JennyMorgan

You might be right, Andy. A good day by the way and no spilled blood! Not that I changed my mind about the BNP issue.

Errrr, we agreed that there is too much of both! He clearly felt that the cost of maintaining and providing power points at moorings was more than compensated for by the reduction of both noise & fumes. Seen in that respect I have to agree with him. It appeared that like me he felt that some types of boats produce an inordinate and unacceptable level of exhaust pollution.

Strangely enough I was chatting with Dr P this morning and one of the topics was the noise & fumes from stationary/moored boats.

We are going off on a slight tangent but nothing new there! I have Googled Windermere and clearly there is an issue concerning water skiing but effectively no different to the control already in place on the Broads. Where things differ is that on the Lakes these new powers were inflicted on Lakes users long after skiing was first established. In answer to Marsh's question I can find no clear evidence of restrictions being put in place other than to protect breeding areas. I can find no evidence of blanket bans where existing navigation historically takes place. However, on the Broads we mustn't forget that we already have bans in place, Hoveton Great Broad & The Trinity Broads being prize examples although both those bans precede the Broads Authority but then the Authority has made no effort to rectify those injustices. Cockshoot, despite promises to the contrary, has yet to be re-opened to boaters. There were also threats of massive fines to deter both boaters and anglers on Horsey. I have already reminded people of the threats to the right to navigate within the recent Broads Bill & Broads national park Bill. On top of that when I became a member of the Authority's navigation committee I was told, face to face by Dr Packman, that both anglers and boaters would have to accept exclusion as a matter of fact, that would have happened if such as myself had not opposed the Broads Bill in Parliament, once again, see the Broads Bill. As far as the good Doctor is concerned, leopards don't change their spots. There are many who still believe that Hickling is under threat but I am not qualified to substantiate that but I well remember the debates and lack of weed cutting & dredging for example. I know that dredging is taking place right now but is that for conservation or navigation?

Whitlingham is primarily used by dog walkers and doggers so I'm sure that you'll be welcome, at least on the first count..

Hard to sail on a non existent waterway! Anyway, enjoy, don't run aground. I haven't been for several years.

Natural England deserves to be considered too. I have heard it asked by an academic of some repute as to who actually pulls the Doctors strings, I think a not unrealistic question. As for the shadows becoming reality, I rather thank that they nearly did. Doubters only have to look into Hansard, the in depth record of Parliamentary proceedings, and search out the Broads Bill and the Broads National Park Bill to realise just what the Doctors intentions were at the time. Go further than that and dig out the relevant consultation papers, interesting reading. In my opinion the bloke is a control freak. He has sought out whether the Broads are man-made and whether rights of passage exist over such water. He has argued the toss over whether the Broads is tidal for exactly the same reason. The man's agenda is abundantly clear, if folk can be bothered to search.

Without wishing to give away a confidentiality I have seen evidence that Dr Packman is still pursuing his 'national park vision'. John, MM, and Polly, wise words.

Just to prove a point, the legal status of the Broads is unchanged, it is not a national park.

A friend of mine received this letter only the other day. It rather speaks for itself.

I suspect that a great deal of this one boils down to trust, is the the business concerned sufficiently trusted to provide consistent standards? I also suspect that the various departs in county hall or wherever talk to each other. It wasn't so long ago that the health and safety people were concerned with the safety of the play area. Different authority but then there is the mooring issue. The Broads do need businesses that cater for the holiday maker, agreed, but that need shouldn't excuse businesses from providing consistently high standards and compliance with authority..

A bit more practice shooting the bridge at Potter might pay dividends!

Some liveaboards do have jobs, possibly taking home under £300.00 per week, £15k per year. Spending £2k a year on a mooring must have limited appeal! As far as the WRC is concerned, it's out in the back of beyond with no buses or convenient jobs just up the road.

You might be right, Jeff, but I doubt that there is smoke without fire in this case.

Back to Countryfile this Sunday: http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/bbc-countryfile-show-to-focus-on-new-broads-reserve-1-5009845

A lot of sense in Kadensa's post. Really the best wind indicator is the boat itself, you will very quickly adjust to the effect of the wind, just as you would if you were on a bike. There are private boats with next to no keel and you might see one going almost sideways like a crab yet going in a straight line down the middle of the river. Hire boats tend to have a keel and handle very well.

Thank you, Stationerystill, you have got it in one. Along with that full status is the control that the executive craves,

Another two options for wind indication: If a crew members likes a drag of whatever, not for us to guess what, then set whoever up on the front of the boat with instructions to keep puffing, a well known and effective wind indicator. Secondly, a short length of ribbon tied to a boat-hook, ideal for skinflints, like me.

I had met Jill on a number of occasions, seriously likeable lady. Like Jon I knew of her illness but I suppose, because it's the easy option, I took her survival for granted. Jill, I always enjoyed our meetings, like Jon I shall miss you as will the forum. Bless you for your friendship. I am not ashamed to admit that I am close to tears as I write this, God bless.

So he can look down on us mere minions in our humble kayaks!

I wonder what plastic boat owners call it

Having been in the signal box at Somerleyton I can only say that the operators only have one set of arms, legs and hands and the railway signals have to come first, the message board next and the radio after that. Idyllic job, when they are not busy!

Unsmart or neglected boats are not unique to liveaboards though!

In fairness the BA has taken Network Rail to task, the result, who do you think paid for the pontoons? However, I do agree that there should be a system by which Network Rail is fined. P.S. Bridge operators appreciate a friendly wave too!