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john b.

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Everything posted by john b.

  1. Excellent choice of music.
  2. I will be aboard Fine Gem for a week in June.
  3. Hi I have booked with Richardsons again for 2012, this will be my 3rd year. I do not have a loyalty card and have never been given one. Does this mean I will miss out on this bonus scheme?
  4. Waking up at 5.30am and having a lovely cup of tea I was ready to face the world, Time to put the fishing tackle up and hopefully catch a few before breakfast. I set up both my 13ft float rod and also an 11ft rod for feeder fishing. All set up and sitting at the stern I ran the float through and “Hey presto†first chuck I had a decent roach; this was followed by several more before the skimmers made an appearance. It was a lovely morning with clear sky’s although a little chilly it was great to be up before the river got busy. The others had now risen and Pete joined me while Ashy got the breakfast on. I am not what you would call a salad dodger and do like to have a full breakfast when on the Broads as it sets me up for the day. Ashy doesn’t eat much but he loves to cook, which suits me and Pete as its like booking in for B.B.E.M. After breakfast we cast off and travel downriver to Womack Water, Unfortunately all the moorings were full with a couple of boats sat on mud weights waiting for others to move off. We gave it 30 minutes and decided to move. It was agreed that we would go down to Acle and see if the footy was on in the Bridge. It was not very busy as we motored down to Acle and we got a mooring just after the bridge next to the pub. No football on the TV but we stayed for a few drinks anyway. It was quite busy with most people eating Sunday dinner, and it looked very good. After thanking the landlord for his hospitality we returned to the boat and travelled back upriver. We had wanted to moor just upstream of St Benets to fish into the night, the moorings were busy so we turned back downriver and moored just after the dredger on the right hand bank. Me and Pete set our seats on the banking before darkness set in and then we sat down to dinner. We started fishing at 9pm and sat there until 3am and although we were catching fish, they were small roach and skimmers to 12oz. As the bream were not playing out tonight we decided it was time to turn in ourselves and we packed the rods back on the boat. It’s been a while since I last hired a boat and could never remember the beds being as comfortable as the ones on Gold Gem and was snoring again within minutes of getting in bed.
  5. As we headed out of the boatyard it looked like something akin to the “Wacky Races†with hire craft jockeying for position seemingly in a rush to start their holiday. Why some feel a need to race everywhere beats me, if only they would slow down they could really see why the broads are so beautiful. We slowed to 3 knots and ambled along quite steadily, taking in the surroundings and just relaxing. The crew consisted of two anglers myself and Peter and Ashy who is a twitcher (bird watcher). On entering Barton Broad Ashy gave his first of many tutorials in the week, pointing out different birds using their Latin names and telling us some interesting facts about each. I being an ignorant angler just thought they were all ducks. On leaving Barton the traffic had thinned out and the river had returned to peaceful tranquillity. Cruising through Irstead Shoals I noticed the riverside property up for sale, this is one of my favourite homes on the broads and if only I could hit the lottery. Our intentions for the night were to moor at Ludham Bridge and walk down to the Dog, I have driven by many times but never been in and after reading some good reviews intended to call. On approaching Ludham we could see that all the spaces were full, so we chugged through the bridge and spotted a quiet place just after the last moored boat. We pulled in giving us some space so that we would not cause a disturbance to our new neighbours if we fished late at night or very early the following morning. Unfortunately for us and our neighbours we were joined by a boat crewed by 6-7 loud youths who looked as though they may have drank their weekly rum ration already. Not wanting to risk the chance of being disturbed we decided to look for pastures new. Ashy wanted to go under Potter Heigham Bridge, so with low water being early on the Sunday we decided to moor up in Herbert Woods if we could get there before it got dark. We finally made it for about 7pm so we ran it close, on approaching the bridge across the entrance to the yard we had to take evasive action to get out of the way of a large hire boat exiting the yard at considerable speed. An older chap in a small dinghy with motor coming down river very nearly collided with the bigger boat coming out from HW, after a few choice words to the skipper of the hire craft the older guy motored on his way shaking his head. Fortunately there was a gap in the moorings near to the pilot’s office and we moored between a lovely couple on a Whispering Reeds boat and a young family which hopefully would mean a very quiet night. Having stayed in a few of the riverside properties over the last 5 years we had frequented the Broadshaven Tavern on numerous occasions and so we decided to call for a drink. I know this place does not get good reviews but for three very thirsty guys who don’t mind roughing it then it serves its purpose, on approaching the place we could see a large sign saying the large bar was closed for the winter? Every time we have been in the Broadshaven over the years we have always had one of our favoured tipples run out and this time was no different, Carl not the most effervesant landlord you are ever likely to meet told us that of the 4 lagers he sold, he had none at all! He must buy his beer in party 7 size kegs. We stayed and found the Wherry bar quite cosy compared to the other bar, the landlady then appeared and said something to Carl and relieved him of his duties 45 minutes later Carl was back kicking a barrel of lager through the front door. I thought it was quite funny watching him struggle with the barrel but one chap didn’t when Carl rolled it over his foot. Ashy was talking to a chap at the bar who told him that he was a bridge pilot and we would not be able to get under the bridge any day soon because of the higher tides. This put a dampener on it for Ashy as he likes to go to Hickling and West Somerton because of the birdlife he sees up that end. It was getting late and we decided it was time to go back to the boat as it had been a very long day and we were all exhausted. Well that was the end of our first day and I retired to bed looking forward to the next day. I am sure I was asleep before the bulb was cold. TIGHTLINES
  6. I don't know what happened but I submitted my second account of 3 men and a boat last night and its not appeared?
  7. Yes thankfully I am. I have hired boats since 81' so I feel competent enough, but I understand what you mean My littleboat.
