JawsOrca

There does seem to be bit of speed feast on at the moment, I'm wondering when I'm going to get the leaflet because I thought the top speed is 6mph on the broads?! The ranger boat on the Ant was safety tucked away in her cabin this morning so it's hardly a surprise. It does seem that no one gets that it's wash first then speed but I guess it's always been the same. We've hit the wash of some boats in the canoe and it's been OK so far, it can be difficult to get the boat positioned as such though and it becomes a pain if you panic and both lean the wrong way so you kinda do just need to ride it out and hope for the best.. thankfully its not too hard to get away from other boats (I'm certainly a big fan of low bridges now :) )

It was far too windy to be boating yesterday. We had planned to be up there this weekend but cancelled due to the forecast. The broom here is all over the place and we've put lines on each corner and we are reasonably sheltered mooring, so certainly wouldn't like to be out on the broads at all this weekend, considering the time of the year and knowing that certain yards will be letting newbies out. Looking at Orca's insurance though it only states that I must follow local "Byelaws" looking at the BA's navigation byelaws which I believe are still current (https://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/399230/Navigation_Byelaws_1995-1.pdf) on page two it clearly states that Breydon is still under the control of GYPA.. so advise me as much as you want BA but I believe my insurance wouldn't care one bit.. (Saying that though I really wouldn't be out but if I guess if I had to cross I maybe would look to).. Why is there no mention of the BA taking over control of breydon and closing it in the byelaws? Do the BA not understand that these need maintaining?

I can't recommend enough that you contact Tom at JPC direct. He's a forum sponsor and offers an NBN discount. He knows his stuff and can't help enough. His pricing is also very reasonable. We've brought at least three units from him (maybe four actually - geez), despite him not actually being our local agent he still has a reknowned reputation even here and we would only use him and have recommended to many. He will be able to help advise how you install yourself too and his after sales is excellent indeed. I really wouldn't go down the route of ebay and used items, some of the units sold as marine compatible aren't (The car ones actually rely on the cars ecu and may work for a few moments but get confused and error (Been there!), also the exhaust system may not be air tight, also insurance companies are on top of this and would disclaim if it's not a marine unit and it's related to the claim). Honestly talk to Tom, top chap and nice honest helpful business.

Is it good news Peter?

You've not lived if you've not been in the Medway mud ;)

Any boat that floats can go to sea.. People row across the pacific and the imigrants are bringing dinghies over the canal on dinghies. As mentioned it's all about; having the skills to do safely and planning to be as safe as possible which includes yourself and the boat. I personally wouldn't be happy to take a boat out to sea which I don't know and don't know if it's seaworthy, I'd prefer to have someone more experienced than me and it's commonly accepted not to take a boat to sea with only on means of propulsion, I.e one engine (without sails) and even then again the twin engines should be completely separate. As always grab a survey, grab some training and see how it all goes from there :)

Sitting in the mud here in Kent at present, have two bathtubs in the marina too.. Ideally as long as it's soft mud all is well.. The beach at Salhouse is a bit firm and has a few stones now, I wouldn't do it but a well built bath tub should be fine.. You do get some of the best night sleep when sitting in the mud.

The menu i post is sadly indeed from the locks inn.. direct from thier favebook page.. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Oh god really? that bad.. so not only is food I wouldn't really try it's all a fake con?? At least I can go in my crocs and unshaven though :) result!

What is with Norfolk pubs turning into these wanabee a la carte gastropubs?.. I know I'm probably as common as muck (Parents fault of course) but i do like good tasty meal but a menu like would make me run a mile, Pourquoi dans Francais, ces la Norfolk? When I'm on the boat I'm normally dressed like a tramp who hasn't shaved for a week, yup I can scrub up but I'd rather not go posh if I can avoid it.. I'm on holiday.. a very tasty local (written in english) meal made with sheep, cows or chickens from the back garden, together with some greens and veg also from round the corner would be lovely. I don't want a road killed penguin and kangaroo, I don't want to text my pop's to ask him to translate for me (Ok I'm not that bad!!) Norfolk certainly has some amazing cuisine and is bloody lovely but Norfolk needs to remember that it's not invented the motorway yet an isn't london, or Pari', rustic but well done is my wishlist.. I miss my locks already.. bloody BBQ it is in September then...

