Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do's

[longjohnsadler]

Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

Those of us in more northern waters will soon be sick as Longjohnsilver's parrot at hearing about the exploits of our southern chums.
I therefore propose a meet of the Northern Chapter in Ardrishaig on a friday night in say August, where we can all get pissed in the Boat (a pub).
On saturday, whatever the forecast, we set off through the canal all the way to Crinan Basin where there will be a lock-in (especially if the usual water shortages occur), and we can all get smashed in the Crinan Hotel.
I reckon, with a bit of hot-bunking and the use of several hammocks, we can fit at least 27 people on each boat (subject to water levels in the canal). Those without berths can cycle along the tow-path.
At this stage, the only requirement is one grandparent born north of 53 45'.00N, and a plentiful supply of midge repellent.
We return through the canal on the sunday (though participants are advised to book several weeks off work in case British Waterways shuts the canal part-way through).
The whole thing will be featured in a 12-page colour pull-out (with sub-titles) in Octobers YM (if the photos are back from Boots)

Right! Who's in?

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[jimi]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

Will there be a cafe option for teetotallers like myself or will we be ostracised? I also like to go to Church on a Sunday morning, can that be catered for? I generally prefer the wees free though occasionally I've spent a penny.

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[longjohnsadler]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

No. Yes. No

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[jimi]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

Oops sorry wrong thread ... never noticed the Hair Do bit. Will this be done by poofy italian barbers offering a blow dry or by the regimental barber?

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[longjohnsadler]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

The requirements state one grandparent born north of 53 45'.00, not that they're stark raving bonkers.

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[Superstrath]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

I find the lack of coy insinuation in this post refreshing. The words "pissed" and "smashed" are particularly appealling.
Count me in, if you will.
Although two consecutive transits of the canal with hangovers would be quite challenging. Lack of water shouldn't be a problem, but our beast might get jammed between the banks.
Do we need to wait 'til August?

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[tcm]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

can you tell me where that parallel crosses the UK mainland?

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[longjohnsadler]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

tcm
Actually its just south of Bardsey Island (Llyn Peninsula) but don't worry about that.
We'll get you in as a 'ringer' if necessary, like those Kiwis who play for Wales - we can probably shoot your granny upto Liverpool for a couple of days so you qualify.
Admire your racing technique as practised in BVI - we may be able to use it in the Canal.

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[longjohnsadler]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

August, schmaugust!
We definitely need a 'dry' run - so to speak, and those banks need a good clean.
Meet me in Ardrishaig early summer and we'll see if we can't shave a couple of feet off the Snowgoose. We might get sponsorship from PBO..

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[longjohnsadler]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

Hang on a minute. You're not a tea-totaller....

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[Spyro]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

Through the canal? what's wrong with round the mull, we don't want our southern comrades thinking we are a bunch of softies. Why wait till August ? If that lot down south can go out chasing some big cruise ship down the Channel in January what's wrong with next month?

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[Superstrath]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

"Dry"? I'm starting to lose interest.....
At least I'm fairly confident that the boat will sit nice and square in the locks. Just need to be liberal with the fenders - and it'll just slide up and down.
Its general reluctance to turn will be amusing, especially in the twisty bit near Crinan.

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[webcraft]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

Count me in any time after Mid-March . . . or earlier if someone else provides a berth. Come to think of it, I'll just camp on the towpath if necessary. Suggest the price of admission is set at one bottle of malt.

I think a complete one day transit after a Friday night in Ardrishaig is a tad ambitious . . . we'll need a passage plan that allows for the notoriously difficult transit of Cairnbaan during opening hours.

- Nick

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[longjohnsadler]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

Now look here...
I've block-booked the whole Crinan Canal for w/e 28/29 August and we need 72 people just to break even. At this rate we may need to cancel.
Good thing I signed the Deposit Guarantee 'K. Hollamby'....

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[Superstrath]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

You're starting from the wrong end according to your profile. See you in Cairnbaan then!

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[Aja]

Clever

Good thinking. The best way to ensure that our cousins from down sarf will get totally confused and that only those with an in-depth knowledge of all things Northern will turn up!

Only those and such as those know that 'The Boat' is really in Rothesay.

Clever.....

Donald

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[tcm]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

well i qualify anyway as all my grandparents were born north of that line there. In fact, I'm not at all sure that any of them went further south than Wakefield, ever. Mind you, neither would they ever have gone further north than Keswick either...

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[Gordonmc]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

Now your talking.

Who will second the proposition that the inaugural meeting of the Northern Chapter should be in the pub on Sanda.

Campbeltown is diversion port!

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[Aja]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

On my list for 2004 - should be able to make it in a weekend from the Kyles.

Seems a sensible idea for Clyde/West Coast and NI participants.

Donald

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[longjohnsadler]

Re: Scuttlebutt meet 2004 - Fair Do\'s

Donald
Certainly used to be a 'Boat' in Ardrishaig - had good beer, and good music at weekends, but its been a few years since I was in. Don't tell me it's closed. Name's probably the coastal equivalent of 'Rose and Crown' in England.
Meeting somewhere in summer might be an idea, but probably best left till relatively near the time?


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