deborahann
Well-Known Member
"holyhead for October 2007", hopefully the road should have been widened by then, we went to North Wales recently, ended up in a huge, huge traffic jam all round chester. wouldn't move your boat till thats sorted.
Major Catastrophe
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
we went to North Wales recently, ended up in a huge, huge traffic jam all round chester.
[/ QUOTE ]
Always has been, always will be.
A51 Tarvin Road is the bad, but once you are on the A55 it is okay, even if nose to tail all the way to Conwy. Then you hit the traffic trying to cross the Britannia Bridge.......
Has Queensferry improve since they widened the road?
Best to time journeys to miss other grockles.
we went to North Wales recently, ended up in a huge, huge traffic jam all round chester.
[/ QUOTE ]
Always has been, always will be.
A51 Tarvin Road is the bad, but once you are on the A55 it is okay, even if nose to tail all the way to Conwy. Then you hit the traffic trying to cross the Britannia Bridge.......
Has Queensferry improve since they widened the road?
Best to time journeys to miss other grockles.
mjkinch1
Well-Known Member
do you think it worked mike? Have we reduced the number of potential 'med boaters'...........
Talbot
Well-Known Member
So you didnt like it very much then? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
whisper
Well-Known Member
The answer to all of your and Mike's problems is to be fully retired. Then going anywhere on a whim and at short notice is easy. Our boat is 4hrs away but I still regularly nip down to Devon for 3-4 days at a time. Wouldn't do it for long weekends in August though, because of traffic.
Actually try to avoid August anyway in order to escape the obnoxious hoards /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Personally I couldn't countenance boat being a flight away - I just wouldn't use it.
Actually try to avoid August anyway in order to escape the obnoxious hoards /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Personally I couldn't countenance boat being a flight away - I just wouldn't use it.
ArthurWood
Well-Known Member
Deleted User - that's just how I imagined having a boat in the Med would be; I'm so lucky to be in Florida - and retired /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
mjkinch1
Well-Known Member
Actually I think retirement or long breaks is the key...If you can do longer excursions, you will get a lot more fun out of it. Mike didnt you have 3 weeks in July last year?
D
Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
Certainly put Haydn off /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
oldgit
Well-Known Member
It did seem that there only ever appeared one side to the boating world down in the Mediterranean.Over here it is fairly easy to find out the downsides of UK boating,but unless you have boated in the Med it must be difficult to even imagine that there can be problems.My friend kept his T37 in Nice for a while and think that he barely visited the boat half a dozen time before he sold it,three of those were sorting problems type visits where the boat never left the berth.Really enjoyed my trips down there but waking up to 35C at 5am knowing that the sun would be up for another blistering 12 hours showed that I was not cut out for the Med.Waiting for easyjet to turn up at midnight or whatever for the flight back followed by a working day a few hours later was the coup-de grace.My chums next attempt at boat owning has resulted in a slightly bigger boat in Majorca and a longer stay down there at the end of last year when the temeratures were much more sensible was so much more enjoyable,however since the purchase of his new pride and joy he has only managed to visit the thing about once every two months.His next trip down over Easter is purely to make sure the blurry thing is running OK ready for a "proper" visit a week or two later.
Wandering around in Nice after the sun had gone down and sitting in a restuarant enjoying the warm evening air was def the best bit for me.
Wandering around in Nice after the sun had gone down and sitting in a restuarant enjoying the warm evening air was def the best bit for me.
hlb
RIP
Nah. I've always been off it. Poncey marinas arnt my thing. If I think it's bad driving 5 hours to Plymouth, I'd go nuts with all the palava, booking flights. At least I can just jump in the car and go. But We never consider going to the boat for less than two weeks.
Now we are concidering having a boat in Turkey or maybe Greece. But only when we can be there most of the time.
Could not be doing with it if could not go cruising at the drop of a hat and arrive some where scenic, but also reasonably priced, better still free. Posh just pisses me off.
Now we are concidering having a boat in Turkey or maybe Greece. But only when we can be there most of the time.
Could not be doing with it if could not go cruising at the drop of a hat and arrive some where scenic, but also reasonably priced, better still free. Posh just pisses me off.
