Live from Lone Gerd

[Rob Lightbody]

Good to hear from you, Bruce! Will you and Lone Gerd still be around by the time we reach there for the Conference?

How long are you in the area for, I'd love to say hello!

[Bruce Nicholls]

Hi Rob. We leave for Montenegro at the beginning of September so sadly won't be around for the conference. Would be good to see you though. Currently we plan to leave Greenock on Saturday but this is a bit weather dependant. We generally only go into marinas when conditions are not suitable for anchoring as they vary from expensive to very expensive and anchoring is free.

[June Ingram]

Hi Bruce -

It is great to hear from you and to see the photo of Lone Gerd and the Titan Crane.  Wonderful photo !

All the best,

June   

[Lynda Bradford]

Good to hear from you Bruce and liking the picture of Lone Gerd at Greenock.

[Pete Hamill]

There are actually 4 Titan cranes (or Giant Cantilever cranes to give them their correct title) still in existence on the Clyde.

Greenock as shown above, Barclay Curle , Stobcross and of course Clydebank at John Brown's old yard where we will be visiting in September.

I believe the crane at Barclay Curle's old yard is theoretically operational in that it still has all its hoist cables in place and I believe still has power, but is said to be in an awful state of decay.
Anyone doing the sail Doon the Watter on Saturday will be able to see the Stobcross crane in Glasgow, especially if staying at the Crowne Plaza hotel.
Greenock's crane is a bit more of a journey down river.

Only the Titan crane at Clydebank is accessible and those doing the sail on Saturday will have fantastic views from 150ft above the river (assuming the weather is decent - which is a big assumption  )

The cranes were built by William Arrol except the Stobross crane which was built by Cowans and Sheldon.

[June Ingram]

Hi Bruce -

Any news ? and how is Lone Gerd ?

June   

[Bruce Nicholls]

Hi June.

Sorry for the delay in replying. We have been in Montenegro during September and October. Sadly although the infrastructure has improved dramatically in the last 10 years, the internet has gone downhill. They badly need fibre optics as the demand on the system now makes it really slow. We have pretty well given up using it for anything that involves downloads or uploads. When we first had our apartment the electric and water went off regularly but the internet was not too bad. Now the lights and water stay on but the internet goes off! Weather however was as always good.

Lone Gerd is fine and has weathered all the storms while we were away. The outer of the 3 sets of lock gates giving access to Milford Dock came off in the worst of the weather but fortunately the other 2 sets were unharmed and no boats were damaged.

Attached is a photo of Q.V. taken from our terrace showing off her new "improved" profile.

[June Ingram]

Hi Bruce -

Thank you very much for your message and news.  Glad to hear that the weather was good even though internet access is not so good.  I am also glad to hear that Lone Gerd is doing well.  Thanks too for the photo of QV and her "improved" profile.  Now she looks like all the other HAL ships ! 

All the best !

June   

[June Ingram]

Hi Bruce -

Just checking in to see how things are.

Any news ?

June 

[Bruce Nicholls]

Hi June

We have not sailed yet this year. We spent the spring in Montenegro and since then have been busy painting and doing general maintenance, the joys of owning a 64 year old wooden boat! However we are now done and should be able to sail in the next few days, weather permitting. Our only planned destination is Liverpool, as my niece is getting married there in September. Otherwise it will just be wherever we end up. True to form though after a glorious summer to date, gales are forecast for Saturday so it might be a while yet before we depart.

[June Ingram]

Hi Bruce -

Great to hear from you and I am glad to hear that you spent Spring in Montenegro and have been doing work on Gerd. 

All good wishes for setting sail soon.  I hope the weather does not become too bad.  The intensity of the weather in various parts of the US this summer has been pretty bad.

That is great that you can attend your nieces wedding.

Any new photos of Lone Gerd ?

Best,

June 

[Bruce Nicholls]

Hi June
Nipped out and took a couple of photos. All ready to go, just waiting for the weather.

[Bruce Nicholls]

Thought you may be interested in our mooring neighbour, the ex Angle lifeboat. One of two historic lifeboats moored near us.

[June Ingram]

Hi Bruce -

Many thanks for the photos ! Lone Gerd looks awesome ! And she does indeed look ready to sail !  Just like our QE2, Lone Gerd's proportions are very good.  I especially like her stern. 

Great photo of the former life boat !

June 

[Thomas Hypher]

Lovely vessels   Lone Gerd has what looks like a cruiser stern of sorts but in the older style (like Queen Mary's in Long Beach).