Hurly Hawkin

As a Baby Boomer I understand that the world doesn’t owe me anything and that no one is going to be there to spoon feed me, that is until I enter a Care Home !!

[TheBossRoss 🇪🇺 🧶 ❄ 📷 6x💉 @BettinaSRoss1]

It's just so important to see things from a different angle.

So here is how an IT helpdesk experienced the #Crowdstrike outage. 🧵

Please, read this even if you no interest in IT or know nothing about it. It doesn't matter. It's about appreciation for those who keep us going.

[Steven Robb @StevenMRobb]

Tripadvisor review for Burrell Collection - I do so hope this is real...

[James Lucas @JamesLucasIT]

Thread of the most beautiful metro stations on Earth 🧵

1. Toledo, Naples

[Hurly Hawkin @HurlyHawkin]

@SimonCalder Many years ago I was on a Cathay flight which was diverted to Heathrow due to fog at Gatwick. We had to sit on the tarmac for over six hours before flying back to Gatwick. The reason given at the time for not deplaning was, the airline would have to pay landing charges. 😂

[Hurly Hawkin @HurlyHawkin]

@JSS779 Sepilok Rehab Centre was a fabulous place to visit, but you might also want to consider this challenge to climb Mount Kinabalu 😜 https://t.co/UjR8gLKdzj

[Hurly Hawkin @HurlyHawkin]

@paulfrewDUP A lasting and evocative memory of those brave men, well worth a watch.

https://t.co/eJg3YRt3BO

[Paddle Steamer Waverley @PS_Waverley]

5,4,3,2...1 DAY TO GO! 🚢⏰

The countdown is on for Waverley's first sailing of 2024.

Waverley's 2024 National Timetable can be viewed at https://t.co/QCsbEH5xsG

Tickets for all Waverley sailings can be purchased online at https://t.co/vAwON3gG23 or by calling 0141 243 2224 (Mon-Fri 0930-1630, Sat 0930-1300).

[Irish Ranger (Sevvy) @VeteranIrish]

Military History - OTD - Captain Robert Nairac - George Cross 🙏

Today we remember Captain Robert Nairac GC, taken on this date 45 yrs ago by the IRA, his body has never been recovered, Irish Republicans refuse to give information on where his body is today.

On 13 February 1979, Nairac was posthumously awarded the George Cross. The citation reads, in part:

“On his fourth tour, Captain Nairac was a Liaison Officer at Headquarters 3 Infantry Brigade. His task was connected with surveillance operations.

On the night of 14/15, May 1977 Captain Nairac was abducted from a village in South Armagh by at least seven men. Despite his fierce resistance he was overpowered and taken across the border into the nearby Republic of Ireland where he was subjected to a succession of exceptionally savage assaults, Nairac was allegedly punched, kicked, pistol-whipped and hit with a wooden post, He did not admit to his true identity. in an attempt to extract information which would have put other lives and future operations at serious risk. These efforts to break Captain Nairac's will failed entirely. Weakened as he was in strength – though not in spirit – by the brutality, he yet made repeated and spirited attempts to escape, but on each occasion was eventually overpowered by the weight of the numbers against him. After several hours in the hands of his captors, Captain Nairac was callously murdered by a gunman of the Provisional Irish Republican Army who had been summoned to the scene.he was shot dead in a field. His assassin subsequently said 'He never told us anything, He was a great soldier"

Captain Nairac's exceptional courage and acts of the greatest heroism in circumstances of extreme peril showed devotion to duty and personal courage second to none”

He died for Queen and Country and will never be forgotten.

LEST WE FORGET

[Paddle Steamer Waverley @PS_Waverley]

PADDLE STEAMER WAVERLEY IS ANNOUNCED AS NATIONAL FLAGSHIP OF THE YEAR 2024

Waverley has been awarded the prestigious status of National Flagship of the Year 2024 by @NatHistShips

The award recognises the breadth and geographic coverage of Waverley’s sailings in addition to the extended sailing programme planned for 2024 with a record beating seventy ports and piers included within this year’s cruising itinerary, supported by a dedicated marketing strategy and extensive engagement across major social media platforms.

Throughout the season Waverley will proudly fly a special Flagship Pennant to denote her national status and receive an engraved brass plaque. The Flagship of the Year status has been awarded annually by National Historic Ships UK since 2009 to spotlight vessels on the National Register of Historic Vessels, celebrating their significance and historical value.