PhilF
Well-Known Member
I kind of agree. We got the appartment first and then the boat. I would hate the responsibility of leaving a decent size boat abroad, we have a 20 footer overthere and if it goes missing or breaks not such a big deal, the weather is often crap and the wind makes for difficult seas in a 20 footer sometimes. for that reason I would never anchor overnight. HOWEVER when its fab its fab and we are going Wednesday, first time since September and its warm!!!!!!!!
powerskipper
Well-Known Member
boating is what you make it, I have met many different kinds of boaters , some want good facility's, some privacy the list is endless, its fun trying out different areas to boat in but you will find you always want the same thing eventually , just find out what that is and were you can get it and you are sorted. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Whitelighter
Well-Known Member
Bet they wont print that in MB&Y's med section
thefatlady
Well-Known Member
I've been very lucky. Certainly I've had the free time to do it my way, which is a very important part of being able to enjoy the Med from a UK base.
When the boat was in SoF, we would usually drive there. It wasn't a hassle and I actually quite enjoyed the journey.
SWMBO and I would go off for anything up to three months at a time, coast hopping from bay to bay, sometimes stopping in a marina, more often anchoring out. On occasion, we would stay out for up to two weeks, only pulling into a marina or a little fishing port for fuel and water.
Occasionally, we would leave the boat in a marina and fly home for a few days. The boat would be quite safe and, contrary to the original post, properly arranged stern-to moorings are at least as secure as alongside. One year, we left it in Sicily for the winter.
The kids would fly out to join us for a while, wherever we happened to be.
The variety of ports, scenery, anchorages is amazing. We've had adventures, met lots of interesting people and seen sights which we will remember all our lives. Yes, it can be very hot (we had 45C in Tunisia) and very rough at times, but nowhere, not even the UK south coast, is all roses. We’ve also been wandering around the boat in warm, shallow water washing down the sides in November.
I am planning to buy another boat in the Med (as soon as I am over the next bout of surgery) and can't wait. I've done the Channel from one end to the other and, for me, it's no competition. The weather, the scenery, the variety, the water all conspire to make the Med better.
I guess it’s everyone to his own, but, tell me I'm wrong, I'm getting the impression of sour grapes from people who perhaps rarely venture far from their home marina. The comments about "poncey marinas" and "posh" are just juvenile. Like my friend on the Hamble who mainly used his boat as a caravan and said "You can keep abroad" - that is, until he actually went!
When the boat was in SoF, we would usually drive there. It wasn't a hassle and I actually quite enjoyed the journey.
SWMBO and I would go off for anything up to three months at a time, coast hopping from bay to bay, sometimes stopping in a marina, more often anchoring out. On occasion, we would stay out for up to two weeks, only pulling into a marina or a little fishing port for fuel and water.
Occasionally, we would leave the boat in a marina and fly home for a few days. The boat would be quite safe and, contrary to the original post, properly arranged stern-to moorings are at least as secure as alongside. One year, we left it in Sicily for the winter.
The kids would fly out to join us for a while, wherever we happened to be.
The variety of ports, scenery, anchorages is amazing. We've had adventures, met lots of interesting people and seen sights which we will remember all our lives. Yes, it can be very hot (we had 45C in Tunisia) and very rough at times, but nowhere, not even the UK south coast, is all roses. We’ve also been wandering around the boat in warm, shallow water washing down the sides in November.
I am planning to buy another boat in the Med (as soon as I am over the next bout of surgery) and can't wait. I've done the Channel from one end to the other and, for me, it's no competition. The weather, the scenery, the variety, the water all conspire to make the Med better.
I guess it’s everyone to his own, but, tell me I'm wrong, I'm getting the impression of sour grapes from people who perhaps rarely venture far from their home marina. The comments about "poncey marinas" and "posh" are just juvenile. Like my friend on the Hamble who mainly used his boat as a caravan and said "You can keep abroad" - that is, until he actually went!
Garryt
Well-Known Member
Makes me realise how lucky I am!
We use our boat all year round. We have half an hour drive to Plymouth and are able to pop down on a whim.
We make many short trips during the winter and summer, but sometimes just spend the night on board after a few drinks with friends in Plymouth. We have eberspacher heating installed and it's lovely and cosy. The wife works in Plymouth so she can meet me down the boat after work. As long as I have internet access I can work on board the boat, have a break any time I like, take a wander arouond Plymouth Barbican or just stroll around the marina and chat with other people who keep their yachts in Sutton Harbour.
In a few years, we may decide to sell up and buy a boat down in the Adriatic, but always keep a flat here as a "bolt hole".
Just spending time on the boat is really relaxing and you don't have to go out in the boat every day to enjoy it.
Travelling to the Med every month or so would definitely "do my head in".
At the same time, some of the nicest coastline is to be found in the South West, or if you fancy a challenge, the CI's only four or five hours away!
Garry
We use our boat all year round. We have half an hour drive to Plymouth and are able to pop down on a whim.
