Weekend

8/8/2009 7:54:52 PM

Hi Guys

Thought it was about time we had a new thread, what a cracking day, or is it just me. Worked from 7 - 11 this morning, an early start but I don't mind them just locals, most of whom I know, rather than holidaymakers, after work we went down to a cove known as Duckpool, just north of Bude, took a picnic then walked part of the coast path north to Morwenstow, a really pleasant afternoon.

For older members you might remember me talking about the "duck" before, amphibious vehicle for the uninitiated. Well yesterday the "duck" made a reappearance, or rather when I arrived for work at 4pm. it was in the middle of the river, static, ran aground on a sandbank just before midday and didn't manage to refloat until past 4,30, had paying passengers on board as well, talk of the village it is, such an exicting life we lead down here, made quite a topic of conversation quite a change from who's caught the biggest fish.

Note to Steve, don't know if you're into REM, if you are check out a band called the Overkill Poets, they're on MySpace music, an English band from the Lake District, nice clean sound, I've been in contact with them and had a preview of their new (first) album, sounds good.

Stu

Comments

- 8/8/2009 8:16:48 PM

Hey Stu, we used to stay in Bude when we were caravaning and Duckpool was one of our favorite day out spots, I think it was owned by the NT, free carpark and a nice walk down to the cove, sandy beach with plenty of pools for the kids to play in, Morwenstow has a nice little church and walking around the graveyard I was suprised by the number of young RAF officers buried there, isn't there an early warning station up the road, used to get some funny noises on the car radio, odd clicking noises.
Weather has been great here today,low twenties, just right.

- 8/9/2009 12:46:21 PM

Hi Stu and Anth,

What a lovely weekend we're having !! This weekend is the Balloon Festival and yesterday we had the Red Arrows almost in our back garden for afternoon tea. Superb and all free at our house. Last night was the Father in laws 83rd birthday meal, lovely grub but the rest was tiresome. You can choose your friends but not family, but they speak very well of me !!!

This morning we've been around the docks for a good walk, had a quick watering stop at the Nova Scotia ( the pub, not place ) and now I'm readying myself for and afternoon Barbie at my eldest Grandsons.....and my dear wife is driving. Oh ! Joy !! It's great when you get Grandkids old enough to do Barbies, you get waited on hand and foot, you can get very merry and get excused for bad behaviour. Happy Days.

I hope you all have a good weekend !! Will be on tonight, but probably very wobbly !!!

Rich

- 8/9/2009 3:44:54 PM

Hi Rich, yes we saw the Red Arrows go over Frome heading your way yesterday, they must be based down south of us,

- 8/9/2009 6:51:06 PM

Duckpool's still NT Tony, the great bit is the car park only holds about 30 cars at best so it never gets crowded there. Morwenstow church is interesting, I expect you heard the story about the Rev. Hawker who built a hut on the cliffs, allegedly to look out for the wreckers who used to lure ships onto the rocks in that locality, although the fact that he was an opium smoker might have had something to do with it, also the vicarage next to the church is interesting, Rev Hawker, him again, had the chimney pots made to resemble the spires and towers of churches he'd previously been minister at. Word of warning though, if any of you visit there again look out for the Vicarage Tea Rooms, should be named the Rip Off Tea Rooms, £5 for a pot of tea.

Nice to hear you've been allowed back in the Nova Scotia again Rich, nice afternoon for a barbie wasn't it, set ours up on the balcony and burnt some steaks etc. had the odd glass of cider too, whilst looking out over the bay. Hope all you guys had an equally pleasant day.

Stu

- 8/9/2009 7:24:32 PM

Lovely afternoon we had. Grand daughter in law is due with our first great grandchild next month and everything in the garden is rosey just now. There were loads of balloons go off tonight for the closing of the festival so it looks like it was a good time for the organisers for a change. I did hear a whisper that it may be the last one because of the new football stadium they're going to be building next to the David Lloyd centre near Long Ashton. Apparently many of the balloons come down there if there's no wind and if the new football ground is built there'll be nowhere to put down. Could be just another rumour though, we'll see.

Rich

- 8/10/2009 12:57:54 AM

Hi guys,

What a lovely time you all seem to be having, I'm quite envious really, especially you Stu, although Rich seems to be doing OK as well. I think you can keep the gardening Bill!

Sorry I've not been on lateley, but you were right about the paperwork, I didn't get away with it like I'd hoped, sill someone has to do it I s'pose. Terrific weather this week end here also. Been cutting the hedges, sweat like an African bride.

Hey, Bill thanks for the tip about 'Friends Reunited' stuff on Sky Drive, I'll have a look when I get a minute.

