JennyMorgan

I am sure that Timbo is suitably conversant with Latin but I once knew a wife who wasn't. In the days before sticky letters boatyards employed sign writers, one such being the now departed Ernie Warnes at Oulton Broad. Ernie was famously down trodden, under the thumb of the Petty-coat Government, both his wife and his mother-in-law. Don't remember now how we got onto the subject of coats of arms, motto's and Latin but we did and then the whole workforce became involved in designing a suitable coat of arms for Ernie. It ended up as a quartered shield, in one sector was an iron, as in ironing the sheets, next was a hoover and thirdly was a mop as in washing up and lastly a saucepan. Ernie dutifully produced a creditable work of art, complete with motto, Non possum vincere. Like most men Ernie had grown used to uttering that well used 'man phrase', 'Yes Dear', until one day SWMBO accused him of being indecisive, indeed, Ernie could not win! Until she died Ernie's wife looked proudly at Ernie's handiwork, seeing the funny side of it perhaps, but innocent as to its meaning, unaware of Ernie's minor act of quiet rebellion! True story, honestly! The spirit of the boatyard.

OCC membership requires that the member is 'as bald as a (old) coot thus is Vaughan suitably qualified?

Surely no need to have worried, rampant brewer's droop generally saw to that!

Denizens of the rhond, the aristocracy of the Broads, that's what an old coot is!

I rather suspect that when Car Boot Sales recommence they will be hugely popular, with people who have de-cluttered! Personally I shall avoid the temptation and steer clear of such sales. Went to the chemist on Saturday, it's right next to a bottle bank, the pile of dumped/fly tipped rubbish was enormous! Our local tip is closed, the green bin collection suspended and people have time on their hands, the result is inevitable I'm afraid.

It's what salt water sailors do, especially on the East Coast. Can't always arrange for the tide to be out when it's convenient though!

In years gone by I have dried out for the night on the flats at Blythburgh, the joys of a Drascombe. The advantage of that over Benacre or Covehithe is the proximity of a pub, at high water! Covehithe is a magical place, thanks for the reminder.

Not before he'd taught the French a lesson. Bit surprised that the French allowed you in, you being a true son of Norfolk!

I'll pass your appreciation on to those involved!!

You'll be able to take up the bagpipes then! Long way from the Pleasure Boat though.

The 'privvy' is in a 5X3 detached shed, been thinking of putting that on AirB&B. If you don't mind sleeping perched on the bog then perhaps a deal is possible!

The shed is special to us but in reality, as a shed, it's nothing special, just that facing West we do get spectacular sunsets, as you do here on the Broads. Problem, at the moment, is that the mooring is cluttered up with vintage, mothballed Broads memorabilia which I fear will force the price down! Don't know why but Oulton Broad waterside properties have long been expensive, Horning is catching up though. My neighbour but one has just gone for a cool million and the mooring is absolutely nothing to write home about, you can put a dinghy alongside. I'm just fortunate, my house was given us as a wedding present but I have spent a pound or three on it since, as well as buying more land to extend the garden when the kids were small. No, Vaughan, you may not have it for for what I paid.

A cool million should guarantee it!

The indigenous natives traditionally have big hooters so that they can savour the aroma of the countryside! Damp silage and Whitlingham sewerage works are character building! Raise a toast to a good Norfolk gentleman, and his Norfolk hooter!

A mud berth on Breydon Water might be good. So much of interest, an ever changing vista.

I'm missing my youngest grandchildren big time, we have shared their joyful egg hunt on line but it's not the same as being there. Their mum is a consultant/prescribing pharmacist in a hospital, determined that her doddery old parents are not put at risk, despite the gowns and masks. Damnation on this accursed pandemic.

Honestly!

I am happy with where I am, indeed I feel at home here and eternally grateful for that privilege. The view from the end of our garden. Why on earth would I not want to self isolate here! With our big skies the Broads can be stunningly beautiful.

Happy Easter everyone.

Re lugsail dinghies, back in the 1960/70's there were hundreds of them on the Broads, simple sailing dinghies, towed behind hire cruisers and enjoyed by thousands of holiday makers. Great fun, they added to the adventure, but they were a pain in the transom to the hire yards and that fact lead to their demise. Indeed I now wonder if any are available for hire. But all is not lost, you can still have your Broads based Swallows & Amazons moment, with the added security of a keel to keep you upright. The Hunter Yard has the answer, and they are delightful to sail: https://www.huntersyard.co.uk/our-boats/half-deckers/balanced-lug-sails/

Back to the 1974 film, if I may. Captain John was a Sussex lad, sailed at Bosham Sailing Club if I remember correctly. At that time I was a sailing instructor based at Bosham. Swallow was a lugsail dinghy and apparently there were problems both in rigging and sailing her. Someone mentioned that yours truly was a Broads sailor and that lug dinghies were, at that time, as common as muck on the Broads. I was pleased to help, my 15 seconds of fame that no one noticed!

Especially during the beet season! The aroma is memorable! Agreed, a good place. I once toured the factory, absolutely fascinating! Good moorings.

Surlingham Broad without hesitation, bliss. Almost primeval and totally unspoiled.

Dig the garden!!

A perfect spring morning right now, not even a slight breeze but the sky is blue, no haze, the sun is shining, it's wonderfully quiet. Two ducks have nested in our front garden this year and occasionally remind us that they need feeding. They either quack or repeatedly tap their beaks on the patio door, totally ignoring social distancing!