stumpy

Different Lion methinks - possibly Martlesham, the one with a ship's figurehead as a pub sign. This Lion is on the way back to Ipswich between Pin Mill and Woolverstone - used to be the Venture with a Thames barge transom as its sign before it was rescued and reverted to its original name a couple of years ago, very popular with bearded smock wearing folk from Woolverstone marina (and us).

Most of the houseboats at Pin Mill have mains drainage and water - back when Dick Mainwaring (he of the wonderful moustaches) was landlord of the Butt I nearly bought one but the finances were a nightmare, starting with the 50% deposit! JM -next time you're out that way check out the Red Lion at Chelmondiston, also Adnams but more 'foodie' than the Butt.

I'm sure I've seen 'Norfolk Enchants' on the water down Wroxham way.

Back when the tax was being planned and was to be enforced by C&E I put in a serious application to run the Broads boat fuel testing vessel along the lines of the road fuel testing units we already had (and still do, run by HMRC) complete with figures on numbers of boats and estimated yearly consumption. Got back a lovely letter from the Board of Commissioners saying basically don't be so silly and carry on going through suitcases! Boatyard fuel sale logs are looked at by the visiting VAT officer if he/she can be *rsed.

Top of my head figures as bumph is on board but antifouled every other year,last one was about £30 a foot for lift pressure wash and back in at Sutton Staithe, engine service yearly (BMC1.5) about £120, also through Robert.

I believe I'm still barred from Ipswich ABC (now shops) - a peashooter and the front row of the balcony were involved.

Hi and welcome Jovril. We had a pretty tight list - 25-30',3-5 berths, diesel inboard on a shaft, pumpout bog, aft cockpit(so able to single-hand) and easy(ish) foredeck access. Oh, and under 15k! This was formed from being around salt water boats and hiring for 40-odd years, also knowing our physical limitations. Took about 10 months of schlepping about from the Wash to the Thames before we found No Worries at Potter H'am. She had also been moored at Broadsedge which was my first choice of marina - done job!

Highest gust in Felixstowe was 50 mph at 04:00, now getting 25-30 NW. The Orwell bridge was shut about 22:00 last night, don't think it's re-opened yet.

At least a wooden hull won't be bothered by the dreaded polyestermite!

Our wireless doorbell rings if a Vauxhall car is remotely locked or unlocked within about 50' of the reciever. Drives the dog wild!

I use a Sketchleys coat hanger. (Other dry cleaners are available)

Cracking job Grendel, back in the day I'd have worn that as a woggle!

While we're off topic on auto-censors, some years ago when the government department that paid me staggered into the 20th century and gave us personal e-mail accounts poor old Mike Coone was totally incommunicado until a poor very high up manager persuaded IT that really was his name. Oh how we laughed.

My dear old Dad used to give the garden fence a yearly coat of old sump-oil thinned with paraffin - seemed to work but hully stunk!

We are 27' - one 80w tube in the engine and water tank hole, one in the cabin. Both on thermostat plugs at 5°. Domestic water drained down. Minimum temperature in cabin last winter was 2°. Cost us less than £20 at Broadsedge prices has worked for 6 years. However in 2010 when the basin froze to at least 4 inches we didn't have electricity and just draining and blowing through the pipes worked. Hope this helps.

The best example of a change of attitude I've seen was when a mate who worked on a gas platform in the North Sea asked for a lift to an upmarket car dealership in Colchester. Loaned him a crash helmet and off we went. We were greeted by a sharply dressed young man "What can we do for you lads?" Dave - "I'd like a test drive in the black 911 please" "And how would you pay for it....... Sir...... Finance.?" "No thanks, I've cash" Removing a roll of 50s from his ratty Belstaff big enough to choke a badger there was a rapid change of tack and yes, he did buy it!

I think Lord Paul did something like that on Mistral for not much dosh - matrix and blower from a scrappie ISTR.

Some time ago, possibly in another place, there was a discussion about 'Eau de Boat'. I think there were elements of 'blue', diesel, Calor gas, burnt matches, Old Holborn and a top note of tarred twine for the traditionalists.

Siddy - have a Google for 'Wavestream bilge filter' and you should find it. We've had one on No Worries for 6 years,you do have to keep on top of filter changes, I made the mistake of buying the smallest size (element about the size of a small tin of beans) and put a new element on yearly. Never had the slightest 'slick' and passed two BSSs with it.

Snowy - the only concern, as told by a good friend who is chaplain to the local Master Mariner's Club is 'make certain you know which way the wind is going'. Apparently the paperwork for a scattering at sea is somewhat complicated and don't even think about a coffin job!

Speaking of old fish I'm sure JM will also remember the shop opposite Yarmouth pier that would post a pair of bloaters to anywhere in the country. An aunt and uncle had a caravan at North Dens and always sent a box to us when they were up - ambrosia!

Much in demand later for the Triton - I had a small one with a T100 Speedtwin in it and all the essentials, clip-on, rear sets and of course, Dunstall decibel 'silencers'. I really thought I was the mutts nuts!

Ref: the footpath to Acle, it's also very good for foraging - blackberries, sloes, cobnuts and plate-sized mushrooms in season! Eta. Ta very much for a cracking tale Gramps.

Sorry Griff - lazy post. Should have put 'red diesel taxed at the agricultural/commercial rate' . Ipswich Morrisons was doing it at 82p a litre last time I looked. Some folk filter it through cat litter to get the dye (but not the chemical marker) out I understand.

Just a (slightly improper) thought - stow a cheap, small beam trawl somewhere, get registered as a fishing boat and fill up with red diesel - or come to an arrangement with MM.