BrundallNavy

Both my car and bike don't have working indicators apparently they were optional extras which wasn't specified when the first owner bought them, well that's my excuse. Doug.

In the early 80's I bought a Lotus Elan, I had 10 months left on my current policy for an Escort Maxico but no reg number just stated any vehicle so I enjoyed 10 months of driving the Lotus until my renewal time when only Norwich Union would quote and in excess of £2000 so it had to go. Doug.

Butter would not melt

I had planned on having a Sunday morning lay in but the furry twins decided other wise so at 06.30 it was time to let them out to do wee's etc. Oby or as we now call him Harry Houdini decided he wanted to play so after chasing him for around 15 mins he was back on the boat, or so I thought. Maddie is getting on a bit and has trouble jumping up onto the boat so she has a plank but this means Oby can either jump or use the plank whenever he thinks I'm not quick enough to stop him. This turned out to be the norm for the weekend and I lost count of how many times he escaped We topped up with water before departing for Upton to have a look at an old ladies bottom and with notes made we set off to Wroxham. I was now suffering from the sunburn obtained yesterday so we needed a trip to Roy's for after sun. The bridge was showing around 7ft so Hele took her under but chickened out when she realised we where going to moor stern on with a strong cross wind but we got safely in. More chasing of Oby followered by Lamb casserole before settlingin for the night to watch Poldark. Monday again was windy but sunny so after more Oby chasing we departed heading for Ranworth for lunch. When we arrived at the Staithe 3 boats seemed to be waiting to moor but making no attempt so we slipped past one and moored in the basin side with at least 4 spaces and 2 on the front remaining. As we where tying off the ropes a Rico's bath tub came in beside us and proceeded to squash Nipper's Nipper against the key, after a few choice words from Hele he replied we had jumped the queue and waited but as they where making no attempt to moor I shrugged it off. After lunch and more dog chasing we set off back up the Ant to put Nipper back to bed but saw the Kingfisher outside the wet shed which ended a fantastic weekend rather well. Doug.

As we had not taken Nipper under before I WAS TOLD by she who must etc if I insisted on going under that the Pilot must be used and as I paid for the return up front I was going to get me money's worth. Next time I will be doing it myself as now we know exactly what we need. Doug.

When we had PL we always use to go above Potter but for some reason have never been up to Somerton, if you have never been I suggest you beg borrow or steal well maybe not steal but hire a boat that will go under as it is a fantastic unspoilt area with crystal clear water, Lilly pads and a lot of fish to see swim under the boat. This was the first time through in Nipper but as long as it's at least 6ft4" I will give it a go myself in future. Doug.

Chatting to Patrick at Martham for this very reason they only now fit Apeepee, it's a right bugger to work with as I can testify Can't I Tim but they claim it will last years longer than redwood, I struggle to pick up one plank of around 3.6 mtrs it weighs that much. Doug.

I don't normally do holiday tales but this weekend turned out to be rather special. We arrived at the boat around 1300 on Friday and after stowing the endless bags away set off down the Ant to a mixture of sunshine and showers. On arrival at Ludham bridge I noticed 8ft6" on the gauge, now 8ft to 8ft3" is more normal so this got me thinking of getting under that bridge. A quick call to the bridge pilot and he tells me it's 6ft3" but expecting around 6ft5" at 1700 ish. Nipper needs 6ft5" (well that's what the plaque says) so we head up to Potter. We arrived around 16.15 and the gauge was showing 6ft4". We had a chat with the pilot who after looking at Nipper decided it would go. Hele by this point was strongly protesting so she was ordered off the boat with the dogs and told to meet us on the other side. We took a slow cruise up to the bridge and poked half the forward cabin under, yep she will go came the reply so reversed back to level with the day boats at HW so we could get a decent run up and off we went. We went under with about an inch to spare and moored up outside the Broadshaven to await the return of rest of the crew and our expected guest later that evening. Timbo joined us around 18.00 and being such a lovely evening decided to have a cruise up to Somerton as we had never been to this part before. It was a beautiful warm evening and with the crystal clear water it made for stunning cruise. We returned at around 20.30 dropped Tim off and settled in for the night. We had been having trouble with the temp gauge showing high so a trip to Lathams to buy a meat thermometer and some new tap washers I set about some trouble shooting. It turned out to be a loose earth lead on the back of the gauge which I attended to while the girl did the Latham thing. We had a nice cruise up to Horsey only to find a group of halfdeckers trying to tack up the dyke and any one who has been up here knows that's impossible. Safely past we stopped at the Staithe for lunch. We came across the same group of halfdeckers now sailing onto Hickling and with a strong gusty wind blowing the where struggling without any reefs in. We where buzzed many times by the windsurfers crossing back and forth and we where glad to return to the quieter water of Heigham sound only to come across the same group of sailers again. We had to be back at Potter at around 1700 to get back under but arrive 30 minutes early but the pilot said it should go. Around 1/2 " of clearance this time we stopped outside the pilots office to drop the pilot off and collect the rest of the crew who once again had chickened out. We decided to head for Womack for the night and where supprizingly a few spaces remained. Had a chat with Cambridge Cabby while setting up the barbie. Doug.

The problem nowadays is the timber is quite fast grown, pick up two pieces of Redwood and you can notice a considerable difference in the weight, Tim Collins will always sort out some good stuff if he knows it's going underneath. We have been through around 30 planks to find a couple of good ones and around half of each batch he buys is only good enough for the building trade. If it's an isolated plank then it's not unexpected to have to change it after 3 or 4 years. Copious amounts of 5* is required me thinks. Doug.

I would like to report this post as I think someone has hacked Timbo's log in. Doug.

See what happens when I don't come and check on you. You seek off early. Doug.

Yes please are you in Stalham, can collect over the next couple of days. Doug.

Helen, From Wayford to Dilham is not really possible without an engine, but from Barton to Wayford most definitely is as I can testify. Doug.

You regularly see Hunters boats up at Wayford, it's a magical route to sail watching the Wildlife particularly the Kingfishers as you slowly drift by. A lot of Cruisers miss so much as they race for a mooring. Doug.

When I first moved Nipper to the wet shed within 6 months half my rudder had disappeared. I have since fitted a galvanic isolator together with a stainless rudder but have not had her lifted for 18 months so don't know if it has worked. i guess it depends on where you moor and how many boats with shore power are close by, at the rear of my mooring is steel pillings so not sure if this had a bigger effect. Not cheap to buy but cheaper than a new rudder etc. Doug.

Your welcome to use Nipper's Nipper, all ready to go with electric outboard if required. Doug.

Any waffles this year Martin. Doug.

It does state that my declaration covers the following, covers the vessel named versus persons entitled to use it. covers a minimum £2000,000 is issued by an insurer under the Financial services act 2000, and to carry on in Great Britain. They are collecting a sample to see if the self declaration is effective. Not sure what happens if I don't comply within 28 days, does my boat self destructs. Doug.

Has any one else had a letter from the Broads Authority asking for a copy of your insurance, I must reply in 28 days. Doug.

I think Tim found all the kids in the tent next door, they like to stay up until the early hour which explains the eye bags today. Doug.

It's probably lime scale on one of the seal causing it to not seal correctly. Put some vinegar through it or mild bleach. Doug.

If only that were true.

It's actually quite easy to get a boat safety, just remove all the gas etc before the inspector checks the boat then refit after. Doug.

I hope you bought it from the shop at Ludham Doug

We where supposed to have a radio controlled Laser race this afternoon but due to the strong winds it was cancelled, most of the river cruises also sat out the last couple of races not wishing to break something a week before the 3RR. Doug.