stumpy

MM - I think the jollop you're after may be CT1, magic on bodging Windows and deffo works on wet surfaces. According to my tube it's safe for food preparation areas but also 'prevents fungal growth' . "Full data sheet available at www.ct1ltd.com" it says. Not sure if I'd want to use a lot of it on a fish pond though.

I was taught by a grizzled old Sea dog the easy way to remember was "There's RED PORT LEFT UP on the shelf" - blast was it really 50 years ago?? ETA: The UP refers to going upstream, of course.

The only time I've used a pilot rail was going from a pilot boat onto Russian molasses tanker on the Bawdsey anchorage the rail was covered by a very tasteful French whipping and blast was I grateful for it! Like others, I'm not keen on pulpits.

Back when I was gainfully employed a large part of my duties was rooting though containers of Chinese tat - we all had Trading Standards on speed-dial, they loved us!

Robin - from what I recall the 'at sea' pic was an Elysian (same hull,slightly more rounded topsides) with a Ford Corsair V6 under the bonnet......hmmm I wonder.

Vaughan - my late father in-law played washboard with Lonnie back when he was playing round East London pubs. Kathy still has his thimbles in a baccy tin somewhere.

We go to wheatgerm food when the water temp drops below 12° and stop altogether at 5°. Like Sue we feed the sturgeon all year.

I can wholly recommend the Dove to any member visiting Ipswich - well kept choice of proper beer and quite often a cracking band! Baitrunner - the bike has the look of a Trophy 250 I had for a while before I discovered the joys of parallel twins (and having to park them on a sheet of cardboard to soak up the oil!)

The pond in the garden at Anchor Moorings just down from Coltishall is festooned with an electric fence which seems to work. Poppy dog discovered it with her nose a few years back! We find ringing our 12 foot square pond with black pea netting works and doesn't look too unsightly.

The EDP is getting more like the Suffolk Gazette every day!

I used to cycle to and from school along the quayside in the background when it was Cranfield's grain quay - been a few changes in 50-odd years!

And there was me thinking he was a merchant banker!

Just a thought - could the figures with a more rounded torso be trainee foredeck totty?

Somewhere (perhaps in another place) Strowager (I think) posted some excellent photos of the 'tight' bridges with an overlay of the crucial dimensions,linked to what was showing on the height boards.

Ah but Griff - by not using the pilot you've saved Herbie's a pony so surely you're entitled to a refund when you hand the boats back.. love to see that negotiation lol

At least it won't stay there as long as the BMW at Acle Bridge - it was hauled out a couple of years ago I believe after some 20-odd years underwater!

The only pre-bookable moorings I know about in Horning are at the New Inn - 01692 631223. You do have to eat there, but that's no hardship. Only charge is if you need a 'lecky hook up -£5.

Vaughan, that wouldn't work round here - they say if you see a hat on Deben mud there's a man under it and an 'oss under him!

Daylight Gate looks beautiful! Interesting name too - I'm sure there used to be a boat around named Pendle Witch - any connection?

Nice one Skip - now trying to work out a use for a Wood Badge on board.

Clever stuff but it'll never take over from a Turk's Head!

Another vote for Roberts merry band at Sutton. He's not done any gelcoat work for us but I've spent some time in his workshop and can't fault the finish they get.

Just catching up after a few days boating: the best thing I've found for fenders is UPVC frame cleaner from your local friendly window fitter (mine came free after I put a strimmer stone through the front door!) smells like mainly acetone but brought them up a treat.

Now you're talking! The Deben,Orwell and Stour are in my neighbourhood, I learnt to rag and stick at Waldringfield,ending up with 21/64 of an International Dragon we used to pub crawl in when not following the fleet round the cans. Mr. (always Mr.,never Carl) Giles often pulled us off the putty and never took more than one drink off us back in the Maybush. I well remember the Butt when Dick Mainwaring had it and you couldn't see across the bar for smoke. For Steve - if you're after a very well-kept drop of Ghost Ship you'll not go far wrong with Chelmondiston Red Lion (used to be the Venturer with a Thames barge transom as a pub sign). It's bit foodie but they're quite happy to cater for folk who just want a beer or two. A meal for four with drinks is about £130 and well worth it. You may trip over us tucked round the corner!

Hi and welcome - bet you wish you were here. (Sorry)