Hockham Admiral

Welcome aboard, Max. We're a friendly lot and look forward to your contributions!

North or South, Howard?

Incredible! 24 hours, 12 boats and 32 folk already! Names, Boat Name, Days, Stern/Side, Leccy Yes/No John & Mary-Jane, Friday Girl, Thurs-Mon, Stern, Yes Col, Lou, Jay & Connor, Already there Mike & Jan, Serenity, Thurs- Sun, Stern, Yes Gav & Annie, Escape, Fri-Mon, Side, Yes Paul, Lorna, Sam & James, Peters Joy, Stern, Sat-Mon, Yes Luke & Claire, Job Done, Fri-Mon, Stern, Yes Richard, Amanda, Zoe & Laura, Jasperoo, Fri-Sun, Stern, Yes Heather, Ian & Rachel, Clandestine, Fri-Mon, Stern, Yes Mark & Sue, Secret Lady, Fri-Mon, Stern, Yes Mark & Jill, Fallen Angel, Fri-Mon, Stern, Yes Keith & Carole, Escape11, Fri-Mon, Stern, Yes Will, Jill & Emilia, Not Named yet, Fri-Sun, Stern, Yes

Names, Boat Name, Days, Stern/Side, Leccy Yes/No John & Mary-Jane, Friday Girl, Thurs-Mon, Stern, Yes Col, Lou, Jay & Connor, Already there Mike & Jan, Serenity, Thurs- Sun, Stern, Yes Gav & Annie, Escape, Fri-Mon, Side, Yes

2013 Spring Meet We've sampled a representative number of folks now and have agreed that our 2013 Spring Meet will be at Oulton Broad Yacht Station over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend. (Fri, 29 March - Mon, 1st April). Provisionally we've booked 20 moorings! More details to follow. ALL are welcome! Most of us know Oulton Broad; some even live/moor there, so let's have some names! Names, Boat Name, Days, Stern/Side, Leccy Yes/No John & Mary-Jane, Friday Girl, Fri-Mon, Stern, Yes

By midday, Col

Meet up onboard with us?

Thought you were at OBYS this weekend, Mark? Or was that for the Heavy Metal tomorrow night?

Weren't they Alpha moulds, then, Dan?

Thanks, Jonny... What abpout Dan's ideas?

We had a nice afternoon at the Surlingham ferry House and Jill popped in to say "Hello" (Nice to meet you at last, Jill!) And a very good value, tasty meal at night! Another tranquil early morning as we returned to Brundall: Three peaceful days in a row in October on The Broads... it doesn't get much better!

These three Alphas looked happy enough! And the old gal near The Woods End at Brammerton looks like she's got a replacement! An old cruiser passed by shortly afterwards (What's this one, Jonny?) Leavin a nice ripple!

We were lucky enough to have nigh-on idyllic weather last week when we went on to Norwich after the Autumn Meet: The live-aboard moorings have mostly been cleared but Chatterbox doesn't look as if she'll get far! And on the way back to The Ferry House we passed this poor old girl. (What was she, Jonny?)

Simon, Hi The problem is you would need a boat with an air-height of 6ft 3ins or preferably below that! With our Nanni 50 and 100 gallons of water amidships, Beta Diesel and Genny far aft and nearly full fuel in the bows we are as low as any and lower than most (at just below 6ft 6ins). Last year we spent 4 months aboard and we didn't see anything lower than us apart from some pretty small boats that don't meet your requirements. So unless we've missed something I guess you'll have to hope that someone somewhere builds a boat you need! (although I wouldn't bet on it ). Edited at 0912 I'd not heard of Broads Serenade as Chippy says but a quote from Riccos blurb says:Will only pass under Potter Heigham Bridge when tides are lower than normal. So I don't think that's the answer!

Yes indeed, Steve. They were greeted warmly by us all without exception and enjoyed a hugely successful meet. (They also came with us to the Rocklands New Inn for the Sunday hangover cure!). And another thing......... The next meet will be sometime between Friday, 29th March and Sunday, 14th April (Half Term). Any thoughts on the dates? (The venue is already decided).

Thanks for those words of wisdom! Lori, I'm surprised that you thought such. At the first meets we were the Salties, along with Gav and Annie, at Salhouse... all the others were in river boats, half hirers! We never felt excluded. We have always invited, and made most welcome, anyone to the meets. It's not as if the last "Official" meet (which Barry organised) was well attended, at Salhouse and the only four boats were entirely from the South! You turned up for an hour or so. I recall. Many thanks for all the kind messages we have received from so many folk. I now wish to close this thread before it becomes too personal. We enjoy organising Meets but we don't want the controversies they seem to bring up.

The food was exceptonal! And a great company to be with!

I've just sent this message to Coldham Hall: "Natali & George, Hi from us all. A massive thank you to you and all your staff for your truly splendid achievements last Saturday. It was essentially the benchmark on which future such meets will be judged! On behalf of us all we sincerely hope you have a successful Winter and look forward to our next meet with you". John and Mary-Jane Redford (and the Salty Squadron)"

Lori and Alan, Hi I tried to use the forum a couple of times too but it wouldn't let me post, either. It's downright wrong that a few idiots can spoil everyone else's enjoyment...........

Is there usually a space on the Staithe, please?

Dan, Hi WOW! And those prices are in Euros!

Well it' s all over for another year! And what smashing weather it was for the last meet of the year! Some serious partying from Friday lunchtime to Sunday afternoon! 16 boats, 2 ribs and 1 car turned up and 42 of us sat down to what was one of the most entertaining nights we've attended! Sincere thanks to Natalie, George and Team for what was a beautifully prepared meal... Mary-Jane and I thought it was the best we've been to whilst onboard. Apart from one hireboat (an ECB member) and us (in Bathtubs) all the other boats were 'Salties' owned by East Coast Boating and Sealine Forum Members. So it was disappointing that so few of us were from the NBN. As we are not allowed to organise "Official" NBN functions then next year we will organise our own Spring/Summer/Autumn meets for the ECB and Sealine Forums. Members of the NBN will be welcome to attend. For those of you interested to see the pics/videos I expect Gav will publicise his on his own Net (East Coast Boating) and Luke on his (Sealine Forum).

LIFE SAVING JACKET ....................

Thanks, Lori! It's a damp morning and a bit more rain forecast for later but we'll be off to Coldham in an hour or so to get ready for the influx this afternoon! I've no doubts you'll read and see more later!

And one more thing! As LW is at 11.30 next Sunday we wondered if we might offer to take all you deep-draught guys to the New Inn for a couple of hours lunchtime drinks and a late breakfast? All you'd need would be an LSJ and some dosh!