WAVERLEY’S 2024 SAILING PROGRAMME
Waverley’s ambitious 2024 sailing programme gets underway on Friday 17th May with a weekend of sailings on the Clyde Coast before she sets course for Oban and the Inner Hebrides. As May turns to June Waverley heads south for the Bristol Channel where her sailings last summer were so well received almost all were sold out in advance.

The highlight of the 2024 season will be Waverley’s return to the South West and River Dart in late August where she will exchange whistles with Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle as the last two operational paddle steamers in the UK meet for the first time in over a decade. Kingswear Castle celebrates her centenary this year and was previously flagship winner in 2019.

OUTSTANDING ECONOMIC IMPACT
Following Waverley’s successful 2023 season an independent Economic Impact Assessment concluded that passengers aboard the historic vessel contributed an impressive £11.6 million to UK economy, with £6 million in Scotland and £5.6 million across the rest of the UK. This substantial increase represents a remarkable 107% rise from 2015 figures, showcasing Waverley's growing influence and importance in the maritime and tourism industries.

Moreover, the assessment highlighted a significant boost in average passenger expenditure, with onboard spending soaring by 125% between 2015 and 2023. This increase, coupled with a nearly 30% rise in passenger numbers since 2015, underscores Waverley's expanding appeal and economic significance.

Waverley's impact extends beyond financial metrics, supporting approximately 184 full-time equivalent jobs, compared to 136 in 2015. At the local level, Waverley's presence in Argyll and Bute contributes an estimated £1.4 million annually to the local economy. These findings underscore the pivotal role of Waverley in job creation and economic sustainability, particularly in coastal communities.

Beyond the ship’s economic contributions, Waverley stands as a symbol of maritime history and heritage, attracting passengers across a range of generations with her nostalgic charm. Now, fifty years on since being gifted for £1, Waverley engages tens of thousands of passengers and supporters each year with her cruises in several areas of the UK.

Waverley's recognition with the National Flagship Award 2024 reaffirms her status as an iconic vessel and a testimony to the nation’s shipping legacy. As she prepares to embark on her 2024 cruises, Waverley’s owning charity’s mission remains steadfast to maintain her in full operational condition to give the greatest public access to a living and working steam heritage attraction of national and international significance.

Tickets for sailings across the 2024 season can be booked online at https://t.co/5LYmuA43c9 or by calling 0141 243 2224.

[Network Rail Scotland @NetworkRailSCOT]

⚠️ We’re dealing with a track defect on the East Coast Main Line south of Edinburgh that’s meant we’ve closed a section of the southbound line – it’s unlikely to reopen until Monday due to the repairs needed. We're running a limited number of trains using the opposite track.

[Netherlands Embassy 🇬🇧 @NLinUK]

Join us today in celebrating #Kingsday 👑 🇳🇱 the Dutch national day uniting everyone in the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands - Long live the King! #Kingsday2024

[Paddle Steamer Waverley @PS_Waverley]

LONDON’S CALLING FOR WAVERLEY!

Get ready to step aboard Waverley as she makes her grand return to London and the Thames Estuary this autumn from Friday 27th September to Sunday 13th October. This year we have several very special cruises in store as well as our ever popular trips up the ‘Twinkling Thames’, ‘Under Tower Bridge’ or meeting up with our friends on Steam Tug Challenge.

The Thames sailings start from Ipswich and Clacton for a cruise under Tower Bridge TWICE on Friday 27th September. On Sunday 29th September we celebrate with Paddle Steamer Medway Queen as she reaches her 100th Anniversary with a special sailing all the way up the River Medway to Rochester.

We are delighted to announce that Waverley will be expanding her calling points this year with a sailing from Folkestone all the way to London - remarkably her first visit to Folkestone since 2002. Given the likely interest we recommend advance booking for this cruise on Thursday 3rd October.

On Friday 4th October Waverley will mark the 60th Anniversary of Radio Caroline with a special sailing round MV Ross Revenge with some special guests joining us for the afternoon.

