BroadScot

Anno away off topic..again lol But the classic funnies Is the phone call to the yard first day out asking, how many BOTTLES of water will it take to fill the water tank! That is genuine!!! Iain.

After family bereavements we have found solace by coming down to The Broads. Grace, I have a pile of receipts somewhere with most of the boats hired lol. As I said, at Astons I used Aston Norwich many times as it has the seperate loo from the shower. I also used Alan Johnson Boats a lot as a change from starting on the southern rivers. Sharron we used as a family for spring and autumn holis. Shena and Shona also. I use to have great fun moving the Concorde Class - great boats to handle they were - about the Loddon yard to help the lads finnish sooner on a Friday night. We left very early Saturday mornings to avoid the A47 and A17 mayhem. Oh I could type stories about the Norfolk Broads all night n day lol so many happy memories. Iain.

Alan we did our sums many times, but living over 400 miles away plus the excellent discounts we had from the likes of Aston Boats, in truth it was going to be too dear to own a craft. Oh eck ive just realised looking through past years its not 128 duh its 108 what a numpty I am. Oh well will just have to have another 20 holis to catch up lol. IF the old body will survive for them! I didny learn to fly till my early 50's and even then, prefered a Broads holiday, NO queing at airports etc. Also, in general a holiday abroad is £100 per person dearer from up North than flying from down South. Iain.

Of the two places, if cast adrift i'd prefer Norwich YS every time! But to be safe, I always bring the ropes through the rings and back onto the boat at Norwich YS. Iain.

A wife who was a teacher, her sister also, me self employed, the best chill out place on earth are the Broads, dedication came as standard lol Iain.

Nah it aint addictive at all...its TOTALY addictive, its a case of when, not if, I am ready, it will be hire 128 for me, dont ask me to name them all lol as many were the same boat! I am convinced Astons retired on the profits made off of yours truely. Oh and a welcome from me also SGWilko. Iain.

Well done indeed Brian Wards, as one who was self employed for over 30 years, I know all about word of mouth recommendations, or in this case type of forum, passing the correct vibes to all that may require their services. Do I miss the day to day grind of electrical work? You bet I DONT!!! Five months into this retirement lark, I can thoroughly recommend it! Iain.

Mr Richo sir, I had as the 11 days progressed, a very swollen foot, but the ladies managed to open n close the roof nae bother at awe. I am all for getting rid of winches, I remember many years ago on a craft similar to Tobago where it took ages to winch up the roof, a very cold shower was highly possible if said roof had to come down for a bridge! Iain.

Thats a very good point regarding early season hire, whilst the boats are checked out over the winter, it appears often that the sliding roofs are not oiled or what oil that has been put on has dried up. We had to get Herbert Woods engineer oil Gleaming Lights runners before we set off on holi. The roof was very stiff at first, but once the good old WD40 had been applied it slid open easily. Just check before you leave the yard. Iain.

T.A.R.T. team indeed, NOW we know why there is a burger van at Richos yard. Its to stuff the staff full so they add the ballast to get boats through Ludham Bridge. Very clever indeed! Iain.

Oh must try that...

Maybe I am wrong, but, IF conditions did not allow that craft to get through Ludham Bridge, would Richos not offer a transfer to a similar sized craft that can get through said bridge? Just a thought. Iain.

Thats the size 10 Lego kit Siddy! Iain.

Nah Admiral, he no speek Narfolk Speek lol Iain.

With regards to Thorpe Green we use to hire from Hearts there in the 90's and yes it is a very nice mooring, busy at rush hours on the road, and from memory the bus service stops quite early, so check bus times to get back. There is a little play in the height guage in our favour, but not much. I hired the old Bermudas from there. they went through on 7ft no problem. Iain.

Grace ...young lady....the day I start behaving myself will be a first! I think am gettin worse since I offeeshially retired! Its the scots spellin, why waste ink when four letters will dae...ok lol Iain.

Jon's summerhouse and river taxi to Dilham? Iain.

Grace get it right pleaseeeeee its buckets of swet so there ! Oooh am all a lather again! Iain

Sadly I was driving back up north on saturday,so no meet for me. Glad to see that fun was enjoyed by all. Oh boy the weather on Friday was interesting to say the least lol. I sat in reverse gear on the Thurne outside HW yard while a hirer tried to get out through the bridge! Thunder and lightening adding to all that was going on. When it eventually got out I had to go through full pelt to keep way on the old bath tub through the bridge. Maybe next year will manage a few Diet Irn Brus with you all. Iain.

How good it is to read that real people and not robots are building something new these days, wonderful. Iain.

These plastic "lego" kits are getting bigger all the time! Nice looking kits just the same.

Hi Grace, many thanks for kind remarks, aye I wid love to be still on the water, but I will be back hopefully before not too long. Am not hobblin as bad today, deffo on the mend. Anyway 11 days away from you lot is long enough lol The auld scotsman is back so be very afraid....not! tehe. Iain.

Well I am puting a vote in for the South Broads, the view from the Wherry Hotel down Oulton Broad in a sunset is and can be breathtaking. Also down to Beccles from Burgh St Peter and if you can get through Beccles Old Bridge a trip to Geldeston Locks Inn is a must. There plug done!

My wife and her sister looked in the shop on friday, and were well impressed what was on offer there. I wish them well for the season. Iain.

Alan with regardsto the River Chet, I have to say apart from two bends, the river is much wider now since all the dredging has been done, off topic anno. For learning to moor stern on I would deffo try Ranworth Island for that one and side on also if its quiet. No tides to contend with maybe some wind though. We all had to learn at some point, so go on try it there. Iain.