JennyMorgan

Ahh ha, alternative humour!

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/reedham_ferry_back_in_action_1_4852170?utm_medium=email&utm_source=eshot&utm_campaign=newsletterlink Not sure that folk from Yarmouth go to Norwich via Reedham though, dear old Archant!

Errrrrr?

Much like you and I! Just wish they had spoken English so I didn't have to learn Latin at school.

A £60,000 loan over 15 years wouldn't be unreasonable so who needs a loan? Mind you, if the Nelson grabs that winter trade - - - - - - - - -

Have to blame the carpet. Personally I would have applied several packets of itching powder.

Just curious, Branden, but what sized boat do you have? I use a 3.5 sail-drive to push along a 28' sailing cruiser. Don't forget that there is a speed limit on the Broads! I also use the same engine on a 21' when she goes to sea. No need to waste horse power if you don't need them.

They were a rum old bunch those Oulton Broad yard owners. Old man Knights was a classic. Always remember him planking up a new cruiser for his fleet. Planks were pulled into place with g-clamps and braces off the wall, the old boy then hammering in steel screws, leaving enough proud for about 3 or 4 turns of a screwdriver to tighten things up. As he worked he chewed on a gob of putty, some of which was thumbed over the screwhead and that was followed by a slap of white lead as a primer. Finesse it was not but his view was that his boats got such a hammering that quality was not required. For all that his boats were popular, all called Sir something or another apart from Guinevere, a boat that was probably his best letting boat. Then there was that bloke in his bobble hat, an Ivan Wooltaughton, Another class act, they don't make 'em like that any longer. Always put me in mind of a younger version of a certain wellie wearing character in Last of the Summer Wine! L.S.D Rich at the Wherry, Ivan Darby at the Commodore, Bill Solomon, Fred Newson, Desmond Truman, Jimmy Toplis, John Knights, Timmy Fowler, Alec Hampton, Jimmy Hoseason, Mr Fletcher on the salt-side, Leo Robinsons, Richardsons, David Austin, Peter Cooper, Phil Crosland, Lenny Balls, Tin Legs at Hamptons and lots of faces I remember but who's names I forget now. Memories for me, a disappearing history to others.

The camel's hump was well filled then!

Jim, what a coincidence! I wonder if one event inspired the other. As I say about 47 or 48 years ago. No insurance agent though, a North Sea diver in the oil-field exploration industry.

I was part of the Fowlers Yard set-up & we bought Newson's Yard when that sold up and Fred Newson moved to the Salt Side thus we became neigbours of Peter Cooper at Waveney Cruisers.

Whilst secretly thinking 'I wish I could', and especially her shoe fetish!

Since it's in the river then might this not be down to the Broads Authority as a navigational matter? Would also have thought that there was enough winch power at the Ferry for pulling the vehicle out of the way.

I don't let her! Hi Lyn, I was only joking, honest!

Us sailies have just had our tolls upped by 20% to 40%, (not good on a fixed pension) and it's not us that cause the turbidity that in turn causes the silt to build up thus the need for dredging! Now where is that fiddle?

So long as he doesn't charge robbin' prices!

Grace, the Scots have an enviable track record of being masterful and keeping their womenfolk under control, apart from that Nicola Sturgeon! Us Englishmen really need to take back control. Spare the rod & spoil the woman I say!.

Arggggh, please don't give them ideas! Just charge top rate for electrical hook-ups. If folk need one then they can afford to pay, not like us stricken, stripped back to basics sailing types.

Hopefully mains power will be available at the moorings for those who can't manage without life's little luxuries.

On top of that Peter (Cooper) had more boats than space, relying on his neigbours, e.g. the yard with which I was involved, on turn around days. Peter also had to be careful which RCC crew he allowed over his yard, he had a daughter to protect. Not sure that Ladybird ever moored there, rampant lot!

Charlie, see here: http://www.broads.org.uk/wiki/index.php5?title=Boat_Details&BoatId=7589

I went to a well known and popular second hand outlet whilst looking for an outboard. Bloke was arrogant and quoting ridiculous prices. I ended up at a Wroxham/Hoveton chandlers and came away with a brand new engine for £200.00 more than the knackered old ones that I had been quoted for second hand an hour earlier. £200.00 well spent in my opinion. Moral of the story, second hand might not be as cheap as you would hope for. A spot of research won't go amiss.

Back then I worked for a company called Dive-Con, an American owned oil exploration company in Great Yarmouth. The owner of the car was also employed there. if I remember rightly his girl friend lived in Lowestoft. Getting on for fifty years ago now!

Some of you might remember Alec Hampton of Safari Cruisers/Hampton Boats of Oulton Broad. Alec was nothing if not outspoken and sometimes quite direct. He also took a great pride in his boats, was even quite possessive towards his fleet. If a customer's face did not fit, or if Alec feared for his boat, then he would unhesitatingly express his opinion, was even known to refuse to hand over a boat. Clearly Alec had some far from pleased customers but on the other hand others were keen to book from Alec knowing full well that his boats were well cared for. Alec was hugely respected by those who regularly booked from him and he had an enviable and loyal customer base, despite having upset a few! Seemingly Alec tended to choose his customers rather than his customers choose Alec! Because Alec's boats were pampered he always had a waiting list for when he sold boats off. Got to say it, there are some yards from whom I would never consider buying an ex hireboat.

Re ex wives getting revenge, I once remember one such lady who called in Ready-Mix. Her husband had a swanky open top American sportscar which was parked outside his replacement lady's house. His ex had it filled with concrete!