Join the ultimate Thames Forts Cruise on Sunday 6th October exploring Shivering Sands, Red Sands, and Knock John Forts. These intriguing structures, constructed during World War II to defend London and coastal regions from air attacks, are a sight to behold. The Maunsell Sea Fort Historian will offer an informative commentary during the cruise, and Pirate radio celebrities will also be joining this special sailing. This year Waverley will be adding another Fort to her cruising itinerary with a unique sailing round the Principality of Sealand with Prince Michael of Sealand set to join us on Tuesday 8th October.

On Saturday 12th October step aboard for the Swingtime Sweetheart Forties Band and D-Day 80th Anniversary cruise to the Forts. The finale to Waverley’s London & Thames 2024 sailings will see her take part in a Historic Ships Parade to the Forts along with Steam Tug Challenge on Sunday 13th October.

Don’t miss your opportunity to step aboard on one (or more) of Waverley’s London & Thames cruises – book your tickets today at https://t.co/5LYmuA43c9 or call our booking office on 0141 243 2224.

[Paddle Steamer Waverley @PS_Waverley]

LONDON & THAMES ESTUARY 2024 TIMETABLE - Launches Friday 26th April

We now have everything in place for this year’s London & Thames Estuary Timetable with Tower Bridge lift times confirmed yesterday. You can even view Waverley’s 30 (possibly her most ever in a 15 day operating period) booked bridge lifts on the Tower Bridge website - visit https://t.co/NBJ0GiczeR

Waverley will be operating on the Thames from Friday 27th September to Sunday 13th October.

Today we are finalising and double checking the booking system so that bookings can open as the timetable is released tomorrow. This year sees Waverley offer sailings from London Tower Pier, Gravesend, Southend Pier, Whitstable, Clacton Pier, Ipswich, Southwold Pier and one further location not visited since 2002 - can you guess where?

We are delighted to be able to include a number of events this year including some very special sailings to the Thames Forts, a sailing to mark the Centenary of PS Medway Queen and a cruise to meet Steam Tug Challenge for a extra special Historic Ships Parade. Full details will be released with the timetable.

https://t.co/5LYmuA43c9

#waverleyexcursions #towerbridge #london #waverley #paddlesteamer

[Paddle Steamer Waverley @PS_Waverley]

WAVERLEY UPDATE - WEDNESDAY 24th APRIL

Since returning to Glasgow last week following dry dock the ship has been a hive of activity as work pushes to completion on the winter refit.

This winter we have undertaken several refurbishment tasks beyond the required survey work including:

> new flooring in both deck shelters

> new flooring in the galley

> extensive deck replacement works on the forward promenade deck and port bridge wing

> new upholstered seating in the deck shelters and dining saloon

> new crew showers

> all new bedding and carpets fitted to the crew cabins

> internal painting in the deck shelters and engine room alleyways.

This winter we have had new ventilation ducting and extractor fans fitted to the boiler room and new insulation fitted to the back of the cylinders on the main engine.

Crew join next week for familiarisation training and final preparations for the ship entering passenger service on Friday 17th May.

We had hoped to have released the South West and South Coast timetable by this time but we are still awaiting final confirmation from all third parties. In the meantime we have been pushing ahead with the London & Thames Estuary timetable and plan to release this in the coming days. Look out for a further update.

We also have some exciting news to share next week!

Book online at https://t.co/5LYmuA43c9 or call 0141 243 2224.

#waverleyexcursions #waverley #summer2024 #steamengine #paddlesteamer

[Hurly Hawkin @HurlyHawkin]

@JSS779 The ‘Dan Dare’ Comet has to be right up there in my experience. - https://t.co/dmEkYSL3c6

[Hurly Hawkin @HurlyHawkin]

@JimByersTravel @KaanapaliMaui @mauivisit @gohawaiica Spent a fabulous couple of weeks in The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Ka'anapali. I have just had look at todays price’s and they seem a bit OTT, rather than go back, I think I will stick with the memories. 😜

[Hurly Hawkin @HurlyHawkin]

@BeingScots Bellochantuy !!

[Hurly Hawkin @HurlyHawkin]

@scottiebateman @SanDiegoAirport Back in the day, the flight path used to go over an Open Air Theatre where the show was stopped as an aircraft approached. You are probably too young to remember that. 😜 - https://t.co/0hOIyAGpvo.

[Hurly Hawkin @HurlyHawkin]

@JSS779 Vienna