Timbo

'Run out of things to do'? You do know that as a true friend I would never see you run out of things to do or mugs of coffee?

I am more than a bit sceptical of what passes for 'sound business practise' when dealing with the work force these days. My daughter is a prime example. She has so many jobs, all on zero hours, that she is a government statisticians joy. On paper fully employed, in reality...number of hours worked for remuneration... zilch, nada, nothing, nowt! To get work experience she is doing all she can from charity shops to making craft items to sell to volunteering for everything. She's just had an eight week work experience placement with the local social housing provider where one of the jobs she was given was to organise the next batch of work experience candidates and what work they would be given to do when they arrive. This week she will finish her work experience with no job at the end of it, the only prospect is another work experience placement where she will be used to do work for free that the company should morally be paying someone to do. I find the whole situation short sighted and farcical. One company's worker is another's customer, if you don't pay them...they can't spend and business ceases. As for supermarkets I have a choice of Tesco and Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl in town, along with Asda in the next town. Price wise they are all much the same although Tesco will try to swindle you at the checkout...always read through your receipt. Quality of produce... Morrisons leads the way with Tesco in last place. So where do we shop? Tesco of course, simply habit. We moan and complain every time we get to Tesco. I always suggest we go to another supermarket next time, my other half always ends up at the customer service desk to sort out the over charging and we always agree to go elsewhere next time...just to end up back at Tesco. Hang on maybe its one of those 'time travel' loops? Because I'm a sort of observant chap, or more likely I buy the exact same thing whenever I go shopping, I have noticed the quite vast difference in prices between the Tesco in my home town and the Tesco in Stalham. I stocked up my cupboards both at home and RT last year with the exact same products, on the same day. A whopping £12:35 difference. I still shop at Stalham Tesco when I arrive at the boat instead of doing it at home before I set off...habit again!

I was involved with the Angling Times for a while and I do know that one of those 're-launch things', so popular with marketers these days, took place. Quality writing and articles were replaced by Infomercials and large amounts of advertising. To be honest it turned into a bit of a kids comic along the lines of send us a picture with your biggest fish and we'll send you a badge. I know at one point they were getting very late with paying writers for published content. If its the latest information you are after I can heartily recommend their website which has a good crowd of regulars from all disciplines. I have to say I did enjoy the regular fishing trips with 'anglers' in the know who were more than willing to pass on information, skills and techniques. As with many angling publications though, once you had read a years subscription the following year was a case of identical articles with different pictures. My favourite fishing publication....fishing with Mr Crabtree of course!

You guessed...its daft question time... On that last photo Doug...is there more timber to go between those planks or will they close just with caulk and moisture swelling the boards? Is the half decker coming back when its finished or have you gone and bought another yacht?

We did the Chesterfield Canal with two NB's, Uncle Albert at the helm of one, me at the helm of the other. Each NB carried an additional three patrols of Scouts on board, we were having a change from our usual two weeks in summer under canvas. Whilst tied up in Worksop we got pelted with bricks by kids from a bridge and we ordered the lads off the boat for safety's sake when one of the windows went through. The three toerags throwing the bricks turned tail and ran when 36 kids and my collie dog erupted from the boats. We didn't have any more trouble.

You OK Jon?

The problem with the architectural heritage of the Broads, barring to an extent the medieval, is that it's location and functionality make it temporary. Professionally speaking Norfolk is one of the more enlightened counties having close ties between academic, resource, heritage and the amateur. Other areas are not so lucky. For example in my home town of Gainsborough lies this structure. Believe it or not but the Old Hall was at one time destined for demolition to make...a car park. Colleagues of mine often shake their head at me when I compare the ramshackle collection of sheds at Herbert Woods at Potter with the Old Hall in Gainsborough. Both, to me at least, have significant historical value, the sheds at Herbert Woods probably more so. Anyone ever been to Beamish Museum? Where they and the Old Hall try to recreate history, the Old Hall still has its medieval kitchens intact, the sheds at Herbert Woods are still being used within context for their historical purpose. I have no problem with riverside development but as an archaeologist and historian I would prefer to see it within context. The London skyline is something so far out of context I surmise it is part of a drinking game amongst architects all competing to erect the most ridiculous.

From what I understand it's one of those election promises from C A Moron, you know...going back to Classical politics...building roads, sacking Carthage, exposing disabled children on hillsides, authority and municipal contracts distributed to friends and family, citizenship laws based on those prior to the Edict of Caracalla in 212 AD. :

The only coypu I ever saw was the stuffed one they used to have on the Hoveton Nature Trail!

I thought he meant he was an ex-cricket Mark?