  8. Its taken a while but here is my first attempt to write my Holiday tales. 18-25th September After a 5 hour journey from sunny Bolton with a stop for breakfast just before Sutton Bridge on the A17 we finally arrived at Richardsons yard. It was 10.00 and the yard was an hive of activity, we walked around and spotted Gold Gem 1 the boat we had booked for the week.Initial impressions were that we had chose well and there would be ample room for two anglers and a twitcher (Bird Watcher) aboard for the week.Because of the time and not wanting to announce our arrival on an already very busy reception we decided to do some shopping, so the next stop would be Tesco.(The last time I was in Stalham the market was on this site I think) Anyway 30minutes later we were done. Why does it take me 4 hours when I am with the missus? We then went for a walk up the High Street and visited the Farmers market which was held in the village hall. In hindsight we should have gone to the market first as there was some lovely produce on show but unfortunately we had already purchased inferior quality products from the Supermarket so came away empty handed. A visit to the tackle shop for bait and a few bits and bobs and our shopping was done. We then decided to go for a drink in the local, of the two we picked the wrong one and went to the Grebe. We got chatting to a very nice chap who owned a boat which he moored on Womack Water, we asked about pubs with Sky who would be showing football for the Sunday match Man Utd V Liverpool. He recommended the Kings Arms at Ludham and said he would be at the K.A himself for the match, so we said we may see him there and bid him farewell and went back to the boatyard. It was now 2.30pm so we went to reception and booked in, we were made very welcome by the staff and everything was sorted in 5 minutes.We were told we could go to the boat and pack our things away and that someone would come to give us our tuition. At 4.30pm a very pleasant chap came aboard and asked if we had hired a boat previously, yes I replied "Well you know what to do then" he said. He went through the controls and then the engine checks asked if we had any questions, told us where to pick up the dinghy and we could be on our way. So with the dinghy tied on the back, off we went on our weeks holiday aboard Gold Gem 1. If your not all asleep then I will carry on.
  9. Hi Neil, we will be down on the 25th so will miss you.
  10. Hi folks, well we had our week on Gold Gem and I must say it was excellent, not the most modern boat but very clean & tidy. With only 3 adults aboard we had plenty of space, the boat ran like a dream and was very easy to handle even for the novice among us. We enjoyed it so much that I have today booked the same boat again for June 2011. TIGHTLINES
  11. Hi jonny, you must write your blog from your holiday as it's always a good read.
  12. Thanks for the response folks, We are really looking forward to our annual pilgrimage to bootiful Norfick.
  13. Hi Would anyone have any photo's of the interier of Gold Gem, I will be on this craft in September and would appreciate any photo's and reviews from any past hirers. Thanks in advance.
  14. Hi folks, thinking of going to Potter Heigham the first week in March, anyone know how it fishes in general at this time of the year?
  15. Well it's finally arrived, my much looked forward to annual pilgrimige to bootiful Norfick! it's now 4.30am and I have been too. excited to sleep I fish around Europe, holiday in sunny climes, but nothing excites me more than going to the Broads Setting off at 6am and will be shopping in Roys at 10.30 hopefully. I hope the weather will be kind this week, but it would take a few hurricanes to dampen my spirit. I am as excited as a child in a toy shop and I'm 54 next month. I hope to have something to report on my return next week. "Wagons Roll""
  16. Hi mbird, thats a bonny looking fish young Harry caught. Tell him well done from me. TIGHTLINES
  17. Hi folks, only 3 more weeks before my annual pilgrimage to bootiful Norfick, doe's anyone know how the Thurne is fishing? Please someone tell me the bream are "avin it". Thanks in advance. TIGHTLINES
  18. I have got back up North from Bootiful Norfick, We had a really good week on the Thurne, the cottage was excellent and the fishing from the garden was very good. We caught lots of roach and perch during the day and Bream after dark, the bream went to 5lb-6lb and a few were caught each night. It will be a long 12months before we get back but we are already looking forward to it. Thanks for the advice given and TIGHTLINES.
  19. Just over 3 weeks to go before I'm back to bootiful Norfick, Doe's anyone have any up to date news on how the fishing is upstream of P.H. Thanks in advance.
  20. I've booked my car parking space with Bridge Stores for £32.50 for the week, I just can't wait to get there now.
  21. Thanks Ian, I am really looking forward to my holiday on the Thurne and you have just wetted my appetite even more.
  22. Hello All, I am new to the forum and this is my first post. I will be staying at Idleways cottage on the Hickling bank of the Thurne in early September, for the last three years I have stayed at Burton Garth on the Ludham bank. Can anyone advise me on the Bream fishing upriver from the bridge. I would also like the Tel No of the Bridge Stores as I need to book a parking space for my car for the week. I am sorry to be a pain on my first post. Thanks in advance.
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