Wayford to Honing Lock (North Walsham Canal) Thankfully there was a spare mooring available just by the road bridge at wayford ensuring that could jump in Bruce and head north. We choose to ignore the temptation to go out during the heatwave so waited for the saturday instead..annoyingly the temparture dropped what felt like a full season and rain was forcast but after that heat it wasn't too bad. We've been under wayford before both by boat and with Jaws the dinghy but the river feels a lot wider in the canoe. The entrance to the canal now has a "Welcoming sign" although sadly not for hire canoes (which I couldn't quite understand) soon into the canals the trees started to cover overhead, sadly the water although shallow enough was cloudy so it was hard to see any fish. When not paddling it was dead silent just the odd call from a bird (Sorry I'm still so bad with my bird calls!). Further up we heard the call of fellow humans and the sound of paddles on canoe gunnels. I looked back and saw three ladies putting us to shame powering down the canal in a hire canal, we pulled to aside and let them pass, offering hello's and enjoys! It seems that canalcamping.co.uk have a dedicated fleet so no norfolk broads hire canoes are welcome.. Adding more to the feel that this is away from the broads! Further up the reeds started to close in, and the trees cleared opening up to grazing land, just ahead a bridge appeared although the request for tolls honestly box drew our attention, we have british canoe membership and I'm sure that I read that this canal is covered under that membership but we agreed we will stop on the way back down. Under the Tonnage bridge (which I guess was originally used to collect tolls - hence kinda cool it still is today) looking very pretty, a small private day boat moored in a boat shed raised a couple of eyebrowls, Imagine living here with this all to yourself! Further up stream (if you say that on a canal) it was a lot more overgrown, trees hanging over the canal, or falling in, the stream covered with very thick waterlilies making it tough to get solid strokes of the paddle, we really had to zigzag to get moving, near to edges it was very shallow too. On the left side though some very very neat looking glamping pods appeared, some with hot tubs! I so want to try them one day £120 per night maybe not :( (tonnagebridge.co.uk). Further up the canal widened just before forking, we had to actually stop and check the map as I wasn't sure, we couldn't spot the tracks of the ladies who passed us either, seems like it heads to the left.. the big most overgrown! Sections of this bit really was very shallow and very narrow, the canoe was clearly running over down trees. At this point we spotted a family in two blow up kayaks heading down, we all stopped for a quick chat, they needed the time and we asked where they had come from and how much further, it certainly seems canoeing/kayaking is very friendly! They had "Put in" about 30 mins further up which was just where I wanted to head to. We all headed off wishing all a happy paddle. The river went from narrow sections where trees had fallen to larger sections where I guess reeds couldn't grow due to sediment or some other natural reason. But it kind shows what happens if the Rivers aren't managed of if boat traffic is restricted. I do love seeing sheep and just ahead it seemed the river stopped suddenly in a field of sheep although I spotted a tight right turn and it carried on but now at this point it was as narrow as the canoe and you could hear the sound of running water, I knew there was a kind of weir at the end so I guess sadly we was just about to reach the end. You can get out though and carry the canoe further upstream but it had taken a couple of hours of very slow paddling to get this far an it was now raining so that was for another day! I certainly just wanted a bit of taster and see what it was like and it was just perfect, it's hard to explain what it's like to see new bits of norfolk after spending so many years on the main rivers but we both certainly enjoyed the trip. It was good to have a bit of a current back down as we retraced out paddle strokes.. It was certainly almost a bit of a shame to see the main river again at wayford certainly as I had to yell at a boater who really wasn't looking but a lovely meal in the Wayford Inn finished a very neat evening doing something different on the broads. I'm planning on doing lots more of this including some overnight canoe camping spots. If anyone wants me to share give a shout out! (Sorry for crap pictures, I'm still playing with waterproof photography bits, struggling with fogging up at the moment but I'll get there).

What printer have you got Peter? Had mine for a few months here and it's always running.. Orca's Woodern printed centre cap is just perfect :)

Nice to met you Maureen :) I hope you get Legacy soon and manage to get the photos uploaded! I don't blame you one bit for hiding, it must have reached way over 40dc in our wheelhouse on the thursday an friday.

I've only got one sticker too which we got at the neat pub in Upton, tried to get one at the Lion and seems they hadn't got any info and this was back in June... So sadly seems Woodfordes have only gone in with half the energy (although double that of last time).. That and the shop reducing and the beers very much copying Adnams all a bit sad..

They was probably just turning around and got stuck so decided to head in for a pint! Ahh sorry we missed you, we only stopped in quickly for some refills, I think the night before we stopped on the island for a BBQ :)

It seems the reference to swimming at Horstead mill has been removed: https://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/views/top-5-wild-swimming-spots-in-norfolk-1-6153448 We've seen our fair share of swimmers the one that concerned me the most was at how hill, about three lads even diving under right in front of the boat whilst we was going forward, I used the air horn and brought the river to a stop whilst they got out, they clearly didn't see any danger, I'm not surprised by peters explanation that they didn't understand there's a prop under the water. Perhaps more should be done by the BA.. perhaps signage at least at mooring spots? You see them all the time at Salhouse too but thankfully they are in the shallows.. plus in norwich. It certainly does seem that mixed messages are being given out.. I'd say organised events are very different and should be permitted but then these should b used to clearly demonstrate that it's not safe hence it's an organised event.

