Hovercraft

GRANTY · Post by **GRANTY** » 12 Jul 2007, 09:20

Leave work NOW and get down to the Prom where they're obviously doing a test run of the hovercraft. It looks amazing! Not too noisy either.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 12 Jul 2007, 09:33

Thanks for the heads up on this. I can see clear across to Kirkcaldy from where I am so I'm hoping to get a good view.
Granty, has it actually set sail, em, float/hover yet? I can't see anything at the moment.

I shall keep looking.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 12 Jul 2007, 09:43

I hope it gets going soon.

Homes under the Hammer starts in 15 minutes and I can't be bobbing up and down for a look out of the window every 2 minutes once that comes on.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 12 Jul 2007, 09:49

ecm wrote:I hope it gets going soon.

Homes under the Hammer starts in 15 minutes and I can't be bobbing up and down for a look out of the window every 2 minutes once that comes on.

Dear ecm

Please see the "Heartwarming Stuff" thread that you started this morning - you've got grout to scrub, paintwork to sand and weeds to grub up - you should not be watching TV and/or staring out of the window!! Or staring at your computer.

Just thought I'd mention it (while I'm stuck in the office

where I can see boats in the Docks... but they aren't very exciting today). It's for your own good

Lotsa love
Pops

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 12 Jul 2007, 09:58

Thanks for that, Pops.

I now have visual contact with the Hovercraft.

It looks quite wee and isn't bouncing up and down on the waves as much as I thought it might do and I don't even think it's orange.

Actually, maybe it's not the hovercraft.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 12 Jul 2007, 12:02

I got a much better look at it on it's return journey about 30 minutes ago. It was going at some speed.

Can't wait for a trip on it.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 12 Jul 2007, 15:34

Thought the neighbours had bought a noisy vaccum earlier.

Saw it going backwards this morning.
I took a walk along to see the craft, it was swarming with firemen, safety checks I was told.
The hovercraft comes right up a slipway onto the concrete and there is about 8 steps to climb on board. They've put wooden steps up fpr access to the bus station. I'm not sure how wheelchair users or pushchairs will cope with that arrangemant.
I did ask one of the guys standing around about disabled acccess and he says they're looking into it. I'll go back next week and see if they've improved access

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 12 Jul 2007, 16:04

SoupDragon wrote:Thought the neighbours had bought a noisy vaccum earlier.
Saw it going backwards this morning.
I took a walk along to see the craft, it was swarming with firemen, safety checks I was told.
The hovercraft comes right up a slipway onto the concrete and there is about 8 steps to climb on board. They've put wooden steps up fpr access to the bus station. I'm not sure how wheelchair users or pushchairs will cope with that arrangemant.
I did ask one of the guys standing around about disabled acccess and he says they're looking into it. I'll go back next week and see if they've improved access

Great work! 8 steps isn't as huge a height as I imagined, and there are good prospects for a ramp

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 12 Jul 2007, 16:26

ecm wrote:I got a much better look at it on it's return journey about 30 minutes ago. It was going at some speed.

Can't wait for a trip on it.

So when are you going/ A week on Friday?

GRANTY · Post by **GRANTY** » 12 Jul 2007, 17:01

The man told me that the first crossing today took 10 minutes! Wow.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 12 Jul 2007, 18:30

Porty wrote:
ecm wrote:I got a much better look at it on it's return journey about 30 minutes ago. It was going at some speed.

Can't wait for a trip on it.
So when are you going/ A week on Friday?

Probably next Saturday as early as possible.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 12 Jul 2007, 18:41

I hadn't got my camera on me earlier ( blame a Clanger ) but went along this afty
The platform goes right down from the Prom to below HighTide line
I wonder if they'd be willing to share beach access, of course there might be issues with whacking great machine powering towards the beach occassionally

The ramp isn't made of concrete but interlocking plastic

Dont know the arrangements at the other end for help etc
Anyone been over on it yet?

The sandbags look awfy like the pyramid ones

GRANTY · Post by **GRANTY** » 12 Jul 2007, 21:16

I've got some photos from this morning - of the hovercraft in action - but haven't got the technical willpower (patience) to figure out how to post them!

EDIT: photos added/L

GRANTY · Post by **GRANTY** » 13 Jul 2007, 07:42

The hovercraft is out and about again! Just left for Kirkcaldy! Much quieter than 1 jetski!!!!

Photos should appear soon if you missed it.

Ali

GRANTY · Post by **GRANTY** » 13 Jul 2007, 13:33

Thanks to Wangi for making it seem like I know how to add photos in my posts. I'll tell you what, though....I take a nice photo!

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 13 Jul 2007, 13:49

You certainly do.

The hovercraft looks great. Bet I get sea-sick on it, though.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 13 Jul 2007, 15:36

ecm wrote:
The hovercraft looks great. Bet I get sea-sick on it, though.

I feel sea sick just looking at it. i really, really don't like water craft. and I'm frightened of the sea itself.

rapunzell · Post by **rapunzell** » 13 Jul 2007, 15:43

This looks excitingly James Bond

And Granty is a closet fab photographer!

Dadaist · Post by **Dadaist** » 13 Jul 2007, 18:42

All we need now is a Stargate at the pyramids and Porty beach is sorted for transportation links!

