Thames rib experience

[Chelsea14Ian]

Thanks to a present from Marina,today i went on a rib on the Thames.Firstly i went to Chelsea to get my new first team shirt with my name and 60 printed on it.Back to the river,it was a great trip,starting very slowly,building in speed,boy it went quick,we whizzed past everything.On the way planes taking part in the flypast marking VJ day went overhead.Once again a great day,I am going to fit that engine to Sweetkingfisher.

 

Ian

[Baitrunner]

Ian I am doing that next Saturday! A pressie like yours was .

glad you enjoyed it and hoping it is nearly as good as jet boating! 

Do you want me to grab one of those engines for you?

[Chelsea14Ian]

Never done jet boating,but it was fast, coming back the skipper twisked and turned great fun.Yes please.

 

Ian

[SPEEDTRIPLE]

 

I did ask Karen for a Hovercraft experience day near Gatwick airport. She was going to pay for it, but iturned out to be £100 ish for 15 minutes actual driving. I told her not to bother, as it will be cheaper to buy one and use it for an hour or so till i`m bored with it, then sell it for what i payed for it, or possibly a bit more?.

[Baitrunner]

We did the hovercraft driving a few weeks ago at North Weald airfield for £30. You only got 10mins driving but it was probably worth it. 

[NonTecky]

How Spooky!  We did the Thames Rib experience last Wednesday! One of the best things I have ever done in London! We did the 'Thames Barrier Experience' which I would totally recommend and will do again myself! OK I have to admit I was holding on like hell at certain points when the skipper was doing 90 degree turns at 40mph! I'm bloody sure we got air several times too!

[Chelsea14Ian]

That's the same one I did brilliant

Ian

[Boaters]

Not boating ,but last year Diane got me a race experience at Brands Hatch ,brilliant on the track with other cars ,firstly in a Lotus Elise then a Nissan GT R  absolutely fantastic machine ,these things stay in your memory because their  so unique..Dont think I will  get the chance to drive that fast again.

[Chelsea14Ian]

Hi I did one two years ago in a jag with a pro driver,I don't drive(only boats).I have been lucky,have flown in a DC3,Rapid and Taxied in a Lancaster.A few more on the wish list.Rear seat of the Red Arrows(unlikely) fly inverted over the Grand Cannon,and Gliding.

 

As Roy said these things stay with you forever. Ian

[Baitrunner]

Some good adventures there Ian. 

A question for those who have done the Thames rib thing. Did you get wet? Is there anywhere to change? I am assuming they give you waterproofs to wear as well?

we plan on making a day of it but don't fancy walking around in wet shoes and trousers all day!

[Chelsea14Ian]

Yes Mark they do offer waterproofs,however I didn't wear one you get a slight spay nothing much,and of course nlife jackets.I am sure you will have fun

[Jonathan]

Ian,

At the end of your list is Gliding.  In Kent there are gliding clubs at Challock and Dover, In Essex there is one near Colchester, and in Norfolk at Tibenham see https://www.gliding.co.uk/club-finder.  If you need any more information just ask!

[Baitrunner]

Thanks Ian. 

Jonathan I have a voucher for a glider flight at tibenham to book up soon. 

Looks like a few of us got experience gifts this year - or they are trying to kill us off!!!

[Jonathan]

Mark,

If you go there on a Sunday then I will probably be there too.

Edited August 18, 2015 by Jonathan
typo!

[NonTecky]

Some good adventures there Ian. 

A question for those who have done the Thames rib thing. Did you get wet? Is there anywhere to change? I am assuming they give you waterproofs to wear as well?

we plan on making a day of it but don't fancy walking around in wet shoes and trousers all day!

Hi, You don't get wet from the ride, but if it rains..... They do offer waterproofs, I actually grabbed a jacket as I only had a polo shirt on and thought it may get a bit breezy at speed on the water.... glad I did!

[Baitrunner]

Jonathan,

   if i remember i will drop you a PM once I have it booked.

thanks Steve. Advice taken and i agree it probably makes sense to borrow a jacket for the trip. looks like a drop of rain Sat afternoon as well!!

[Chelsea14Ian]

Thanks Jonathan for the info,I will drop a few hints to father Christmas! I am also flying in a Tiger moth.

 

Iain✈☺

[Baitrunner]

Did our rib ride today and great fun. 

Grinned all the way and loved the zig zagging and the big 360 at Canary Wharf. 

Think we will be on a lot of holiday photos/videos as London was packed to the gunnels. 

Borough Market will be visited again as we now have a bag of cheese, salami and various other foods after a short visit there en route to the rib. 

[Chelsea14Ian]

Good fun yes,next time you go to brought markets,try the chocolate,when I used to do event catering he used to do our chocs.Not cheap but very good.

 

Ian

[Baitrunner]

Second adventure of the year (OK not really an adventure, but a bit of fun) was the Forest Segway at Highlodge.

£30 for a 1 hour session and they are really good fun. We only had a couple of accidents in the group and that was either stupidity or not listening - pretty safe if you don't try and race or cut corners.

Gliding is on for this Sunday if the weather calms down - don't fancy it in today's wind!!

[Baitrunner]

A bit late on the update, but the gliding was cancelled back in Nov (40Mph winds would have seen me somewhere over Holland!!!).

But, it happened a couple of weeks ago. Touch and go on the weather, but as we got to the airfield the clouds cleared and the sun came out. Very chilly, but had a great flight in lovely clear skies.

 Just to prove I did it here I am after we landed - shame they dont allow cameras in the cockpit during the flight.

Sorry Jonathan, but forgot to message you to see if you were around the day I flew.

What's the point of having to wear the parachute as well? I think I would have just wet myself if we had needed to use it.

Anyone not done one - go for it.

[Chelsea14Ian]

Thats one I want to do,will drop hint for my Birthday.Love flying don't however want to do a Hot air balloon.

 

Ian

[Baitrunner]

Do it Ian. We only live once (and for a long time if we are lucky).

I used Norfolk Gliding Club, but there must be plenty of others especially down your neck of the woods.

[Chelsea14Ian]

Yes there is I got it for a present for Marina a few years ago

[Baitrunner]

The last of the bucket trips so far this year - tractor driving experience last Saturday.

What a rubbish day, but great to play on some very big boys toys.

A couple of old 1950's tractors and a JCB loader (loading pallets onto a trailer) and then a couple of modern Case tractors. One with a trailer and a spot of reversing the other just a run down the field playing with the 20 odd gears. Anyone who hasn't sat in a modern tractor might think it's tough ploughing a field. But they are super quiet, air conditioned, radio, all electronic clutch/gear shift, power steering and brakes and GPS to make the ploughing as automatic as it can get. Easier than driving a car!!!

Pictures weren't very good, but will post a couple when I get time.