It's not all bad news

[Bit of a Mink]

Well, these are troubled time for sure. I have been in the doldrums and could scarcely lift a paw and gravitate it towards the keyboard.
So I was very much heartened to see today a small local business starting to move forward.
Congratulations to Jean and David Ainsely on taking delivery of their new pontoon. How magnificent it looks out of the water. Once it has been "slung in" and put in place, I wish you a very sucessful summer of sea trips around this beautiful Island.
Scottish Government and local council will surley applaud the development of small local business, and the income from tourists that will be generated locally, ie the Pubs and the B+B's, hotels and the shop. Perhaps they will get their petrol from Gustel as well. The Island should do quite nicely.
Well done I say!!!!!!!!!!

[Seventhseil]

Good stuff....... it took a while but hopefully it will be worth it.

[longshanks]

Scottish Government and local council will surley applaud the development of small local business, and the income from tourists that will be generated locally, ie the Pubs and the B+B's, hotels and the shop.

Of course but don't get carried away over this particular venture. The proprieters of this business are merely moving their base from Balvicar Pier to the Sound. It does not mean any more (or less) business, just a continuation.
I, too, wish them continued success and hope they manage well the environmental and navigational impact which this development will cause and trust the access road, carpark and service buildings which they will have to construct will not detract further from the views on this part of the island.

Shankers (Green by choice)

[NickB]

navigational impact

Not a word pairing that us seagoing types would usually choose

I am also looking forward to seeing the finished project . . . I suspect it will be fine and will not disrupt the lives of nearby residents nearly as much as they originally anticipated.

[khartoumteddy]

Congratulations indeed on the new enterprise
may you boldly go etc

concerned about the councils part in all this as they should support you

Good stuff....... it took a while but hopefully it will be worth it.

Scottish Government and local council will surley applaud

local effort deserves all round applause not" Surly applaud"


LETS HAVE IT SURELY

:English Flag :English Flag :English Flag

[MonaLott]

I'm all for it - and was depressed by the previous rather unpleasant local opposition to it - but hasn't old Longshanks got a valid point (at last!) - looking at the new arrangement, isn't there indeed going to be a bit of "navigational impact"? Isn't the new pontoon blocking a quite significant fraction of the channel? How does this affect navigation at low tide especially? Was it all approved by the moorings committee and hence the Crown Estate? Are the nearby swinging moorings restricted? It all looks a bit dodgy for a landlubber like me - what do the local seafarers think, including our venerable leader? Please advise!

[DonnieC]

I've just seen the pontoon from sea level and it looks to be exactly as per plans.

The majority of the moorings in the channel are in the deep water and passage at high water will be either side of the boats depending on which way the moored boats are lying.

At low water, passage to the north will always be restricted to only small, shallow draught craft.

I never did see a problem at the time of the original furore and can't see it being a problem now

[MonaLott]

Good to know, Donnie. Thanks. It probably looks further out from the road.

[longshanks]

I've got a feeling that most things look far out to you Mona, pet.

Shankers (valid points by choice)

[MonaLott]

Shankers, your belly and manboobs look far out to me too!! But I like you, you nutter....

[longshanks]

Gee, thanks Mona.
The photo was taken at the Seil Games a few years back. The beard and maboobs have since gone but I kept the belly as its useful for resting my tinnie and ashtray on when watching the Masterchef repeats on am telly.
You should come off your hill sometime, Mona, and I'll show you a good time.
You are a filly I take it?

Spring Shanks (hormonal by choice)

[MonaLott]

Well, if you weren't a smoker, you might have a chance...........unless you're very rich...

Returning on-thread, what was your point about "navigational impact" anyway, big boy?? Could you get your large vessel past it?

[longshanks]

Well, if you weren't a smoker, you might have a chance...

The ashtray is there merely to catch the drips from my doner.

what was your point about "navigational impact" anyway, big boy?? Could you get your large vessel past it?

No, Mona ma petite choux, my large vessel is certainly not past it, just a tad rusty.
Meanwhile.....
I drove past the pontoon area this morning. At the end of the day that stretch of coast has been so utterly devastated by BB that a roadway, carpark and service buildings will make little difference now but I haven't seen anything like those berms since GW1. Anyone seen a digger driver wearing a dishcloth on his head round there?

Love Shanks (not what you think, by choice)