ps Waverley 2011 Season

[Tyne Turbine]

Sorry Rob,

I had thought reading your post it was probably the Sunday journey, so yes the Saturday trip is more expensive but for fairness if you deduct the stopover time at Tighnabruaich it still only works out at £3.93 per hour.

Yes you are quite correct about the car and being able to achieve economies of scale by carrying passengers but one should also bear in mind the further costs of insurance, road tax and depreciation. Nor do you have the opportunity to take extra people into the football match, or on board the ferry or train under normal circumstances for the same charge, even if family tickets are available there is usually some extra charge even if it does reduce the prorata rate.

I did say that the food was a discretionary item as you were not forced to buy it, nor alcohol or beverages. Obviously it would be better for Waverley if passengers considered the offer to represent value for money and to avail themselves of the food on offer. I would also agree with Miles that other organisations such as East Coast have a twenty per cent discount if food vouchers are purchased in advance. (Incidentally I have absolutely no knowledge of what the catering standards and prices are like at football grounds or leisure parks).

I merely make these comments as an enthusist who is outside the management structure of the operating company but who felt that the comments about the day being unaffordable to the average person was a something of a broad brush statement without looking at other activities where many, many people are content to pay at an even higher rate even if, possibly like Waverley, these ventures have to be seen as a special treat rather than an every day experience.

[Clydebuilt1971]

Today (Monday) sees Waverley complete her main 2011 Clyde Season - she sails for the South Coast either tonight or tomorrow. She will sail on her home river again in 2011 on Sat 15th and Sun 16th October.

I hope some QE2 Story posters will sail on her during her time on the South Coast and Thames. Details of sailings can be found at www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk

On behalf of the Scottish Branch of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) could I say thankyou to everyone who supported our beautiful ship and let us all hope that we can enjoy her in 2012.

Gav
(Chairman PSPS Scottish Branch)

[Tyne Turbine]

Members of the Forum may be interested that a BBC film crew were on board Waverley on her sailing on Monday. They were also using a rib for shots of the Paddler.

I believe that the resulting piece is due to be shown on BBC1 on The One Show on Wedneday night which usually starts a few minutes before its advertised start of 19.00.

[Andrew Collier]

Can't wait for it to get down here, think i'll go on Saturday round the IoW if the weathers fair....

[cunardqueen]

And from todays Daily Mail..

[Tyne Turbine]

The Mighty Paddler arriving Rothesay last Saturday:

[Twynkle]

This is a lovely photo, Robert
Thanks so much for posting this.

Keeping everything well crossed for her future
Expect you are too 
Rosie.

[Bruce Nicholls]

Looking forward to having Waverley visit us on the Blackwater. Think Lone Gerd's crew will go on the Southend - Tower Bridge - Southend trip. Excited already.

[Clyde Paddler]

When I was on board last Monday, a BBC film crew took about 300 minutes of footage for Wednesday night's edition of 'The One Show'.  Approximately 1% of that was used in the programme and, for anyone (in the UK) who didn't see it, you can catch up at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0144tp1/The_One_Show_31_08_2011/

It starts just after 10 minutes ...

[Andrew Collier]

Hi Everybody,

Just to update you all, Waverley arrived down south ok and today made it round the Isle of Wight in warm sun!

Excellent day out with the ship looking great and performing perfectly.

Highly recommended to anyone who hasn't yet but is thinking about it 

[Bruce Nicholls]

A bit worried about our trip from Southend following the closure of the pier after a barge broke loose and damaged the centre section.

Bruce

[Rob Lightbody]

A bit worried about our trip from Southend following the closure of the pier after a barge broke loose and damaged the centre section.

Bruce

Hope it doesn't affect her, that's all she needs!

[Andrew Collier]

Rumor has it the pier will be fixed in time, time will tell though.... hope its done thats a major calling point

[Twynkle]

Hi Everybody,

Just to update you all, Waverley arrived down south ok and today made it round the Isle of Wight in warm sun!

Excellent day out with the ship looking great and performing perfectly.

Highly recommended to anyone who hasn't yet but is thinking about it 

Very good to hear that you had an excellent day out, Andytooo!

However, she may not be making the Swanage trip today, purely because of weather conditions

A report from the BBC (30.8.2011) bears out the fears for her future
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-14720877

[Twynkle]

Well Done, Waverley!

http://pspsscotland.blogspot.com/2011/08/waverley-wins-65th-imeche-engineering.html