JennyMorgan

In real terms I do not believe that anyone can actually be banned from navigating on a public, tidal water anymore than someone can be banned from walking along a public footpath. Would we really want the Authority to be able to decide who of us can use the Broads?

You'll be able to open a sail through Chinese takeaway then!

Almost the absolute doggy's doo-dahs! For perfection you just need an inbuilt spirit level to ensure that you have a level bottom to your dyke and g.p.s. to ensure that you don't miss anything!

Full throttle and stir the mud up, or borrow a cement pump.

Going back to sluicing the silt out using a boat's engine, I would actually point the bow into the river, mooring the boat right forward and against the side of the dyke. I would then open up and the wash should sluice round the side and wash the mud out. I would help matters my using a 'chrome', big rake with long prongs, to break up the mud. Do it on the ebb so you don't silt up the bridge!

Enjoyed that one, thank you.

He'd better get a move on then!

The issue of adjacent waters is still a contentious issue on the Broads and, as I have said I do sympathise with both parties on this one. I won't bother you with a link but there is a thread running on Facebook at the moment where someone has resurrected threads on what was called Speakers Corner in relation to the Broads Act's passage through Parliament. The issue of adjacent waters is also well covered in Hansard, the formal Parliamentary record of events. I really don't think that the affair was satisfactorily concluded and the resultant legislation is a tad woolly, hence the Authority is being challenged. Witness the various exemptions around the Broads where the BA has not acted for one reason or another. I think it was a pity that Allan conducted his own defence, I wonder if a savvy defence barrister might not have come up with a different result. As things are perhaps the BA had no option but to pursue their case, but in this case it was not a win in the High Court so I would question whether that sets a legal precedent or not. I just don't think that the matter has been settled once and for all.

Regretfully Authorities hate having their authority challenged, especially when they have a bottomless purse at their disposal.

A good winter ebb tide helps enormously! PS the use of the 'B' word, whilst popular in Norfolk, is clearly frowned upon by city folk, bless 'em!

I shall have to ask him. The adjacent waters thing came in with the new Broads Act. 40 to 50% of the toll is hived off for overheads so arguably reducing those overheads would free up more money for navigational projects.

You have boat. You have engine. Boat has propeller. Tie boat securely. Start engine. Engage forward gear. Push throttle right forward. Retire to bungalow. Sup pint of tea. Return to boat. Turn engine off. Job done!

Alan is moored in a privately funded, man-made water that receives no maintenance funding from the Authority. Alan remains moored at the WRC by choice. On this one I can see both sides of the story. Do I think that the adjacent waters toll grab is fair? No.

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/crime/alan-fry-tolls-waveney-river-centre-broads-authority-1-5373176.. I had a long talk with Alan when he explained his case to me. Although I thought that he had a case I really didn't think that he'd win. Will he appeal I wonder?

That looks to be the 'dogs'! I looked briefly on the Kerble site and missed that one.

This could be the biz! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jaucheschopfer-Gulleschopfer-Schopfkelle-verzinkt-6-5-Liter-240-mm/282077114332?hash=item41ad1b2fdc:g:K-4AAOSw2s1Uy2If

Certainly is the one. I have also searched but with no joy, surprising. They might have a posh name but on the Broads 'tis a 'swipe' or a 'dydle', depends on the actual use I suppose. Better look after mine with more care If I can't buy another.

That's exactly what I had in mind, on a stick its a dydle, no stick & it's a swipe!

Paul, Jocave has made it quite clear that he and his wife wish to avoid installing a hoist, and I quite understand that. Beyond that provided the drop down section of the hull has a seal then I don't see sinking as being likely. However I do question the loss of rigidity but I bow to the experience and advice of such as Andy on this one. For me I think the judicious placing of grab and hand rails is a route worth exploring.

For myself I have created a handrail on my floating jetty and a grab rail on my boat, it gives me both stability and security as I climb aboard. Away from my moorings I rely on a 'granddad' walking stick, the crooked handle being an additional boat hook. I'm damned if I'm going to give in just yet!

Met a bloke from EA. He told me the EA budget is £1 billion. I suspect that that is absolutely right, but then their area of responsibility stretches across rather more than the Broads. The BA is a small fish, a fact that is taken advantage of, of that I am sure.

In my time with the BA I attended several meetings where RSPB representatives attended. As a fellow attendee commented after one such meeting, dangerous people. During a discussion in the car-park, after the meeting, several people made similar comments namely that it has long been considered that the CEO was answerable to others besides the BA. I'm not entirely convinced as to whom that might be but several folk, all closely involved with the BA clearly have their suspicions, and the obvious candidate appears to be the RSPB. Either way, and pointing no fingers because in my view there are no definite culprits, I have to agree that there is a likelihood that the driving force behind BA policy is not alone in his aspirations. I am assured that the RSPB employs lobbyists in Parliament so who knows? For my money, if I had to hazard a guess, then there are some at the UEA, as well as the RSPB, who tick more than a few boxes. Reds under the bed? Maybe, but there is clearly room for concern.

http://www.brga.org.uk/files/Download/RSPB_Broadsvisionfinal.pdf https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2008/apr/17/1

You can probably locate a 'swipe' from a working farm suppliers such as Atlantic at Earsham near Bungay. All you then need is a suitable stick. A 'swipe' is like a half round saucepan with a handle that your stick is shoved into. You can drill holes in it or not, personally I haven't. It's amazing just how much silt that you can shift with a dydle.

Only for river use, probably more demanding on a hull than a trip to sea! Anyway, that aside, I agree that a box section could be the answer but I do wonder at the access on the inside in order to install. Vikings, like many boats, have great strength when considered as a whole, e.g. deck to hull bond and combing shape. Without advice from a surveyor, better still the builder and designer, I would be loath to meddle with the basic structure of the boat. Bit like an egg, very strong whilst the shell is entirely intact.