stumpy

You don't need to go that far JM - just take a snout down Regent Rd in Yarmite:- Burbery, Bolex and Lewis Vuitton everywhere!

If anyone is in two minds about the collection and return bit, we've had a few jobs done remotely by Robert and his merry band with absolutely no problems. I did hear he can do a cracking deal on green antifouling too!

ASAP in Beccles have complete bronze/DZR strainers and plastic inserts - we fitted new inserts a couple of years back when the metal ones disintegrated but the original strainers are still going strong.

My old Group Scout Master had a gun punt at Waldringfield and shooting rights over the marshes, I think from the local vicar. Every autumn the winning patrol got to witness the ceremonial firing of the mammoth piece,from memory it involved a 4 oz sweet bag of black powder and the same of assorted tin tacks! As has been said the recoil was substantial and would push the punt and Skip back a good 12' back into the putty. I don't think it'd be allowed today.

Hully agreed! We once witnessed a 'conversation' between Gus at the New Inn and a crew who, once he'd helped them moor, skulked off to the Chinese and returned with their evening meal. They dined elsewhere!

They can be,depending on where you're moored - Womack and Ranworth Islands are pretty bad. We use Avon 'Skin so Soft' oil on exposed skin and burn a couple of citronella tea lights at night. Kathy reacts badly so also takes a daily antihistamine during the season.

Congratulations MM !

Or even some King Crimson perhaps?

Every now and then a V22 Osprey chunters over Felixstowe heading for off the mouth of the Deben, if you're in the bar at the sailing club you get a grandstand view of gentlemen in black jumping out into the oggin without parachutes then being scooped up into a big rib by other gentlemen in black. Makes a change from the Apaches from Wattisham.

You're on the flight line to the North Sea oil and gas platforms - there's a pretty constant shuttle over Broadsedge but you get used to it. It was interesting there on Wednesday night about 9 p.m. when we heard a different sound and a pair of Chinooks went blattering over heading North!

What you need is 'potable antifreeze'. We use Starbrite because its the one local chandlers stock.

I may have mentioned it before but my first and only (DG) contact with a propeller injury was at about 16 when I was press ganged as a stretcher bearer at Waldringfield between the safety boat and an ambulance, the patient's lower leg followed in a sail bag! 50+ years on still gives me shivers.

You could but I wouldn't want to. The last few miles are dead boring, the tides through Yarmouth can be the fiercest on the Broads and not to be trifled with - the last time I had to come up against the tide I was almost flat out and made 2 mph over the ground for half an hour! The yacht station is a good 20 minute walk from Regent Rd., Yarmouth's answer to Oxford St. If you're determined to visit moor at Acle Bridge or Stracey Arms and taxi in and out. I've always looked on Yarmouth as a port of passage rather than a destination.

For us the only game changer is temperature - we moor in the services basin at Broadsedge which seems to be the first to freeze over!

I've found www.frost.co.UK (Frost Auto Restoration) very useful for assorted bit and pieces, including wiper blades.

It used to be fun in Ipswich in the early '70s, town pubs closed at 10:30, country ones at 11:00. It was possible (I was told) to get a pint at last orders in town, neck it, then thrash out to a certain country pub before last orders was called there. If more than half a dozen were in a lock in would then ensue. At about 2:30 the village bobby would lean his bicycle against the empties 'out the back' where our bikes were, stroll into behind the bar, scoop up the large rum left for him and suggest we might like to go home, remembering to throttle down past Granny Crabby's cottage at the crossroads. Happy days!

To misquote Charlton Heston "They'll take my mighty throbbing BMC when they prise the Morse lever from my cold,dead hand."

Easily. I've been there with 3 Bounty 27s, a 32' bathtub and the usual logjam of canoes down the bridge end.

The best Lecky fairy moment we've had was a few years ago at Dilham. We rocked up while the sparks were still commissioning the posts, when they'd done one called over "All good,you can plug in now. You'll not need a card for an hour or so." There was a fiver on the meter! We used our usual 40p on Kathy's CPAP overnight and went on our way rejoicing.

We went under Ludham just before HW yesterday and it was about 2" below the walkway - if it's over we have to think about dropping the canopy.

We thought we were getting a new neighbour when we saw Sweet Kingfisher in the service basin but she wouldn't fit! Good to hear you've got a tough skull but I bet it stung at the time. Get well soon Ian.

Tony, that sounds like an auto inflation jacket - as long as the crotch strap is firmly done up it'll do the job. Crewsaver 150 Newton ones were what Her Maj gave me when I was fannying about offshore - I forgot to give it back when I retired and, with a yearly service, is still doing me well.

We often pass the houseboats on our way up to Dilham, late last year there was a guy hauling a huge pike out. We stopped the next day and asked how big - 14lb!

I've found bowthrusters very useful when moored up relaxing below. The scream, usually accompanied with full throttle forward and reverse means its time to meerkat up ready to fend off and offer helpful advice or take a line!

From Facebook it seems northbound boats are being rafted up to the dolphins upstream of Breydon bridge.