Hockham Admiral

You must have clicked on your user name, Lori. Then it's a quick way to get into your profile.

Probably my age, Trev, but I can't see any!

They seem to be putting in TWO more posts at Loddon, Mark.

W Well, Steve, there's the definitive answer for you from Andy himself! Please let us know how you get on!

Nice pic, Fred, but I can't see what "certain features might be deemed unsuitable for publication here".

And a very pretty little boat she is, Zac. When you moored up next to us at Loddon last Sunday I couldn't but help admire her neat lines. All you need now is leccy onboard..... And thanks for helping us moor up in that tight slot at the Beauchamp Arms (you passed us when we were in the Reedcutter at Cantley). Did you enjoy Coldham Hall? You were mooring up there after leaving the Beauchamp Arms just as we went by to the Ferry House for our third stamp of the day!

Zac, Hi It was very good to meet up with you both and thanks for tying up the name with the person. I think that's one of the great things about the Broads, you help someone out with no thoughts of reward and, hey presto, a bottle of punk'd ipa! It went down a treat, thanks! P.S. For those who are wondering just exactly how I helped dry Zac's wife's hair.... (Sorry, she did tell me her name, but...)

You are also correct about the bridge moorings... the BA Ranger is now issuing tickets... 3 hits and you're out! Honest!

Carole, Hi You can moor on the floating pontoon at the lido but I think you're supposed to pay at the Lido. I've just now called the Harbour master (Tim) at Beccles YS (01502 712225)and he says that so long as you're just going to Morrisons or Tescos and won't be much longer than an hour it will be free! Also just to drop in his office and let him know that you're just going shopping. If you stay for a few hours then it's £4.10 a go. We do try to be helpful!

Any ideas of pricing, Neil?

Oh, Jill..... I read that as "the damage which can be done to the prop"

I'm afraid not, Alan. I do remember them but not what happened to them and I think Lori or Paul might be able to answer that one.

A very warm "Welcome Aboard", Carol. We hope to hear lots more from you!

On Sunday morning our (male) guest was slightly de-hydrated and refused tea, coffee or food! Pints of water seemed to be his thing……….Fortunately Lucy obliged and had a bite with us. Too soon and it was time to head for Loddon, our next destination. We followed the tide down the Waveney as far as Oulton Dyke, a lovely cruising morning. But just what is it with some peeps? Approaching the WRC, just before 10.30, we saw a very large steel “narrow boat” coming towards us with a bow-wake and following waves to make an MTB skipper proud. A while later and it was up with the power to counter the flood and make a measly 4.5mph. Between the black chimney and Somerleyton yet another very large steel barge-like creation was coming towards us, with the tide, and pushing up a bow-wave to make Titanic envious. I just can’t understand these people, both privateers. I could name both boats and actually took pics of them to post or send to the BA, I was so annoyed. (And NO, these two didn’t get a wave!). Pushing up the New Cut against the tide took a long time and it was a great relief to turn onto the Yare and throttle back from 1600 to 1000rpm to stay within the 5mph speed limit. In a very short while we turned into the Chet and had a lovely peaceful 50 minutes down that most serene of Broads Rivers. (Although it does still need dredging and the reeds removed from the bends). My heart rate was by now back to normal and thoughts of shelling/torpedoing had faded away! We arrived at Loddon Staithe just 4 hours after leaving Beccles YS and were delighted to find a nice space stern-on to the leccy pylon. (Some kind guy had even left 89p in it!) And there was Paul (Peters Joy) to take a line. Tied up and tidied away and it was time to earn another couple of stamps... Loddon is such a lovely place. Minutes from the Staithe and you have either Rosy Lee’s or the choice of four pubs! We visited the White Horse and the King’s Head at lunchtime and saved the Swan and the Angel for the evening. We’ve never been to the Angel before and it really is in a time-warp back into the 50’s/60’s! And what a welcome… within minutes we felt as though we’d been regulars for ages… Thanks to Simone and Simone, who are two local folk!

What a lovely start to your holiday, Neil. Please keep it coming!

Thanks, pal. I thought it had Scotch overtones!

Thanks, Clive for such a prompt reply. You must be getting ready for the weekend?

Just 2 years out, Mark, as the link in your post shows!

And I've just come across a pic I have from the first time I met Steve, Jax and Missouri Star! Where was it taken and when?

Bob, that's a great story, probably the first I've read about kayaking and utterly fascinating to me! You certainly give another perspective to boating and I think you're both pretty brave to face up to a F5/6 in one of those!

Steve, Hi and sorry we forgot to welcome you aboard! I think Trev's words above sum it up.. get the owner to show you a recent survey and take it from there. Good Luck!

It's when you see what it costs to build one nowadays, John, that drags the prices up. Matthew Thwaites at Barnes Brinkcraft was telling me that it would be upwards of £135,000 for a basic Alpha 35 type nowadays. (Depending entirely on how you wanted her). I've no doubt that Clive might wish to comment on that? (I can't remember his quote for a new 42ft to build for their fleet but it was a heck of a lot of money!).

WOW, Matt! She looks as though she was built for a private owner? But they had a Hardy-built Alpha 35 a few years ago, second hand, for close on £135,000!

Morning, Robin. That's a very interesting article... I had no idea the Freeman 32 was so spacious inside and I like the look of the hull lines!

We arrived at Beccles Yacht Station at 10am and were soon tied up. Tim, the Harbour Master, had been busy and there were signs quite clearly indicating our reserved mooring spaces. Next to turn up were Steve and Jax on the lovely Missouri Star; it was good to see them again. After a chat I cycled off to the other end of Beccles on London Road to find the Butchers Arms for another stamp and to get food for tomorrow. Unfortunately it wasn’t open at 11.30 and so I ventured back into Beccles to get a couple of pounds of “Chip-Shop” sausages from Sebbings on Hungate. Now what a butchers that is! A real throwback in time… FIVE butchers cutting and bagging. Then they give you your bag and a numbered card and you go over to a little kiosk near the door; give the lady your card and pay the bill! And the meat! I then cycled slowly back to the other Butchers for my pint of Woodforde’s… just a mention that they do two 8oz rumps for a tenner on Thursday nights! Later in the afternoon we soon had another six boats tied up and shared a few bevvies with the crews. In the evening Paul from Peters Joy arrived and “persuaded” me to walk up to the King’s Head. Here we found a light coloured beer made with American Hops which was very much to our taste! (Help, please, Paul, I can’t for the life of me remember its name!). The Saturday passed by in typical Meet style, great company, a super BBQ (Thanks, Col, for bringing your big one!), a few bevvies and numerous games “organised” by Luke! Mainly outside but we retired into the NBN gazebo at 9pm to avoid the huge downpour. A really memorable day.