Julz

The Robinsons continued to enjoy success with their chalet business through the turn of the 70's and out of season often accomodated and catered for workers who were involved in repairing the Haddiscoe 'flyover' bridge, which was still suffering from subsidence and sinking causing the road surfaces to crack badly. From chatting to the engineers who were working on the bridge, and the realisation that during these Broadland 'Boom' years moorings in the area for both private and hire craft were a potential money spinner and in short supply, they decided to seek planning permission and set about creating a Yacht basin and marina on their land between the chalets and the River Waveney. Continued below

Sorry Brian that the continuation of this thread has taken so long, I forgot about it I will get part 2 posted up over the weekend, Ive just been busy with family stuff and my dear old dad that wants a Ball-Barrow for Christmas and an Oil drum to make a garden incinerator, trouble is neither can be found to buy anywhere! Spent most of last weekend hunting the house out for my laptop power cable, which my 4 yr old grandson had 'borrowed' out of my bag and had taken home with him to try and get his 12v car to work kids dont you just love em! :-D Julz

Hi Nige, we are still antiquated here on the Heage side of Belper, no Cable installed for the area and totally lacking in freeview coverage or any good anologue coverage without signal amplifiers and boosters We have bought all the right gear ready for Digital, but until they build a new mast for coverage, we are scraping along using a transmitor from over 50 miles away, which result in pictures with quite a bit of Ghosting, so skype probably wouldnt work for us either My Dad is out at Hulland though, and he can pick up digital Tv and good broadband via his Tv ariel and land line without any problems Julz

Theres also a second fish barrier on the Broads, but im not sure where, Catfield Dyke maybe? if it gets used by the fish like last year, the Fire Brigade had to pump oxygen into the water at pressure to airate it, so many fish were packed into such a small volume of Water, they were at risk of suffocation. Julz

Anyone know if the Fish Barriers have been lowered at Herbert Woods yard to form a fish refuge? With the ammount of Sea water flooding into the rivers the salinity level is bound to rise and affect the fish populations, the stocks were only just starting to recover from last year, and now many more fish lives may be lost

Main bridge in Lowestoft now closed to traffic, heavy seas only just being kept back by the sea defences, winds continuing from the North over the weekend, but forcast to be easing in strength, although bringing down very cold weather down from the Arctic. Julz

Looks like its now peaked at GT Yarmouth, and thank goodness it wasnt as bad as first feared, although bad enough, and obviously some further flooding upstream may still occur later, but looks like the worst is now over, some roads across the bridges have now been opened to local traffic, the winds are still strong and theres still some heavy rain and sleet blowing, making very unpleasent conditions outdoors. I just hope all the water gets away quickly now Julz

Stay safe People, I Just cannot believe some of the TV pics I have seen this morning, people standing on/in areas and walls that could well give way and be breached Yarmouth has been evacuated in many areas, most businesses will be closed today, yet people are going back in just to take a look Just to add, as im sure most will realise, the flood water will contain sewerage from the flooded drains, so its very important to follow strict hand washing routines before eating and drinking if you have been in contact with the flood water, or have handled things on your boat/moorings ect that have. Julz

7,500 People have now been evacuated out of Gt Yarmouth and into rescue centres, including Caister High school, although they are now saying the surge is expected to be around 20cm lower than first feared last night. Some areas of the quay at GT Yarmouth have been breeched already, and all 3 main road routes in to the town have been closed, not only for safety reasons but to stop 'Disaster' tourists, Some People! as if the emergancy services havent got enough to deal with! The sea is now in a dangerous state, and people are being warned not to try and view the surge from the sea fronts, as the wave action is very strong and unpredictable. Freezing tempretures and sleet showers are also making things unpleasent, but hasnt stopped sightseers from standing and watching the rivers from the bridges in GT yarmouth, were the TV pics showed about 2ft clearance under their feet. The surge is now said to be 10ft above normal heights according to the 7am news. Julz

Thanks Dick Julz

Its the cattle and wild animals that may become trapped by the rising tides that I feel sad about, they simply dont understand government warnings.. Julz

Just seen it Dave, lets just hope it doesnt happen and calms a little by Morning, if a three metre surge was to happen, then the consequences dont bear thinking about. They have called an emergency meeting in parlament, and have sanctioned all the COBRA plans, the hospitals and care homes in the areas thought to be in much danger are all being evacuated to sports centres and church halls ect on higher ground. Looks like Yarmouth may now be the greatest place at risk tomorrow morning Julz Please remember, its never worth putting yourself in any dangerous risky situation, just to save your property, Boats can be replaced, Lives cannot, stay safe people

Dick, Im rather curious to what that means, i would love to learn more about Oceanography and the action of the tides ect Julz

Stay safe Jill, Im sure many Members will apprieciate your kind offer I will be thinking, hoping and praying for you all tonight, Just hope the Flood defenses hold Julz

Yes Dick, a big Thankyou from me too, although we dont live in the area at risk, my Brother and some other family members live a bit further down the coast, where the flooding may be at its worst in the Morning Julz

The Tidal surge is expected to be 6ft above normal High water at GT Yarmouth, the emergency services are out delivering sandbags and evacuating those who wish to move to local authority Reception Centres away from the flood risk areas. Some good film footage of Breydon water and the bridge by Night that was used as a backdrop to the reporter. Julz

This has just been on the nationwide 7pm Channel 4 news, with a Severe Flood warning and reporting of some evacuations around the Lowestoft Area. It reported that all the key factors that were present during 1953, are present tonight, but then stated that we now have better flood defences. Then went on to say that the greatest times for danger is between 8am and 9am tomorrow morning. It asks people to watch and wait and keep their radio/TV on, and follow the instructions of any recomendations given without question. The London Flood barriers will be closed tonight, as will the flood defenses for Rotterdam, where the port has now been closed. Good Luck people, I will keep fingers, toes and everything else crossed for you, I just hope that it passes without any severe damage to Life or property . Julz

