stumpy

Top my head - about a foot - maybe an idea to phone the Yacht Station when you get up. 01493 842794 - very helpful bunch there.

That's a cracking job!

We usually aim for an hour or so after slack - once had to stem the ebb all the way to Acle and it wasn't fun, we were driving to the temperature gauge, not the rev counter!

Broadsword - nice bloke indeed, just don't ask him to open a tin of beans!

Back when I was involved in such things there was a dedicated phone line for reporting anything unusual seen on the coast and rivers. Posters were put up in boatyards, sailing clubs and clifftops. It connected to either plod or the Customs Co-ordination Centre. Perhaps Wildfuzz can confirm whether Operation Kraken is still up and running or fallen victim of the cuts?

I expect by now Robert has written cryptic notes to himself on all of them because he couldn't find a piece of paper then put them down somewhere safe lol

Welcome Rob.

As Vetchugger says, Hamilton's has never been surpassed although long out of print now. The one I use is the 34th (2001) edition, ISBN 0 903094 08 8. If you're buying on line make sure it's got the loose maps with it and the twiddly disc tide calculator is a bonus. Handy hint: picked mine up on E-bay complete for a fiver as vendor mis-spelled Ham(m)iltoms.

Speaking of maps, I do miss the old Hoseasons maps that had a foaming pint pot to mark licenced premises - although I'd probably have to get my trusty chart-correcting pen out to cross a few out nowadays.

Besides, hi_viz signage would never be allowed in a National Park would it?

I think the best example of being geographically challenged I've seen was early this April. We were chugging back up to Stalham at about half five when a Richo's bathtub came out of the Sutton split and hollered out "Is this the way to Yarmouth mate?" We just had time for a thumbs up before he zigzagged off into the evening. Sunset was about half six. We did wonder if they made it.

When we're at Coltishall it's always either the King's Head or a (delivered to the boat) curry from Ali Spice - 01603 266133. 'Nuff said.

Charlie - Would that be the Dog and Pheasant on Mersea? If so I was one of those hairy-*rsed bikers - happy days!

Could the lake behind La Tharms not be stocked with tame carp to keep the fisherfolk occupied during the closed season?

Terribly sad news but please spare a thought for the driver. A good mate drives an Inter City and has had three 'one unders' - it's a harrowing experience.

Do what gal? Come you on dowun here a bit more offen and you'll soowun learn to tawk proper loike what Oi dew.

Viking- would that include the poor ladies who can't afford many clothes sitting in the windows?

16E - The best we've had (also at Horning Staithe) was "Oooh look Doris, they've got plates and knives and forks and everything!" as we were dining before bimbling over to the Swan.

I was told by an old boy at Upton they were a memorial to an old wherryman - the old boy may have been Winkle himself, it was long ago and late in the evening (wink)

Re. The New Inn , we overnighted there Thursday and the food is now a definite cut above any of the other waterside establishments (not got to the Woods End yet this year) _ much smaller menu than previously but superb quality. Two starters and two mains left us change from £40 and no room for puds! Very well kept Ghost Ship and Wherry, Abbot was on too but didn't go there after a couple of each of the others. The new bogs are quite luxurious, all dark marble and parquet type flooring. Gus, thank goodness, never changes.

The first holiday I can remember was in a corrugated iron roofed shack in Hemsby with an Elsan in a shed at the bottom of the garden, water was pumped to the kitchen sink. I was very taken by the main drag to the beach because it had wooden boardwalks not pavements just like in the westerns and there were proper Romanies in the field opposite who let me sit on a horse bareback - my Nan went spare when she found out. Must have late Fifties.

There's some rum owd boys and gals on there too!

Spider - Try Classic Marine at Suffolk Yacht Harbour , they're not cheap but stock all sorts of traditional stuff and will fabricate from drawings I understand.

Used it at work when rummaging big ships and works well even on high decks in wind but it WAS pro. kit with an earpiece and mike boom

Thank you so much for that Iain - I now have a mindworm of Robin running along a beach in slo-mo wearing red speedos!!! Arrrgh!!!