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 13 Jul 2007, 20:54

cool pics

though it looks a bit scary too

Robin! · Post by **Robin!** » 14 Jul 2007, 10:57

Looks well smart

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 16 Jul 2007, 13:50

I'll be sure to have a very light breakfast before I get on board!

bleurgh!

kings roader · Post by **kings roader** » 16 Jul 2007, 17:08

I am on holiday today and was heading to the 1st and last for a pint, a bacon roll and a read at my paper at about 11am. I met quite a few disgruntled people in the bar who turned up at the bus depot hoping to buy a ticket for the hovercraft, only to be told they could only buy them on the bus which they would have to access in town.

It seems pretty strange that someone living in Porty has to get a bus into town, and then another bus back to seafield road.

I know that the regulars at the F & L are planning a "day out" on Saturday on the craft. Not sure if around 24 Porty punters who will congregate a hundred yards from departure will be keen to get a 26 into town and then the "blue hover bus" back to where they started.

They said they have no facilities to sell tickets at the LRT depot ??

arachnid · Post by **arachnid** » 16 Jul 2007, 17:30

How daft is that!!!???

Seems like some high heid yin is in for the " jobsworth" award!!!

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 16 Jul 2007, 18:31

It seems that those catching the blue buses have priority over those queuing on the Prom
EN
has some reports on the mess today

Puerto bella · Post by **Puerto bella** » 16 Jul 2007, 21:03

There were quite a number of disgruntled folk who had driven over here from Leith and beyond only to be told they should have got on the bus at Ocean Terminal. Think it all came about because Stagecoach hadn't expected the numbers of people that turned up mid morning and decided to give priority to the bus folk as they had already bought their tickets. That's what a trial is for though. Good posts on the Evening News web site on it all.
Nevertheless it was still exciting, or am I really sad?

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 16 Jul 2007, 21:13

Puerto bella wrote:Nevertheless it was still exciting, or am I really sad?

Not at all, Pb!! Well, I would say that that because Plug & I are very much looking forward to a wee midweek trip next week. Lucky for us, we work next to the Ocean Terminal so are spared the "going a long way for a short cut"!!

If the positive comments are anything to go by,it's a pity it's only for two weeks - I seem to recollect that it might be a while yet before it's made permanent?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 16 Jul 2007, 21:34

I had intended to be on the first hovercraft 'flight' (as they amusingly term it) to Kirkcaldy this morning but the weather didn't look too promising. Instead, we turned up this afternoon, along with many other people, expecting to be able to buy a ticket and hop onboard, only to be disappointed.

Now planning to be on the 14:30 flight ("We will be cruising at an altiitude of approximately seven centimetres") tomorrow.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 17 Jul 2007, 11:16

Meanwhile, back on the subject of the hovercraft, from today's Scotsman:

Trial raises hope for permanent hovercraft

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 17 Jul 2007, 13:05

Were there 22 sailings yesterday?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 18 Jul 2007, 13:24

From today's Scotsman:

Hovercraft proves a sell-out

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 18 Jul 2007, 13:45

We got the 9:30 'flight' this morning. I drove to the bus depot, mainly as I had a friend with me who has difficulty in walking. I was told that there was nowhere to leave my car. Could I just hop out and buy a ticket before parking my car at the foot of Kings Road? No, that wouldn't be possible. Could I, in that case, leave my car at the foot of Kings Road, walk along the prom and go up the steps? No, that wasn't possible either.

So I parked the car and we walked back to buy our tickets. But again we had got it wrong and were instructed that we must enter the depot on the other side of the road. Passengers waiting to embark are now kept in a 'holding pen' while the Promenade itself is closed off entirely to pedestrians and cyclists while passengers embark and disembark.

Our crossing was very smooth and uneventful. A bit noisy but very comfortable. Every seat was taken and there was a buzz of excitement with lots of people taking photographs.

Our intention was to remain onboard and return to Porty but this wasn't possible. Instead, we had to disembark and join the queue at Kirkcaldy for the return journey. There were hundreds of people in the queue and we were advised that we could have a 3 hour wait. Instead, we opted to take the bus back to Edinburgh.

So, glad we got the opportuntiy to use the service but not overly impressed with the way the trial has been organised.

bearcub · Post by **bearcub** » 18 Jul 2007, 19:33

Bob Jefferson wrote:So, glad we got the opportuntiy to use the service but not overly impressed with the way the trial has been organised.

Suppose it is just a trial, and the main thing it is teaching them is there is a demand for it. However, the second thing it's teaching them is...it needs to be a lot better organised!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 18 Jul 2007, 22:22

From today's EN:

More services as hovercraft proves a hit

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 18 Jul 2007, 23:24

My dad turned up yesterday hoping to catch the hovercraft (from the foot of Kings Rd.)
He was told varying and contradictory things by the people waiting. Tried the staff and was even more confused.
Given that he's in his late 70s , has osteporosis and liver tumours he wasn't keen to wait around on the off chance someone might know when he could get on
He gave up and went home most unimpressed by the lack of info available.

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Hovercraft

Hovercraft

hovercraft

Hovercraft

Re: Hovercraft