Off to see the QE2

starboard

starboard

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Just delivered some punters to Campbletown from Troon in the www.kintyreexpress.com bit of a bumpy ride there. so bad we decided to go north around Arran due to the strong SW wind....Fast trip back at 30kts with VERY big following sea....Radar reflector fell off as we touched down off one wave!!! Home for lunch then heading off up the Clyde to say cheerio to the QE2, just watched the Red Arrows depart Prestwick on their way to do the same........shame about the weather here but hope up the Clyde a wee bit quieter!! hope those that head out too enjoy their day.

Paul.
 
Are you going to give her a race later? She's doing the measured mile off Arran.

Donald
 
I went that way this morning and explained to my punters all about the MM as they had watched the programme the other night. The lights were on the markers at Sannox this morning all ready for her run....she will have to avoid the sub that we saw lurking there at 0745!!

Paul.
 
Can't see Arran anymore, and - Ah'm no gaun oot in that anyway. If she's using the Arran M.M. I assume it's then the Kilbrannan Sound.
Anyone know which side of the Cumbraes? (got a tame friend with a warm dry mobo) She will be back next year (oct) and it's a Sunday, which may be better for us to get into position.
 
The measured mile is between Sannox and Corrie on Arran's East side not on the Kilbrannan sound. I think there is another at Skelmorlie but if Starboard spotted that this morn he needs to work on his nav skills.
I managed to catch a glimpse of her and the Red Arrows today from dry land. The town was very busy.
I think it will be a bit of a bumpy evening out there on the water.

Good luck.
 
Absolutely gutted!
Left work on the button today intending to get home, pick up family and get down to boat at Largs and get out to the north end of the Cumbrae to see her go past.
Road works! 20 min journey took 1 hour 20 - and to go back over the Erskine bridge and down to Largs would have taken another hour and thirty, because of the same roadworks in the opposite direction - making me too late.

Just having stiff G & T by way of compensation.
(Actually, I think my wife is trying to soothe my bubbling temper)
STV coverage OK, but BBC Scotland was pathetic.

Bye Bye QE2.
 
Just back....'cos of the roadworks and and getting lost in the biggest tescos I've ever seen.....

One word.....



Regal....


Donald
 
What a great evening, very bumpy ride from Troon to Rhu, picked up punters and spent 2 hours watching at close quarters as the QE2 was tugged off the berth and canted, then followed close by with a great mixed fleet ( jet ski's to Cal Mac ferries) at 9kts. followed to the Gantocks then retuned punters to Rhu. Interesting passage back down the Clyde in the dark and slopy sea,dodging all the straglers (amazing how poor some yachts show on the radar if they show at all that is) returning to their home ports. The Greenock to Largs coast road solid with traffic from Greenock to largs...poor sodds....clear of the Wee Cumbrae still blowing SW 25kts and interesting passage at 30kts in now a very confused and lumpy sea.

What a great day and glad to have been part of it.

Paul.
 
I think you lost your white stern light along with the radar reflector ( or is it an all round white?) anyway, we almost didn't see you as you crossed in front of us on the way back towards Largs. As for the old queen, agree, she looks magic. Didn't seem to be many on board though.
 
This is what it is all about....
_44129244_qe2air416x300.jpg

Courtesy of BBC Scotland


Donald
 
[ QUOTE ]
I think you lost your white stern light along with the radar reflector ( or is it an all round white?) anyway, we almost didn't see you as you crossed in front of us on the way back towards Largs. As for the old queen, agree, she looks magic. Didn't seem to be many on board though.

[/ QUOTE ]


At a safe distance I trust?? where did you see us? I stayed in Rosneath channel before cutting inside gantocks and taking inner channel past largs and hunterston Channel. Talking of lights I passed a large 40ft plus ketch off Hunterston heading south whos port light was showing about 170 degrees abft the beam....!!!! very confusing till I got close enough to see what direction he was really heading in!!

paul.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The yacht just above the bow of the QE2 might be me. Just before the propshaft became disengaged from the gearbox, which caused issues!

[/ QUOTE ]

oops!! hope you managed to get out of that mess?? I think the wake crossing ahead is me as I decided to head back towards Rhu....that gave me an interesting moment as with all 12 passengers out on the aft-deck the boat did not want to get up on the plane!! A quick re-distribution of weight forward saved me any embarassment!!!

Paul.
 
Well I am pinching myself!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It was really horrible down at Toward so I decided not to go out to see her and planned to just watch her pass.

Anyway....................................

I went up to Dunoon to meet Mrs Cameronke off the 5.50 AliCat. I had never been on the AliCat before and reckoned that as the QE2 was scheduled to cast off at 6.00pm, there would be a good chance of seeing her so, after sprinting up to the ticket office with baby Cameronke on my back, we all jumped onto the AliCat and set off for Gourock. Just as we turned Gourock point there she was!!! with the entire flotilla.

The Alicat skipper (Bless him!) changed heading and joined the flotilla for a while. I was on the top deck with about 5 others and got some pics. A real feeling of reverent silence over the whole boat (I had a big lump in my throat) and then we went in. What a great experience!

Sample pic here and I will try and upload more later......
DSCF5961.jpg


Cameron
 
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