QE II Last visit to the clyde......

K&S · 29 September 2008, 23:05

Hi, I cant go up river with her on Sunday morning but will go see her moored and then follow her down to Little Cumbrae in the evening (depending on weather, may just head back to Largs if a bit to bumpy)

Anybody else following her up river or back at night?

Might have space in the boat if anybody fancies coming out ??

BruceB · 30 September 2008, 00:03

We are looking at this seriously at the moment. Will know later in the week but we are the other way around. Easy to go upriver in the morning but harder to get back to Oban and to work next morning for the downriver cruise at 10pm.
Will look at it later in the week and see what weather is doing, mainly for the passage out and back from Argyll.

9D280 · 01 October 2008, 00:30

Yep, the daytime upriver trip gets my vote too, partly for the same reasons as Bruce (work does tend to get in the way of a good time, doesn't it?

) and partly because as a reusult of said work, I'm highly unlikely to have any nav. lights fitted by Sunday......

Am 95% certain can make it, will confirm later in the week.

9D280 · 01 October 2008, 22:21

OK, found this on the Cunard site.

September 2008
30 Tue Southampton, England Depart 5:00 pm

October 2008
1 Wed Cherbourg, France 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
2 Thu Cobh (Cork), Ireland 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
3 Fri Liverpool, England 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
4 Sat Belfast, Northern Ireland 12:30 pm - 11:00 pm
5 Sun Glasgow (from Greenock), Scotland 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
6 Mon Cruising the North Sea
7 Tue Edinburgh (from South Queensferry), Scotland 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
8 Wed Newcastle (from Port of Tyne), England 10:30 am - 10:00 pm
9 Thu Cruising the North Sea
10 Fri Southampton, England Arrive 7:00 am

I think these are the "ashore" times, so I have the nagging feeling I'm going to have to set my alarm earlier than a work day to catch this one. There's a temptation to take a half day Tues & go get a photo or two under the Forth Bridge.....

BruceB · 01 October 2008, 22:26

I had these times as well, making the assumption that you would need to be off Cumbrae around 10am.
Not convinced she who must be obeyed to go yet, something about yet another £100 in fuel right after last weekends £100 in fuel? Women, can't live without 'em, can't kill them

K&S · 01 October 2008, 22:53

The pilots have suggested a meeting at Mountsuart marker at 10.00 am if i remember right.

K&S · 01 October 2008, 22:55

Forecast looks as if it could be a little lumpy

Fingers crossed they have got it wrong.

Bigmuz7 · 01 October 2008, 23:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by K&S

The pilots have suggested a meeting at Mountsuart marker at 10.00 am if i remember right.

Ah so she'll be going up river at Mount Stuart 10AM Sunday then ?.. I was told something different .. doh Ok.. I might be there but incognito under cloth

BruceB · 02 October 2008, 00:22

It would be easier if I knew where Mountstuart was......?
Never heard of it.......

K&S · 02 October 2008, 10:24

Hi Bruce,
There is a safe water mark mid channel at the North end of Great Cumbrae called Mountsuart. I'm pretty sure thats their suggested starting point, possibly to keep the pilot boarding area south of Cumbrae clear ???
Sorry i dont have my charts in front to give Lat/Long and boat is all wrapped up

9D280 · 02 October 2008, 11:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by K&S

Forecast looks as if it could be a little lumpy

Fingers crossed they have got it wrong.

I fast forwarded this to Sunday, and it looks like it might be OK!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast/pressure/#no_url

Also looks like I should make it. Mission for the next 2 days is to make sure the engine will make it too! (I may have to bolt bits back on with B&Q's best zinc plated offerings

as I'm not going to get to my usual source of fasteners by the weekend......)

K&S · 02 October 2008, 11:54

It does look as if it might settle down a bit - thank goodness.

Cork Rib · 03 October 2008, 17:53

This is a pic of the QE2 leaving Cork Harbour last evening. Escorted out by a flottilla of boats including Crosshaven & Ballycotton Lifeboats and CG Helicopter, Rescue 117. Sorry the pic is a bit soft, but the light was going very quickly

Jon

K&S · 03 October 2008, 18:04

Thanks for posting the pic, even the lifeboat looks like a toy allongside her.
Wind looks as if it will ease for Sunday, fingers still firmly crossed

TORNADO · 03 October 2008, 19:24

Hopeful of seeing her from Cumbrae's west shores...will get idea of her progress northwards here http://www.shipais.com/index.php. Sunday mornings for me generally not good after a Millport Saturday LOL........ hope she's not too early !

9D280 · 03 October 2008, 22:34

Yep, just watched her be spun round by 3 tugs here
http://www.aisliverpool.co.uk/curren...nt=8&map=docks
and is now part of a flotilla of at least 3 mersey ferries & a "pleasure craft" following her downriver from Liverpool. I'm sure there will be many more non AIS equipped boats out there tonight.

My engine is now back in one piece, but will test on muffs tomorrow. (didn't think the neigbours would be too happy about testing it now......

) All being well, plan is to be at largs sometime 'tween 9 & 9.30.

Grasshopper · 04 October 2008, 09:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

It would be easier if I knew where Mountstuart was......?
Never heard of it.......

Hope this helps

Pinto · 04 October 2008, 10:56

Hi

Just to confirm that we will be there too!

Looks a brilliant day weather wise - any suggestions for us all heading off somewhere for lunch? Guess it depends how far we follow her up the Clyde where we go.

We were there last year and were surprised at the speed she went at, it was also a really windy, wet night so seeing her in the daylight should be good......quite useful to see everything else around aswell as it was mobbed last year - worse than Sauchiehall Street on a Saturday afternoon, and given most people's night time nav skills (ours included!) it was pretty bad at times.

Like everyone else so far, sorry Kim, I think you are on your own in the evening, it would be just a bit late by the time we got home.

Cya

Vivienne

kev · 04 October 2008, 12:56

Hope to be out tomorrow, weather looks very good at the moment.

BruceB · 04 October 2008, 21:18

We were thinking of coming but have decided to give it a miss. The morning would mean a 6:30am start and launching at low water and the evening would be a 2am finish again recovering at low water.
Weather is supposed to improve but it wasn't very nice out in the Firth today.
Hope all goes well for you all.
Just as an aside does anyone know what route they are taking to the Minch? I suppose it is outside Mull?