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Lily May

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Everything posted by Lily May

  1. Aww how lovely of you Thank you so much, Neil. All help with the tesco trolley very gratefully received I'm starting to feel I may actually be cruising soon which is amazing! Keep me posted on your travels & many thanks again!
  2. Aww, bless you, Mike. I really don't want anyone to go out of their way or feel pressured to help. You are miles away! I really appreciate your offer, though. It is very kind. Quite overwhelmed by the offer. Thank you!
  3. Aww bless your heart Thank you so much for your kindness. I've been quite overwhelmed by the support on here. I'm making progress step by step. I have a marina venue to check out and a good support network of fellow boaters on here. Things are moving in the right direction. Thank you so much again. I really appreciate it!
  4. I think a Springer will be my next boat in a few years time. They seem pretty solid from the little I know. I have to be honest, I haven't a clue regarding your advice to: "I'd suggest that just looking and seeing how your outdrive works will give you a better feel for how the steering behaves" Could you elaborate please? Re: The text - I tend to spend clusters of time on the computer getting things done when the internet connects as it often has broken connection (the joys of boating life!). It gives me terrible eyestrain and headaches so I use unicode as it is a little clearer for me to read as it seems to be a little more spaced out than arial. Hope that's okey dokey? Absolutely. I think things will get worse here before they get better. I think that residential moorings are an attempt to claw back money lost due to lower occupancy rates, but like you feel it may be imposed on all at a later date. Thank you. I'll PM you
  5. Yes they are the ones. I think that is the image being portrayed to draw in more custom. Several hundred residential berths are coming in April. Not the whole marina. Last time I checked the take up rate was poor.
  6. Yes. Due to the points made in my OP, in my opinion. The moorings are pretty expensive and facilities are poorly maintained - especially in the winter.
  7. There are no official residential moorings here until April. The ones by the chandlry are premier berths (or a similar name) Grade 1 with servicing and extras included.
  8. Fair play. Think you can tell how keen (desperate) I am to learn and get mobile! The Marina is rolling out the residential moorings in April. Not sure on how many hundred.
  9. I have been looking at a few Springers last week. I must be drawn to wayward boats!!! Hi again Neil I thought as much re: steering which is why I don't feel comfortable without guidance on first few trips. The weight (ballast?) is really good up front so that is one step towards easier steering. I have had a look at the owners website before buying but never thought to seek out anyone local from the site to help. I'll look at that this week. Thanks for taking the time to reply again. I really appreciate it! Hi By'eck, That's brilliant news! I'll contact the marina re: availability on Monday. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and feedback. It really is appreciated I hope that you don't mind me asking, but would you be available / willing to accompany my first outing at all? I am quick and eager to learn and would be happy to compensate you for your time and trouble. No pressure at all though. Let me know your thoughts. Thank you for your feedback on the marina. I may be seeing you there at the end of the month if all goes to plan Thanks for the update Bruce According to the blurb, Sawley is the largest Inland Marina in the United Kingdom http://www.bwml.co.uk/marinas/sawley_marina
  10. Thanks, Woodstock. I'll look this up and possibly put it in the running. I appreciate you taking the time to reply Thank you so much for your support, Phil. It means a lot Hi again Neil, I have a Nauticus 27 which is a solid boat in great shape. However, according to my research it can steer somewhat like a Tesco shopping trolley!? Hi StarUKKiwi, Thanks for the welcome If your ever passing, give us a shout. Happy cruising!
  11. Sounds like you have had rotten luck, but remain in good spirits. Good for you! I hope that you have a wonderful year of boating in 2014
  12. Hi All! I joined last week so thought I'd come and say hello here. After years of wanting a liveaboard and researching life on the water I bought my first boat last spring (a cruiser) which me, my partner & even my cats love (my youngest cat is now a regular swimmer!) The summer was glorious and spent lounging, reading & getting to know the area better (Sawley, Nottinghamshire). The winter has been much easier than I expected it to be on a boat. Now I am looking forward to learning to steer my boat so that I can enjoy cruising throughout the spring and summer months this year. I am considering a Helmsmans course and I would be extremely grateful to anyone local who could assist on my first few trips out until I get my bearings. I would be happy to compensate any willing volunteers. I'm really enjoying the site which is full of useful information, humour and great community spirit. I'm looking forward to getting to know people on here, learning from all of the experiences of site members & sharing adventures. Warmest wishes & happy cruising to all!
  13. Hi Dog House, That's good to know for the future. Thank you! One of the previous posters has alerted me to a waiting list for cruisers. I think I'll take a look at Nottingham Castle Marina when I'm mobile Thanks for taking the time to reply again. I really appreciate it!
  14. Hi Biggles, I am mostly looking for a winter mooring. I hope to cruise most of the Spring and Summer (weather permitting) and continual cruise in the next few years. The marina is just a base to commute from when I need to for the next year or so. Your feedback on Marinas per say is helpful. I am very nomadic and feel that they are a starting point as I find my feet / sea legs as beginner in the short term As for just getting out there, I am not at all happy to do so as I have no experience cruising, operating locks or any know how of how to get out of a sticky situation should one arise. I am concerned for my safety, the safety of other cruisers and that of my boat, which is also my home. An unsuccessful cruise could result in me being homeless. I am not criticising your advice at all. Many have advised me to just get out there. But for the reasons above I would need someone knowledgable to accompany me a few times first. I compare cruising a vessel to driving a car. You are in charge of a vehicle that can cause damage to yourself, others and property. I still feel the need for a guide on my first few trips because of this. Thank you for your reply & feedback. Very much appreciated Thank you to all for your replies and feedback. I really appreciate it!
