Thanks for nothing Oban

dhobyb

dhobyb

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I was looking forward to a weekend in Oban, but they had no space for us, ( dispite phoning ahead) the only marina that has refused us, since we left Southampton. It was not just us but other boats as well, we met them at Dunstaffnage where we all ended up. So Oban no impressed, just hurry up with the new marina.
 
dhobyb said:
I was looking forward to a weekend in Oban, but they had no space for us, ( dispite phoning ahead) the only marina that has refused us, since we left Southampton. It was not just us but other boats as well, we met them at Dunstaffnage where we all ended up. So Oban no impressed, just hurry up with the new marina.
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Hmm, there are plenty of places to anchor, and moorings at the yacht club, and much nicer places too, Loch Aline is free and also has a new marina.
Really no more berths required, keep it small and nice, we don't want it like Southampton..
 
So your complaint is that Kerrera and the Cardingmill moorings were full of other boats and you had the discomfort of sailing yourself to another marina, a whole 15min bus ride from the centre of Oban? Probably when they eventually solve the problems and install the new marina you will find it full too - the idea, after all, is to attract more boats.

Why not join the campaign to discourage soft marina dwelling southerners from venturing north and there may be space?
 
Bigotry

Why not join the campaign to discourage soft marina dwelling southerners from venturing north and there may be space?

Jeez what is it with you people ! - Early this week I enquired after a boat advertised on the Isle of Skye and as soon as the vendor found out I was from England she refused to let me view it. About time some people were dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century.
 
old nick said:
Why not join the campaign to discourage soft marina dwelling southerners from venturing north and there may be space?

Jeez what is it with you people !
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I sort of thought the irony of inviting a soft marina dwelling southerner to campaign against his own ilk had a little humour - but obviously not.

As for the Skye lady not selling her boat - there is occasionally an emotional bond that regards a vessel as more than a simple trade good with a monetary value. I don't think I could sell my boat (and no, she is not for sale) to someone I didn't feel was sympatico (sympathetic isn't quite the same) to her. The other side is that I might get less than otherwise by selling it to someone I like, but that would be my choice. I would be surprised if your geographical location / accent / nationality was the reason for not dealing with you.

PS Welcome to the fora. If you think this thread is bigoted just pop across to the Lounge!
 
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old nick said:
Why not join the campaign to discourage soft marina dwelling southerners from venturing north and there may be space?

Jeez what is it with you people ! - Early this week I enquired after a boat advertised on the Isle of Skye and as soon as the vendor found out I was from England she refused to let me view it. About time some people were dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century.
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I'm glad you have managed to slot so quickly & efficiently in to the happy badinage of our entertaining forum. Welcome aboard, I look forward to your next cheery contribution. :D

BTW, just imagine if you had travelled all the way up to Skye before she realised that you weren't the person she wanted to pass her beloved boat on to next. That would be close on a 1,000 miles of travel & perhaps 2 days of your time utterly wasted. I think she may well have done you a favour.

Edit, the little blue button bottom Right of the post allows you to quote a post with one click.
 
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I used to work for months at a time in SW Scotland; the professionals at West Freugh Trials Range were a treat to work with, but the lower staff in a big hotel gave us distinctly 'anti-English' treatment until we challenged them, after that we were all friends and some romances developed ( sadly not inc me ! ).

I just love this assumption that all sailors on the South Coast are marina hoppers !

No notice taken of the large response - from thousands of sailors - to keeping Studland Bay anchorage open then ?

Yes the Scottish waters do require respect; but The Goodwins, Owers, Hurst Castle, Portland Race and the Lizard are not really suitable for pedalo's either.

English boat owners have also been known to interview prospective buyers as to their suitability to own a beloved boat, but they usually have the manners to do it face to face, often by inviting people to stay and have a sail, not on the basis of their accent on the phone !
 
