Timbo

Now that is innovation Clive and I'm all for it! Can't put kids up chimneys...put them to work bonding boats! A proper apprenticeship...although I try to remember that one day my daughter will pick the old folks home I get put in!

Eieio...I couldn't find a smiley for 'performs intervention' so I will have to spell your name incorrectly in the hope it brings you to your senses! Have you for one minute considered the severe side effects of doing 'Scooter'? All of us make bad choices in life...you should have seen my first wife, mind the second was not an improvement,...ahem...but joining Hell's Grannies and riding around town on a 'mobility menace' is 'not taking a step' too far! Of course, like all narcotics, at first it starts with recreational use of the 'travel mobile scooter' as you 'need a bit of help' when you are out and about but rapidly you will be doing 'hard scooter'. All too soon your addiction will begin to increase. First its buying a panier to hang on the back of the scooter to carry all of your 'essentials'. Soon your bum expands so you need to buy more scooter. Next come the mirrors, then the perspex full rain cover. All too soon you will be found 'scooting' down the A47 on your way to knock down more innocent pedestrians on pavements and to bung up Tesco's. Eventually you will hit rock bottom, the day when you meet someone like Uncle Albert who's doing 'Zimmer Frame' and you grind to a halt trapped in a cul de sac in a pound shop, neither willing to give way locked in a 'scooter' and 'zimmer' induced stupor discussing who's more disabled. Please Eieio give up the 'scooter' before its too late. The only sensible course is to buy a wooden broads cruiser. Going 'wooden cruiser' may not remove your dependency on scooter, but it will certainly make sure you have no money left for scooter. As a recreational drug 'Wooden Cruiser' is socially acceptable, and unlike Scooter, does make you look cool when used in public! You know I only have your best interests at heart Eieio! JUST SAY NO! TO SCOOTER!

OK Carol...a film featuring a Royal's boat, so surely I would spot Royal Tudor? Nope! What I did spot...or should I say WHO I did spot was what looks like an 11 year old ME, My Aunt Margaret, Uncle Albert, and my cousins.

Was there any mention of the proposals to change the comets name from 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko to The 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko National Park for marketing purposes? Just wondering.

Personally had two incidents at Norwich. The first over ten years ago, was by far the worst. I was awoken in the early hours by a loud crash on our hire cruiser & was confronted by three drunken miscreants jumping around the boat. The crash had been one of the windows being kicked in. For some reason only beknown to herself the Mrs had rung Richardsons instead of the police. However with super efficiency Richardson's coordinated the correct responses and within what seemed minutes we had police, a Ranger and an engineer (and his wife) with us. A chap from the boat behind had grabbed one of the miscreants who had been untying his boat. Everything was handled calmly and efficiently the engineer from Richardson's was a marvel, quickly replaced the window while his wife made us cups of coffee & fussed over my Mrs. By the time the sun was up we were ready for the off...even a bacon sandwich supplied by the engineers Mrs! Second incident was four years back on a boat from Herbert Woods, just a simple matter of someone trying to nick my fishing gear from the roof of the boat. However I had taken the precaution of using strips of old inner tube to fasten my rods to the roof rails. The thief had tried to take the rods which had sprung back into place sticking the hook into the thief's hand. The thief was in some considerable pain and did not have the wits to remove the hook in the dark or to break the line. I don't know who was the biggest idiot, me for taking the hook out of his hand, or the thief for staying with us after I'd removed the hook while the police arrived. Now having said all of this, these are just two incidents over many years of visiting Norwich by boat. On the whole our visits to Norwich have been just as peaceful and relaxing as other places on the Broads. Two things I have noted. The first is that in the past the drunks were limited to the two 'chucking out' periods where the pubs shut and then the nightclubs shut.These days there just seems to be one prolonged period of idiots with more money than sense staggering from pub to club into the wee hours. The second is that the incidence of idiots are less frequent than they used to be. But idiots can be found anywhere...they are not just limited to Norwich. I tell my crew members to remember Norwich is a city & to revel in the difference between the City and the Broads. The sudden increase in pace can be just as refreshing as the quiet and solitude.

