Recent Trip on the Waverley

**Jimmy** · 20th June 12, 09:42 AM

The ship is in excellent condition and celebrated its 65th birthday last Saturday with a cruise up to Loch Long and Loch Goil, unfortunately last Friday's trip to Rothesay was cancelled because of high winds, getting into piers like Kilgreggan and Dunoon on that cruise was just a wee bit too dangerous, it has crashed into these piers in the last few years.
Over the winter when it is berthed in Glasgow, a squad of volunteers work to have it in pristine condition for its summer cruises. These volunteers are extremely dedicated to the Waverley and without their help, there would be no Waverley.
I enclose a picture of one of the voluunteers, Barbara who is the lady sitting on the left of the picture

**Pleater** · 20th June 12, 12:13 PM

By an odd coincidence, the Waverley was featured in the children's program 'Balamory' today, one of the characters went aboard and there were scenes in the engine room and on deck.

The Waverley does have the habit of hitting piers - I think she had a go at demolishing the one at Southsea way back in the 70's - possibly.

I believe it is due to the two paddles being attached to the same axel, so that unlike paddle steamers with the paddles separate, and attached to different engines so they are able to rotate at different speeds or even in opposite directions, the Waverley is far less agile.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**ThistleDown** · 20th June 12, 09:02 PM

Think you, Jimmy, for the thread, and Dennis for posting that superb pic of the Waverley. Fond memories.

**John_Carrick** · 21st June 12, 02:46 PM

Marvellous. I wonder If they ever take her across the North Channel to Belfast.
John

**Jimmy** · 25th June 12, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by John_Carrick

Marvellous. I wonder If they ever take her across the North Channel to Belfast.
John

The Waverley was due to sail to Redbay in Northern Ireland yesterday from Glasgow, I did not plan to go on this trip and as the weather was quite foul, the trip may have been cancelled as was Friday's trip to Rothesay. It only does one trip per season to Northern Ireland, I am on the Waverley this Wednesday and will find out if it sailed to Redbay yesterday

**Mike_Oettle** · 25th June 12, 11:01 AM

The Balamory connection is most interesting, Anne, since the Balamory tartan was “designed” by one of the characters in the programme, and “woven”, too.
I must confess that I have not seen the series, but it sounds like an excellent one that children in South Africa would enjoy.
Regards,
Mike

**Jimmy** · 25th June 12, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by Pleater

By an odd coincidence, the Waverley was featured in the children's program 'Balamory' today, one of the characters went aboard and there were scenes in the engine room and on deck.

The Waverley does have the habit of hitting piers - I think she had a go at demolishing the one at Southsea way back in the 70's - possibly.

I believe it is due to the two paddles being attached to the same axel, so that unlike paddle steamers with the paddles separate, and attached to different engines so they are able to rotate at different speeds or even in opposite directions, the Waverley is far less agile.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

Anne, you are right, the mobility is reduced due to the two paddles working in unison and not individually.
Still its still an expereience when you are on the Waverley and it crashes into the pier, not good for the dear old ladies on board but still thrilling stuff.
Thankfully more care is taken of the 'old lady' now and unfortunately excursions are cancelled like last weekend due to strong winds.

**John_Carrick** · 26th June 12, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by Jimmy

The Waverley was due to sail to Redbay in Northern Ireland yesterday from Glasgow, I did not plan to go on this trip and as the weather was quite foul, the trip may have been cancelled as was Friday's trip to Rothesay. It only does one trip per season to Northern Ireland, I am on the Waverley this Wednesday and will find out if it sailed to Redbay yesterday

Thank you Jimmy, I must look out for this again
John

**PEEDYC** · 27th June 12, 12:14 AM

Cessna : Food on the Waverley !!!!! I was always in the Bar on the Arran run. I was not on solids in these days ..... what was the point of going to Arran otherwise ?

**Pleater** · 27th June 12, 04:30 PM

It is even more exciting when you are on the pier and you suddenly realise that the Waverley has the bit between her teeth and is going to try to 'do a Troutbridge' - for those who remember the Navy Lark on the radio.

The fellow who recounted the encounter to me went quite pale at the recollection.

The engine room on the Waverley is lovely - all brass and winding things that would take your hand off in a second given half a chance.

The Balamory program is fairly interesting to anyone up to about four, then there is an age gap to those who wonder why the fellow suposed to be a musician can't even fake playing a guitar, and just how does the fellow who plays Archie the inventor keep from running amok when he is suposed to inhabit a pink castle and the costume department has an endless supply of pink items to go with the pink tartan kilt, plus he has to invent all sorts of stuff for people who turn up at his door on a whim.

There is also the question of - if the houses are really those colours - did the program makers pay the people to have them painted, or did they just look around the edge of Scotland until they found a place with suitably excentric paint jobs.

I think there is such a thing as too much children's television.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: