NeilB

Thanks, soon to be 9 so a while yet. Her brother is 6ft 4” and built like the proverbial outhouse so I already have a bodyguard for her!

Makes quite a noise and is quite alarming, my colleague managed to get a good enough seal with the sole of his trainer when it happened at work once!

Work’s been quite busy with the build up to Southampton Boatshow so looking forward to this weekend. By 4pm on Friday I’d topped up the water, unplugged shore power, dumped rubbish etc. Just cast off and Malcolm Mouldy appeared on Moonlight Shadow so followed him out of Stalham. Fairly slow trip down the Ant due to a dawdler, don’t mind taking it easy but it’s a tad inconsiderate to do tickover down tha Ant. Also inconsiderate we’re several private craft towing yachts to Barton regatta, at least 6 of them were well over the speed limit. They should know better and it sets a bad example for the hire boats just leaving Richos. Onto the Bure and some nice Kate afternoon sun and cloud combinations. Reached Horning around 6:30, The Ferry was at least half double moored and the last slots at the The New inn filled as I cruised past. No idea what was happening but the the air ambulance took off from behind the Swan, hope they are ok. Just as the light was starting to fade I went under Wroxham bridge, plenty of room at 7ft and moored at the Viaduct. Popped into Greys for fish n chips, watched a bit of Netflix and off to bed feeling a little tired after a long day.

Had a fantastic few days with 2 of my children on board last week. So good only managed a couple of photos of fireworks at Great Yarmouth. Luckily there are none of me swimming at Sea Palling and whale watch seems to have missed me as well! My daughter is still being a little stubborn about wearing a life jacket, came to an agreement she must wear it while on deck but can take it off inside. The icing on the cake was my son getting very good GCSE results. He’s autistic and can seem a little strange to those that meet him so it’s not been easy. He’s worked very hard and I’m very proud that’s he’s qualified for 6th form.

The Byelaw states "no person shall use any firearm, air weapon or any bow, catapult or sling or any projectile weapon without the consent of the Authority." You could keep a non FAC air rifle on board, but not actually use it against drones or anything else. Wonder how high I could lob a rhond anchor......

I never noticed the Swedish, but I work for Volvo so I'm used to it !

I've just had 1 x 2 person and 2 x 4 person rowing boats pass my mooring near Stalham staithe heading down the Ant, might be a tad tight for width so be aware! I've seen them around Norwich but not on the northern side before. They all had dedicated helms and were taking it easy so shouldn't be any problems, apart from the surprise of meeting one on the Ant!

Boulters Chandlery do have a loyalty card, 5% for between £25 and £150 and 10% for over £150.

Used to the odd one or two speeding but that 2nd one was really going some and as I happened to be near the helm I tried to get his attention. He saw me indicating to slow down but just ignored me. Amused my kids anyway! Driving them back to their mums tomorrow after they have emptied my food cupboards!!

I don’t know if this is going to be completed by Richos or another yard, but they were dragging this out on Wednesday. My kids then arrived so I’ve no idea if it was launched, put on a truck or into another shed. The sedan is in the same shed, not sure if it’s still there. I’ll keep an eye out!

Maybe all the wasps have eaten the midges! Two of my children are on board so I have to keep rescuing one of them from midges or spiders!

Until now I've not really noticed it being that quiet, maybe everyone is following me making it seem busy! However, just popped out and noticed a lot of boats in Richardson, (I'm moored here), so I took a little detour around the yard. Excluding the for sale boats which are clumped together there were at least 30 not on hire, including several of the new ones. Up until now there's only been 4 or 5 boats in the yard so not sure why the sudden change. Herbert Woods have a few still in although not as many.

When does your boat require a re-paint? Although I shudder at the costs likely to be involved! https://www.scienceabc.com/innovation/solar-paint-coating-paint-can-harvest-unlimited-energy-water-vapor.html

This is the kit I've got, you can walk on them but I've not tried yet as I don't really need to! https://www.sunshinesolar.co.uk/Item/KIT160F

I've got 160w flexi panel glued to my aft roof, only fitted it couple of weeks ago. It was knocking out just over 7amps a couple of hours ago but it's slowed to around 2.7 as the batteries are virtually full.

I agree not many, but some of us do have a full size freezer! My son and daughter are up next week so I'm going to need it !!

Useful info, I did notice their food offering has increased over the past year or so.

The one we had on Lightning was like a car key fob you could hang around your neck, it also operated the anchor winch. Handy for when your stuck on the bank watching then boat drift away.......

Think one of the marinas at Wayford bridge had a couple of spaces. Richardson's may have as one of my neighbours boats has recently left for brokerage, space left is about about 30ft.

I'd add centre cleats to your current boat, a reversing camera and keep it! I've single handed many boats for work and pleasure and the easiest were the ones with quick access to the side decks and both bow / stern ropes. Forward steer boats were usually one of the easiest for me. On your boat ensure the stern rope reaches the bow close to where you are steering from and have good access, ensure it has one turn around the centre cleat. Step off with both ropes but secure the one on the centre cleat first, once tight the boats not going far and you can then sort the others. They are not so good at reversing but this is where the camera comes into use and maybe your wife can still call out directions and guidance.

Passed through Horning regatta today and followed the advice given to stay hard right and slow. Not moaning but we spotted several sailors doing the exact same thing forcing us into the middle of the river on 2 occasions. Only managed the one photo as it was a tad busy on the river! Most of the skippers seemed happy with how we passed and we received several waves of thanks…

Think I saw somewhere it's an Alpha 36? Not sure if you are on Facebook but there is an Alphacraft owners group, it's fairly quite but have a meet planned for September.

I have similar to the above plus an external antenna on an extendable pole, the height can make the difference. I also work from the boat, in my home yard I'm getting around 40mb but there's a mast just down the road! As a back up I chose a different network from my phone, if Smarty / Three doesn't have a signal then my work phone on O2 can provide a hotspot. There are still some spots where the signal is non existent or very weak regardless of network.

Sitting on the wild mooring near the entrance to Womack dyke, watching the sun go down while browsing the forum.

Just dropped my weight in South Walsham, couple of other boats here but both the dyke moorings were only half full which was a bit of a surprise. Maybe all the locals have flown south for the summer.....