let me out

[sladonians]

The other thing is that even if the harbours are open the pubs and restaurants wont likely be, so again I may leave it a couple of weeks to see how things pan out, and it gives me time to get the boat absolutely ready and even chance to being commissioning and running in the engine.

However a short cruise up the upper reaches of the Hamble may be fun with a picnic and a flask of tea?

[rogerblack]

Lucky b@ggers!
Still fully locked down up here Bonny Scotland.
Wonder how long it would take to dig a lake in the back garden?

Hire me a JCB and i'll come dig one for ya...

Thanks for the offer, Martin. I'd take you up on it but I can foresee two problems - one will be you getting over the border into Scotland, the other is that, although we have a large garden here, the only way to access it is through the house! And Mrs B is fussy enough about boots on the hall carpet!!

[Sarah]

Thanks Chris - well researched :-)
NCI are a great resource available on VHF Ch65 in more usual times - locally around here they are Calshot, Hengistbury Head, Swanage etc but all along the coast.

Was writing in a hurry, always happy to answer these things though. Its like when I see people writing about prop pitch and things and have to think about the abbreviations. - maybe I should include them in the abbreviations round of our next quiz.

After a quick bit of googling:

LMTM = Local Notice To Mariners
NCI = National Coastwatch Institution

Looks like we are good to use the Hamble from today. I bet that it is going to be mental on Saturday.
I still can’t put any weight on my left foot so it isn’t looking good for me. How deeply vexing.

[Sarah]

PS Poole issued their guidance about half an hour ago.

[sonny1]

come on then ,,,own up ,anyone been out yet . ive just rung round and heres what ive found out. lymington is shut . warsash is open but the office isnt so you have to ring up and pay by phone to launch. weymouth was less helpful, slipway is open but seemed to be talking me out of going . slipway at baiter park ,poole , is open . im going to drive down tomorrow ( boatless) and see how the land lies in reality at these three venues and if all ok will be going out next thursday. it may well be frowned on by many but i have a life to live and i will be using extreme caution in all areas with regard to all advised protocols. i cannot think of anywhere safer than being out on the water. i will stay close to land so as not to need rescuing. (hopefully). thoughts please. is it a or a

[harrison]

Yeah, go for it @sonny1

Even though desperate I don’t think I’ll be going out on the boat just yet, even though it’s now technically allowed. Apart from everywhere being rammed, at least initially anyways, the main reason is I don’t consider hitching up my boat and driving 200 odd miles to the coast is really within the spirit of the easing restrictions.

Never really agreed with the lockdown tbh but fully adhered to it nonetheless, even though of the opinion it’s physical distancing and surfaces/hand hygiene the way forward in both the short and long term.

On a more selfish note, and as a holiday home owner, I am also struggling to now understand the logic of letting us travel anywhere in England for the day but not stay overnight in self contained accommodation.

Might get the sib out locally though, and annoy some fishermen as the Canal and River Trust have opened up the Trent near us.

[Gray]

I am going to give it a week or two before venturing out. I imagine there is going to be every ice cream licker and their dog out this weekend. I don't want to upset any of the locals at my launching spots by adding to the crowds. Could do with my tyres still being inflated when I return to the car.

[sonny1]

i couldnt agree more @harrison . some of this guidance makes sense and some doesnt. you mention about "not in the spirit of lockdown " but i think sometimes you just have to grasp the nettle . we have been set free by the government but not by the various water authorities. i have stuck to the rules at great personal expence so now the rules that i have stood by have said i can go out i intend to . i also think a lot of people have another agenda here but they are not being honest about it . hey ho . on another note i had a look at poole harbour webcam and there isnt a lot about on the water. maybe different at the weekend.

[Gray]

@Harrison Whereabouts on the Trent are you?

[harrison]

@Harrison Whereabouts on the Trent are you?

We’ll be launching at Farndon near Newark