I'm currently sorting through all of my fishing tackle to divide it between a set for home and boat. From childhood I'd always used a 13ft float rod and fixed spool reel (all purchased from Lathems) however these days as my angling changed to targeting specific species instead of 'general maggotdrowning' so too has the tackle. My preferred rods these days are Shimano, and although a foot longer than JM's preferred boat rod length at 11' I keep a Shimano Beatsmaster Classic All Round AX float rod in both sets of kit. My home kit also contains 2x Shimano Barbel Rods where as for ledgering on the boat I prefer my old Browning 'indestructible' 10ft quiver which I have adapted to take an alternative swing tip top section for those slower sections of the Broads. I also have an adapted swing tip section for my barbel rods at home for when I head off to tackle those favourite fish of mine, tench. Reels are usually Shimano fixed spools for ledgering but for everything else from float to surface fishing its my trusty Alcocks Ariel centrepin. I seem to be able to cast both further and more accurately with a centrepin although I'm a great 'repeater' of my Great Grandfather's advice of 'If thus fish way 'ovver theeyer lad, thus fish under thee fee'ut!'.

Broads Authority leak reveals pilot scheme for changes to allowed boating activities within a National Park environment...

Fantastic work everyone! Uncle Albert once bought me a model boat kit when I was around eight years old...I should say bought himself a model boat kit! This winter I've been trying to get back into pastel drawing ready for when we get RT back on the water but not having much joy. Sorry about picture quality...photo and drawing. This is Morton Church Gainsborough.

"so just call me bob the numttie builder iiiiii digger driver ................." Nah! we will have to call you J...CB!

Was lucky enough to see England v South Africa at Headingley some years back now from a premium box as a corporate guest of the then wifes business. Waitress service from a constantly replenished bar and buffet...I was half cut by mid morning. Boycott popped in to give two hours personal commentary. I rescued David Gower from being mobbed on his way to the bogs by barging my way through the crowd and pushing him in front of me...the Pimms and Tetley's were having an effect on me so I was in urgent need. I then got him to sign my *** packet...after he'd washed his hands. As the only person there actually interested in the cricket...it was a fabulous day out...however due to the constantly refilling pint and Pimms glasses can't for the life of me remember the score. Gower popped into the box at the end of the match to bring me an England tie (since donated to Stroke Charity Auction) in addition to the test match tie we were all given. Edited to add:- My autograph collection all seem to be on the back of cigarette packets, my favourite being David Bowie from the Serious Moonlight Tour. As my Uncle was CEO of the company insuring the tour my cousin and I got into the venue way before the doors were opened. Sitting on the stage an hour before the gig some skinny bloke came out to 'tune the piano'. As I was puffing away on a 'Regal' he asked to bum a smoke and I passed the packet up...when I noticed the odd coloured eyes. After the start of the concert and the holograms Bowie walked to the front of the stage, looked down at me and passed me a full packet of Du Maurier cigarettes with his autograph across the pack. No matter how desperate I have been for a smoke I have never opened those cigarettes!

I was faced with the daughters demand regarding prom and this was my answer. "Dad I need some money for a prom dress!" "Really?" "Dad what are you doing?" "Looking for my passport!" "What for?" "I need to check something, aha!" "What?" "Just as I thought.You are out of luck!" "Why?" "I'm not American and neither are you!" I must add I had already donated a considerable sum as reward for passing examinations, but I'm afraid I don't do 'Yank' holidays and events. There's no 'Black Friday', no 'Trick or Treat (there's British Mischievous Night...so watch out), no 'Happy Holidays' and no 'prom'.* *Subject to status & black looks from daughter, granddaughter, ex-wife and current partner.

I once drove to Liverpool wearing my newcastle United shirt to pick up a passport.. Having parked up I headed to the passport office when a scouser stopped me! "Come e'yer yous Geordie scum! Am go'n ter kick yous in de c***weights yous 'ewk!" said the Scouser. "Yes officer!" I replied to the policeman.

This NatParks disease is catching! There's an 'original' and then someone cobbles together a cheap imitation with National Park written on it! Sorry, couldn't resist it hit my chuckle spot. Although I have to admit that is one of my favourite Broads Paintings Strowy.

At loose end today I thought I'd do a spot of doodling and get the crayons out and revisit a successful marketing campaign & imagine one I would like to see!

