Hovercraft Cruising Club UK
Open Forums => General => Topic started by: John Robertson on Oct 27, 2016, 10:03 pm
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It could be like THIS (https://hoverclub.org.uk/index.php/topic,5607.80.html) again :)
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It'd be nice to get a weather window to be able to do a trip like this (map is fully interactive - you can drag. zoom, etc. full size map is HERE (https://drive.google.com/open?id=1EFroHpThTths8bKKlGR57xW2f3s&usp=sharing)):
3 day trip with 2 nights wild camping. I've added some basic interest points to visit - there are plenty more available in this area!
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Looks like a classic run :D we did manage the Loch Leven run a couple of years back so it could happen.
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Where is the campsite/camper base for this event?
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Where is the campsite/camper base for this event?
Taynuilt
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The main event is based at the Argyll Caravan Park (details in HERE) (https://hoverclub.org.uk/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2698.0;attach=1006)
The camping trip is optional (in fact, it isn't recommended for inexperienced operators (or craft) as there are a couple of open westerly exposed bits that, unless we get VERY lucky, could be quite rough!). Recovery would be tricky/impossible in most of it (fuel might also an issue as you'd need to be self-sufficient (with safety margin) for the entire duration as the only filling station is in Oban - and is a taxi ride from the shore!).
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This is one of the sights on this side trip - it's called the "Bridge over the Atlantic (http://secretscotland.org.uk/index.php/Secrets/BridgeOverTheAtlantic)" which, whilst technically correct (it connects island of Seil to the mainland), is maybe a bit of a stretch! Hopefully the channel will be clear/wide enough to allow us passage at low tide
Image is interactive (zoome scan, etc.):
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JR, Looks like a fantastic trip, I stopped here last year, photos attached!
Photo 110 looking N from Bridge and 112 S
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The Google Map looks out of date as Petrol Pump appears to have been removed and a tree replaces it!!
The 360 view of car park (Image taken 2011) shows pump BUT a view from bridge (2015) no pump!!!
Photo here of slip at south end of Seil used by Cuan ferry
Another link from top of Bridge at low water (https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Clach+Na+Sula/@56.317743,-5.5829155,3a,86.9y,46.89h,91.19t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0vVuGhV5G7KTMHGfqisyJg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x91b9f6d62e38e974!8m2!3d56.3177208!4d-5.5828518?hl=en)
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There is a small campsite at Cullipool near to the ferry for Luing in the isle of siel. It has hard standing and a grass area for tents, new toilet and shower facilities. It works on an honesty box system. We found it by chance. It is not advertised and is the only campsite on Siel
Island. I'm not sure about landing sites though. Wild camping is allowed on Luing but again I'm not sure about landing sites.
I hope this is of help if you are planning to visit the bridge over the Atlantic. No petrol station.
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Sorry campsite is at Cuan ferry not cullipool
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Hi I'm just thinking on your planes going on the Scotland cruising for two weeks or one week if one week what week please
as I'm going for one week .
Tom
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thanks John - I'll need to check out the hover-parking first!
Tom - it's not a "plan" - more like an idea at the moment. It'll be totally weather dependent and parking at the launch site is quite limited (the pier at the end of the road usually has space for two or three campers - provided no-one else is using it as it's a very nice location).
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It might be possible to arrange the supply of petrol at Easdale; a sightseeing boat trip company runs RHIBs from there and they have (or at least had) a petrol bowser at the pier on Seil Island.
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Ok thanks John. 8)
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Stately and magnificent.
So is johns Otter!
Taken on Loch Fyne, May/June 2016
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This was the famous evening of hysteria, where Kims sparky powers can be seen flashing out of his hands, and Steve can be seen indicating he has seen TWO!
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The next morning shows Kim is no stranger to elegance. The midges just CAME then went as quickly. It helped being SO dry. Heres hoping for more of the same this year.
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JR needed somewhere for the tea bags, and I guess KingFisher was near by🙄
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More pretty stuff ;)
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Dave Munday at the ferry inn Loch Fyne
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Dave and Donna Munday Getting close and "personal"!
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Only four weeks to go :)
Just a little reminder that anyone staying for the second week (to the 10th June) may need a postal vote for the forthcoming general election on the 8th. Form is HERE (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote)
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Only four weeks to go :)
Just a little reminder that anyone staying for the second week (to the 10th June) may need a postal vote for the forthcoming general election on the 8th. Form is HERE (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote)
Good thinking John.
