.png.5ff10cca1d0967e44a17e4a2edde2a80.png)
Oddfellow
-
Posts
1,987 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
29
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Articles
Posts posted by Oddfellow
-
-
10 hours ago, DAVIDH said:
The difference, and what I was trying to point out, is that all the boats you had price control over, were your own boats. Therefore, if you did price up or down a boat, it affected just you. For dynamic pricing to work, you need the permission of all those you're selling on behalf of. Some organisations are large, but others have just a few units. If Mrs A was selling well with her five units in a buoyant market, would she want the algorithm to ratchet the prices of her units up, beyond those of her main competition, also being sold on the Hoseasons site? Like for like, which would you choose? Dynamic pricing works for airlines like Ryanair, Easyjet, Jet2 etc because they own all the stock. If they raise the price on a particular day's flight, the consumer will either accept it or choose another day to get the price down. Either way, the money stays within the company.
Algorithms incorporate historical data such as the pattern of when people normally book their flights from year to year. At what level price resistance is experienced, as well as the ratchet to respond to heavy levels of bookings generally and for odd dates such as public holidays (Easter, SpringBank, Christmas, or even (in normal years) the Benidorm Fiesta in November. It's all priced automatically. It's not a screen scraper Andy (you probably didn't think it was), it's a very sophisticated piece of programming. I just can't see it being paid for, one way or another, by the many and varied UK holiday home owners, and can't see Mrs A wanting to give carte blanche to some machine deciding what her pricing should be.Oh, I agree. For me, it was to be a system that was programmed to look at the availability and prices of key date ranges across the board and make adjustments to my prices according to availability (from a base price). I couldn't see it working in an "Agency" situation at all.
-
10 hours ago, SwanR said:
Nothing wrong with a caravan. You get some very good modern accommodation and good facilities at a reasonable price.
I have never seen a good caravan compare favourably with a good boat on price.
-
1
-
-
A few years ago, I began writing a system that would scrape data from Hoseasons in order to operate a more "fluid" pricing system. In the end, I simply didn't have the time to dedicate to it and make it financially viable for the business, but writing a web site scraper isn't hard, but it does need to be clever and avoid detection and be modifiable to cope with changes in data presentation.
As Freedom never published a brochure AND had a flexible any-day to any-day booking system, price fluctuations were relatively easy to implement in our pricing calculations anyway and the pricing database was structured in such a way to make subtle changes incredibly easy.
In reality, we rarely put prices up (though it did happen) and far more often adjusted them down. The effect would never have been noticed on the web site though as we rarely discounted, we just adjusted prices as the market dictated. Discounts were seen as bad news in our eyes.-
1
-
-
10 hours ago, SwanR said:
We are definitely starting to feel priced out of our Broads holidays. Just not prepared to pay this kind of money. When we started hiring back in 2012 we had holidays in June for several years. Now the Broads is feeling too expensive to be our summer holiday. And not as relaxing as it was. October was busy this year which leaves us with March. I don’t really want nothing but winter holidays so we’re starting to look elsewhere.
You won't find a cheaper boating holiday in the UK though and Europe isn't exactly low-cost either. Try finding a caravan!
Cottage holidays tend to remain decent value (I have a few around the coast - nudge-nudge) ;-)-
1
-
-
3 minutes ago, Vaughan said:
This is what you need when converting a boat to have all outlets going into a grey water holding tank. The cabin washbasins as well as the shower trays all drain into this and the submersible pump pushes it into the holding tank. You will probably have 2 or 3 on board in a larger boat. The galley sink has to go through a macerator pump. Locaboat use these on their hire boats in France. They need regular and thorough cleaning and can also get very smelly. They are a frightful "faff" to be honest.
I don't have experience of using these. I can imagine they are a pain in the rear for cleaning, but I would also imagine that an inline pre-filter would help enormously. The idea is sound and, if used just on showers on a private boat where there's much less use than a hire boat, I would think the case for installation stacks up better.
-
13 hours ago, DAVIDH said:
Apart from the above, Silverline produce one or two new boats per year. Perhaps Brooms too?
Officially, Broom has closed its building shops. Unofficially, it still builds boats, just not as many. It was working on a couple of Explorers earlier in the year. Silverline has mould tools for smaller boats itself, but larger cruisers (28 ft plus) it had been buying mouldings from Alpha (now Barnes).
-
1
-
-
When Vaughan says "Diaphragm pump", don't confuse that with a diaphragm water delivery pump. These use multiple small diaphragms that will not like debris (like sand) which will get through even with a filter.
