kadensa

Thank you everyone for your good wishes and for the excellent advice. Sorry I haven't replied sooner, but it's been a busy time this past week. I remembered that when we went cruising in Italy, Leboat sent us a dvd showing manouvering techniques, so I will look that out (I've already taken a quick look at the clips on Richardsons' website). I won't have any trouble with the steering going astern, not only as I am reliably informed that boats don't steer then anyway, but also because I can never remember offhand which way to turn the wheel on a car when going backwards . (Believe it or not I passed the advanced motoring test with flying colours; my husband still insists I must have 'offered my favours' to the examiner). Anyway, I expect the AM will video my efforts, the best of which (if indeed there are any good ones) will be posted on Youtube, with links on the forum, of course, just to inflate my ego.

Today I became a grandmother. OK, that's not exactly earth-shattering news, (certainly not to anyone else, although I'm ridiculously pleased and proud) but it has made me take stock and I've decided that it's high time I brushed up on my boat handling skills. You see. although this year's holiday will be our 12th time on the Broads (we've also been on the Caledonian and the Italian waterways), it's always been my husband (hereinafter referred to as the Ancient Mariner or AM for short ) who has done what he is pleased to call the 'hard work' of manoeuvering the boat, whilst all I have to do is 'step off and tie the boat up'. I'll give him his due, when put like that it does sound easy, doesn't it? All I can say is - you try 'just stepping off' a boat when the water is lapping over the quay, there's a Force 8 wind blowing and your legs are so short that you could easily make a skirt (albeit a mini) out of the material you have to cut off the bottom of every pair of trousers you buy. Now, I'm not saying the AM doesn't allow me to steer now and again. He's even left me alone at the helm on a long 'easy' stretch of the river in order to have a shower, although I can only suppose he did so with the window, wide open, so quickly did he shout instructions should any other craft come within about 50 feet of us. (My profound apologies to anyone who, out for a pleasant day's cruising, has been left traumatised by the sight of a wet, naked man on a passing boat leaping about, shouting and gesticulating wildly). However, I've never, ever brought a boat in to moor and I would really love to master both side and stern on mooring. Could anyone suggest somewhere quiet where I would be able to practise in private without the risk of all the world and his wife suddenly appearing from nowhere and posting gloating videos on Youtube? We will be visiting both the Northern and Southern Broads. My new grandson will be taking his first Broads holiday with his parents in September. Given the rapid way children absorb knowledge, I am confident that in a couple of years time he will know everything there is to know about handling a boat, (if only in theory) and if I am to retain any self-respect I really need to acquire these skills as soon as possible.

I didn't realise that Richardsons were branching out into the hairdressing business.

I've just been looking at the 'platinum fleet' on Richardson's website, something I've avoided doing in the past, as I'm very easily tempted to spend my husband's money. As an instance of this, I went on to the site on Monday (just browsing, you know) with the result that we are now booked on San Bernado for two weeks in September. Anyway, Clive, I've fallen in love with Broadlander - whoever designed the interior should get an award. I'm a big fan of Art Deco and those black doors and grey furnishings together with the colour of the wood really take boat design to the next level. People rave over the new Broom boats, but Broadlander makes them look ordinary and a bit 'last century'. Please congratulate everyone involved. We don't normally 'push the boat out' for a Broads holiday as we like to have an overseas holiday or two as well, but I'd be prepared to sacrifice that for Broadlander

Robin, I agree with much of what you say, but do you think you could adjust your font as it is really hard to read it.

Yes, we certainly had the heating on in the morning and at night, but we did try not to overdo it. We found that as we could close-off the saloon (we were on a Major Gem) we didn't need to use the heating as much as we would have done on a boat with a more open-plan design.

You only have to look at the spec to see which end of the market this boat is aimed at. Although I agree with what you say, Fred, having hired from them once, I don't think I would do so again.

