Really good service........ .. ??

[Tomahawk]

.
As happens by accident occasionaly we made an error of judgement. Whilst returning from Ramsgate to home ae thought... lets go to Ipswich instead.. Big Mistake !! it seemed every man and his boat had also decided to to there. Indeed the entire of the Orwell is full and there is nowhere we can stay.. then we thought of Titchmarsh. A quick phonecall and we are mighty relieved to find they have space.. So far so good.

Arriving at Titchmarsh we start tying up at the wrong end of the hammehead. Of course we are not listening to the VHF and didn't hear the HM calling. Poor chap has to walk all the way down to tell us in person that we are at the wrong end. Now that is of itself not much of a big deal, except he forgets or diddn't bother to say the office closes at seven. Yes you guess it, we get to the office after they have closed so we don't get the access codes to the toilets!!

 

[johnalison]

I know it!

 

[sailorman]

wot woz wrong with Hamford Water

 

[Tomahawk]

.
We were hoping to go ashore for something to eat which is the second part of the sorry tale. Went to the Harbour Lights and asked about getting something to eat. The barmaid says "we don't do bar meals"... We are in a restaurant and there are lots of empty tables. So I ask about the restaurant, she says they are fully booked. I am looking at half a dozen free tables. So I ask how far it is to town. The barmaid then says she will see if they can fit us in... (remember all the empty tables). No says I, how far is it into town. Again she says she will try and get a table so I say I want you to answer the question. She says it is over a mile and we would be best taking a taxi so she can work out we have arrived by boat. I am getting the feeling she just doesn't want to help. In the end we are tired so we decide to have a couple of beers then eat on board.

When we left the place was mostly empty.

 

[photodog]

Plenty of space at shotley....

You could have shared our petit sale....

 

[swatchways]

That's a shame Tomahawk - pity we were back yesterday or you could have had out mooring. Also doesn't seem to tie in with our experience with whenever we've eaten at harbour lights - was the usual chappie not there? Can't remember his name but he's always excellent, found us a table when fully booked!

Town is a bit of a walk from the marina - even if only covering the marina lane distance - but, there's a decent Chinese that would possibly deliver for future reference!

 

[FullCircle]

That's the trouble when you don't carry half a ton of rusting tins of provender......

 

[johnalison]

The last time I went to the Harbour Lights for a drink it cost me £7 just for a pint for me and something innocuous for my wife. I haven't been back since.

 

[David2452]

That's a shame Tomahawk . Also doesn't seem to tie in with our experience with whenever we've eaten at harbour lights - was the usual chappie not there?

We too have found the Harbour Lights much improved, true they have increased the restaurant prices but the food has improved measurably, the breakfast is particularly good with a wide choice. After the cheap disgusting carvery they used to foist on the unsuspecting I was quite happy with the quality and prices, attentiveness and willingness of staff etc. Only problem is no proper ales, but the IPA is just about drinkable at a push.

 

[pks1702]

That's a shame Tomahawk - pity we were back yesterday or you could have had out mooring. Also doesn't seem to tie in with our experience with whenever we've eaten at harbour lights - was the usual chappie not there? Can't remember his name but he's always excellent, found us a table when fully booked!

Town is a bit of a walk from the marina - even if only covering the marina lane distance - but, there's a decent Chinese that would possibly deliver for future reference!

New Walton & Frinton YC is worth a taxi or tender if the tide is right.

 

[Tomahawk]

Suffice it to say, We shall wait a long time before returning...

 

[photodog]

Suffice it to say, We shall wait a long time before returning...

You should try the royal harwich yacht club if you really want to be treated like dirt as a visitor... They have it down to a fine art....

 

[Tomahawk]

It may have been some time since you last visited because we got a very warm welcome last week. Indeed it is so good we feel tempted to apply for membership.

 

[photodog]

It may have been some time since you last visited because we got a very warm welcome last week. Indeed it is so good we feel tempted to apply for membership.

It was two weeks ago.

The unbelievable behaviour and rudeness of their dockmaster towards myself and my wife has turned us from regular visitors who had every intention of getting a family membership next year so my nephew could take part in their youth stuff, into someone who frankly wouldn't piss on them if they were on fire.

I now resent seeing other yachts flying their pennant. Frankly given the welcome received, I would not welcome their members on my boat.
The guy was the low point in a otherwise great holiday.

You can probably tell I am pretty pissed about it.

Fortunately of course woolverstone are more than welcoming to visitors, and charge about the same.

 

[Tomahawk]

The mooring chappie was not in when we arrived so I didn't have the pleasure of meeting him.

It is interesting how the little things like the quality of a welcome can do so much damage to reputation and put off customers

 

[xyachtdave]

I'm leaving Southwold tomorrow when the Easterly wind calms down a bit (hopefully!) and we're planning on hanging out in the Orwell area for a few days to hopefully get the Northerly wind home at the weekend.

I've not been into Harwich Yacht Club before but may try a 'secret shopper' stop off tomorrow!

 

[sailorman]

You missed the "Royal" bit off

 

[Sinbad1951]

Geoff the Royal Harwich berth master is a gentleman of the old school and ex RN. He would be mortified to read your comments and many of the visitors come to the club marina because they enjoy his somewhat dry wit. In the past few years the club has tried extremely hard to welcome new members and visitors and it is unfortunate that a vitriolic and anonymous posting on this forum can undo much of this good work.
I would suggest that the poster contacts me with the full facts so it can be established what exactly happened. More often than not these views are a result of a minor misunderstanding. The club would be more than happy to get to the bottom of this and provide suitable recompense.
Geoff only works fri/sat/sun and he is 80 years old. In 15 years whilst he has been berth master the club has never received a complaint.

 

[wingdiver]

Geoff the Royal Harwich berth master is a gentleman of the old school and ex RN. He would be mortified to read your comments and many of the visitors come to the club marina because they enjoy his somewhat dry wit. In the past few years the club has tried extremely hard to welcome new members and visitors and it is unfortunate that a vitriolic and anonymous posting on this forum can undo much of this good work.
I would suggest that the poster contacts me with the full facts so it can be established what exactly happened. More often than not these views are a result of a minor misunderstanding. The club would be more than happy to get to the bottom of this and provide suitable recompense.
Geoff only works fri/sat/sun and he is 80 years old. In 15 years whilst he has been berth master the club has never received a complaint.

I would just like to compliment Geoff on his assistance in fitting us in a couple of times in the last two years when we were unable to make it into our own berth further up the river (another story entirely).
It may help that I am the 'simple son of a simple sailor' so have inherited the matelot's sense of humour......

 

[Leighb]

I have replied to the OP by pm, and have sent a copy of his remarks to the Flag Officer in charge of the marina as the complaint should be looked into. I have no knowledge of what occurred.

I have to say as a member and marina berth holder that Geoff has always been extremely helpful to our very welcome visitors and the behaviour described by the OP is totally out of character.

It is pleasing to see that others have posted to compliment him on his usual welcome.