JennyMorgan

In principle a training skipper might be helpful to some but, apart from cost, I wonder how many people would want to share their holiday with a stranger? I appreciate that skippers manuals are onboard but in years to come perhaps, in conjunction with onboard trackers, a continually updating pilot could accompany boats, a live Hamilton's river guide in effect. As regards to Bluesman it appears that his problem was with the ability of others, e.g. the dodgem syndrome rather than his own ability.

A situation that is unlikely to improve either the reputation of the Authority or to raise the level of trust along the riverbank.

I don't doubt what you are saying but it was an RYA accredited organisation. To be honest I always felt that the fellow who interviewed me didn't want to be upstaged by a mere minion. I never bothered after that which, in hindsight, I do regret.

Now, I'll tell you a true story. In my time I have been both an Auxiliary Coastguard, albeit that is not a qualification, and a RYA sailing coach, inshore and coastal, which is. Whatever, it indicates a degree of experience, plus at that time about fifty years of boating experience. Thus, when a local activity centre advertised for volunteer instructors, I applied, considering myself suitably able and qualified. I was told that I had to have a level three RYA certificate in order to instruct, despite the fact that as an RYA sailing coach I had issued hundreds of them to others. I offered to sit for a new certificate but was told that I had to do level one first and so on over three years. Effectively a total numpty could graduate through the grades over three years and teach yet, with all my experience, including with the RYA, I couldn't. I'd even taught teachers how to sail and how to instruct pupils for East Sussex County Council but all to no avail. Experience counts for very little in our world whilst qualification, however shallow, does. I would happily spare some time to help others enjoy the Broads, but I am not qualified. It is a strange, sometimes illogical world that we live in.

Every Christmas we cater for as many divergent family members as care to return to the fold so to speak and nowadays that generally entails two sittings so to speak, Christmas and Boxing Day. In the past we have had twenty plus sat down to lunch. It was the same in my parent's day as various members of the family returned to the roost so to speak in order to celebrate. As Lynn & I put away all the baubles on the Twelfth Day we have both said, in recent years, wouldn't it be nice if there were just the two of us? Now the prospect of it being forced upon us is not so rosy! Imagine, being able to sit down and enjoy a bottle of wine whilst watching an evergreen, festive film in its entirety, that will be a new experience!

They are but I suspect the broads are surrounded by intensively farmed land and the odd septic tank.

The mind boggles!

Presumably those not mentioned are in good nick, although in some cases that would surprise me.

Absolutely right, some privateers are a great deal less than capable.

Thank you, Jean. He was actually nine months old yesterday and happy to be picked up and cuddled. With the limit of six likely being in place for Christmas, plus the likelihood of lockdown being re-imposed or self isolation having to kick in I'm resigned to the inevitable, that being a low key Christmas without our customary family gatherings.

There is some sense in that. Weed is cut back, water is aerated. Other than a few rowing boats Hoveton Great Broad is not used ergo a neglected, unused Broad deteriorates.

No problem, nearby bucket and chucket! Or a discrete funnel and a hose into the bilge.

Perhaps Ian would appreciate a hard-hat or two as Christmas presents!

If folk want a skipper then I recommend that they book a week on the Wherry Albion: https://www.wherryalbion.com/charter/chartering/

We have no option but to toe the line, at least for this Christmas. How I wish it could be otherwise, especially for those for whom it is likely to be their last Christmas on this earth. I saw my first great grandchild today, a placid, good natured, lovable little man. I doubt that I will be able to see him over Christmas. His father is an IT technician in a local school. quite likely that he'll be in lockdown by Christmas. We shall just have to wait & see. The mum of two of my other grandchildren is an administering pharmacist on the Covid ward of a local hospital, she too could be in lockdown by Christmas. My wife and I are both vulnerable so won't be taking any risks. Hey Ho, that is how it is, thankfully we still have each other. We consider ourselves lucky. How folk on their own will cope I dread to think.

With four daughters, a wife and a mother-in-law onboard I have to say that it's a magical experience!

Can't be asked!!

The distressed scream of a misused bow thruster is not to be savoured !

No boats on Hoveton Great Broad, Ormesby Broad and Filby Broad so 'they' can't blame us!

Perhaps water quality is not as good as we are lead to believe. https://www.edp24.co.uk/business/farming/environment-agency-data-on-river-pollution-1-6856451?fbclid=IwAR3KuGAV_uaL_JFqpyD6W3FiyY5uwQnZl8UstVch78EPn38cqB-F6u2RYSc

It appears that the comments were made by Dr Packman although I stand to be corrected. What gave ride to his observation I can only guess.

Thanks to East Coast IPA for the above. Most of these issue are, in my opinion, best left to the boatyards themselves, after all they have a great deal more experience than the BA's executive and a great deal more than a number of the BA members themselves. Signage at Gt Yarmouth, for example, is a BA issue but surely not boat design, that really is a yard issue. One of the above issues really does worry me though, that being the 'general increase in aggression from private and hire boaters'. I for one am glad that it is to be discussed and it will be interesting to read Dr Packman's response to this issue. Will he have both the wisdom and the courage to acknowledge his part in this sad state of affairs? Do any of you remember Anglia Afloat? One of its editorial comments concerned the regrettable loss of trust between 'the little people' and The Broads Authority. I suspect that Vaughan will have similar feelings to myself in regard to the historic relationship with the River Commissioners, the predecessors of today's Navigation Rangers. At one time the relationship worked well, the trust and mutual respect was absolutely watertight, not so today. Who's fault is this? The trust has to be regained, for the sake of the Broads. We were all in it together, not so today.

Judging by the crud that has floated up on my lawn then last night's tide was pretty high. Hope that everyone going back up North made it under Vauxhall at Yarmouth.

It's not always like this, here's a picture of a previous late September, on Rockland.

I'm not advocating charter boat skippers or even Breydon pilots but I maintain that handovers could be more slick & more effective than they are right now. Richardson's skipper's guide looks really good but more could & should be done. Having thought about it perhaps a walk through display with video tutorials running on loops would be an option. Yes, have someone on hand to answer questions but basically make it an interesting add-on to the holiday experience. From the yard's perspective it means that the hands on demonstration aboard the boat could be shorter because much of the information will have already been given or that the demonstration could have an apt question and answer mini session based on what has been seen. Food for thought?