Ah well, back to my proper job tomorrow, not really looking forward to it have to go to Walsall to finish off. Could have well done without that!

Will try to keep in touch as much as possible, but looks like being a bit hectic for the next few days.

By the way, I think duck is spelt dukw, but I may be wrong, check it out!

Bi for now.

- 8/10/2009 7:07:16 AM

Absolutely right about the DUKW, John, there is still one of these at the base in Instow, brilliant vehicle. Unfortunately the "Duck" isn't one of these. It's amphibious, 4 wheel hydraulic drive, mostly yellow, and is actually named "Jemima", it's top speed is reputed to be 4 knots and when there's a 6 knot tide running and it's head on into it the behaviour is remarkably like a duck, ie. a lot of activity going on underwater and not much above it, so all in all calling it a duck seemed appropriate.

Weather very Monday morningish today, damp and gray, ah well! back to normal.

Stu

- 8/10/2009 11:15:24 PM

Hi Stu and all

Thanks for putting me right on ducks and dukws, Stu, conjours up an interesting picture!

Do you remember the amphibious cars that were on the market in the early sixties. I think they were marketed as 'Amphicar'.

I saw one heading down Weymouth harbour once. At the time I thought how brave the occupants were, and that was during my rash youth (yes I was young once, and I can still remember some of it!). At that age danger does not exist because you are indestructable, I sometimes wonder how we all survived, especially with no health and safety regime to look after us.

In those days my parents lived at Weymouth and I used to spend most of my summer week ends sailing dinghys in the bay, not many classes that were popular at the time that I had not sailed some time or another. My favourite was always the Merlin Rocket, very comfortable but lively. Used to sail a friend's 23ft sloop as well sometimes, but never single handed as she could be a bit of a handfull. Heavy old boat, needed a force three before she would move about, a bit like the wife's custard!

Ah well, those were the days. Most of the sailing came to a gradual end when I discovered girls. I'm now not sure, but it seemed like a good idea at the tme!

Got to go now, talk again soon.

John.

- 8/11/2009 11:54:13 AM

Dreadful innit John, all the things we gave up for the sake of our hormones running out of control, I never got into sailing when I was young, to be honest thought it a bit sissy, what a chump! needless to say I now greatly regret my folly, not the only bad decision I made either, and now I live in an area where everybody and his dog sails and I get loads of offers to go sailing and can I ? NO 'cos I'm again the chump who helps 'em put their boat in the water and watches 'em sail away !!!!!!!!! one day, one day.

Lovely day today, loads of people out sailing, cadets, mirrors, cats, BAH Humbug!

Stu

- 8/11/2009 11:22:18 PM

Hi Stu

Yeh, a lot of people thought sailing was a bit sissy. Cant think why, but the illusion is soon dispelled once you've sailed a lively dinghy in a stiff breeze. When you come ashore you ache in places that you didn't know you had places before! Doesnt have to be like that though, sailing is one of the few sports that can literally accommodate all ages. It can be sedate and relaxing or athletic and exhillerating, whatever your bag is. The cadet was designed as a juvenile's boat for a crew of two, didn't handle bad but got a bit small by the time you reached mid teens. At that age I often used to sail one single handed if I could not find a crew for a bigger boat. Didn't like mirrors much, being gunter rigged, a bit more beamy and fairly shallow they didn't seem to point very well, definitely a beginners boat, very popular though, brought sailing to the masses. Also used to sail GP14s, enterprises and of course merlins as mentioned before.

If you get the opportunity to go out again during your non duty time I would thouroughly reccommend that you have a go, I'm sure it would prove to be a very pleasurable experience. Never know you might get the bug!

The sloop I mentioned belonged to a guy that used to live across the road from us, I used to give him a hand from time to time and in return I had the use of his boat whenever I wanted it. Used to be moored at Castle Cove in Portland Harbour, cracking fun to sail, but definitely an older person's vessel. Not the life jacket, shorts and daps, more the roll neck sweater, jeans and deck shoes.

Of course those were the days beore health and safety, everyone wears life jackets these days!!!!!

I really must stop being a miserable old fart!

Oh, by the way, on the music front I'm afraid that I'm not very well informed about the present bands, still like Van Morrison, Meat Loaf, Bonnie Tyler, Queen and believe it or not Cleo Lane although some of her material I find difficult to cope with. Of course we all love all the late fifties rock and roll stars, Cochran, Holly, Domino, Orbison, etc. etc. etc. Incidentally, recon Lilly Allen, Kate Bush and Duffy OK also.