Doug, do OI had bairn 'alkin' 'o Jon tha' would be a bi' more like 'his bu' 'hen agin I'm soore he's paar' Yorkshireman! Mike...Uncle Albert wears the Captains hat but I'm considering flying the Cross Bones unless we get some new forum flags soon. And as for being a Smoggie...I've only ever been to 'borough the once and it was shut! I'm proud to say like many who frequent the Broads I'm from Doncaster. Although Tyneside connections go back to Great Uncle Sam (no relation) who walked to Thorne near Doncaster from Jarrow on the march where he collapsed. He was nursed back to health by my Grandfather & they became very close friends for the rest of their lives. Sam worked as a shipbuilder at the 'shipyard' at Thorne. My Mum's elder brother moved to Newcastle in the early 70's and took me to see my first ever football match at St James Park. I'm afraid in all things except football my heart is in Norfolk...but there is a strong connection between the Broads & Newcastle United...they both need a change at the top!

Canny mornin ha is everyone the'da? Things are neet lookin goof fo' the Toon wi' Crystal Palace in the next match, an' de Jung wi' anuthor deflated lung. Still, hawa the lads! Howivvor on the baal this mornin wi' the beagles an' an opportunity tuh laik wi' the camera on me fow-un. An' tuh sha sum support fo' the Toon aaal the photographs will be in black an' white! Wuh decided tuh wark a different route the'da due tuh the workmen diggin up mare iv the paths in the wud. See wuh walked throo the medieval marl pits overlookin the Trent Valley. Wuh had neet gone far when the dogs weor attacked by a muckle fury squirrel throwin nuts at the' heeds man! "Cum doon heor an' dee that yee Mackems buggor!" said the wee dogs deed pallatic off. Furthor doon the path a shrew ran owor Dylan's sneck an' disappeared intee the grass. Dylan hunted fo' the shrew fo' ten minutes. Eventually he tracked doon...a stick! The hinnies weor just posin fo' a photograph when a soddin class buzzard skimmed wor heads makin wor blor the photograph. The class bord frightened the hinnies see mich the' myed leek ScoobyDoo an' ran awa owor the hills leek twa muckle lasses! Ah felt a reet stumor radgie chasin eftor the wee bairns! See yee lator marras!

I'd much rather they spent time money and effort promoting The Broads than some fictional National Park...but then if promoting Broadland was the goal there would not be all this codswallop about a National Park in the first place just a sensible marketing campaign and investment in infrastructure.

We have some beautiful white warps for RT...obtained via Jon at Wayford. Soft, subtle, strong a pleasure to handle...and he knows a thing or two about boats as well!

What were dinosaurs really like Iain?

Forgot to add...my Mum always wanted to live in a windmill as she said she wouldn't have to sweep into any corners!

As far as I can remember its the site of the old mill, with a windmill type contruction built on the foundation of the old mill.

Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle Boggle! If only Gracie could come out with these before the animation script gets written!

I don't think Mr Packman was very interested in saving money. I did send him a very comprehensive marketing strategy based around the premise that Broadland is not a National Park. My strategy did not include wasting money on re-branding, legal fees or wasting time & money on public consultations or fixing questionnaires. Just a simple marketing strategy that even included the words 'National Park'. "Broadland: So much MORE than a National Park!

Like this Alan?

I hope someone can help me out here as I'm struggling to find the right word for what I mean...so I'm going to use the wrong words. From the beginning of this 're-branding' nonsense I realised that nothing was going to be re-branded. There is a legal point of law where if something is called by a name for a given period of time, then when it comes to the changing of a legal status it is so much easier to do because it is publicly accepted that the thing 'is' what it is called. A similar thing was done in obtaining permission to build Sunderland FC's Stadium...My ex-wife's town planning business had something to do with this and I can remember thinking at the time it seemed somewhat 'under hand'. Just to make my position clear...clarity is a rare commodity at my house at the minute...I don't have a beef with the Broads Authority, but I don't want a Broads National Park and there is something not sitting well with me over this flim-flammery. I'm all for conservation & wildlife but as an archaeologist & historian I feel that there are other considerations than the reintroduction of the coughing three toed butterfly and I find the wildlife conservationists understanding of landscape archaeology to be a bit '1066 and all that'. Ye Gods! I don't recommend being inside my head at the minute...took me half an hour to remember the dogs name yesterday so I could call it to heel...by which time it had come back of its own accord.