OV9

Rich B wrote: Fri Sep 02, 2022 9:25 am I'm off abroad right now as a matter of fact, an action packed driving holiday touring around a beautiful island...


I'm just waiting for the red funnel ferry from Southampton to Cowes!

I can recommend a cracking tomato plant.

Dave!

Simon wrote: Sat Sep 03, 2022 8:51 pm

Jobbo wrote: Sat Sep 03, 2022 11:10 am That’s exactly why we need to go. I’d like to use the hovercraft since I can’t see how it is commercially viable but it’ll inevitably be the car ferry.

I remember you posting on my FB when I used the IOW hovercraft a few years ago. It was rammed that day, both ways. There's no doubt they make their money from it, seeing as you're only aboard for about 15 minutes and it's not 'cheap' time.

None of the ferries to the IOW are cheap though; it’s a short crossing but the operating costs aren’t any lower than cross channel crossings.

I’m glad the hovercraft remains busy though. IIRC it’s the only scheduled hovercraft service in the world now. It’s not even necessary to use a hovercraft to get across the Solent - a traditional hull ferry could do the job, or a SeaCat type could do it pretty much as quickly as the hovercraft. So it feels to me like something that has a finite lifespan. I guess if COVID didn’t kill it, it should be ok for a while yet.

I think that crossing by car ferry is the most expensive per mile ferry ride in the world. It's crazy for just a hop.

Not sure I get the love for hovercrafts. They’re noisy, have loads of spray and you can’t go outside. They only really make sense on longer crossings where saving proper time matters. For the <1 hour crossing to IoW you might as well just have a ferry.

Rich B wrote: Sun Sep 04, 2022 9:20 am Not sure I get the love for hovercrafts. They’re noisy, have loads of spray and you can’t go outside. They only really make sense on longer crossings where saving proper time matters. For the <1 hour crossing to IoW you might as well just have a ferry.

Pah, we went a few times years ago and it’s all of the awesome words a young human can express.

Dave!

We decided we couldn't be bothered with abroad yet so booked centerparcs. We did it a couple of times in Cumbria when the kids were tiny but my wife is a teacher and they know when school hols are and ramp prices up. It is not cheap but with the kids now 11 and 14 they really fancied going. We did end up going to one in The Netherlands a few years back as it was cheaper to drive to Hull get a ferry across to Amsterdam then drive to the one there than it was to go the one 90 minutes down the road. Plan to swim, cycle and run pretty much.

Over the summer we just did long weekends or mid weeks seeing family in various places.

Rich B wrote: Sun Sep 04, 2022 9:20 am Not sure I get the love for hovercrafts. They’re noisy, have loads of spray and you can’t go outside. They only really make sense on longer crossings where saving proper time matters. For the <1 hour crossing to IoW you might as well just have a ferry.

Except with the hovercraft you have much more convenient departure and arrival points, what with the fact that it drives right up onto it's own landing point. For the ferry you end up at the pier a long walk from the mainland.

Simon wrote: Sun Sep 04, 2022 11:57 am

Rich B wrote: Sun Sep 04, 2022 9:20 am Not sure I get the love for hovercrafts. They’re noisy, have loads of spray and you can’t go outside. They only really make sense on longer crossings where saving proper time matters. For the <1 hour crossing to IoW you might as well just have a ferry.

Except with the hovercraft you have much more convenient departure and arrival points, what with the fact that it drives right up onto it's own landing point. For the ferry you end up at the pier a long walk from the mainland.

I think that varies depending on the port.

Finally landed in Cuzco. Shit, shave, shower and out to the plaza for a little exploring

Inca trail finished. Bloody awesome experience and way beyond what I expected out of the trip. Going to get drunk now with the team.

Excellent Enjoy it/them, well earned

McSwede wrote: Sat Sep 10, 2022 1:06 am Inca trail finished. Bloody awesome experience and way beyond what I expected out of the trip. Going to get drunk now with the team.

Enjoy the pisco sours!

Pics please.

Jobbo wrote: Thu Sep 01, 2022 10:19 pm Oh, has that opened at last? Do report back what it’s like.

Also haven’t been abroad for a while but choosing port/airport carefully probably wouldn’t be an issue now.

It's very good!