JennyMorgan

Trouble is that if that influence is blatantly obvious then us punters will hardly be impressed.

It's my intention to at least go for a sail, or a pootle in a kayak.

Is that 'might' or is it 'will' pinch the America's cup? Whatever we do the Americans will probably introduce a new rule to make a UK challenge just that much harder, or impossible. Just like they did when a Lowestoft beach-boat challenged them!

My guess for this old image is about 1920. I see that there appears to be two flag poles besides the shed on the left, do these relate to the starting line at the local sailing club, as there is to this day?

Off to Cantley this time, still in the early 1900's. Rotten bit of retouching on the wherry's hull but still an interesting shot.

When Surlingham Ferry had a ferry:

Robin, formalisation and standardisation appears to be the buzzword at Yare House, regretfully.

Yes, tongue in cheek, as one might expect.

Thus Hickling will lose its exclusivity and attraction when it is overrun by the hoi polloi!

Back to 1900 & Thorpe St Andrew:

Infact it's blowing an absolute hoolie at the moment. Just waddled down the garden to check my boats, both of which are hard aground and safe & sound. Daughter's boat 'Spray' was lifted out today, thankfully, so she's no problem, cold old job that was. Anyway, where has the water gone though? It's a really low tide at the moment, must be down to the SSW wind blowing the water out of the North Sea. Bit of fishing tomorrow, low tide like this will force the pike out into open water!!

Marina, the general feedback for 2014 was pretty poor. 2015 just has to be better if the show wants to attract folk, and a lot better if it wants to survive..

Don't know the date of this one, any ideas?

I like this one! That K9 character on the left for example, intriguing body language. The well to do master of said pooch, contrasted by the local worthies in their strange craft, possibly a small reed lighter, centre of the picture. We can also see the probable, carefree trippers on the right, possibly forerunners of today's izzerts, famous for walking around Potter's finest emporium and constantly asking staff 'how much izzert', seeming unable to comprehend the incredibly low prices demanded for some incredibly cheap bits of totally useless merchandise that folk back home will undoubtedly be overjoyed to receive.

Spoil sports!

Re Lowliners passing under Beccles Bridge & going up to Geldeston, maybe the problem is not so much height but bulk. Turning one of those outside The Locks would be an interesting spectacle!

Perhaps since so many boats now won't pass under Potter Bridge, or even Beccles for that matter, then maybe the footnote should now read 'this boat might pass under Potter Heigham Bridge, if you are lucky with the tides'. In my time with a boatyard we had more grief than a little with claims that a boat would/wouldn't pass under that bridge so I can understand it if the brochures have dropped that footnote. No claims equals no liability.

Lovely picture of Geldeston Locks here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Low-Tide-at-Geldeston-Norfolk-Ltd-Edition-Print-Signed-by-Joe-Crowfoot-/141498841264?pt=UK_art_prints_GL&hash=item20f1fcf8b0

Oulton Broad Yacht Station probably before WWI:

We hired a wherry for my daughter's wedding which was at Beccles. During the evening the wedding party sailed up to Geldeston from the Waveney House Hotel. Don't remember having to lower the mast, or even dip the yard, or even that the skipper was in the least bit concerned.

And probably before my father was a boy!

Or before I was a boy!

Here you are, Old Wuss, Geldeston Lock, when we were kids!

Old Wuss, how right you are. 'Tis the iconic Broads/English river in my opinion.