  15. Hi Neil, When did you visit and for how long? I'm glad to hear that you experienced better service than we have in the last 12 months, but everyones experience is valid I am aware that Sawley is the largest marina in the country. We did make friends here initially, but inevitably, all moved on, not due to travel plans which is to be expected in boating, but due to dissatisfaction with the marina itself. Whilst making friends in the surrounding pubs and cafes we were also told that there had been a mass exodus from Sawley in recent years specifically due to dissatisfaction with service. When I say I'm new to boating, I was specifically referring to steering a boat. I have researched this lifestyle, stayed on boats and subscribed to boating magazines for over 10 years. I have travelled worldwide, alone on many occasions and lived a very 'alternative' lifestyle for the past 15 years, similar to how the boating lifestyle is perceived. Your perception of me experiencing a culture shock is wholly inaccurate. I am used to a very relaxed lifestyle, which I welcome. However, in my opinion, no matter how relaxed your lifestyle is, if you pay for a service, you have a right to expect the very basic criteria of that service to be met otherwise, customers have every right to complain and vote with their feet / boat and cruise away. Customer service is key to any business. As is a genuine interest in providing a good service to paying customers. Also, a smile costs nothing This applies to life on dry land , boating or wherever you live. In my book / boat a relaxed lifestyle does not equate to accepting sloppy service. This is not an issue for me to address any further than I have attempted to. I will be voting with my feet. BWML need to analyse occupancy changes, customer feedback and take appropriate action to save what is a beautiful marina which is sadly poorly run. I came on here to look for a solution to my own personal needs to keep my life as relaxed and enjoyable as possible Nottingham Marina sounds like a good alternative in the short term as rail connections are of importance to me in the next year or so. Thank you for your reply & for your feedback
  16. Hi Deckhand, Good to know. Apparantly there is a waiting list for Mercia currently. We will definitely bear this in mind for the future though. Thank you for the feedback. Much appreciated. Happy cruising!
  17. Hi Jelunga, I know that we are not alone in our experience. The chandlery staff are very friendly and helpful. Congratulations on securing a job as a lock keeper! It must fit in perfectly with your boating lifestyle Thanks for the update on the waiting list, BruceinSanity. Very helpful
  18. Thank you for your lovely reply & warm welcome I love my little cruiser. I am aware that all are not fans of 'tupperware' as she has been called Different strokes for different folks eh. She is a great starter boat to learn on. Have a great weekend, Phil. I wish you well on securing your new boat, Wullie. The wait is well worth it. Enjoy! Hi boatman, I think she is fine on narrow canals at 6'10? Hi Dog House, I have researched and heard great things about Mercia and would try it out, except I need to be located near to good train connections as I have comittments that I need rail access to for the next year or so. Thank you so much for replying and for your helpful feedback though. Much appreciated as I will bear this mooring in mind for future use Thanks, Beaker. I will bear this in mind for future mooring. I currently need to be located to a good rail network for the next year or so. Your reply is appreciated. Thank you
  19. Hi All! I'm totally new to boating, although I have wanted to live on a boat & escape the rat race for over 10 years I took the plunge last Summer and bought my first boat a 27 foot cruiser, which I love! It was one of the best decisions I made. I'm a complete novice sailing / cruising wise (I don't even drive a car!) So, I'm asking what seems to be a really friendly & knowledgeable community for some advice & practical help. I would love to take my boat out a lot in Spring / Summer but have absolutely no confidence or skills to do so. I plan to take a course in the Spring - recommendations welcome - I'm based at Sawley currently (but hope to move asap). If any locals were available go on a few short cruises in the meantime to enable me & my partner to get our bearings, we would really appreciate it and offer recompense to any willing Captains of our boat for their time & trouble Also, we are currently based at Sawley Marina. We love the local wildlife, cycle paths and a few local hostelries here. But I am disappointed to report that I have never experienced such a negligent, ambivalent, rude and inadequate management team in all of my personal and professional life. The 'customer service' is apalling. The security here is lax, to say the least, with several unsavoury characters and little sense of community, which has prompted us to want to move asap. We want to try out Nottingham Castle Marina as it is nearby and centrally located to Nottingham city centre. Does anyone have any feedback on this marina as a potential base for the winter? Ideally, I plan to moor here on a temporary basis to test it out, but any first hand experience would be invaluable and very much appreciated. I look forward to all replies. Thank you in advance for any feedback and or willing Captains who respond Warmest wishes to all:)
  20. Hi All! Great thread! Some very talented designers & artists here! This is my first post. I am a fashion / costume designer on my 27 foot cruiser and I love it! Especially in the summer when you can sit in the sun and make pretty things! I make costume wear, steampunk & vintage inspired designs & collaborate with a lot of models and photographers. I love vintage fashion & fashion history. I work with textiles, lace, feathers and metal. I've never heard of the Waterways Craft Guild (mentioned by Daisy J). I'd be very interested to hear more about it. Happy crafting all!
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