We make many short trips during the winter and summer, but sometimes just spend the night on board after a few drinks with friends in Plymouth. We have eberspacher heating installed and it's lovely and cosy. The wife works in Plymouth so she can meet me down the boat after work. As long as I have internet access I can work on board the boat, have a break any time I like, take a wander arouond Plymouth Barbican or just stroll around the marina and chat with other people who keep their yachts in Sutton Harbour.
In a few years, we may decide to sell up and buy a boat down in the Adriatic, but always keep a flat here as a "bolt hole".
Just spending time on the boat is really relaxing and you don't have to go out in the boat every day to enjoy it.
Travelling to the Med every month or so would definitely "do my head in".
At the same time, some of the nicest coastline is to be found in the South West, or if you fancy a challenge, the CI's only four or five hours away!
Garry
jfm
Well-Known Member
That was tongue in cheek mike, surely? 
If not, I'll disagree on every paragraph! If you base yourself near Nice then boat in Med is like having boat in backyard (so long as you're ok with the airfare cost - the only point in your post I agree with). Can be there in no time, I do 3 weekends out of 4 all year apart from winter. Piece of cake, so long as you get your well-oiled machine (ground transport, crew not blimmin guardiennage, etc) well-oiled. And social scene SofF is fab (need Monday in office to recover)
Like you I'm quite happy for the general public to think otherwise. But amongst the club that is this forum praps should be more candid???
If not, I'll disagree on every paragraph! If you base yourself near Nice then boat in Med is like having boat in backyard (so long as you're ok with the airfare cost - the only point in your post I agree with). Can be there in no time, I do 3 weekends out of 4 all year apart from winter. Piece of cake, so long as you get your well-oiled machine (ground transport, crew not blimmin guardiennage, etc) well-oiled. And social scene SofF is fab (need Monday in office to recover)
Like you I'm quite happy for the general public to think otherwise. But amongst the club that is this forum praps should be more candid???
D
Deleted User YDKXO
Guest
Yes, Martyn, we did get 3 weeks on the boat which was great but for the rest of the year, family commitments kyboshed a number of other trips that I'd planned. But even 3 weeks is'nt really enough. You need a minimum of 2 months, I reckon, to completely wind down
hlb
RIP
"poncey marinas" and "posh" are just juvenile. Like my friend on the Hamble who mainly used his boat as a caravan .
......................................................................................
Oi. Call Mucky Farter a caravan again and yerl get a thick ear... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
......................................................................................
Oi. Call Mucky Farter a caravan again and yerl get a thick ear... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
oceanfroggie
Well-Known Member
Excellent post! You have confirmed my preconceptions perfectly.
A few pals of mine moved their boating to the med, but have since moved home for the reasons you stated so well - eg: Air travel hell and cruising experience. A false promise. They just didn't get to use their boats. If retired or an academic on long hols it might make sense, but not if working, and a disaster zone with school age children.
Were 2 hrs away from our boat and so can take the nice weather when it arrives at short notice. And during the winter we can head inland to the mighty lakes for a carvery lunch beside a roaring fire with live music, or during summer out to the SW coast for the stunning Kerry/Cork coast that is the gothic atlantic coast - ryans daughter country! 3/4 days cruise to CI, ROI East coast or UK south coast - plenty of options. What more could you ask for.
A few pals of mine moved their boating to the med, but have since moved home for the reasons you stated so well - eg: Air travel hell and cruising experience. A false promise. They just didn't get to use their boats. If retired or an academic on long hols it might make sense, but not if working, and a disaster zone with school age children.
Were 2 hrs away from our boat and so can take the nice weather when it arrives at short notice. And during the winter we can head inland to the mighty lakes for a carvery lunch beside a roaring fire with live music, or during summer out to the SW coast for the stunning Kerry/Cork coast that is the gothic atlantic coast - ryans daughter country! 3/4 days cruise to CI, ROI East coast or UK south coast - plenty of options. What more could you ask for.
SumWaves
Well-Known Member
Great Stuff
Sheer honesty'''The Theory Always Sounds Good..The realitry is somewhat different..I was visiting a Large Marina Recently In Malaga And It Was Very Quiet No Ambience.. I was Tempted But I will Move The Boat To Chi (45 Mins Away) and take my chances......
Sheer honesty'''The Theory Always Sounds Good..The realitry is somewhat different..I was visiting a Large Marina Recently In Malaga And It Was Very Quiet No Ambience.. I was Tempted But I will Move The Boat To Chi (45 Mins Away) and take my chances......
