BroadScot

Not guilty JM, this skipper is oop North all week. I bet they had a shock though. Todays boating news is brief. Engine run for four hours, me in bed listening to the said engine! My back has flared up - the joys of arthritis - so we are still at Potter Heigham, yes, anno breaking the rules staying more than 24 hours on the mooring, but needs must, just unfit to handle the boat today. Ruth brought me back a slice of that very nice home made drizzle lemon sponge cake from the coffee shop at the bridge. Hope to go back to the yard tomorrow and use the car and "Scoot" poor bugga will be feeling very lonely at the yard. Iain Weather so far has been awfy guid.

For those old enough to remember coal fires, in those days DROSS was a useful thing to put on overnight to keep it lit. Just saying....could not agree more Strowie. Iain

Mark, I drove HA Bedford vans in the 60's there was a sign and a switch that said HEATER aye right, de-icing took forever in the mornings. brrrrr. Iain

Sorry Marina, if I had but known, I could have boxed your sons lugs for you yesterday! Iain

Gosh Mark, I never for one minute thought you were that old! "Heated Screens" what about vacume windscreen wipers Iain

Yes...yes..and YES! Grace, more importantly you get well please asap! Iain

Hi Arthur, Yes our game was played at a brisk pace for sure, maybe the reason for a lot of butter finger catching! Iain.

Evening all, Woke up to a lovely morning river like glass but only briefly. I would call it a stiffish breeze got up but not vicious in any way. Gracies pals, the flappy things were out in profusion from Thurne Mouth heading for Potter Heigham, looks like some began in full sail but had to go into the reeds and rejig things I think, I could be wrong, just looked that way. Our first destination was Womack Water, and it was busy! Much busier than in May. Luckily one of NBD finest moved and I reversed in to the vacant spot. Not as easily as I would have liked. Sparky my name for the boat, well it cuts down typing has a very high rev nanni engine, and it appears if not set at those revs, it cuts out, hey ho something new to challenge us. We had just settled for lunch when the mobby went, a miracle in itself as EE is rubbish at Womack Water. It was a text from young Alan (Jaws Orca) asking where we were and could he call and say hello with Dave. I sent a text and after much footering my text went to him, job done! They duly arrived about an hour later, and we had a right good chin wag, I did most of the talking! What a decent lad, well both lads, Ian and Marina you should be very proud of Alan. He even had a 0% San Miguel! We goodbye and headed for Potter Heigham, well you have to, Lathams, yes anno rubbish now, but maybe improve Ruth said. It is full of the C word clobber I was informed by SWMBO, all organised even Santa's Grotto is erected for use in late November! Oh forgot, peeked into HW yard, full of their craft so we are moored across from their bridge entry. Time to try and get my Sky Go working. Take care all Night night, more to follow. Iain. p.s. Gracie, Ruth couldn't resist touching Dave's spikey hair!

Hi Jeff, If you look at the Richos pics of the boat you will see its underneath the helmsman seat hidden! Iain

Hi Jon, Sadly the tide times are rubbish for crossing this week, so its a pootle around the now, I hope, less busier North! Iain

Hi all, As we had this plastic bag charge a while now, unless things have changed up here, ALL the supermarkets are donating the 5p to charity. That includes Sainsbury's, they don't have a lot of stores up here, but we have two about 10 miles apart, and yes the fuel is fractionally dearer in Irvine than the Ayr/Prestwick one. Only by 1p though. If you want eye watering fuel prices, try Wetherby Services, 120.9 petrol and diesel! It was not busy as we drove past it. Iain

Hi folks, Well if you read my pal Scoot's blog, you will see I have had to leave him behind. Sadly just not enough spare space for him on the boat. I have used many yards on the broads, over many decades, and I really have to repeat what I said earlier, hats off to Horizon Craft. Best welcome ever! May I just give you a few examples, we were greeted as soon as I stopped the car, by Jason, and Ruth (SWMBO) went and did the paperwork etc. Jason then came over and told me to bring my car down to the boat. Sparkling Horizon lives up to its name, we are two weeks from the end of the season and its barely showing any battle scars of note. Once on board, it was noted the beds were made up for us, and lovely towels rolled up as well, arranged on the bed, almost like a cruise liner! So once all bits and bobs on board we were given a quick show of the relevant controls. No trial run, and we were off down to Stokesby to settle down to watch the rugby. BA and the rest of Lads Week passed us, and we did get waves from the two Jewel boats. The water is like glass again tonight, just as it was in May. Hope to head for Womack Water and Potter Heigham tomorrow. And so to bed. Night All. Iain

You may see two golden oldies frantically waving to you! Me and SWMBO! Just look out for the NBN Burgee. Sparking Horizon. Iain

Hi Greatplum, Welcome to the NBN Forum. Iain.

Thank you Arthur, Wow, we made it by the skin of our teeth. so many penalties though, that ref fair loved giving his lungs a blast! I was beginning to think it would a repeat of the footie, the other evening. I was so looking forward to returning to Paris again! Sadly you didn't quiet managed to defeat the Ausies. The Springboks were very rough against us, I hope its a strong referee when you play them. Iain

Hi Steve, Welcome to the NBN forum. If you are on the rivers this week our paths may cross. Look out for a NBN burgee on Sparkling Horizon. I am 99% certain the aptly named Dog Inn at Ludham Bridge allow dogs in there pub. Have a great holiday. Iain.

On a lighter note. What's a water meter please? Live up here, we don't need them! Iain.

Do keep up Alan, Dave is booked on Silver Elegance again next Spring. Iain

John, That's, my monthly rental and all calls, The who is calling me feature, BT 5 Hub, HD BT channels, as I have already been with Sky for years. Since I moved from Talk Talk AOL, Cancelled my £12 a month original BT Sport HD package I am paying a lot less than before. But once I get to next February I will be checking it all out again!

Hi Jonathan, Many thanks for the superb pics, not too many at all! Also your very descriptive blog. That style of craft are known to be a bit noisy out the back, but never too smokey. Looks like you had a very relaxing holiday, and have put me into holiday mode for our long drive down tomorrow.. Thanks once again taking the trouble to post a blog and pics. Iain.

I am with BT, and for £63 I get.... HD BT footie, unlimited BB.... Calls shown feature, and all calls all day and night. But I did do it all on the phone with a BT UK call centre. I was with Talk Talk AOL for my BB and the price was going UP not down. It also was slow for Catch up downloads on my Sky Box. I have been impressed, so far, with the BT 5 Hub. Iain

Good Point Jon, I have used some of the rebate to pay for our Boat hire next week! Iain Grrr you used the C word! lol

Hi QV, I too had a credits paid in to my bank account from Brittish Gas. Now I could be wrong here, I think ALL the utility suppliers have been resetting their rates and while some will go down many, including me have went up! I think the fixed tarriffs to blame. To me its a minefield and they are All bliddy robbers! I agree though DO keep checking your bank accounts online if you can. Iain.

All else fails Mark, just head for the nearest watering hole(pub) Iain

We are talking to Gorleston as in mouth of the Yare? Three hours?