lampini

!

Gracie - bravery comes in many forms, and i think we're unanimous in saying that you have it in bucket-fulls! Not long got back in, i have to say, the training is truly excellent - i feel like i'm being trained to the same standard as a fighter pilot!!! Nackered now....

Thanks Alan, and yes JM, if you did see me it woulda been with a massive grin on, don't think i lost that grin for two whole weeks! Just off for more training, (12-8) so thanks for the confidence boost all!

We moored on Oulton Broad by mudweight for breakfast one morning, quite near the houseboats, and got investigated by a curious otter! Quite put a sparkle on an already glorious day... Funny you should say that about the bus you drove - same here - a bedford Bella Vega on a ex-airfield/travellers site near Andover! Modern buses are sooo much easier, altho atm, i'd call my style rather "driving miss daisy" than "boy racer"! If you waved - i'd have waved back (love the waving thing)! Couldn't miss me - pink bits in hair - unless concealed by black beanie hat - we had the canopy down ALL the time....

Well - we got back from two weeks on Song of Freedom about two and a half weeks ago - but it has been so full-on you wouldn't believe it! But, firstly a big thank you to Freedom Boats, the boat was fab, and they were very lovely to us indeed.. a proper family firm.. Two whole weeks was utter bliss, i don't think i've had a proper two week holiday in years - i honestly think i went native and came away with a slight "Narfolk" accent! Secondly, the southern broads - love love love them! Loved being able to boat into Norwich, loved Beccles and Loddon, loved every river - each one was so different. We decided we could quite happily spend a month or so pottering around, investigating all the nooks and crannies of each town/river/village... If i get some time i will try to write up our holiday tales; but plz don't hold your breath as i've just started a new job for which i need to do do some of the most gruelling training... The OH has a new job too but he's not doing a complete career change - i'm ....... learning to be a london double-decker bus driver!! It's hard work! (Anyone else done bus driving?) all!

Some pix from last night.. Hope they work from my phone!

We are moored there right now.. The 16a sockets are there - although the post is at a rather jaunty angle! If we see them before we leave later I will find out for you.. I'll also suggest becoming a member here!

Well we'll be doing our bit - we'll be back there if not tomorrow night then the night after!

V glad.... spent a lovely evening there about two nights ago - a special place imo....

Poggymale thanks for all the info - ferry service from oulton? Fantastic, i thought and had a google - look at this baby! http://www.lowestoftwatertaxi.co.uk/ M/L “TERRIER” Originally dating back to 1954 she was used in Glasgow and the Clyde as a Motor Launch (M/L). She was built with a Helsman’s cabin, amidships and a semi open area aft for passengers. She came to the college a couple of years ago from Clyde Marine Services LTD where she was worked regularly and it was time for her retirement. Well that's just made it to near the top of the to-do list! We're there from Saturday for two weeks MrPlant (no relation to Robert i presume!) on Song of Freedom from Freedom Boating Holidays.. if it's me helming you won't miss us as i have pink bits in my hair - give us a wave!

I get the impression they'd prefer every single holidaymaker to ring and ask about timing - there'd be less "issues"!

Really enjoying these tales - it makes me rather jealous of your boys... i wish i'd have got to holiday on the broads with my folks.. it must be fantastic fun to be that age!

That's what i always do - work out my own times and then ring GY! They never seem to mind.. proper nice chaps! Thing is - it's supposed to be fun innit? If you have those guys saying "if you leave *insert place* at such a time and you'll be just right" you can just sit back and relax.. and i'm always well chuffed if my calculations are correct!

I just had to have a lie down!

liking the look of the canoe man - anyone who "gets" why you'd want to do an overnight trip is coolio in my book! Gracie - if we could be there to see it i recon it'd be great entertainment - or maybe get it on video eh Alan?

for this JM! Love to watch the racing - don't want to make pratt of selves!

Could i ask a question here? Have been having a gander at these races on the OB webcam... if one was to arrive in a motorboat to get through to either the YS or the Wherry Inn moorings, what would be the procedure? Would one hold station on t'other side of the racing and wait to be waved through by the safety boat? I can't imagine a much nicer morning than to moor up at the pub and watch the racing over several cups of nice coffee, but not sure of the etiquette of getting through the race to the moorings... just a possible scenario here that made me scratch my head!

Sound purrfik! AND you've given me another idea for our hols(in 9 days time!), there's a hire place down there, no? ETA Rowancraft do canoe hire - proper canadian jobbies too... mucho stable Jaws!

Ditto - and i'm really liking your writing style... A) Yup, they're pretty stable B ) You have to wear a lifejacket anyway!!! Give it a go on a one hour hire - i can pretty much guarantee you'll love it....

Eek - yerbut - i thought the school hols were over in Sept!! (child-free, moi - thus my ignorance!)

Shall i point out the "INTELLIGENCE" bit in his sig..? Nah... it's early - let 'im off i recon.. Poor man needs a holiday!

Wot he ^ said! with your experience - do you recon they'll be possibly chokka in September too?

Good on you Stuart - we loved Malta! Great diving, ace weather and lots of historic stuff - wot's not to like? Have a good-un!

There's so little rain there they have to have desalination plants! Have you been into the middle of the island yet, to the Timanfayah (sp?) volcano? Ore those awesome caves near Arrecife? Cesar Manrique's house is also well worth a visit.. truly awesome artist/architect..

Does anyone know if it's possible to book a mooring there in advance?