JennyMorgan

Richard, I deserve absolutely no credit whatsoever, all I did was to advise on how best get there to an ambulance crew. My neighbour's son became involved with his boat doing very much more to help than myself.

Richard, the experience of last night is that the Authorities might well know of locations but not necessarily how best to access them. There was also some confusion as to the exact location which did not help. We have seen some criticism in the past as to the size of emergency turn-outs on the Broads but in this case it was well justified as vehicles were able to search out likely alternatives. My hat is off to the blue light boys and girls this morning.

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/four_taken_to_hospital_after_oulton_broad_speedboat_crash_1_4672902

Seems now that it is not the Tea Gardens but a boat moored off Boathouse Lane, still Oulton Dyke though. Shaun's slipway?

Three ambulances now, two Coast Guard vehicles with boats on trailers. Now know it happened at the Dutch Tea Gardens 24hr moorings and access is extremely difficult.

Just had Coastguard, fire engine, rescue tender, police and ambulance racing down my driveway. Apparently a RIB, at speed, has crashed into a moored boat in Oulton Dyke. Don't know any more than that at this moment. A neighbour has become involved using his speedboat and is helping. Blue lights & sirens, sounds serious. Will find out tomorrow what's happened, just hope its not fatal. This late at night suggests a boat returning from the WRC to Oulton Broad but that is only a guess.

Chris, I would love to give the bloke a break but I just don't trust him. Too much water under the bridge I suppose.

No polariser or grad filter, indeed no clouds either!

The proprietor, when there were twenty well maintained boats, had a severe stroke and eventually died. Since then they have gone through several ownerships. Now the priority is to fill the river bus. Unfortunately Oulton Broad suffers from Lowestoft's overflowing traffic carnage.

Quick, hop onto the Broads Express!

when we have weather like today at Oulton Broad?

http://www.edp24.co.uk/property/hidden_grade_ii_listed_cottage_in_thorpe_st_andrew_could_be_relocated_to_river_green_1_4667658 The above is not unrelated!!

Whilst I have always liked Mark Wakelin I am not entirely convinced that Dr Packman of the BA shares that feeling. I am not sure how that will impact on Mark's plans but I suspect that this won't simply go ahead without comment. Interesting times.

To be fair, Vaughan, many people do stand up for the hire yards when applicable. Without the hire industry the Broads would not be the Broads that we love and enjoy. However, they don't always get it right and, for example, the present push for power hungry boats more akin to high-end, plush apartments with every imaginable gizmo onboard does suggest to some of us that a wrong turn has been taken. The techknowledgey is yet to catch up with the reality of the Broads and boating!

Two reefs and storm jibs on many of the few cruisers that were out. Good Force Five at times with a few white tops in the North Bay. Not much wind forecast for today. I haven't toddled over to the yacht club for a snout round yet so whether there are more cruisers there waiting for calmer conditions I don't know.

Marsh, thank you for that. A new head ranger, new one on me. The hierarchy and excessive management structure of the BA never ceases to amaze and concern me. Does this then mean that Adrian Vernon has moved up, out or sideways? It's a stretch of the river that I avoid like the plague so am not aware of the ins and outs of this one but I do know that the Ferry people are seeking pictorial evidence that stern-to mooring has long been established there. That suggests to me that perhaps the BA are not entirely behind this development. I don't have nor have sought any information on this one so it's only my conclusion based on not much. It may well be outside the jurisdiction of the Nav Com & NSBA but it strikes me that both are well able to comment and ask questions.

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/thorpe_st_andrew_ferry_owner_s_river_venture_could_help_council_to_cover_new_costs_1_4665897

Wa-hey! You could go the whole hog and have the boat done as per the Jolly Ritchie, down to gun-ports along the hull so you can blow uninvited friends to smithereens in true Norfolk style

Why go round in a rowboat? A blast of a pressure cleaner is quick and easy.

I agree with the comment regarding the appearance of many hire boats, some are a disgrace. Mind you, I have never had so much 'green' on my boat as this year, especially the ropes. Anyway, no excuse, pressure cleaners work wonders. Perhaps not so easy for smaller yards but I would have thought with a big yard a drive through cleaning facility wouldn't be beyond the wit of man. Spring this year saw hire boats coming to Oulton Broad that looked pretty much as they did at the end of last season, disgraceful really.

Perhaps Griff didn't want to go back onboard reeking of beer?

Nice pictures, Carol. Good to meet you too.

Thank you, Vaughan, for clarifying that one. Black & white portable TV's, the height of sophistication back in the 60's and 70's. Probably more trouble than they were worth with aerials mounted on bar type stools and lashed to mop handles which in turn were lashed to boat hooks! Great for those on a mudweight as the boat swung in the wind the picture came and went, great fun watching the antics of some hirers determined, against the odds, to get a picture.

Just hope that Vaughan's aging ticker stood up to the spectacle!

Oulton Broad's annual spectacular starts Sunday. Cross your legs, nip your buttocks, think of England and go! Better still watch out for a rescue boat and follow their instructions. Above all, enjoy!