JennyMorgan

Ah ha, one of those polyestermite cynics has reared his head! Denialists, all of 'em!

I'm sure that there are newcomers, innocents afloat so to speak, who have yet to encounter the scourge of GRP, especially in freshwater, the polyestermite. Seen as a joke by some cynics but the reality is far from humorous. The only known cure is to own a wooden boat.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3483876/Chinese-visitors-soon-feel-home-Norfolk-Broads-street-signs-written-MANDARIN.html Seems that the reactions to previous press releases on this very same topic have been learn't from! No mention of road signs or mythical national parks, either that or the Mails reporters did some research.

Many years ago I went to the cinema to see M.Hulot's Holiday. At the start of the film the cinema was just about full, by the end I was the only one left watching it, even the young lady that I had taken to see it had walked out! Jacques Tati is not to everyone's taste! I thought it clever and hilarious and a few years ago I bought a d.v.d. of that film off E.Bay. My family were all suitably unimpressed, for me it retrained all the qualities that I remembered. A very clever man.

Some years ago I had an amusement arcade and I got to know the near resident youngsters well. As is the nature of the beast plain cloths policemen would occasionally drop in, all suitable dressed to blend in. Within minutes the kids would start singing the Nick-Nick song. Puzzled at their uncanny perception I asked one of them how on earth did they recognize a plain cloths policemen? Simple, was the reply. Pulled up, plain white or black socks, one clue. Smart shoes, another clue. Swagger, often arrogance, the final clue. I was always amazed at the speed with which the kids sussed the Fuzz out! The white socks would also give rise to another well known song! At that time I had several good friends in uniform and passed on those comments which they seemingly found highly amusing, presumably a uniform versus plain cloths thing.

http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/tourism/take_a_journey_through_the_norfolk_broads_in_1962_in_this_brilliant_family_video_1_4447949

Ummmm, but what are you puffing away at ? I hear strange tales . . . . . . . . . .

Roy, no prob there, just don't mention that mythical national park, whoops, you did!

Can cope with the rain but the white stuff, I'm getting too old, or too soft!

Oulton Broad this morning, brrrrrrrrrr!!

Rather than signs perhaps a guidebook/manual in Mandarin might be more to the point. What next, Welsh, Celtic, Tributary English & Yorkshire translations on all Norfolk road & information signs?

John, !

Mark, a visit to the Adnam's shop at Southwold is a good idea. They have a tasting counter for all their spirits!

No, not positioning, gin pouring system.

As reported in another newspaper: http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/fire_crews_rescue_stranded_boat_in_puddingmoor_beccles_1_4444643 Despite the photo in the first report the boat has now become a sailing boat, one that went under a bridge!!

http://www.networknorwich.co.uk/Articles/462750/Network_Norwich_and_Norfolk/Regional_News/Explore_Norfolk_s_churches_with_a_new.aspx Includes a link to download.

High water at closing time? Can't have been far off. It fits in with the times stated. Did well to drift that far without getting hefted up on the bank. Blessed cold too.

I've now watched and quite enjoyed it. Len, for me, is the only tolerable personality on the 'Strictly' team. For a Londoner he comes over as a decent bloke, can't help but like him, I enjoyed his input and style, and his appalling diction. Nothing staggering, a very pleasing watch, glad that I recorded it. Not sure what the cameraman's fascination with fenders was though.

A legendary event was that, Danny. Probably seen as an excuse to use mobiles or VHF for some passers by. In the past folk might have stopped and asked if you needed help, now it's so much easier to dial 999 or call Mayday on Ch16, an unfortunate result of progress, an excuse to use their toys.

In general, in my opinion you're almost quite right, Soundings. Almost but I would argue with some feeling that conservation is already the BA's premier concern. Your last sentence, spot on.

Matt, I only know what's in the article. Just hope that next time I moor up at Dunburgh for a spot of fishing no one calls out the Coastguard! Don't suppose we shall ever know the full story but to have been able to drift as far as the road bridge does beg several questions. As I say, on the face of it, and yes, it's written by Archant (get to the bottom of it all) reporters, but to call out the rescue services, or even to have someone else call them out for you, does seem pretty extreme to me. Not as if the boat was at sea with rather less opportunity for self help. Be good to hear the full story, if there is one. Matt is quite right about that phone call, a passer by could have made the call, not realising that the bloke was using the tide to get home, who knows?.

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/coastguard_rescue_officers_and_firefighters_from_suffolk_and_norfolk_help_rescue_man_and_his_pet_dog_from_stranded_boat_1_4444649 Taking this article at face value begs the question, why not moor up, walk home or phone for a lift from a friend or family member? I hope the Coastguard sends the bloke the probably not inconsiderable bill. Okay, so I'm jumping to the wrong conclusions but the river upstream of Beccles has plenty of moorings and nearby road access, if you know where you are. I can't believe that someone could be so useless on their boat!

Danny, so very true. The smaller the boat, the greater the pleasure, who needs comfort? Well, I do! Tucked up in my tent, polar suited, reading a book and listening to the outside world, suitably supported by sail bags and spare clothing, I'm probably as comfortable as anyone in their super-cruiser, until it rains. My wife, on the other hand, who has arthritis and several kilos of metal work supporting her spine, does value full sitting headroom in a cabin, and standing room under the cockpit cover. Thankfully we have access to either, and no great desire to give in to a dependency on shore power or generators although, who knows, maybe when I make eighty!

They do but then it's a passing noise, one that we all, even most of us 'sailies' resort to on occasions. Especially on the North Rivers close proximity moorings are pretty much the norm so it does become an issue for many of us. It's not just the constant noise either, for me its the noxious stench of exhaust fumes that is really the issue.

I can just picture MM singing it as he swabs his decks to the dawn chorus from neighboring boats.