thought i had better put something on here before we lose the thread alltogether. anymore thoughts on where we can have a bit off a do !!!
Hi Gerbil
Did you get it
Weāll not loose this thread.
The location has many possibilities, traniht has one but he has to get acceptance, nevertheless Iām sure it will happen, even if its just the two of us!
Gerbil informs me that Chantal of the āFerry Boatā is no longer with us, god bless her.
Cor blimey Gazza, that,s sad news mate, Chantal was part of that wonderful era
when the job was enjoyable. Always a friendly smile and a chat in the Ferry Boat
when waiting for or having just got off the Thoresen Ferries aye. A great shame.
Very sad news, Gerbil told me yesterday but he knows very little other than the present owner of The Ferryboat
told Robbie Bartlett that she had gone. As yet no one knows how or when.If it is true itās a shame as she would only be in her early 60ās.
I like most of us spent many hours there when clearing customs or waiting for a boat. It was also, along with the Leopard Bar, where we would all meet up and share a drink or two.
RIP Chantal, God bless sweetheart 
Sad news about Chantal (RIP)
I saw Chantal about 1972 and she was working in The Ferryboat for a guy cant remember his name, and then he had gone ā ā and Chantal had it. Chantal was always good for the drivers, you could have a breakfast or a beer and she was very nice to speak to. If you had used all the money for beer she was always good to loan you some . I think everybody liked Chantal such a shame for Chantal to go.
Allso what happened to āPeterā in the Leopard Bar ā ā does anyone know ā ā
RIP Chantal, god bless for being so good.
richardg
Hi richardg the guy that had the ferry boat when chantell came there ws john he passed on quit a few years back as for peer not sure about him but iām sure someone will know. whatās going on with august anymore suggestions for a meet and a beer
sorry that should have been peter not peer fingers not working to well, must be time for bed 
Hi gerbil sb152, Yep John was his name. Now I remember him, he had a biggish belly , fat face and white hair.
That was a long long time ago when he had the bar.
richardg
Hi Rich, I arrived on the scene in May '77 driving for Cabmont, at the time old John owned the Ferryboat and a girl named
Lilian worked behind the bar. After a few weeks Chantal and her 4 children arrived from Armentiers, Lilian stayed on for a
couple of weeks to ease her in and then disappeared. In due course Beatrice arrived and after some years Chantal bought John out, he bought himself a motorhome and travelled around, popping in from time to time until his demise.
As regards Peter and Nicole at the Leopard bar I last visited them about 2yrs ago. They were still running the bar although
looking quite old, (not like us) lol!
Does anyone remember the Lamb embargo in the late 70ās when all English lamb was banned into France? Peter developed
quite a business importing lamb on the black, which was much sought after in France.
The deal was, when travelling on the Townsend Thoresen freighter Viking IV night crossing, Calvin or Alain, the stewards
would approach you and you would give them your keys, these would be returned to you at breakfast along with Ā£30. When entering your cab, you would find about 6 lambs all jointed and boxed on your bunk. On disembarking you would go round
to Hangar 31 in the docks where Peter would meet you and relieve you of the lambs, I never understood why he chose that
location as it was right opposite the Douane offices! Still it was a good little tickle all round.
Regards GAZ
Hi Gaz Blimey I didnt know you had driven for PBC which then was Cabmont. Did you know āFingersā drove for PBC long time ago lol You proberbly new lol
You must have a very good memory Gaz I can only just remember my own name lol lol
richardg
Hi all,
So sorry to hear about Chantal such a lovely lady, I still have those little gifts she used to give out at Christmas, does anyone know where Beatrice is these days ?
Gary all those Bensons you smoked have not affected your memory ! your mention of the French and their English meat bans reminds me I have somewhere a video of a TV interview of Polly when they burnt his load just outside Chebourg, I think he had his teeth in as well
Is that why you always had a blow up Sheep in the cab ?
Look forward to this get together before itās too late 
Regards MaggieD
ps told my mate who flies the air ambulance he may have to go to Droitwich to pick you up Richard 
richardg
Nothing wrong with my long term memory Rich, I just have trouble with what happened five minutes ago!
MaggieD
I too still have some of those little Christmas gifts Rich. Now Iām glad you mentioned my blow up sheep mate,
Iām still trying to find out who the [zb] was who got too excited and gave her a love bite and punctured her whilst
I was on holiday and didnāt even empty her!!! I patched her up but she was never the same again, she kept going down on me but not in a good way!
I am also really looking forward to the reunion in August.
Regards GAZ
Hi All, If this āReunion in Augustā is going to be happening, does anyone no when and where?
Maybe Gazzer or Ian let us know please??
richardg
I have mooted the August Bank Holiday. Either the Saturday or the Sunday to enable a Monday of recuperation!
Locationā¦Tim Sheppards pub at Shirrell Heath has been suggestedā¦not that anyone has asked him! But then no one ever did!
Hi all i will brave it and go and ask Tim iām always out that way, that is if thatās where everyone wantās it ? hey gazzer i see todd eventually got on here then on the kingswood thread trouble is you wont stop him know.
You are right there Gerbil as i now have plenty of time on my hands as i am now out of work.
Grasp the nettle Gerbil and see what Sheppy says. He might not want our businessā¦If not, weāll find somewhere else! Todd whats the name of the Pub? Between Wickham and Botley at the Shirrell Heath turn, about 1km from the ānewā vets center.
If its the one one the right as you go towards Botley from Wickham i think you will find it is the Wheatsheaf, I have not been in there so i could:nt tell you what its like they all look the same at kicking out time to me.