Thanks for checking and coming back Tom. As i say id find it useful to talk on the vhf other than phone.. phone signals are bad in places and it would be good to reach a ranger via the radio or at least have that second contact. Whist id question again how far vhf signals travel.. and id be very surprised if i could recieve yarmouth traffic coms from the top of the ant? If so then perhaps another channel could be selected?? I did ask a ranger before if they have a channel and was told that they arent allowed to communicate via vhf with non ba craft?? I guess the rangers dont want to be pestered but surely thats part of the task?? Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Tom is vhf really monitored? Is it rangers who monitor or are there base receiving stations about? Surely due to the varse distances and limited staff on the ground vhf doesn't quite work.. but maybe nicer to report things using it if so.. we all know how bad mobile signals are on the broads. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Peter but norwich is the only city in a national park.. Londons national park is a made up one for marketing purposes.. or hold on.. I'm confused... whats a national park again? Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Lol can't wait to see it towing.. I think I'll try and get the tow lines tight so the nose is on the swim deck, thus certainly look like Bruce is attacking! We've been watching some youtube of Algonquin Park it looks amazing, not sure I could do some of the portages though they seem like mountain treks! plus the bears.. gulp! But maybe one day, they seem to have very posh kevlar lightweight canoes now.. Bruce is about 50kg I think! From what I can see is anywhere tidal is under the BA's restriction/control and a toll is thus required.. thankfully though paying the £40 something for a British Canoeing membership gives us a licence for all rivers (including the Broads) so no more money to the BA, still not looking forward to arguing with the rangers over that though. Tell Karen that even my mum wants to try and she can't even cross breydon ;) Looking forward to the weekend :) Im not sure how far up the canal we will get it seems a bit overgrown towards Honing lock but will see.

Hi all, As having the main reason for boating being not being able to swim it took a bit of courage to jump into a Canadian canoe for the first time in Salhouse broad the other weekend but I've been getting ichy feet lately after seeing them seemingly gaining popularity on the broads over the last few years (and kinda caring less about falling in).. but honestly that hours canoe trip on the broad was the most fun I've had on the broads for some time! So much so I spent my Christmas and birthday money on our own 16footer from canada (well grabbed via ebay from Thetford actually). Naturally we've been on the broads for sometime but in all honesty I think we've become bored of it, it's kinda not fun to be on the Rivers certainly when it's warm like it is, so hopefully "Bruce" is going to help regain the love and allow us to hide away even more! We've had Bruce for some time now and I've been learning here in the Marina at home (certainly helps being able to have alongside and go for a paddle after work), we also spent last weekend on the Great Stour here in Kent, which was truly amazing a very pretty River indeed (clear waters and very narrow with only really fellow canoeist), but yup the plan is to bring him up to norfolk this weekend and hopefully head up the North Walsham Canal as far as there's water, I'm really looking forward it and will post pictures on Orca's blog on facebook (Maybe here if anyones interested?). I'm also thinking of a few trips down to Bungay and up past wroxham, hickling and even the fens. Thankfully too there's toll to pay on the broads thanks to British canoeing! Oh pic of Bruce below ;) Naturally following the Jaws theme and finally showing them teeth (It's going to look pretty funny towing behind Orca I think!!)

Good to finally see a BA presence on the Forum and looking forward to seeing constructive comments and greater interaction from all sides. Good luck Tom ;)

Dunno about that, 50% of the ranger interactions we've had have been pleasant, the other the Rangers; have been giving out the wrong information (Including telling me I couldn't travel at night), confrontational, (screaming telling me i don't have a licence for the dinghy then after opening his eyes and seeing the plate telling me not to go anywhere whilst he goes and checks then saying he will come and look for us), (Funnily the same one), Telling dangerous advice in my book (Go through Yarmouth at any state of the tide), navigating without due care and almost driving in us, then saying I'm speeding then being a sarcastic little **** when he worked out he messed up, ignoring talking to us, panicking when there's no need (Reedham quay!), doing a knot where it couldn't be undone without cutting the ropes.. I understand the Thames rangers are a lot worse but we are certainly getting there.

Erm.. you are gonna need a bigger bilge pump.. Looks like that bulkhead is working well though :)

Isn't the problem that someone found out that the Staithe isn't owned by anyone so there's not much anyone can do it about.