Whats the strangest or most exciting thing

[Robmac]

One of the most exciting things I saw from a van window was in 1968 as we drove along a high road just outside Portsmouth looking out to sea, I would have been 9 at the time and staring out of the rear window in awe.

We were in my Dad's old Bedford van and he pulled over so we could witness Sir Alec Rose sailing Lively Lady along the Solent at the end of his circumnavigation of the Earth. It was a fantastic sight to behold with thousands of people waiting to welcome him and a huge flotilla out in the Solent to escort him in.

We made our way into Southsea as best we could but then had to abandon the van and go on foot due to the sheer weight of traffic but it was so worth it to watch him come in. The noise of the crowd and sounds of boats sounding their fog horns was overwhelming.

I've just watched this for the first time on YouTube and got quite emotional.

 

[molly 2]

I once woke in the early hours to an infernal racket going on outside.

Looked out of the window and there was an Elk riding a Unicycle dressed in a gold Lamé leotard, sunglasses, a pork pie hat and red high heeled shoes whilst playing the trombone! I told Julie the next morning but she hadn't heard a thing.

(may not have happened)

I was sat in my van at Druridge when familiar face walked past , it was an old freind I hadn't seen for over 15 years we now often meet at meets

 

[molly 2]

I once woke in the early hours to an infernal racket going on outside.

Looked out of the window and there was an Elk riding a Unicycle dressed in a gold Lamé leotard, sunglasses, a pork pie hat and red high heeled shoes whilst playing the trombone! I told Julie the next morning but she hadn't heard a thing.

(may not have happened)

I saw it , it was Ral on a mission

 

[Jo001]

This isn't exactly from the van window, but indulge me. It's related to a strange thing that happened while we were away in the van. I swear this is 100% true.

We occasionally take the van to the town where Mr 001 grew up. He likes to reminisce about the gardens he pinched apples from, and the bad corner where he fell off his bike.

One of his reminiscence stories involved a pal he had when they were about 10 years old (so around 65 years ago, hold that thought). We'll call the pal Jeff. Because that was his name. Anyway, one day they were walking down the road and spotted a sixpence on the ground. Jeff asked Mr 001 if it was his and he said yes - even though it wasn't (sixpence was a lot of money to a 10 year old back then - he's not proud, but he was only 10). Mr 001 has carried some guilt over it for a long time.

About 18 months ago we had been out for a meal in a pub in that town and the old friend, Jeff, came in (they recognised each other from Facebook). So Mr 001 went to the bar and bought us all a round of drinks. He dropped his change, picked it up and came back with the drinks. But the barmaid followed and said he'd missed one of the coins. Believe it or not, it was a sixpence.

The possible explanations are that:

• Jeff has been carrying a sixpence around for 65 years, just waiting for the time he might bump into Mr 001 again. Unlikely.
• The pub hasn't been properly cleaned since sixpenny pieces went out of circulation. I've been in some dodgy pubs, but this isn't like that. So also unlikely.

Or ... ?

Obviously he gave it to Jeff. His conscience is now clear.

 

[Robmac]

This isn't exactly from the van window, but indulge me. It's related to a strange thing that happened while we were away in the van. I swear this is 100% true.

We occasionally take the van to the town where Mr 001 grew up. He likes to reminisce about the gardens he pinched apples from, and the bad corner where he fell off his bike.

One of his reminiscence stories involved a pal he had when they were about 10 years old (so around 65 years ago, hold that thought). We'll call the pal Jeff. Because that was his name. Anyway, one day they were walking down the road and spotted a sixpence on the ground. Jeff asked Mr 001 if it was his and he said yes - even though it wasn't (sixpence was a lot of money to a 10 year old back then - he's not proud, but he was only 10). Mr 001 has carried some guilt over it for a long time.

About 18 months ago we had been out for a meal in a pub in that town and the old friend, Jeff, came in (they recognised each other from Facebook). So Mr 001 went to the bar and bought us all a round of drinks. He dropped his change, picked it up and came back with the drinks. But the barmaid followed and said he'd missed one of the coins. Believe it or not, it was a sixpence.

The possible explanations are that:

• Jeff has been carrying a sixpence around for 65 years, just waiting for the time he might bump into Mr 001 aagain. Unlikely.
• The pub hasn't been properly cleaned since sixpenny pieces went out of circulation. I've been in some dodgy pubs, but this isn't like that. So also unlikely.

Or ... ?

Obviously he gave it to Jeff. His conscience is now clear.

Great story!

 

[Jo001]

Great story!

And I promise, it happened exactly like that. Spooky, huh?

