VetChugger

I'll take another angle! On the southern side at least there are too may significant eateries missing! New Inn at Rockland, Ferry Inn at Surlingham and The Beauchamp Arms! No Coldham Hall either! At least one or two are a wee bi more than a mere "cockstride" from the moorings! Its a fair old hike to the Lavender place in Brundall!

Yes she was. If you look on Craigs site you will see the history. At one time she was known as "Glenmore of Geldeston".T792.

The descriptions used to go into even more detail than that! Told you the make of engine, capacity,, fuel and method of control. The yards often had their own brochures as well. Odd that Robin should mention "Glenmore" and Moores. I have an original Moores brochure showing the hire fleet around the late 60's early 70's. I'm not sure how to post it except page by page (scans) which I will do if anyone is interested?? Edited to add that I think this is what Robin is looking at! I must have posted it when I bought "Glenmore"!

As Alan has already pointed out, you need to check with the yard that the boat actually has any 240v facilities. Although this is becoming more common many boats have none at all.

Now that's news! The Dukes Head selling bears!

Just to make sure you stay away from Yorkshire! http://www.buzzfeed.com/danieldalton/the-muffins-taste-funny#.gdrmy3aWoY Warning! Some strong language!

The maps that came with the old "Hamiltons Guide" were full of interesting detail and remain mostly relevant today. Not easy to find these guides now though. Shame Bill never got around to taking the updating on.

Know what you mean Iain about having bounce on pitches. In my heyday I liked to think that I could fire the pill down at a prodigious pace and loved nothing better than to see it rise sharply off a length. I did have a couple of occasions when dental modification took place but must be a softie at heart because I could never stop myself from trying to console the battered batter! Those were the days!

I've used one of these mobile mains kits and they are really versatile and, consequentially, useful! They are also available with less sockets on and cheaper.

Hope the mods don't mind me providing this info as I think there are some excellent guides to tasks we might initially think we need to spend oodles of money employing an "expert" Compass Marine have a webpage of many articles about such tasks as installing a battery charger and lots of others! Well worth a look I think. http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/boat_projects

Try this company! Ring them and they will send you samples. Very helpful folk and seem to know about most makes of boat. http://www.sealsdirect.co.uk/ Then there is this company who will actually make you windows at a price! They will also refurbish your windows but do say it may be more economical to go for new ones which might hint at the cost! Kellett Engineering of 59, Hill Top Road, Armley, Leeds, West Yorks. LS12 3PX. Tel: 0113 2639041 This lot will also make you windows http://www.seaglaze.co.uk/products/marine_windows

That rod looks remarkably similar to my Shakespeare carbon powerplay 13' feeder rod especially with the interchangeable tips. I got mine from old favourite haunt Bennets Of Sheffield back in the 70's.

Coldham Hall maybe?

We had a night at the Wayford Bridge Inn late summer last year and we enjoyed it! Yes it was pricey and a tad fanciful along with the expected "Chefy" touches. Two of us had burgers which were declared very good and I had a very pleasant steak. The decor is a bit designer but reasonably comfy and there was also a reasonable area to participate of the weed! Add to this that there is an area where you can just sit and natter and imbibe without feeling you are takingup eating space! To top it all, the man himself was there talking to customers. I have had much worse nights in some supposedly typical Broads pubs. Whilst I still much prefer the likes of Surlingham Ferry and Rockland Broads New Inn, I would not give it the very negative responses that appear here and elsewhere. Just my thoughts of course. We all have our preferences. This is illustrated by the fact that I have never found the Bridge at Acle to be a particularly welcoming place especially if you don't wish to eat.

After watching that I can only conclude ..... "Ther's nowt 'a' wi've not getten."

As some of you know, I run the Norman site and we too have not been able to get hold of Gary at Coverit. He does spend a great deal of time out and about for days at a time fitting covers. He tends to do them in bunches so he can spend a few days down south for instance. I've heard nothing to suggest that he has gone out of business. It could be worth trying again a few times as, if you mention Norman Boats, he should give you a £50 discount. Failing that, why not try Richard (Snugtopz) down at Bramerton Woods End? His prices appear competitive for Norfolk at least!

Actually ran Royal Commander into the trees between Wroxham and Coltishall and got stuck! This was whilst trying to grab my camera! I'm sure the bloody Kingfisher sat there laughing at me. I have to say my crew mates were very much less than impressed and I never got the picture either!

Many times I have said how much I would like to see another of the little brown books that Hoseasons did back in the mid 1970's. Great to see a modern equivalent. Well done Richardsons!

I make no apology for posting this both here and elsewhere because its so good! I know we have many appreciators of models and miniature worlds and this is about as far from Norfolk as you could likely get. Many may have had a taster at Wroxham but the scale of this one is truly immense. The detail is incredible as is the diversity of those involved including Defence Technicians and Scientists. Have a look!

The Leicester built boat is an "Ormelite" Jon. I very nearly bought one when I was first boat hunting. My Norman website could very easily have been the Ormelite Appreciation Society! There is an "Ormelite Cruiser Network" where owners gather and share info and pictures but you have to sign up to see the best bits. http://ormelitecruisers.ning.com/ As far as I know they are all woodies as well. I think they are mostly narrow beam for the canals.

Very friendly yard as well. They even have a bog emptying point which is useful to know for many.

Or maybe invest in one of these .........

Oh for the days of a proper train set with lots more stations, tracks, buildings and trains! Bloody Beeching! Proper windows with straps to lean out of as well.

These boats are well set up for coastal work in favorable conditions which this one is likely doing based where it is rather than on the broads.

I can still make a cracking throwing arrow! What happened to kids imagination??? The things we used to make and do with cornflake packets and empty bog rolls! Not to mention the two cocoa tins and string telephone!