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don't forget your passport in case the SNP get in and you end up
in a different country !!
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CANT WAIT GUYS! 8)
Registered for postal vote- thanks for that John.
Arrrgghh didna thunk!
Its coming on John EH? ;)
ALL hours working on Otter "SPARKLE" are finally coming good and I really hope to test her out on Loch Fyne in a few weeks, when various libations will be sampled.
I did 12.5 hours work on Monday! Now THATs hard work.
As I say--- Cant wait. :D
The drone will be employed to show off My new crafts WHITE finish.
Ooooooer shes smart.
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ballot received, voted and posted ! ready to leave Sunday as soon as work allows
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We will be there Saturday latish. Looking forward to seeing you all and for the cruising . 8)
Tom
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Val and I will be there on Sunday afternoon/evening. Ironically, I have been working around Loch Fyne at Otter Ferry and Lochgilphead today - back home on Friday in time to turn around and come back up again for the Hoverin. Can't wait to get Kairos on the water and to meet up with everyone again.
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Sunday looks like good day to arrive weather-wise (http://xcweather.co.uk/forecast/inveraray)! I'll be there Friday night onwards.
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sadly we won't arrive till monday lunch time over nighting Sunday at the Eagles Head, Over kellet just off m6 near Carnforth so 200 miles to do monday ,but looking forward to meeting every one again !
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No probs, Mike.
Who is also attending with you?
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Only three days to go . 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)
Tom
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The trouble and strife "Colette" trying to get her used to the luxury of motorhome travel ready for next year !
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Hi All
I am very disappointed that I am unable to bring the TS3 because of DVLA issues with my vehicle. I am still coming up to Inverary tomorrow as have booked B&B for two nights then from Monday for 7 nights booked and paid for a Static caravan on the site.
Georgie and I are looking forward to seeing you all.
Take care and see you in Scotland
Tom
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That's a shame Tom, hope its nothing too serious .see you on monday if all goes well.
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was in the tin tent today at st Catherine's when a large explorer followed by an otter nice to see the lads out and about
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That's a shame Tom, hope its nothing too serious .see you on monday if all goes well.
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Hi Mick no it's not a serious problem . It is just the licence changes when you reach a certain age in your life. I will sort on my return from Scotland
Tom
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Come on guys , put up some pics and video for the rest of us who cant be there :)
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Come on guys , put up some pics and video for the rest of us who cant be there :)
Philip, check out "Gallery" some photos of Nick's new Otter
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Kim in Kairos leaving the campsite
(https://hoverclub.org.uk/gallery/9_29_05_17_8_14_57.jpeg)
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Three craft moored up for the brewery trip. The tide was high!
(https://hoverclub.org.uk/gallery/9_29_05_17_8_15_50.jpeg)
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What a treat to see all four Otters out together today 😀
I took Kairos out for a spin and I have to say I was delighted with her. She's essentially mk2 and a bit (we lost count of the developments) and performs superbly. Nick and Kim can be congratulated for completing the build and for putting up with me and John, I hope they now have many happy hours enjoying third new craft. 😄
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I saw a yellow craft heading north around knutsford as I was towing my marlin south, happy hovering people,
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Whose a happie chappie.
Great to see Truly of the Yard enjoying the fruits of his labour.
Waiting to see a white one along side.
Hope the weather is kind to you all,
Kip
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Everybody on the cruise gone quite?
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No ,They have just gone quiet.
Sorry Philip. Couldn't resist,
Kip
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No ,They have just gone quiet.
Sorry Philip. Couldn't resist,
Kip
:) :) :)
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Hi
Just back (well sort of) from Scotland. I had to come home when most other people were staying :'(
Nathan & I arrived around lunchtime on Saturday, after setting off at some ridiculous hour in the morning. There was no-one at the Cabin so we offloaded the craft and were preparing to go out when John arrived in the Explorer, so without further ado we set off for the campsite to see who else had arrived. Nick wasa lready out in Sparkle, its maiden voyage! And what a jolly happy chap he was :D
(https://hoverclub.org.uk/gallery/1_27_05_17_12_38_43.jpeg)
And here is the proud owner :D
(https://hoverclub.org.uk/gallery/1_27_05_17_12_41_49.jpeg)
Kim & Val turned up on Sunday, and lost no time launching the second new Otter from the campsite. This one in traditional Otter YELLOW but in a particularly LOUD shade, it was soon christened the Custard Craft ;) Both new owners are absolutely delighted with thier new craft. If you look closely you might be able to spot the differences between the new Otters and mine, which is an original MkI. The development has resulted in a number of small but quite significant changes, making the Briggs powered craft as lively as my mine (it jumps over hump like it wasn't there), and significantly improving the craft performance in cross winds too. I took Kims out for a spin and that put a smile on my face.
