Random Stuff!

[Jerry]

i parked on the road above the old pier in weston yesterday saturday. looking across the water towards wales with binoculers i came across penarth pier.what was tied up was the balmoral.would think she had no work for the day.she is back from southampton.thought i would say something as we were thread drifting the other day about the old steamers.

She is offering several day cruises throughout the summer. Some are 25-30 pounds so not to bad.

 

[Jerry]

i parked on the road above the old pier in weston yesterday saturday. looking across the water towards wales with binoculers i came across penarth pier.what was tied up was the balmoral.would think she had no work for the day.she is back from southampton.thought i would say something as we were thread drifting the other day about the old steamers.

She is offering several day cruises throughout the summer. Some are 25-30 pounds so not to bad.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

She is offering several day cruises throughout the summer. Some are 25-30 pounds so not to bad.

This link is to the Balmoral's timetable.

She seems to be concentrating on Penarth for the next few days with tomorrow featuring a trip to Minehead.

https://www.whitefunnel.co.uk/plan-your-voyage.aspx

 

[Jerry]

This link is to the Balmoral's timetable.

She seems to be concentrating on Penarth for the next few days with tomorrow featuring a trip to Minehead.

https://www.whitefunnel.co.uk/plan-your-voyage.aspx

I think she's also running out of Penarth a lot during late August. Suggested a few of the trips up the Avon to my mum and dad. They'd be a nice afternoon out. Might go on one myself on my day off!

 

[TheLocalYokel]

About 25 years ago my wife and I sailed on Balmoral from Clevedon to Ilfracombe via Penarth. We had two or three hours at Ilfracombe before returning up Channel to Bristol (Cumberland Basin).

We entered the Avon at Avonmouth around 10pm on a warm summer's evening after darkness had fallen. Many of us gathered at the front of the vessel as we seemingly went along at a very brisk pace into total darkness. There were some navigation lights on either side of the river in places but it really was an eery feeling. The speed was due to the Horseshoe Bend in the Avon where the tide can easily take boats onto the shore if their speed is not high enough to overcome the effects of tide that apparently pulls to the side on the bend.

It is said that this is where the expression 'Shipshape and Bristol Fashion' originates as the relatively fragile ships of many hundred years ago had to be strong enough to withstand the rigours of the Avon en route to the docks in the centre of the city.

 

[vickersviscount]

Further to the above posts.I can remember as a child my father would often on a Summer Sunday evening drive us up to the road overlooking the Old Pier at Weston.The highlight at that time was when the White Funnel Fleet steamer came into dock at the Old Pier jetty.In those days the pubs in Wales weren't open on a Sunday so the Sunday service was very popular with those who wanted an alcoholic drink.The funniest sight would be as the vessel prepared to leave you would often see ten or more men running up the pier towards the boat, pints in hand.
Looking at the sad state the pier is now it's hard to imagine there was a time when it was an attraction in it's own right with multiple services between Weston and Wales and other coastal towns.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Further to the above posts.I can remember as a child my father would often on a Summer Sunday evening drive us up to the road overlooking the Old Pier at Weston.The highlight at that time was when the White Funnel Fleet steamer came into dock at the Old Pier jetty.In those days the pubs in Wales weren't open on a Sunday so the Sunday service was very popular with those who wanted an alcoholic drink.The funniest sight would be as the vessel prepared to leave you would often see ten or more men running up the pier towards the boat, pints in hand.
Looking at the sad state the pier is now it's hard to imagine there was a time when it was an attraction in it's own right with multiple services between Weston and Wales and other coastal towns.

When I was a kid living at Wrington then Redhill in the 1950s we would sometimes go across to Barry Island, usually on Sundays, for the funfair there. We usually went over from Weston Old Pier but occasionally we'd go from the landing stage at Hotwells, Bristol, by the old Rocks Railway entrance. I suppose we were travelling in the opposite direction to the Welsh drinkers.

When the British version of Candid Camera started in the early 1960s the main man was a joker called Jonathan Routh.

