lampini

I think you've hit the nail on the head here Andy - or is it just me turning into Victoria Meldrew in my old age? Years ago, folk used to go boating in order to learn how to boat! I know my family did, and that's most of the fun for me.. These days a lot of hirers just seem to want a mobile flat, with the process of driving it around being a mere inconvenience... Can't understand it myself.. Looking forward to that 64 point checklist Andy!!!

just got control and it went offline - aargh!!

It is indeed a small world - i once met someone from Friendly St when i was working on a gig in Istanbul!! Mind you - our street hasn't changed much but you probably wouldn't recognise the surrounding area...

Love the pictures, the film is ace - i always find radio 4 very soothing!

NOW you're talking Iain - at home i grind my own beanz - such is my addiction.. That and proper beer of course..! ! J

Wow; am rather overwhelmed at the lovely responses from you forumites; what a great bunch you all are! We were not even sure if we were going to be able to have a holiday at all this year due to work/health issues.. but in the end we said sod it - we'll go loopy if we don't! So glad i posted this... And should any of you fine folk be around 5-12th Sept in the south and see us moored up or pootling about on Song of Freedom, give us a toot and say hi! (we may well have cake!)

She looks lovely Andy - truly can't wait! ETA - that wedged boat gone from round the corner yet?!? x Jane & Jon

Mmmm.. recon the Rascal should have a share too!

Greetings from sunny Deptford! Spooky.. that's pretty much our idea! Probably a fair amout of time cruising; may even "pop" across breydon and back, not even going into the bure, just for the hell of it - i guess dead on slack tide would be the best time to do this.. The idea of having to suss out the tides is, for me, just adding to the fun! (or maybe i've just been watching too much Dylan Winter (keepturningleft.co.uk)! I agree with the lack of "wild" moorings down south.. we used most of yours up north over our last two visits, Robin! Thanks! Is the lack of these down south due to the larger tidal influence and range down there d'you think? Maybe someone knows of some.. We will be mudweighting for a night at Surlingham hopefully tho.. Don't worry 'bout the throat - you certainly "sold" it to us! Hope your'e feeling better now from your last bout of ill health? xx Jane & Jon

Or you can have a proper butchers here; We're there from 5th to the 12th.. Maybe run into you - not literally! We LOVE walking - copious notes taken - thanks! Ah you youngsters have it all - we could only get food-dye (or Directions if you were feeling rich) in my day. It was only purple as that was the colour wot faded the least!

Have heard it handles well.. I really wanted to hire a "proper" boat this time, and something more suited to the south with a bit more height to it. The OH loves to cook (lucky me!) and the galley looks splendid! He's also a bit on the tall side so i recon i can squeeze him into the made up double in the bows! The first time we hired, i was pretty scared of driving - but by the end of that week i realised that i love driving boats! Went across Breydon the first time all white-nuckled, it was dead calm.. On the way back it was a bit rougher - waves breaking over the bow of our little Hampton Safari - blimmin' LOVED it - cackling and yee-har-ing all the way (apparently!)

Thanks Gracie - think we'll leave the singing for the more remote parts! Jon is taking Fanny (his guitar guys, almost another woman - not quite!) so Cash and Bowie covers should abound! That's good to know - Is that your spiky mohican which makes a brief appearance in one vid? About twenty-something years ago mine was spikier and more purple! The seasickness thing is weird - i get it really badly - unless i'm driving the boat! In which case it's "woo-hoo, bring it on!"

Will follow all advice - thanks! Am now even more exited than ever - pity the OH! More vids plz Mr Orca - just got a weather warning from the met office - it's gonna blow up a hoolie round where you are this afternoon - should be fun!

Fan - blimmin - tastic!

Ah well yes.. if you'd all a kept yer traps shut there'd be two less waving grinning singing muppets pootling abaht dahn sarf come September.... Only yourselves to blame! ETA.. We do sing - terribly! Our duet version of "Goin to Jackson" sung loud enough to drown out the BMC 1.5 is going to be legendary...

really would like to get down there - would we make the bridge at 7'3" at low tide? Maybe just take a walk!

That was us a couple of years ago, quickly followed with joy when i realised that (nearly) everyone did it on the broads! Not being from London originally but from Derbyshire, i quickly reverted to type and pootled about for the rest of the week smiling broadly and waving like a maniac! Now that's just called Recycling! x

Last night we booked Song of Freedom for the second week of September - how i will contain my excitement until then i just don't know! I've fancied exploring the south side for a while now, and you lot have, frankly, done a rubbish job of putting me off - especially JawsOrca and his lovely vids! Also i totally blame the London Rascal for making me fall in love with the boat! So now the die is cast, i'd love to hear from you lot what your favorite southern bits are, and any hints and tips.. Of course the obvious one being not to attempt the Thorpe bridges at high tide - Ahem! Thanks All!

AND if nothing else Robin, there's a whole bunch of us out here (remember there's a load of folk who never post, just read..) who are now thinking.. "Blimmin' 'ek - what if that happens to ME?! What would I do??" This is A VERY GOOD THING. So thanks for posting this....

Mooring round the edge on a Sunday morning and having a big breakfast whilst watching the sailey racing.. Excellent! Janex

[quote name="LondonRascal" post="105087" timestamp=" I am sorry If I am being rude, perhaps I did not think my actions or lack therein would be the focus of the event, more the event would be and me wanting to show people this is what happened and how might they react in such circumstances. Perhaps I am a little prickly tonight.

We have so enjoyed reading these Southside tales.. I'm afraid between you and that London Rascal we're now convinced that an October trip round the South on "Song of Freedom" may be in order! So that's at least ONE extra you're responsible for...! ;-) Jane & Jon

Lovely - thanks Robin! Especially enjoyed the chat about inefficient inverters and tips on departing a mooring in the wind - have a feeling that may come in handy later in the year!

Battery powered ones are now available, which i'm told will go through pretty robust padlocks etc.. In the early 80's i remember my uncle chatting about when he and a "posse" from the "Conny Club" in Blakeney caught some thieving ****** at Moreston.. on the third night's stake-out! I think asked at the time if they had handed him over to police. My uncle turned to me, winked, and said "eventually!" I guess i AM advocating a mild form of vigilantism, voluntary security patrol.. because believe me - if they think they can get away with it - and they have been - they'll be back. The broads is such a special place, worth defending from these b*st*rds.. (Ooh.. that got a bit robust.. but i DID give up evil nasty fags last monday )

The only hard and fast rule I've learned from helming both narrowboats and "tupperware" boats is - if there's loads of folks about I will make a mess of it, and when there's nobody about to applaud my impeccable helmsmanship, it all goes like a dream!