A Whale Gulper is a good option if you can stand the sound. An alternative would be a fully automatic drain such as those produced by Whale. These have a bilge pump installed in a watertight box with and inlet, outlet and a float switch. When the water in the box from the shower gets high enough, the switch triggers the pump and there's nothing else to do. Quiet too.
To be honest. most hire boats I have encountered have water puppies which will perform fine in most cases. Just ensure that you have a spare impeller on board and it's essential to have an inline filter and keep it clean. -
Barnes is probably the most prolific currently. HW have built a lot of smaller craft over the last few years too. Richardsons has closed it's new-build programme. Horning Pleasure Craft is starting building and we can't ignore Len Funnel for his long-term building programme of various new designs across three boatyard outfits over the last decade. In terms of sheer design choice, I suspect Len has the most styles in most recent years.
-
2
-
-
A loss of Visitor moorings there will be bad news for river users. Given the facilities at the site and it's riverside location (rather than down a dyke) I would hope that the new owners see the usefulness of it to the boating holiday and private owners trade.
-
5
-
-
Insulating a GRP broads cruiser is virtually impossible. There's rarely any more than an inch between any head lining and the GRP and you would want that as an air-gap before you put another 2 inches of insulation on that and then finished it off with a new headlining. Basically, you're cutting your head height the moment you begin.
Building it in from the start might be an option, but only if you don't want to get under Ludham Bridge.-
1
-
-
14 hours ago, rightsaidfred said:
Chris Packham along with his co hosts does a good job of presenting a programme that illustrates the beauty of nature to the general public which for many will be both educational and hopefully install a lifelong interest.
Where it goes wrong is that he along with numerous others keeps preaching the same old same old, its got to the point where you can't turn on the tv anymore without someone trying to tell us we are doomed, I don't deny that we could do things better but if we don't know the issues now we never will, its got to the stage now that a lot of people will switch of mentally out of boredom the message has become stale and is losing its impact, it should be remembered less is often more.
Fred
I couldn't disagree more. So little has changed despite our apparent wide-spread "knowledge" of what we're doing to the planet.
We don't have time for "softly softly catchy monkey". Those days are long gone. There absolutely needs to be pressure on the government, on supermarkets, on building developers, on landowners, on everyone to do their bit because very few of us are doing enough. It's too easy to lurch back into our old norms. Complacency will kill us.We all need reminding until we don't need reminding any more.
-
31 minutes ago, Vaughan said:
I can't argue with that!
But you did ask, "what is the problem with Chris Packham". As the OP, I think I have a right of reply, although this has now got on to global matters, far removed from the Norfolk Broads!
I mentioned my father, and PW's father and their involvement in the Broads Study and Plan, along with Ted Ellis (far more famous than Packham) and Dr Martin George, but there were many others, who had the Broads at heart, and who worked in those days, to make it into what we now know and love.
For instance :
Lady Mayhew, of Somerleyton Hall. Lady Trafford, whose family own Wroxham Broad. Bryan Read, Martin Broom, Desmond Truman, Standley Bushell, Jimmy Hipwell (ex High Sheriff of Norwich), Humphrey Boardman (of How Hill), Ian Mackintosh (of Rountree Mackintosh). These are just a few, from memory. Several of these men and women, whom I knew personally, were River Commissioners and they were all naturalists, who made great efforts to preserve the "eco system" of the Broads.
A special mention for Andrew Lees, of Friends of The Earth. A very genuine and passionate young man, who became a good friend of mine. I met him during the dispute about an Anglia TV film called "No Lullaby for Broadland" and a few years later, with a bit of a "leg up" from myself and Standley Bushell, he successfully prevented the new BA from allowing the deep dyke drainage (and thus, destruction) of the Halvergate Marshes. If it were not for him, it would now just be a vast expanse of oil-seed rape. I tell you now, Chris Packham couldn't "hold a candle" to Andrew Lees.
And also Keith McDougall, a Norfolk farmer from Catield Hall, who I knew when he was chairman of the Broads Society. He was also chairman of the Norfolk Naturalist's Trust and the How Hill Trust. If you have not read his book "Middle Marsh" I can highly recommend it.
I think I can do no better than to quote Keith McDougall, from the last chapter of his book, written in 1991 :
It could be dangerous to oversimplify. Human beings are complex creatures, un-naturally exposed to the so-called benefits of instant communications, and programmed by the media to respond, not to instinct, but to a specious set of twentieth century values.
I wish to point out that my comments about Packham were not in relation to the Broads but the wider problem of the planet and our wanton destruction of things we don't like or that provide a bit of fun for the wealthy. Eco management is one thing and I am broadly in favour of this. Blind ignorance and arrogance for self gratification or life-style preservation is quite something else and Packham does a good job of bringing these issues to the pubic. I offer no comparision between him and anybody else, alive or dead.