(https://hoverclub.org.uk/gallery/9_29_05_17_8_14_57.jpeg)
On Monday we took the usual trip to the brewery at the head of the Loch, with the tide right in we just moored the craft up in the trees.
(https://hoverclub.org.uk/gallery/9_29_05_17_8_15_50.jpeg)
The brewery have made a lot of improvements lately, so we had to stop for one (of course). However, the beer is not improved - perfection cannot be bettered! Lovely conditions for the run ack into the low sun of the evening
(https://hoverclub.org.uk/gallery/1_29_05_17_9_35_16.jpeg)
Tuesday was a bit wet so no decent photo's although we did get out for a run, collecting fuel at Inverary and stopping off at Creggans on the way back for light refreshment!
Wednesday was forecast to be nice so we all headed off down to Kilfinan beach and then on to Glenan Bay, about 35 miiles from the campsite. A few of us trekked up the hills to find a ruined traditional Scottish farm village, via a lady who traded a lawnmower repair for directions through the woods!
(https://hoverclub.org.uk/gallery/1_01_06_17_10_34_42.jpeg)
The main contingent then headed back up towards the campsite, whilst John, Nathan and myself headed on to Kilbride bay for a cuppa followed by the four mile crossing to the other side of the Loch to explore the lesser known small beaches over there. This part of the coast is remote, but retains ruins of long-abandoned farmsteads each one adjacent to its own small beach. Great for exploring. The rune back was sporting to say the least, with a big sea swell rolling up the loch and combining with unforecast fresh breeze to make challenging conditions. Thats when the Otter really feels good, taking 4ft waves in its stride, perhaps not in comfort but you never feel exposed.
The weather was poor again on Thursday, so we took a local trip to an interesting spot on the map that shows various neolithic remains, and discovered some cup-marked rocks and a pair of standing stones that align with the rising sun on midsummers day.
(https://hoverclub.org.uk/gallery/9_01_06_17_8_55_52.jpeg)
Friday was promised to be a great day so we planned to meet for a barbie in the evening at Eilean Mat-Ghamnha (no I've no idea how to procnounce that!) otherwise known as Newton Bay as seven. Prior to that, a contingent headed up the Loch to the brewery, whilst John, Nathan and I headed back down the Loch again to explore the remote parts some more. Beach hopping down, we visited a couple of remote ruined farmsteads and finished up on the beach at Skipness, just round the corner with Arran very tempting just 6 miles over the sound. However, the crossing was looking very choppy and in anycase we needed to set off for the two hour run to meet for the barbie.
(https://hoverclub.org.uk/gallery/1_02_06_17_11_46_22.jpeg)
That, unfortunately, was that for Nathan and myself as we had to set off for home on Saturday morning, but you can be sure it was with a wide grin. Another vintage year of hover fun in Argyll, I never tire of that place. Many thanks to John for organising everything and inviting us up to share such a beautiful place with him.
Ian & Nathan
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One taster photo taken of a much protesting Kim!
I ignored him of course.
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Or-----
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Will post more when I have time but what a fantastic holiday!!
My craft, Kairos, covered 274 miles with only one brief snag (grit in quick release fuel connector as already mentioned by Nick) and I'm absolutely delighted with it. Val and I can cruise in comfort and safety as shown by one afternoon trip of 75 miles visiting Lochgilphead and Tarbert harbours. As well as being in company with Nick and Jane in their Otter, hats off to Mike who did the trip with us in his Marlin 1 - my back would have been killing me if I'd not been in my Otter...
That's to everyone for great adventures, memories and fun and to John for "not organising it"...
Image here is Kairos late one evening during a beach BBQ
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Afternoon trip - image of route taken
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Tarbert Harbour. Tide out (obviously!) ::) but swans with cygnets (left side of photo) completely unphased by our presence.
Will post more in due course...
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I Had a great time in Scotland , Thanks to John for organising and giving me a day out in the Hovercamper, great craft.
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Thanks to all for coming - weather was less than perfect at times but didn't stop the hovering! No camping trip this year as we couldn't find two consecutive good days :(
Managed 559 miles over the two weeks with only a prop belt tightening required on the craft.
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Mike Bingham drifting to heaven 8)