JawsOrca

Don't worry Grace.. I believe you... I think it was either Iain or my dad ... I thought it was about time to embrace the boat a bit more.. although I need to sort that waterline out although it does look a bit like the boat is smiling (or at least looking a bit smug in the yacht club lol)...

You wait until we get up there.. that's nothing.. Our boat will just be one big fendoff as there is no way I'm repainting again anytime soon!

You wait till meet her Iain! lol wheres the mouse...

Yeah thanks dad.. she did call and give me a firm talking to lol... it's feeling much better thankfully!

clive.. don't worry about posting un-interesting pictures.. we will take any and every picture! It's fascinating to see things coming together.. keep the pictures coming for us

You will have a completely different holiday if this your first dual steer boat! You will see so much more over the reeds I suspect you will struggle to go back! I saw my first wild deer at ludham on a flybridge (Yeah londoner).. watch out the bridges though and don't forget to look where you are going as you can get distracted though!!

The website looks brilliant .. good job.. The blue hulled astons always looked tidy.. although we never hired from them.. i often considered.. Sad to learn they are no more.. what happened to them?

and welcome from me

I think this is so sad and going upmarket is soo wrong.. I'm really not trying to hurt anyones feelings etc but there is nothing upmarket about the broads..thats not what the broads are about..for me It's about escaping the busy stresses and strains of day to day life.. whilst in norfolk we don't watch any TV (although I don't really at home anyway). we wont use 240v systems.. I accidently lose my mobile and my laptop stays 125 miles away (I thought of getting a ipad thing for norfolk but nah!)! For me it's not about being on a nice boat it's just about being in my accommodation doing something relaxing and that I don't do everyday.. I suspect other holiday makers are the same.. whilst I'm sure there are some that see a holiday on the broads as fulfilling part of that dream of owning a nice boat.. etc etc but I really can't see how thats a huge market and surely its not a sustainable business model.. Plus at 2k a week surely these type of people will only do this once and then go back to staying in 5 star hotels around europe! We hired for a few years a little alpha 26 "wildcat" she was perfect for us.. basic as anything.. modern enough look.. small, nice to maneuver, tiny 3 cyl diesel engine so cheap in the fuel.. we was paying £500 a week or so (£750 for 2 weeks).. in my opinion the worse thing alpha (et al) done was sell these small boats off and move onto bigger and better (I get why they did it) ... I really believe that was the start of the downturn as it effectively priced us out the hire market and into private ownership. (To add we actually went onto hiring even more basic boats from marthams and they were/are bloody brilliant!).. So it's soo sad that this lesson aren't being learnt.. norfolk needs smaller cheaper boats as so it's cost effective then it will boom again (actually it would be busier then.. second thoughts.. brilliant idea!!)

Hi, that will be good!.. we are in Hoo Ness Yacht Club. Directions: (http://www.hooness.org.uk/contact.php). You can't miss us as we are the only motor boat in here lol Just give us a tap on the hull when you reach us.. It's still work in progress though so don't look too closely lol!

Loddon?

Wrist firmly slapped Iain! Some positive news now (and we didn't lift a finger!!!) We are soo lucky here at this yacht club to have some very skilled fellow members.. One of them makes magic happen with canopies.. he took the canopy away on sunday because he was a bit bored and to my surprise he called just texted me to say the canopy is back on the boat! Daves just refitted and it looks like new! He's replaced three of the 5 windows and the back one he made supersize for us! He's also added new zips and bits so we can roll all sides up and washed and waterproofed it! All for an amazing mates rate :) Pics attached (Lovely sunny evening here in Kent tonight .. this is really the only job (and cushions) which we will get someone in to do (and it feels soo nice lol!).. we did want to try ourselves but theres really no point when the chap is as good as this! I've asked him to make some window covers for us (Again I won't say how much because my folks paid a ton for similar lol but its not much!!)

and welcome from me

Geez Grendel that really sounds nasty! Dave had a weld go through his foot when we built the houseboat.. but on your eye .. sod that! You were probably very very lucky not to lose your eye.. I do normally wear glasses but I just thought I'll quickly remove that bit of glass... perhaps things should never be rushed! Thanks Alan and David.. it actually feels a lot better after getting it looked at and being told theres nothing there There's no stopping for a holiday though we just need to battle on and get it finished.. hopefully we can have a weekend away in a few months though All

lol thanks Grace! we have to pay for the boat one way.. it's normally through pain!! I've always swore they next boat will be called "blood, sweat and tears".. Oh i forgot about mum.. shh hopefully she won't notice the post!

Quick update.. Dave spend a few hours last night on electrics as I put the switch panel in and apparently he made good progress.. Just for the blog too (and just my luck) I spent this morning in Medway Hospitals A&E as whilst putting in the window frame I got an eye full of fibreglass dust (I really hate fibreglass!!).. I was all manly and waited three days before going to the docs though(I got told off and they sent me off to A&E), the nurses couldn't find anything though but gave me the creams and told me to go back in three days if no better. If we can get away with this being the only trip to A&E then that will be good!

lol i was sure it was the new inn in horning .. I've not been to bridge inn.. but the sign certainly gave it away!

I second hawke house.. http://www.hawkehouse.co.uk/.. brilliant little family company..

lol ok bridge inn acle....

This one? http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/gb~bts.html#conway

I can only think of the New Inn at horning..

Agree with others about getting household ones or second hand.. Norfolk marine do have a good full range to inspect .. This maybe interesting.. we discussed or cooker in some detail here (). We settled on a Dometic moonlight in the end (About £400)..

congrats.. she looks lovely.. ignore what people tell you about outdrives they aren't that bad

Congrates guys. .. what did you find? We need pictures

Have a brilliant time fingers crossed the weather holds out for you.. Don't forget to get lots of pictures for the calendar and to make me feel even more envious