-
1
-
-
24 minutes ago, rightsaidfred said:
....the problem there is that the biggest reason is in answer to Oddfellow the human race is vastly overpopulated, the million dollar question is how do we redress that ethically.
Fred
You can cull people via the back door by unleashing a potentially deadly virus that spreads around the world and having governments implement "herd immunity" also via the back door. That's got rid of a good few. You can have wars, they're ethical when you're on the winning side.
But, I don't think we're over populated. I think we're over arrogant and selfish to our immediate needs whist ignoring the needs of the planet that sustains us.We have been biting the hand that feeds us for far too long.
-
4 minutes ago, MauriceMynah said:
No, not really. You say it's our fault and our kids (plus their kids etc. etc.) will have to clar it all up. You do not mention the previous generations and their responsibility.
Some have the view that "Eco warriors" are a bunch of long haired tree hugging pinko's. Others see them as heroes fighting on behalf of civilised society to redress the destruction caused by politicians feeding at the trough.
However and I put this to all readers...
How would you feel and react if a political party with which you were totally against put forwards a manifesto that was both against your fundemental economy mantras, yet held great promise for action on global issues?
There are many in sociey who will let their political beliefs override their view on what has become known as the "Bigger picture".
Absolutely not. But, there's one overriding thing linked to politics that prevents trust in policy announcements and that's past lies. The current government has the ability to drive home virtually any policy as it has a massive majority. The only policies it's really perusing though are ones that benefit it and it's kind. We keep hearing words that are intended to prick the ears, but we see no substance. If it wants people to trust what it says, it needs to give reason for people to trust what it says.
No, I didn't mention past generations. The key reason for that is that those generations are dead already and their mess was left for us to clear up. We didn't. We made it worse. Though ignorance and arrogance. -
10 hours ago, Wussername said:
Hi Fred
I understand what you are saying. But what specific problem are these raptors causing.
Likewise the otter in Norfolk is now the villain of the piece. In what respect. Vaughan tells me the mallard is in decline, together with the coot. (Last February I counted a raft of 200 on Malthouse)
I live in a house surrounded by fields on the border of the village of Lingwood and Strumpshaw, for about 35 years. When I first came here, taking the dogs down the road in the morning I was greeted by sky lark soaring above the fields, yellow hammer, yellow wagtail, pied wagtail, chaffinch, lapwing, swallow, swift, song thrush, I could go on, today, this last year. Nothing. A deserted wood, an agricultural desert devoid of life.
The Red kite, the otter. No.
It was you. It was me. It was all of you.
Just look around and see how we have used and abused that which we were the custodian for future generations, but don't worry we will not be here to be held account.
Only remembered.
Andrew
And hence the need for "eco warriors" like Chris Packham to keep the heat up. All this loss has been driven by our short term gain that we're absolutely addicted to. We hear it daily: there must be growth in the economy. Why? because we have to keep up with other economies. But why? Growth over the last 250 years has been at the cost of the environment and now it's payback time but the interest rate is small right now but ramping up.
The improvements made in the name of our comfort will result in certain death for many. We will die of having no water to drink or so much water we need gills. Some will die in wild fires, ravaging the lansdcape and killing the biodiversity in a heartbeat.
It's time the human race said that enough is enough. Balance is what I keep reading. Is this about working out an acceptable loss? Perhaps, but let's be clear, few people that use the word "balance" will use it with the intention of accepting personal loss of their lifestyle to obtain that balance. Most of us are on this planet for a no more than 75 years and a good few here are well into that. Much of this dosen't matter to us personally. It matters to our children and our children's children and our children's children's children, but not so much to US. But it's US that have helped to cause this and it's a mess that is for THEM to clear up. BUT, in the main, it is THEM who are the "Eco Warriors" who are having to sort things out and because thy threaten the comfort of the scant few years WE have left, THEY are the problem
Is that a decent enough analysis of BALANCE?-
1
-
-
11 hours ago, rightsaidfred said:
.... like all species at the top of the food chain otters included they can soon reach pest proportions if their numbers are not controlled.
Fred
Like humans?
-
1
-
-
30 minutes ago, annv said:
During the last war the experts came round and told grandfather what to grow they wouldn't listen to him that this crop wouldn't grow in that field but would in another, but no do as we say result two crop failures. local knowledge can be much better. John
Those with true knowledge know when to listen, know when to shut up, know when to pipe up and know when to adapt.