I can tell you that we hired her throughout our holidays in the 1970's. In 1972 Uncle Albert hired her the week after he left the RN. He'd spent the year before he left piloting assault craft & MTB's. On handover at the start of the first holiday aboard Captain XII we were left sat for hours waiting for her due to engine problems. These were solved when Uncle Albert walked down to the boat and took over the spanners (qualified marine engineer). Second week of holiday Uncle Albert used her to help fish a lad out of the water at Potter Bridge after his Dad attempted to take their hire boat under without a pilot. Uncle Albert spent the rest of the afternoon with the pilot...I'm assuming in the pub. That same week Uncle Albert came a cropper and fell in at Potter opposite the pub, but was in and out so fast his cigs never got wet although he did not appreciate the round of applause from the punters in the beer garden or my brother saying "that was funny do it again". It was aboard Captain XII that I fell in love with the Broads, boating, history and archaeology. On board Captain XII I had my first TV dinner (Roast Beef), caught my first fish, had my first glass of wine (got plastered and walked into the throttle) and sneaked my first cigarette at the age of 11. If Uncle Albert sees her he gets all teary eyed & drags out the old hanky.

I'm still the curious, adventurous fun loving young boy I always was Iain...it's just that I fell asleep one night and awoke to find some evil octogenarian had traded bodies with me. Just keep your eye out for a six year old kid that has an attitude far older than his years and a taste for prune juice and music hall!

A day for wildlife news today...seeing as how the Beavers are being allowed to stay on the River Otter in Devon, the RSPB have considered releasing Sea Eagles on the Norfolk Coast, why not bring back the coypu? I mean we've all got used to fox attacks, perhaps a reintroduction of the wolf? Beaver on the River Otter....looks like Uncle Albert when you mention 'fish and chips'!

As the article says, the RSPB has lost its way...time for its wings to be clipped I think. I hope MM is not sitting on a fence accompanied by a 'Famous Grouse' otherwise he runs the risk of being a target for those gamekeepers!

Hang on Agusta...are we talking about Captain XII here? THE Captain XII? This Captain XII with me on it?

I thought I'd help out with some postcard ideas in the event that the crackpot marketing schemes actually work & folks flock to Broadland in their millions...here's one for Poppy to enjoy !

I hope on the rivers Poppy slows down as many motorists as possible and I will be joining him very soon. Strange how on the road its a case of A-B for me, no messing. On the river I'm one of the biggest dawdlers going, especially along the Ant. I'm also keen to persuade Doug, BrundallNavy, to teach me the art of weaving about in one of those eco-friendly boats powered by two sticks and a big hanky. Although I have a sneaking suspicion that they move a lot faster than the old stinky does!

Yes Peter good Egyptian stock on Uncle Albert's side of the family, also related to Tuby the Great Doncaster Showman.

Troll?...Geez a guy partakes in a spot of Dungeons & Dragons at University, I didn't inhale, and it will come back to haunt you like a level three poltergeist with a spell of repetition and a +3 sword of loonacy!

Dogs, kids and journalists? Surely Peter has started the King of all threads? I have no problems what so ever with dogs in pubs or eateries. A few things I would exclude: kids after 6pm Vegans Groups of women drinking copious amounts of alcohol quickly (Minge drinking I think is the technical term) Mobile Phones The Great Unwashed Journalists Politicians Vocalists singing to backing tracks I think it would be easier to make a list of what I would allow...

Living in Lincolnshire I'm used to the state of the A15/A17, I'm also used to lorries and tractors holding things up but have found on the whole they are not a problem. What I do have a problem with is the terrorist attacks perpetrated along that road by a terror organisation whose members are more effective than Al Qaeda in bringing disruption to the infrastructure of Britain. Of course I am talking about members of The Caravan Club! Lorries and tractors will eventually pull over to let you get round them, where as the tarmac warriors of the Caravan Club just dawdle on and on and on and on until they hit a dual carriageway where they speed up causing the tin box they are dragging behind them to swing dangerously across both carriageways, so they choke all possible traffic flow. Even if you decide to take a break from crawling along behind the meanderthalls and pull into a service station or eatery chances are a member of the organisation, usually a fat bloke on walking sticks, will block you into the car park until rush hour begins. It's time we got tough on terrorism and I do my bit by reporting every member of the Caravan Club I find involved in acts of infrastructure disruption to MI5, MI6, the FBI, the CIA and Interpol...its the right thing to do!

Lincs beagles are the best of course, the boys are from Blyton Lincs. Walking Dylan through the woods the other year (Toby did belong to the eldest lad but now lives with us) I was stopped by a woman in her late forties, the type that has a pocket full of dog treats and no dog. "Oh how beautiful" she gushed bending down and fussing Dylan. "How much do you charge?" she asked as she stood up. "What?" I answered a little perplexed. One of my neighbours arrived with her dogs. "You know, how much do you charge?" asked the woman again this time making thrusting motions with her pelvis. "What the hell?" I exclaimed taking a step back. "For servicing, how much do you charge?" the woman asked again still thrusting her hips. "Me or the bloody dog?" I asked making a swift getaway to the sound of my neighbours laughter.

You see surely this is a case of a need for re-branding?

Dungarees...only one person who was not a slim athletic blonde female could get away with wearing them! As for blazers, captains hats and jogging pants...good God man...that's the whole of Uncle Albert's wardrobe condemned! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFvSovPwmno

Welcome to a fellow beagle enthusiast! Oh and welcome to Daisy form Dylan and Toby The Boats Beagles!