Gracie

Absolutely beautiful Griff, congratulations I don't have a daughter but I will be just as proud as you when or if my two sons marry, although I'm not allowing them to even have a girlfriend until they are in their thirties x

You wouldn't stand a chance , we'd ave ya for breakfast x

Don't have this thread removed at all Monica, you are perfectly entitled to post and if it causes a good debate there's nothing wrong with that Now the way I see it and for what it's worth I have seen bad behaviour from same sex groups, couples and families, it's always going to happen wherever you are on holiday or whether it's in May or ruddy not I have also seen and met some very nice friendly boaters from all camps who have helped others and seen acts of kindness that far outweigh any of the above but sadly it doesn't get talked about so much. A scandal is always much more interesting As for all girl groups being worse than any other I can only say from my experience on my hen boat we were well behaved and respected other boaters, well most of the time anyway There were no men allowed so we didn't move our bedding etc to another boat either thank you very much Now I am about to start six weeks of fun with my kids, a tad bit of wine tasting might be involved and a few lie ins too Have a great summer everyone, forget about May, it's gone all ready x

Nah, that's so very rare it's never been spotted x

Have a smashing day and congratulations to your daughter and her partner. I hope the day goes without a hitch and you get to help Mrs G out of her outfit x

Trying to sleep in Hospital is awful, they wake you up to do your obs every couple of hours and then the ruddy cleaners come in at silly 0 clock Take care Ian, you are so brave and strong, all the best to you both x

Do you really think? Go to my local Wetherspoons on a Friday night, you might think differently after that x

I've just spent most of my day on a blustery sea front with 20 4/5 year olds who all behaved brilliantly but why oh why do we get a mile away from the toilets do they seem to all want to pee at once As much as I love it it's still quite nice to give the little ones back at the end of the day 6 weeks off soon and looking at last minute deals at Breydon Water Caravan Park so could well be on our way soon, yay

I have to agree with you there about holiday camp food, it's not the best by far but my kids love it. When we were away at a holiday camp a while back I asked them if they wanted to eat at the bar or me to cook them something, we ate at the bar most nights x

I totally agree Simon, not all hirers are bad but we all seem to get labelled the same I have treated every hire boat with love and respect. Mopping decks and engine checks every day, I take pride in it. Even cleaning them so thoroughly at the end of a holiday some were cleaner than when I picked them up even though I have been totally beside myself at the end of a holiday at having to give them back I have values and respect for most things in life including moored boats, speed limits and other river users, even the ruddy flappy thingies Please remember when making posts we are not all bad and love the boats we hire thank you very much x

What with Reefs and Fertility being mentioned in posts today, I thought I was on the wrong Forum 50 mph winds predicted where I am, stay safe everyone, especially if you're out on the water x

Congratulations Helen and Graham, have a lovely renewing of your vows x

Wow! Buying a boat for me would definitely do it. Failing that the wine would do x

The Universe or this Forum is under no obligation to make sense to you........There you go, I hope this helps x

I agree, it's completely unacceptable, all of it. People who do this make me cross, as well as the bad behaviour it gives hirers a bad name. Running over boats when drunk is a tragedy waiting to happen too, that is complete stupidity Chris, that food looks amazing, where's me invite?

Although this has nothing to do with this thread I just want to add that I do find it most helpful if you let go of the rope when swinging the mud weight out, one could end up in a heap on the bow of the boat or going for an unexpected dip if you hang on to it Not that I have ever done such a thing of course x

As long as livaboards, continuous cruisers (not sure what they prefer to be called) are not causing a problem or mess at moorings, why can't they just be left alone. I can't imagine how awful it must be to be homeless especially through our long winter months but I do know a little bit of caring and compassion can go a long way. They should be offered help rather than being turfed away x

A bit late but a very Happy Anniversary to you both and a belated Happy Birthday to Jaws

Don't we have enough crazy people on our Broads as it is, I mean there's us lot for a start x

I'm loving your holiday tale Helen and that's exactly what it is, a holiday tale. Whilst I respect all posters and their comments this thread is not for a debate about paddle boarders and their safety thank you very much. I know full well Helen intends staying upright and not going for a swim either Keep it coming Helen , loving it x

Have a lovely time Helen and Co I hope Graham is okay for the holiday, he's in the best place to recover Helen, you can swim can't you? x

Pretty much anywhere I can get as we have to take our holidays during school holidays so we are normally zig zagging down the Ant on a Saturday afternoon with the rest of the great escapees , the hordes and the riff raff Anywhere really, wild moor, mud weight, I quite like the excitement and hustle and bustle of How Hill for a first night if I can get in x

Another brilliant topic Ian Like Grendel and Ray I love any place I'm moored at. I prefer a lunch time stop at a pub for a main meal (much to the kids relief ) then find a wild mooring or mud weight to enjoy a glass of wine and some family fishing fun for the rest of the afternoon and evening I haven't been under Potter bridge for many years but have fond memories of the cruise up there and then on to Hickling Broad, beautiful The cruise up to the end of navigation at Coltishall, how beautiful is that. Like Bucket said in his post I also have enjoyed sitting at the Rising Sun with a drink just taking in the view and watching the boats coming in to moor Mud weighting on Barton Broad I have to say was stunning. I remember taking my children out in the dingy at sunset, all you could hear was the water rippling and the occasional splash of fish jumping (or was it a crocodile Kate ) We just sat there listening for ages, you don't make memories like that in a Hotel room The only place I really don't like mooring is Yarmouth Yacht station, the rise and fall of the tide there puts me off. Try clambering off the boat at low tide in summer attire, so not a good look x

Dear MargeandParge I just love threads like this, I could read peoples adventures all day long whether they are epic war and peace posts or smaller ones. They all show the two things we all have in common no matter our background or age, our love of the Broads and Boats We do have a proper nice community on here x

What an absolutely delightful thread, thank you Ian I love reading how people began their love affair with our beautiful Broads. Just over thirty years ago now as a little girl on my first ever boat with my parents, a Gold Gem from Richardson's. A bright orange bath tub, not very posh but she was a floating palace to me, I fell in love with all things boats and Broads. The memories of having so much fun messing about in boats will stay with me forever. I've had a hen party boat, boats hired with other couples before taking my own children who now love it just as much as me. I've loved every single boat I've hired from old tubs to posher craft The hen boat was just a blast, pub crawls, captains hats and pirate flags Frowned upon by some I know but we were well behaved, kind of x