Very Windy here In the High Peak, the winds are blowing down from the North now, and we had a torrential wintery downpour this afternoon with some sleet in it, very cold indeed, but we are one of the highest altitudes in England, and tend to be the first get the bad winter weather. The clouds are speeding by in the sky heading down towards the South/South East by the Weather Cockril on the garage. Julz

Em, anyone for Roast Chestnuts? A piece of the Insulmat sealed cell stuff the same as used for camping sleep mats makes good insulation and holds in warmth on an outside chair, also I have known peeps who get in a lot of windy situations such as Scooter riders, stuff a piece up their Jacket front for warmth, as the cold air is unable to penetrate through it. An old trick from the local stone quarry was to heat a pebble in the fire for a few mins and wrap it in a piece of sack bagging before putting it in your pocket as a hand warmer Julz

Bump Up!

Brian, a small suggestion, due to peoples insurance cover for their boats, Is it wise to suggest in anyway to the public that ride on a boat may be possible? I know its fine beteween friends and people that you know, as long as you dont charge for it, but Joe Public? Julz :-D

This chalet park was built and owned by the Robinson family back in the boom days of the Broads in the mid 60's. After my family's Broadland beginnings at Haddiscoe village from around 1959 to 1965, my Dad's contract as electrician to a local estate agent ended, when the property we were living in which came with th job, was sold to a private buyer, and his work took him to Galwynd in mid Wales, on a 12 bedroomed delapidated stone mansion, which was part of an estate previously owned by Geest, King and Nettlefold, the Nut and Bolt people. Thats another story for another day, and one that the fishermen would love, but back to the Broads and by this time as a family we had become passionate lovers of Broadland, and had many local friends, one of whom soon was making arrangements for us to stay in the first to be completed of these 10 chalets. They were all arranged around a central lawned area in a V shape configeration, and were built along the lines of a Cuckoo clock shape, and a mixture of wood and precast concrete construction. All had Brightly coloured front doors, very similar to what the council house styles were in many cities. They opened into a lounge with a bed settee which was vinyl covered and VERY uncomfortable to sleep on! There was a small kitchenette to one side which was very basic, but did have a small fridge. A twin Bedroom which my Gran and her sister shared, and a double room for Mum and Dad completed the scene. At most you could expect to get foodwise in a pub back then was a Hot Pie or Cornish Pasty from an on-Bar heated glass display cabinet, which probably caused more Tummy upsets than a few, and which was then probably blamed on a drop of badly kept beer! Some pubs also had a Cold display cabinet, normally without any refrigeration, from which they sold Pork pies, Cheese and Onion or Ham and Tomato filled baps. A new fad that was starting to take off, and the beginnings of Pub Grub as we know it today, were the 'Basket' meals and Cheese Toasties. The age of electical catering equipment improvements ment that many landlords were investing in a large Deep freezer, an 'Electroway' fryer and a fast-cook infra-red grilling machine. The basket meal choice was very limited, A deep fried Chicken quarter and Chips, or something really new at the time, Deep fried Breaded Scampi and Chips, served with a wedge of lemon smuggled from behind the Bar! As the name suggests, these were served in a woven Wicker basket, lined with a serviette, which was replaced after each use ready for the next customer. Often the toasties were just wrapped in a serviette, and were pre-prepared and frozen, just taking a quick wizz through the machine by the Bar maid before serving. Cheese, Cheese and Tomato, or Cheese and Onion were the varieties normally on offer. The Robinson family were no exception to this and had enthusiastically installed all the necessary equipment to supply their new Chalet customers with these delicacies, and offered what must have been one of the first Broadland fast food delivery services straight to the door of your Chalet! They also ran an onsite shop in their reception area which was ajoining their living accomodation, with a Milkshake bar and Icecream parlour, selling about 10 flavours of each, again very unusual for this era. Part two to be continued later!... The Building of the Yacht Basin, and the hire boats of Johnson's Yacht Station.

So anyone know exactly what year the concrete bridge was completed and opened? My guess would be around 1965, I do know that major repairs had to be carried out to it during the late 60's due to its sheer weight constantly sinking the 80ft pilings that it was built on, which in turn caused large cracks to appear in the roadsurface. During this time for many months it was only open to single file traffic and had weight restrictions imposed until the necesary strengthning work was completed. Julz

Hi Jim, the shop on Wroxham bridge was closed down and demolished to make way for the new pedestrian bridge footings, and at a guess, as time flys by so fast, I would say it was about 5years ago. Everytime that I visit Horning, it seems like yet another shop has become geared to the seasonal Tourist trade, which cannot be so good for the local residents who rely on them, many of whom are elderly and may find a longer journey to one of the major supermarkets a bit too much. The place can be quite diserted on a winters weekday, apart from a few people in the pubs. Julz

Wasnt that a small cafe to the river bank with a gift shop on the roadside Just before it closed down? Bill and I used to sit with a cuppa out on the Benches and watch the antics of the Boats navigating the bridge. There were no dangly guide chains back then, and many a boat got a nasty scuff or lost its canopy in the hands of inexperianced crew. We once saved a girl a nasty head injury as she sat on the roof facing the stern of the boat she was traveling on, unaware that the young crew at the helm were about to shoot the bridge After much shouting and waving by us, she realised that we wernt just being friendly and turned to see the bow already under the footbridge and just managed to jump down into the boats aft well in time, although with quite a scream as she twisted her ankle badly on landing, thank goodness she didnt land in the river with the propeller moving, she may not have survived : Julz