 

[barryd]

One of the most exciting things I saw from a van window was in 1968 as we drove along a high road just outside Portsmouth looking out to sea, I would have been 9 at the time and staring out of the rear window in awe.

We were in my Dad's old Bedford van and he pulled over so we could witness Sir Alec Rose sailing Lively Lady along the Solent at the end of his circumnavigation of the Earth. It was a fantastic sight to behold with thousands of people waiting to welcome him and a huge flotilla out in the Solent to escort him in.

We made our way into Southsea as best we could but then had to abandon the van and go on foot due to the sheer weight of traffic but it was so worth it to watch him come in. The noise of the crowd and sounds of boats sounding their fog horns was overwhelming.

I've just watched this for the first time on YouTube and got quite emotional.

I bet that was quite a sight. The golden age of single handed sailing I think. I think he attempted to set off the same time as Sir Francis Chichester but had to delay for a year. I had dreams of doing something similar once upon a time.

 

[Robmac]

And I promise, it happened exactly like that. Spooky, huh?

I always got a 'tanner' as pocket money on Saturdays when I was a lad. I was also given a thrupenny bit to take to primary school with me for the tuck shop each day in the 60's.

I managed to hang onto one of them and carried it with me all of my life. At one of the WC meets a few years back @Bongobaz kindly made me a hiking pole and made the handle out of horn and set the thrup into the handle for me so now there is no chance of losing it.

 

[Robmac]

I bet that was quite a sight. The golden age of single handed sailing I think. I think he attempted to set off the same time as Sir Francis Chichester but had to delay for a year. I had dreams of doing something similar once upon a time.

Yes Sir Francis wanted to make a race out of it which Sir Alec was against, he just wanted to sail around the world and visit his son in Australia on the way. When it started Sir Alec was involved in a collision with another boat and had to return and delay his trip for a year so the race never went ahead.

After the trip, we acquired a pet Rabbit - it was an Albino New Zealand giant and we named him Algy after the giant stuffed white Rabbit toy that accompanied Sir Alec on his trip.

I loved anything to do with boats even back then and have done ever since.

(loving this thread!)

 

[barryd]

Yes Sir Francis wanted to make a race out of it which Sir Alec was against, he just wanted to sail around the world and visit his son in Australia on the way. When it started Sir Alec was involved in a collision with another boat and had to return and delay his trip for a year so the race never went ahead.

After the trip, we acquired a pet Rabbit - it was an Albino New Zealand giant and we named him Algy after the giant stuffed white Rabbit toy that accompanied Sir Alec on his trip.

I loved anything to do with boats even back then and have done ever since.

(loving this thread!)

Robin Lee Grahams five year round the world adventure at the age of 16 was what inspired me the most. Fantastic story. I think we discussed it before. I must have read his book "Dove" a dozen times.

 

[Robmac]

Robin Lee Grahams five year round the world adventure at the age of 16 was what inspired me the most. Fantastic story. I think we discussed it before. I must have read his book "Dove" a dozen times.

Yes I think we have Barry, I must get that book.

I have books by Sir Alec, Sir Francis, Dame Ellen MacArthur, Sir Chay Blyth, Dame Naomi James etc. and Ernest Shackleton is one of my all time heroes so loads of books about him. Oddly enough I have never learned to sail though or go to sea in my own boat. I don't have the confidence or guts for it really so prefer rivers and lakes in a motorboat. I love being on the water but not so keen on being in it!

 

[barryd]

Yes I think we have Barry, I must get that book.

I have books by Sir Alec, Sir Francis, Dame Ellen MacArthur, Sir Chay Blyth, Dame Naomi James etc. and Ernest Shackleton is one of my all time heroes so loads of books about him. Oddly enough I have never learned to sail though or go to sea in my own boat. I don't have the confidence or guts for it really so prefer rivers and lakes in a motorboat. I love being on the water but not so keen on being in it!

Just as easy to end up in the drink on a river or lake though Rob. I have a whole bookshelf with all those types of books on. Dozens of them. Dove is my favourite though as its a proper coming of age story. Its actually a love story really I guess but a proper fantastic true adventure. In fact, I might have to read it again now.

Not been sailing since I was last in Europe. Hobie Cat 18 on Lac St Croix I think. A proper handful on your own. Not sure I would manage now but ill probably give it a go this summer. One of those in a stiff wind is as exciting as any bike.

