Here We Go Again
The fbbs moved to the Isle of Wight in January 1984 and very soon it became apparent that there was much dissatisfaction with the various ferry operators. The main gripe was that crossing the Solent was the most expensive ferry journey in the UK.
It wasn't! Some of the Scottish ferries were more expensive, mile for mile, and they were run by the Government, deftly hiding behind the CalMac company.
So every few years MPs or local Councillors announce (often at local election time) that they are going to do something about the appalling ferry service to and from the Island.
The game has been played out roughly every five years. And nothing has changed yet!
Recently there has been a high level round table meeting around round tables with the two Island MPs and the Minister for Boats, Mike Kane (peeping in left on the header photo).
Meanwhile, outside, the locals were, yet again, revolting!
Each of the ferry operators submitted a press-bite, so here is the Wisdom from Wightlink ...
... The Reaction from Red Funnel ...
amd the Homily from Hovertravel.
A special prize is to be awarded by the three MPs to any reader who can provide a list of what the three spokespersons actually suggested by way of improvement to their decaying service.
But there is Good News for Red Funnel. After months of unreliability, short notice cancellations and general incompetence the company has won an award.
Feefo Trusted Service? Trusted to mess up peoples' journeys?
Unbelievable!
Unusual Buses From fbb
Yes, folks it was really manufactured. The company made 11 in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The recipients are duly recorded below.
Nos 1 to 10 were conventionally powered (for their day) with an engine at the front ...
No 11 had a different wheel configuration with an engine at the back that pushed.
One or two illustrations appear on line of a three segment vehicle ...
The Neoplan venture is not to be confused with a UK company based in Newport South Wales ...
Their specification is a bit better than a clapped out Dormobile or two.
Maybe fbb and Mrs should charter one for their next UK holiday?
Looks Familiar?
But not familiar!
... where it lost its roof.
It is preserved and appears regularly at rallies. Does a side view help?
It began life as a "normal" Bristol VR with Ribble, and looked something like this.
fbb could not find a picture of the actual vehicle which was registered CBV 9S.
It then moved to Guide Friday as is pictured below, looking a bit sad, but branded for their Cotswold Tour ...
Carters had a lid added thus creating the vehicle as existing now; it was re-registered at some stage.
Hopeless Hydrogen Happenings!
Essen and Mulheim
Don't Buy A Hydrogen Car In Austria!
Snippets
Not really anything to do with Public Transport, but in their own way they brought a smile to fbb's face.
The first is the headstone from the grave of that great comedian Roy Hudd.
Roy was a walking encyclopaedia on everything to do with the Music Halls which makes his poster-style stone so so appropriate.
And what a privilege it is to have such excellent planners and safety offices at work in our Local Authorities. To prevent exuberant cyclists from going too fast and mowing down little old ladies ...
... you put chicanes across the pathway cycle route.
Did the planners overlook somethng?
Mr Tubbles Killed It!
The fbbs' previous employer, Jacko by name, was won't to sun himself ON Peterville village when the model railway was outside in the rear appurtenances of fbb mansions.
This tended not to be the best treatment for fbb's carefully modelled church and pub. At 4mm to the foot, Jacko as slightly over scale for the models!
Mr Tubbles has shown little interest in the relocated model railway with just an occasional wander on the baseboard to check the accuracy of fbb's modelling.
But last week he was greatly distressed by one of the new skylight windows due to be installed in the carriage shed.
There it was lying on the fbb carpet having escaped from its packet.
Mt Tubbles was on the job and quickly dealt with the threat to his safety and security.
He killed it!
Cats and model railways are not ideal bedfellows, theoretically and literally!
Isn't Technology Wonderful?
fbb went to the small bakery shop in Seaton yesterday. He bought a loaf, some rolls and a couple of cakes, all baked on the premises. He paid by "tap and go".
When he got home he found the cardholder receipt in the bag.
All those numbers for a bag of buns etc.
Has the world gone mad?
Tomorrow, we meet one of these.
Next Variety blog : Monday 28th April
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