It's amazing how much fuel can be saved by using the tides correctly AND by taking it easy. We had 11 days in May and travelled from Stalham to Beccles, Loddon, Wroxham, Potter, Wayford and place in between and used 56 litres of fuel. We used the Satnav to check our cruising speed and kept to 4mph wherever possible.

You haven't said which boat you have booked.

I have had several holidays on the Broads in October, the latest being in 2010 and I agree that it is a lovely time of year. Indeed, the weather at the beginning of the month can be better than it is in the summer, at least as far as sunshine is concerned. The only real downside is that you have much less cruising time available (owing to the later sunrise and earlier sunset), but that is more than made up for by there being many fewer boats around. Yes, the evenings can be cold, but so were they when we were there in May!

Surely the safety of any children onboard is the responsibility of the parents, not the designers or boatyard.

I always search for the cheapest boats, then look to see which I think is the best value for my requirements. Hence this year we booked Major Gem as the price was EXTREMELY reasonable for the size and style of craft. I prefer to book early so I can be sure of getting the boat I want when I want it. Would I be upset if I found that I'd paid more than someone who waited and received a last minute booking discount? Not really. I'll be on holiday when I want on my chosen boat at a price I'm willing to pay. I must say, though, Clive, that the new loyalty scheme came as a welcome surprise! I think that kind of promotion, together with good service , will do more to both keep existing customers and attract new business than last minute discounts ever could. Lin

Come on then, don't leave us in suspense.

A classical music concert on the Broads is not a new thing. Yesterday I received a birthday present through the post, - a book by David Holmes entitled 'The Broads through Time' (excellent!) and a dvd entitled 'The Hidden Broads'. The latter includes a piece on classical music concerts which were held on an island on Barton Broad in Edwardian times.

I really don't see what all the fuss is about. Judging from the list of composers it sounds like an evening of light English classical music. Just a pity there's no Delius; I would have thought his 'By the River' would be the perfect choice.

Ouch! We spent 10 days on the Caledonian with Caley cruisers and that was pretty expensive, too. I suppose it's a matter of personal preference, really. I prefer to choose a cheaper boat - a) because that way I get more holidays per year and so that I don't spend all my time worrying whenever someone or something comes too close (the something being one of a group of normal inanimate objects e.g. posts, quay headings and the like, which on the Norfolk Broads seem to have been imbued with a death wish, so quickly do they jump out in front of the unsuspecting helmsman).

From Broom's website - 'The transom seats slide and pivot to offer the choice of forward or rear facing views'

I hope they're going to put some fenders on them before they go out on hire!

Not when you add in all the extras it isn't - e.g. a week from 04/05/2013 - at first sight £655 but actual cost with fuel deposit, insurance and damage waiver is £826. OK, you may get some of the fuel deposit back, although the way prices are going it probably wouldn't be much.

I think £770 for a week in October on a 2 berth boat is pretty expensive.

And, of course, the concerns of the yards over damage done by private boats, which is also (in my opinion) quite justified.

Reat assured the power lines will not be going underground (too expensive), but neither will they be going through the Broads. These proposals are just a consultation document and, as such, have to set out ALL possible routes. Supposing National Grid did not do that, then what would happen? People who live in other parts of Norfolk (and Suffolk), who couldn't care less about boats or the Broads (and let's face it, even among the people who do, there are many who complain about the monotony of some parts of the system) but DO care about their own surroundings, views, house prices etc. would immediately say that the consultation process is flawed as not all alternatives have been considered. This would then lead to delays whilst further proposals were drafted which, of course, increases the uncertainty, not to mention the cost. We have to face the fact that ever-increasing demand , coupled with the necessity to increase the amount of renewable energy produced means that many parts of rural Britain will be transformed from what we know and enjoy today. That does not mean, however, that people should get into an unjustified panic over a newspaper article.

My son is a project manager with National Grid, and although based in Staffordshire he is reponsible for projects in an area stretching from North Wales to Norfolk. The company issue all their on-site workers with Vodafone mobiles as their network has by far the most comprehensive coverage.

11 days on Major Gem in May. It seems a long way off, however.