Too many of us think we know more than enough and walk the earth with closed ears, closed minds but open mouths.-
2
-
-
The Wind in the Reeds
-
1
-
-
12 minutes ago, Vaughan said:
I wish the naturalist Ted Ellis - a great friend of my father - were still here to join this discussion, as well as Dr Martin George, who was largely responsible for the first Broads Study and Plan, back in the 60s. They were men who knew, and readily accepted, that the Broads are not natural. They have been made by Man, over the years, and they must be maintained by Man.
I refer members to "The Wind in the Reeds", a film by Ted Ellis and Philip Wayre, commissioned by Blakes in the late 50s, which I hope is still available on Youtube. It tells you all you need to know about the balance, on the Broads, between the need to be commercial, without forgetting the need for nature conservation. It is also a fabulous half hour of viewing for those who love the history of the Broads.
With respect. a 60 year old film may have historic value, but it's 60 years old and what we know now is very different from what we knew then. Things have changed from a time when we though the climate was cooling.
I will seek out the film all the same. -
4 minutes ago, rightsaidfred said:
I am not getting into a protracted argument here as your post tells me all I need to know, as for my credentials like many I have a lifetimes experience and interest in a wide range of things none of which I earn a living from, as for hugely respected advocate yes like all spokespeople on any topic he has his followers but also his critics, Spring Watch is a series of programmes that I enjoy watching for their basic interest but being sponsored by the BBC has now becomes another platform for the current crusade.
Fred
And your response tells the rest of us all we need to know too.
-
13 minutes ago, rightsaidfred said:
Yes another eco-warrior under the guise of a conservationist, I think most of us on here love and appreciate nature and want to see it flourish but in a balanced way, to many so called "conservatonists" do more harm than good being blind to reality and upsetting the balance of nature while claiming the opposite.
Fred
The term "Eco-Warrior" is no doubt used in a emotive way.
The world is being quickly destroyed in the name of profit by people who would consider themselves "intelligent", but clearly not intelligent enough to prevent the effects of climate change.
"So called 'conservationists". Another ridiculous term. What is "so called" supposed to mean here if it's not derisory? Who else out there is looking out for bio-diversity and being very vocal about it? And how can he do more harm than good? He's no blinder to reality that you; I daresay he's vision of reality is a great deal clearer. This man has spent his life studying nature and presenting it to the public through the media. He is a hugely respected advocate for conservation.What are your credentials?
-
1
-
1
-
-
1 hour ago, Vaughan said:
Perhaps reading this thread through, would explain quite a lot . . . .
It's not only him though. He represents a "tendency" which can cause great disruption to normal life because issues take on a lot more importance than they are really worth. The classic example in Norfolk is the Acle straight, where literally "vital" improvements to road safety have already been held up for more than 5 years by a colony of snails, about the size of a grain of wheat, that have had to be "re-housed" in a different part of the marsh. The last I heard, a year ago, they couldn't find them any more. Dead or alive! And yet lives are still lost in accidents, while the work is still not allowed to start.
He is now playing the same game with rare bats, to disrupt the completion of the NDR. But what are all those expensive bat bridges supposed to be for?
I get it. It's that age-old misconception that human life is more important on this planet than animal or plant life.
A recent report showed that the UK has only 52% of its bio-diversity remaining putting the country in an almost "world beating" position where the average remaining is around 75%.
Frankly, we aren't more important. We think we're more intelligent than animals but dumb animals don't go screwing with the eco system by burning coal and other fossil fuels. It's time this species began to think holistically and future-proofed the planet rather that remaining hell-bent on destroying it for very short-term gain.
The bat bridges had been proven not to work before they were installed on the NDR and are (probably) another example of giving public money to "friends" by a corrupt council.-
2
-
-
Maybe someone can explain what the problem is with Chris Packham.
-
1
-
-
21 hours ago, Vaughan said:
Sorry, but to come out and change 4 bottles, on 2 boats, means the mechanic did not check the boats properly before they went out on hire.
I agree entirely. Not the worst though: I heard a story from a yard last year that one boat called up at about 8pm on take over day to report no domestic power. The call-out engineer attended with batteries etc and proceeded to go to the battery bank to discover that one (maybe both) of the domestics had exploded. That was one of the more unusual call outs; the most common was that the domestic batteries were pancake flat: it was clear that at least one of the turn-around engineers were not checking at all.
Who Builds Most Boats
in Broads Chat
Posted
Nothing stands still, Vaughan. If it weren't for the internet, this greek conversation couldn't happen and we'd still be using landlines to call people who would have to be at another landline to speak to you, but not just any phone either but the one that's wired to the wallbox that you've dialled. We can't blame progress for progress and, as much as you think it's perhaps a degree of regress, it's no different from any other technological advancement when you dig a bit deeper. Humans invent things to simplify tasks and have always done so. The only thing that will stop us is extinction.