If the tenor of "old nick"'s 1st post on these fora is any guide, I wouldn't have thought any accent would be needed but I tend to agree with Searush in that the lady was probably concerned at the trouble visiting the boat would cause him.
 
I would be surprised if your geographical location / accent / nationality was the reason for not dealing with you.
Be surprised.

I emailed about the boat - a Hunter Europa - and got a reply stating the boat was available for viewing. After I emailed giving my address (in the interests of honesty in these days of scams) all went quiet. Five more emails over a week expressing polite interest and requesting to view and no response. I got a friend to try -nothing.
He had the great idea got a friend with a Scottish name to try and hey guess what - an invite to view within two hours. Sad or what.
 
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awol said:
If the tenor of "old nick"'s 1st post on these fora is any guide, I wouldn't have thought any accent would be needed but I tend to agree with Searush in that the lady was probably concerned at the trouble visiting the boat would cause him.
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Not at all - I just hate that sort of bigotry, and isn`t it funny how once they are shown up, the perpetrators hurriedly try to dismiss it as humour.
 
old nick said:
I would be surprised if your geographical location / accent / nationality was the reason for not dealing with you.
Be surprised.
I emailed about the boat - a Hunter Medina - and got a reply stating the boat was available for viewing. After I emailed giving my address (in the interests of honesty in these days of scams) all went quiet. Five more emails over a week expressing polite interest and requesting to view and no response. I got a friend to try -nothing.
He had the great idea got a friend with a Scottish name to try and hey guess what - an invite to view within two hours. Sad or what.
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Gosh, proof indeed of an anti-english conspiracy. They'll be demanding independence next!
Did your man with a Scottish name go and view the boat or was he just a time-waster?
 
Yes it was cheap and has been advertised for quite a long time - they probably had not found the right person to whom they wished to sell.
 
old nick said:
Not at all - I just hate that sort of bigotry, and isn`t it funny how once they are shown up, the perpetrators hurriedly try to dismiss it as humour.
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Sorry, this came in while I was composing my previous selection of bon mots. I am sorry that you cannot see the intended irony but I, in turn, cannot see "bigotry" in my words. I still think the OP deserves to have the urine extracted for complaining that there was "no room at the inn" - now you can add religious insolence to my crimes.

However, it now turns out the lady on Skye did not actually actively refuse to let you view it. Her crime appears to have been passively ignoring your emails.
 
old nick said:
I guess I was just shocked to find that such extreme feelings should extend to something so trivial as selling a boat.
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I've been on the receiving end of rather a lot of negative discrimination over the years, usually a reaction to my perceived 'nationality' in e.g. France, South Africa, Kenya, Hong Kong....

However, when I point out I am not English, but Scottish ( "Ek is nie Engels nie; ek is'n Scotsmaan" ), then smiles break out, hands are grasped, and invitations to socialise with daughters are extended..... :D

Kidding apart, being unexpectedly on the receiving end of discrimination IS a shock. It IS wrong. It IS outrageous. But it sure makes one think....;)
 
oldbilbo said:
I've been on the receiving end of rather a lot of negative discrimination over the years, usually a reaction to my perceived 'nationality' in e.g. France, South Africa, Kenya, Hong Kong....

However, when I point out I am not English, but Scottish ( "Ek is nie Engels nie; ek is'n Scotsmaan" ), then smiles break out, hands are grasped, and invitations to socialise with daughters are extended..... :D

Kidding apart, being unexpectedly on the receiving end of discrimination IS a shock. It IS wrong. It IS outrageous. But it sure makes one think....;)
Click to expand...

ok, you got me. I dont give a damn about the discrimination - just wanted the boat.:)
 
Oh come on! Ladies from the Isle of Skye could never be negatively discriminatory, Thet are all much too calm and self posessed.

She was simply thinking of your inability to handle and control a scottish speaking boat. You can only imagine the danger if the poor old boat missunderstood the most simple of commands.:D
 
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