ostend today.
He was aware of the EU directive regarding red diesel.
According to him - he got this from the ministry of finance in Brussels - nothing would change in the "near future" (next few years).
National states have 3 years to enact EU directives and Belgium is not in a hurry. Three reasons
1. any tax rise is unpopular & there are regional and/or national elections next year.
2. Belgium already has the worst record for implementing EU regulations - one more won't make a difference.
3. If they remain the only country in this part of the world to supply red diesel to yachts (even) more yachts will visit and spend more money

Isn't it about time the UK govt grew some balls too?

On a personal note: Ostend seems rapidly to be turning into some kind of pirate freeport. REAL duty-free still available to yachts & it would seem soon to be one of the few places where you can get red diesel...

 

[sailorman]

Wot Ostend like then /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gifdo you think is worth a trip /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. got a passage plan /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Koeketiene]

Couldn't tell you - never been there - worth a look tho.
What do you think - end May bank holiday or something?
Will be an "adventure".

 

[Lakesailor]

[ QUOTE ]


Isn't it about time the UK govt grew some balls too?



[/ QUOTE ]and yet Bliar has the "balls" to go it alone with the worst considered bit of war-mongering in my lifetime.
Can't follow his logic at all.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Ah yes, plucky little Belgium, with its three governments and such an appropriate slogan:-

"L'union fait la farce"

 

[Stig]

Same situation in Ireland - no immediate plans to change duty on marked (green in our case) diesel. Come and visit!

 

[trouville]

Why not organise sailing PBO sailing weekends to Ostend instead of Cherbourg sounds wonderful.Ive never been into Ostend

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

We do!

Every May bank holiday suprisingly... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Sans Bateau]

[ QUOTE ]
and yet Bliar has the "balls" to go it alone with the worst considered bit of war-mongering in my lifetime.
Can't follow his logic at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

His master (Bush) hasn't jerked his lead in the direction to have balls for his own countries benefit.

 

[Koeketiene]

[ QUOTE ]
Ah yes, plucky little Belgium, with its three governments

[/ QUOTE ]

Not much better over here - Livingston's People's Republic - Westminster - Scot's Parliament - Welsh Assembly - Stormont - whatever else 2 shags can think of...

 

[Malcb]

If Gordon can get more money in his coffers and blame somebody else what do you really think is going to happen?

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
and yet Bliar has the "balls" to go it alone with the worst considered bit of war-mongering in my lifetime.
Can't follow his logic at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ther's no need for logic when you're a TW&T!!

 

[Koeketiene]

He might see sense? Pigs might fly?

Surely HMG should realise that they'll lose a "lot" of revenue that way?
Well, what's a "lot" in the grand scheme of things?

For the South Coast there's always Jersey, and for the average East Coaster Belgium's only 10-12 hrs away.
It would make no sense for the average MOBO to nip x-channel every time he wants to top up, but for a raggie? Guapa's tank holds just over 100gal - 1 trip a year should do it.

 

[steveallan]

Go there most years
Bit like Blackpool or Ramsgate lots to to do, very good seafood, lots of turists.

Great for people watching.

 

[Oliveoyl]

No the slogan is "l'oignon fait la soupe"

 

[roger]

Great place and wonderfully daft. Superb Belgian beer, good mussels and lots of restaurants.
OOmpah band in main square competes with carillion every qurter hour. And then theres the harbour master with the foghorn voice.

 

[sailorman]

So you think i might like the place then, wot access like, is there a marina /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

wots the best course from Harwich, i have been to Ramsgate, Calais before /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[steveallan]

Go via Ramsgate two 9 hr passages at 5kts or straight across from Harwich @ 80M

Three Marinas.
Royal North Sea Yacht Club north end of Montgomery Dock (visiters only)
Some surging at high water springs. Also wash and noise from fishing vessels landing their catch at the market normally in the early mornings. However still the best bet for short stays.
Mecator Marina, lock in via Montgomery Dock (Marina and lock now controlled by RNSYC) Long waits for locking at peak periods

Royal Yacht Club Ostende (bit to far from town centre)

 

[sailorman]

wot about the TSS thingie is that a problem /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
do i need the icc, cevni tickets /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
i know Guapa has been to Ramsgate this year /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[FullCircle]

Guapa has a Grace and Favour berth in Ramsgate, paid for by the grateful local marine tradesmen. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sailorman, if you have forgotten the way to Belgium, sell the boat and sign up for the Residential Home...... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif No ICC needed, they will give you a bus pass if you ask nicely.

So, looks like the 2007 Ostend event could be better attended then, if we get some reasonable weather. Perhaps Mr Dougie Three Bottles can be towed over, filled up and returned to Lowestoft then.
Full Circle is planning (again) to make the trip.