 

[izwozral]

Parked overnight in a small car park. No problem. Early next morning sitting in the passenger seat looking at my map book I looked up and in the corner of the car park in plain view was a man leaning back against his red sports car giving himself hand relief.!!!!!( not having a wee)
My first reaction, with shock, was " my, that's big one"
I looked down for a while, and he must have seen movement, because when I looked up he had got in his car and moved it to the otherside of the car park.
When I left a few minutes later I was tempted to wave my phone out of the window shouting " I've got it on video "
I didn't of course, I hadn't.
Well.

Please accept my sincere apologies.

 

[Robmac]

Just as easy to end up in the drink on a river or lake though Rob. I have a whole bookshelf with all those types of books on. Dozens of them. Dove is my favourite though as its a proper coming of age story. Its actually a love story really I guess but a proper fantastic true adventure. In fact, I might have to read it again now.

Not been sailing since I was last in Europe. Hobie Cat 18 on Lac St Croix I think. A proper handful on your own. Not sure I would manage now but ill probably give it a go this summer. One of those in a stiff wind is as exciting as any bike.

Oh trust me Barry, I've been in the river many times including a drunken sleepwalk off the end of my mooring jetty and breaking through the ice waking up underwater. I wish I had learned to sail though and I love being on the sea but I am stupid enough to come to grief if I got out of sight of land.

'Dove' sounds a bit along the lines of 'Call of the wild' although that was land based and ended tragically (must read that again).

 

[barryd]

Oh trust me Barry, I've been in the river many times including a drunken sleepwalk off the end of my mooring jetty and breaking through the ice waking up underwater. I wish I had learned to sail though and I love being on the sea but I am stupid enough to come to grief if I got out of sight of land.

'Dove' sounds a bit along the lines of 'Call of the wild' although that was land based and ended tragically (must read that again).

Never too late to learn to sail Rob. As long as you are reasonably able bodied which might be an issue now for me as Im not. Most sailing clubs do taster days or at least they used to.

 

[Robmac]

Never too late to learn to sail Rob. As long as you are reasonably able bodied which might be an issue now for me as Im not. Most sailing clubs do taster days or at least they used to.

I've thought about it Barry as Grafham Water is only about 8 miles away from us and they do lessons there. I've fancied something like a Drascombe Coaster for a while now. Cuddy cabin with basic sleeping accommodation and plenty of cockpit space.

I have actually sailed a couple of times at sea but only as a lackey really. I once owned an IP23 motor sailor but I took the sails off and used it as a motor boat and I very nearly bought a MacGregor 26 having had a test sail at Falmouth, that was a sail/speed boat hybrid!

A pic of my beautiful IP23 (Right) after I had sold it to a mate, the other boat on the left is my beautiful Hardy 20. We had both moored up at the Famous 'Pike and Eel' and got p1ssed on beer and vintage port well into the night!

 

[barryd]

I've thought about it Barry as Grafham Water is only about 8 miles away from us and they do lessons there. I've fancied something like a Drascombe Coaster for a while now. Cuddy cabin with basic sleeping accommodation and plenty of cockpit space.

I have actually sailed a couple of times at sea but only as a lackey really. I once owned an IP23 motor sailor but I took the sails off and used it as a motor boat and I very nearly bought a MacGregor 26 having had a test sail at Falmouth, that was a sail/speed boat hybrid!

A pic of my beautiful IP23 (Right) after I had sold it to a mate, the other boat on the left is my beautiful Hardy 20. We had both moored up at the Famous 'Pike and Eel' and got p1ssed on beer and vintage port well into the night!

View attachment 141366

She looks lovely Rob. I never ever owned a sailing boat but often spent more time on them than my own motor cruisers. None of my mates who came with me to the boat were interested in sailing and for general arsing about a motor cruiser was a lot less hassle, especially on your own and of course easier to moor on a shallow pontoon unless you had a lifting keel.

Ullswater was a cracking lake to sail on though but incredibly fluky and not for the faint hearted.

 

[iampatman]

Goats up Argan trees in Morocco

Pat

 

[barryd]

Goats up Argan trees in Morocco

Pat

Oh yeah I remember seeing them on a trip in the 90s. Bizarre.

 

[n brown]

oohh! animal stories !
in Provence my mate lent his donkey to a bloke from the village for his kids to play with . couple of hours later we got a call , the donkey was dead ! seemed they'ed tied him to a tree by his halter,and he'd gone round the tree a couple of times and strangled himself . quite sad but what to do ?
we stuffed the corpse into my mate's tiny citroen van but couldn't close the back door because rigor mortis meant his stiff back legs were in the way . so we sawed off the legs with a wood saw [the kids were loving ths !] , drove up the mountain to a handy ravine and dropped him off .
nobody saw the village dogs for a week