rotrax
Well-Known Member
So do you:
1/Object to people using twin engined boats, that can travel the entire length of the Thames, regardless of tides, because the sole reason I bought our latest boat was to travel beyond Teddington without having the dogs on board for 12 hours at a time?
2/ Have an issue with well kept vessels? Perhaps you need to have a chat with all those nasty people in their shiny Wooden boats, immaculate Barges and beautifully polished Narrow boats while you're at it!?
3/ Reject the approved UK ensign? Should we all fly Skull and Crossbones, or perhaps you're a 'george cross' kinda guy?
4/ Think people without much hair should suffer sunburn, because you don't like hats?
Do you see how ridiculous you appear to be making such astonishingly churlish statements?
You in fact, appear to be 'acting superior to others' by your judgemental attitude. I see why you like crusty so much.... :ambivalence:
I answered your question.
When I regularly used the Thames-up to the mid '80's-we had a modest 18 foot plywood 2 berth cabin cruiser. We had a fabulous time weekending in her and visiting nice places.
As a child I spent a lot of time around fishing boats and South Coast harbours and got to mess around in boats a fair bit. Got my own-well, shared with a similarly minded neighbour-in 1972. After that apprenticeship dealing with fast running tides, recalcitrant old outboards and heavy clinker oar powered crab boats the Thames was to be honest, a bit of a doddle.
To see guys with boats far more suitable for the wide open spaces of the ocean, wearing blazers, yachting caps with scrambled egg all over them and flying blue ensigns when the nearest they got to the ocean was Walton on Thames or Hampton did make me chuckle. We managed with our little boat, just one step up from camping on water without all the hoop de do of some others.
If your boat suits your requirements, fine-enjoy.
If you need to fly an ensign on enclosed inland waterways, fine-enjoy.
If you need to wear yachting caps with scrambled egg and a smart blazer, thats fine too.
But dont be surprised when others look at you with a smile-and perhaps use the term Weekend Admiral................................
By the way, I suspect my vessel is as well kept as any on the Thames, and is as well equiped. Last year First Mate and I did more than 1700NM visiting Cherbourg, Plymouth, Newlyn, The Scillies, Cork and round to Dingle and then back home.
I have a Warrant to fly a Blue, and I do.
But I would not on the Thames, or any other inland waterway.
It is not a requirement and besides it seems to me to be a little bit precious................................
IMHO, of course, and with tongue firmly in cheek. If you cant laugh at yourself sometimes you lose touch with reallity.
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