JennyMorgan

Good to be reminded of Cadilly, only a glimpse but nevertheless probably the best looking motor cruiser ever on the Broads. http://norfolk.broads.org.uk/wiki2018/index.php?title=Boat_Photograph&photo=n64_8686b&style=Bm45A&returnpath=Boat_Details&classname=Broom_45

If folk are unable to get into the boatsheds before April then it either means launching with minimal work having been done or a June launching which might mean boats drying out. Either way that might not be good. At the moment Oulton Broad is laid around the edges and in the dykes, frost has remained all day and the brass monkeys are looking anxious.

Or charity shops?

Fishermen fish throughout the night! The 'Mighty Tiger' can surely outrun local 'plod'! Regretfully this slightly tongue in cheek discussion highlights a possible problem. Laying up/winterising has been a worry for many, now we have a very real prospect of having to worry about whether or not we will be able to fit out our beloved boats. This must especially be a worry for those owning a wooden boat. Traditionally Broads boatsheds come to life in the New Year, none less so than the DIY shed at Martham for example.

If Lowestoft is typical then independent traders are already returning to the High Street. I can only wish them well, having once been an independent trader myself.

You need to be cunning! The end of the fishing season is the 14th of March, nudge, nudge, wink, wink, know what I mean. Set your rods up on bite alarms, no bait, spot of varnishing whilst waiting for a bite, easy, no probs! I'm sure that there is a forty pound carp hibernating in the boatshed, she must surely come out for the occasional snack. Just come to Norfolk in a full hazchem suit, got to protect us locals.

The PM appears to be talking about April before we come out of tier four and then only if things are getting better!

We are also showing that we are prepared to shop on line, to click and collect, no need for the local High Street now. The consequences of Covid 19 will live on.

It's still the same with County and Game shows where people, especially dog owners, parade around in a pastiche of County clothing, a bit like some of the presenters on antiques related programs, leather hats and big checks!

My son in-law is perhaps your typical London based commuter, used to hop on the train at Oulton Broad every morning, blew £7,000 plus on fares & hotels a year but is now working from home with daily conference calls between London & the USA. He is now working longer hours but his day is shorter with no journeys. The company that he works for has fully equipped his work space with state of the art computer equipment. I doubt very much that either he or his company will return to an old style London based workplace. Apparently the company's productivity is up in both the US and the UK, both countries relying on 'working from home' in order to keep going.

Exactly right! Mind you, not always family events, for many of us the Boat Show was a full blown, extravagant 'lads' event! Heavens, if we'd taken the ladies along they would have insisted on buying curtains and having shoe lockers installed!

The present bridges are second generation, replacing the previous single track structures. This is from Network Rail: HISTORIC BROADS SWING BRIDGES TO UNDERGO REPAIRS A pair of century-old railway swing bridges on the Norfolk Broads are set for a much-needed revamp this month as Network Rail engineers carry out a £1.6m programme of repairs on the historic structures. The bridges at Reedham and Somerleyton, which have been swinging open for fixed-mast river craft since 1905, require regular maintenance to keep them in full working order. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The following photo shows the base of St Olaves bridge under construction and the ring that Vaughan has mentioned.

I well remember when the Earl's Court Boat Show was as much a part of Christmas as is holly and mistletoe, when folk in the industry worked though the holiday period to ready their exhibits whilst the punters sobered up sufficiently to be able to board a train to London, meeting old and new friends on the journey. A long day ending with dinner at a top restaurant followed by a show before catching the last train home. Good old times! The Excel never generated the same atmosphere, too much unattainable bling for one thing!

At least as far as Acle!

I well remember my father commenting, on seeing the first Swiss flotilla steaming in line abreast across Oulton Broad, that the Swiss Navy had succeeded where those of other European Navies had all failed! Mind you, the Vikings made inroads!

Again!!

I was indeed! Apart from anything else NHS predictions for Norfolk & North Suffolk were apparently based largely on an expected influx of refugees over Christmas.

Worrying but seemingly not unexpected. NHS projections have been spot on. Having family on the front line I do see the increasing pressure on their staff. Roll on jabs!

Ho Ho and a Happy New Year!! In truth I was not attempting to stir but Norfolk, instead of going into the hoped for Tier One, has jumped from Tier Two to Tier Four, alarming.

But most people are wisely not biting!!

Common sense is surely the key and it suggests that you can benefit from a ten minute brisk walk to the river bank, where, quite coincidently, you stop for a spot of fishing aboard your boat, or at least a hot toddy!

Them there Roman commanders first landed on the Great Estuary at Burgh Castle only us Angles were not overly keen on adopting their Great Estuary English, at that time.

Mr. Brinkhof was certainly an innovative individual so it wouldn't surprise me if he was the first to send out Christmas cards. For me he was better known for the Swiss Navy's annual invasion of the Broads, that was clever marketing, all for the cost of a Swiss Navy flag! .

Oh dear, https://www.americascup.com/en/results and go to: PRADA AMERICA'S CUP WORLD SERIES AUCKLAND Still got to be worth watching the New Years races.

You are more than welcome to stay!!