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I had a trip on an ex Broads Tours boat on the Falkirk Wheel not long after it opened. When I went back a couple of years ago they had upgraded? to modern steel boats.

Hi Broads01, PM sent.

We have had a share in Lightning for about 5 years (previously we had a share in Moonlight). We are reorganising our booking system to a rolling block system (work in progress) but basically you will know your weeks for years ahead, which will give those who are still working the chance to get their holidays booked as soon as they made available at their workplace, and will also give all owners plenty of time to arrange swaps. We are self managed and for three of the years that we have owned the share the total inclusive annual costs have been about £1,700 for 4 weeks use - the cost with fuel and collision waiver for hiring the same model of boat is more than this for ONE peak season week only. The other two years have cost us: Last year £550 more because we had a new engine. This year about £300 more because we rebuilt the gearbox and had some other upgrade work done. Even these extra expenses were only about the cost of a winter week, so we still had Spring and Autumn weeks free compared with hiring. Roy

Not your normal sized Broads boat. August 82 on the straight stretch above Woods End (I think).

Over the years we have used the Lodge Farm Cafe, also on the A17 about half a mile away from the Farm Cafe. Stopped using it about two years ago after a couple of not very good breakfasts. Tried it again this year but won't bother again.

Sanderson's Lady Brenda at St Olaves, October 94.

Any pics?

E.R. English's Nocturne. Pictured in early October 1994.

Fishing about 10 to 12 feet out between a couple of moored boats on the main mooring I usually catch plenty; mainly small stuff but occasionally roach and perch to half pound or so. Roy

Not on the Broads but hopefully of interest as both are Broads built. Been scanning some old slides before they fade away forever so the quality isn't too good. Pic was taken above the sluice on the Witham in Boston, Lincs sometime in May 1994. The boat in the background is I think Fowlers Dazzling Waters, which at 39ft may have been the biggest they built in that style. Roy

Neil, We hired from Bristers in the 90s and their yard was directly opposite Sabena's. Roy

James, In August 1982 we moored Brooms Admiral 7 next to one of Lloynes riverside boatsheds and two of our children walked round to Moores to use the swimming pool. This was definitely on the Wroxham side of the river. Roy

Went up there last March. A lot of the bankside trees had been removed so visibility on the bends is now very good. Our boat is 43ft x 12 foot and we had no problem passing the couple of boats we met. Roy

Hope it works out for you. Good luck.

Just got back after Christmas away. Very sad news. I never met Iain but I always got the impression that he saw the best in people. My thoughts are with his family.

The chap who owned Viva boats in the mid 80s was living in Spain a couple of years ago; don't know if he is still there. Roy

Didn't Powles use the same mould in the late 70s for their 36 and 39 ft centre cockpits? Don't know if it was the same one for the 42 footers though.

We had a pumpout at Freedom last year. We just double moored stern on to the boat at the upstream end of the moorings.

I didn't think the stuff to the left (buildings) and the right (a very ugly road bridge) would have enhanced the picture. Roy

Hi folks, thanks for the compliments. Sorry Gracie it was a one off, just in the right place at the right time. Sat there watching the sunset with a glass (or three) of red, I borrowed my wife's phone to take the pic. Took one pic and then the swan appeared so I thought that would add interest. I do have a lot of pics I took of the Broads in the 60s and then the 80s onwards which I am scanning - very slowly - I will post some of those if I think they are good enough to be of any interest. John and Mary-Jane. As you can see from my answer to Gracie it was taken with a mobile. Over the years I have had some decent cameras including a SLR as long ago as the 60s. When my last still camera (a Sony F717) packed up a couple of years ago, I decided that with 4 young grandchildren (6 now), I would buy a camcorder which is brilliant (full HD) but the stills from it are very hit and miss. That pic has made me think of getting another still camera though. Bit disappointed that I didn't get the horizon quite straight in this pic - but I am out of practice. Roy

It did, thanks all. Roy

Hopefully this will come out portrait. Roy

Thanks folks I will give it a try Roy

I notice that all posted photos seem to be in landscape format. Is it possible to post pics in portrait format? Roy

I was hoping somebody may have recognised the design and knew who built it. At first glance it reminded me of Chumley and Hawkes River Class cruisers. Roy