One stunt involved him setting up a customs and immigration post on the Old Pier at Weston to meet an incoming White Funnel steamer from Wales. As they tried to disembark the passengers were told that when they'd been on the 'high seas' (I still remember that expression being used), ie the Bristol Channel, Wales had declared independence and they would have to go through immigration and customs to enter England.

It sounds ridiculous these days - as if anyone would believe it. But a number of passengers did accept it without challenge and were prepared to return to Wales rather than enter a foreign country. Looking at it at the time I found it one of the funniest CC sketches. You have to remember that there was not the instant communication of today. News bulletins on tv and radio were few in number and not instantly up to date as we expect these days. Consequently most people were not as well informed about all sorts of things as perhaps they are in 2016.

 

[Jerry]

When I was a kid living at Wrington then Redhill in the 1950s we would sometimes go across to Barry Island, usually on Sundays, for the funfair there. We usually went over from Weston Old Pier but occasionally we'd go from the landing stage at Hotwells, Bristol, by the old Rocks Railway entrance. I suppose we were travelling in the opposite direction to the Welsh drinkers.

When the British version of Candid Camera started in the early 1960s the main man was a joker called Jonathan Routh.

One stunt involved him setting up a customs and immigration post on the Old Pier at Weston to meet an incoming White Funnel steamer from Wales. As they tried to disembark the passengers were told that when they'd been on the 'high seas' (I still remember that expression being used), ie the Bristol Channel, Wales had declared independence and they would have to go through immigration and customs to enter England.

It sounds ridiculous these days - as if anyone would believe it. But a number of passengers did accept it without challenge and were prepared to return to Wales rather than enter a foreign country. Looking at it at the time I found it one of the funniest CC sketches. You have to remember that there was not the instant communication of today. News bulletins on tv and radio were few in number and not instantly up to date as we expect these days. Consequently most people were not as well informed about all sorts of things as perhaps they are in 2016.

Sounds like a nationalists dream!

 

[superking]

my post on about wow did not come out or sound right. things not so good here family wise. my head is alkl over the place as recently my wife passed away and mind is running riot. sorry jim it sounded a bit strange.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I'm so sorry to hear that. Please accept my sincere condolences. I'm sure that the thoughts of all members are with you in these extremely sad and distressing times.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Superking, I'm so, so sorry to hear that.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

 

[superking]

thank you jim and ray for the kind comments.they goa long way. thinking perhaps I should nothave said anything on here.ty I will keep posting but they might be a bit far in between.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

thank you jim and ray for the kind comments.they goa long way. thinking perhaps I should nothave said anything on here.ty I will keep posting but they might be a bit far in between.

You'll always be welcome here. Any posts you care to make will be appreciated but you have far more pressing matters at present. Best wishes.

 

[CraigW92]

Sorry to hear about your loss , thoughts and prayers are with you and hope they can bring some comfort at this difficult time

 

[Jerry]

thank you jim and ray for the kind comments.they goa long way. thinking perhaps I should nothave said anything on here.ty I will keep posting but they might be a bit far in between.

Sorry to hear about your loss, you have my condolences.

 

[Aviador]

I'm very sad to hear your news. Please accept my condolences and the condolences from the wider forum. As TheLocalYokel has already said, you have far more pressing matters than posting here at this sad time. We will be thinking of you.

Martin

 

[Ray Finkle]

As I'm heading down to a wedding on September 10th Bristol has decided to hold a major cycling event on that day resulting in multiple road closures including Clifton Down, which is where I need to be.

I'm trying to get a parking spot reserved but if that isn't possible the plan is to leave the car in Bristol centre for the day and get the train from Temple Meads to Clifton Down. Google maps tells me it's only a 15 minute walk from there. Google Street View shows that on road parking looks to be at a premium for the whole area, I can't quite make out the signs but much of it looks to be permit only.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Parking in Bristol is always a nightmare. Many areas including large parts of Clifton are RPZs (resident parking zones).

I'll contact you via Conversations.

 

[superking]

which ever way you go from the centre to Clifton downs is some fair hills to go up. ok getting back as downhill. hopefully local will sort you out. also hope you have a good day.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Many thanks both, TLY has given me some excellent information.

Looking forward to coming down, it's been too long since I've visited Bristol.