Wussername

Some of the boats I suspect are sold very cheaply, a few pounds. The alternative, a door way or a multi-storey car park in Norwich. Three years back I counted 41 liverboards between Brundall and Norwich yacht station. That figure does not include the community that live at Thorpe St Andrew, the so called island, at The River Green. Today, I passed the River Green on a bus. It was not a good look. A place, a village which was once called one of the gardens of England, a place of magnificent houses owned by influential people, wealthy people. Years ago folk from Norwich would take a tram or whatever, might be a boat to The River Green. A bus or a tram would stop at the Redan a public house in those days and they would walk to the river. A day out for the family. The fun days. The regattas, the greasy pole, the boats, the people, the flowers, the flags, the local band, Nobby Clark, Nutty Slack, the River Commissioner immaculate as ever with his launch. Gone. For me, years to do are very few. I feel that somehow I and my peers have failed I do apologise. Andrew

The worst experience I ever had was fog on a broad. Wroxham broad in fact. A broad I know very well from cruiser races. On that particular occasion we were well and truly lost. Not a breath of wind, and no way of knowing where we were.

Don't forget the sewage, the sewage which flows into our rivers due to a neglected drainage system which simply does not cope. Years ago there was a concern a justified concern with regard to toilets being flushed into the river, the broad, wherever you were moored. On Malthouse Broad, for example, twenty boats on the quay. Twenty boats on the broad itself. Then, between the hours of 7am and shall we say 9am the Great Relief. Then became the introduction of the boat toilet system as we know it. With of course The Pump Out. It does not come cheap. And then, and only then, after due process, it comes back into the river. Exactly the same as it entered it.......as raw sewage. May I suggest that we cut out the middleman, what is the difference, what are we paying for?

Nevertheless an opinion, many have fallen on that belief.

I felt somewhat vunerable with regard to making my opinion. However, a wonderful post.which i endorse without reservation.

Dream on Dom. I do not fear our legal system. I just feel insecure. Surely you have reservations. However wish you well.

It has come to my attention that the Broads Authority and the Environmental Agency are currently investigating a phenomenon which exists on the River Bure. This information has been passed to me somewhat surreptitiously from another source. My lips are sealed for fear of being blackballed. However it is well known amongst those who quant. For the uninitiated a practice involving a long pole which is thrust into the water by those of stout legs when the wind doesn’t blow and the boat doesn’t go, (where is Captain Carter?), in order to propel the sailing craft towards its destination. Sailing cruisers and wherries often avail themselves of this procedure. As you approach Acle Bridge, going down stream towards the Stracy Arms some twenty or so meters, sixty feet in English, there is a hole. Just before the bridge. You will fail to touch the bottom. This hole is enormous. It hides a secret. It is a lair. Known to few, feared by many. The BA and the EA, bless. Are flummoxed. On dark nights, wild nights when the wind is in the East, neither fit for man or beast, something stirs, an imperceptible movement. As it emerges from its den. The Hump. The Bure Hump. This amorphous mass clings to the rim of its den and then will coddiwomple towards Thurne Mouth. Nobody has seen it. It is a known, known. And yet an unknown. There exists in Broadland an inner sanctum frequented by the SOS. (Salty Old Seadogs). So all is not lost. You may know who they are. These pillars of society with worn tanned faces, a canvas of a life spent bobbing about They will guide us, as to that which needs to be done after due process and consultancy by a local quango. Consideration may have to be given to those who wish to save the hump and in this respect they may wish to take advantage of local organisations such as Rent a Bat or Hire a Crested Newt which could well provide that final result. Old Wussername

However did they manage without the BA? Unless of course they acted de gratia.

Look to the sky at night. Tell me what you see. The brilliance of a star lit night. Not any more, light pollution has put paid to that. That which you have never known will never be missed.

March and April are very special, important months for the Broads. The transition of winter to spring. The morning chorus, birds defining thier territories, nesting, predators waiting thier chance. Weather in some instances making an influence, a devastating contribution to wild life has been known. Cold wet weather. Young chick's find it difficult. Population of many species find it difficult to survive a harsh spring. Let us hope and wish for mild introduction to a well earned summer.

She has been anxious all day. Tomorrow we will know for sure.

Trees BY JOYCE KILMER I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in Summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree. Paul Robeson recorded a song of this poem. There is an oak, a very old majestic oak at Fairhaven that reminds me of this this very poem and song.

I have never been there. Four miles away from where I live I feel somewhat ashamed that I have not made an effort. I need a weather vane, in the shape of a Norfolk trawler of years ago. In the shape of my Grandfathers trawler. I will make a visit. However I do have a concern with regard to those who influence and direct our destiny, with regard to the positions they hold in organisations without it would seem accountability. However not for me to judge. The artisans are so important. I understand that however they will always contribute on the fringe of our society and do need support which is sadly lacking from those who seem not to have an awareness of their contribution to our society. The derogation of that which we hold so dear with regard to our city, rivers, broads must surely need to be addressed and those responsible need to be made accountable.

Norwich had a chocolate maker, Mackintoshes. We had shoe makers so many prestige's companies of world renown. A mustard maker, drink maker, Colmans. Boulton and Pauls, Laurence and Scotts, a Port. Breweries, foundries, boat builders, boat hirers,, The Norwich Union Insurance Co Ltd . One of the key stones of our community of our thriving community. Shops. Norwich was a magical place all those years ago. Now much of Norwich seems to be student accommodation. A shadow of its former self. "You never know, we may go back to the days of artisan shops: blacksmith and fancy wrought ironwork, chocolate maker, sewing lady etc etc. Wouldn’t that be nice?" It would be nice, Norwich as I used to know has gone. "You never know" It has gone, it will not, can not return and can never return. I find this very sad.

"I'll have a pint of Red gov". You could see through it. Always a good sign. Tasted good. None of this silly froth business. No bits in it. What ever pub with Red Barrel it was always the same. The more you drank the better it became. I drank gallons of it. Everyone perfect, never cloudy, no dregs, just a good wholesome pint. Never ever cloudy, there was a degree of confidence in what you were getting. What ever pub you were in. Now, funny names, Old Glug, Up your nose, Crafty, Wicked, Old Dredging. What are we drinking, who knows? We need guidance from the forum. Old Wussername. Founder member of the Watney Red Barrel Association. Membership stagnant at this moment in time but open to membership for those of like minding appreciation and recognition of a good wholesome pint.

I quite liked Watney's Red Barrel.

Dom. The CRT and the Norfolk Broads are somewhat different. Why do you question and compare their system with ours. The canal system and the Norfolk Broads are in complete contrast. There is simply no way can you compare their operation to ours with regard to tolls or indeed any other aspect that I can think of with regard to a comparison whatsoever.

They will dissappear. They always have. It is when people interfere that it all goes wrong. The rivers, the tides, will take thier natural course. If allowed.

The conditions on the Broads are not good at the moment, flooding throughout the Yare valley. Can you not wait a while? It would seem to me that you have recognised that you are somewhat vulnerable. The filter has been changed and the engine hardly run since. I also have a spare filter on standby, along with the kit to change it I have moved many boats throughout the Broads. This one not insurmountable, however needs to be thought through a bit. Andrew

I agree. There exists on our rivers people employed by the Broads Authority who go above and beyond to advise and assist. I have personally witnessed the consideration and compassion of BA employees who work on the rivers. From the men who repair the Quay heading during the most atrocious weather conditions. To the ranger who i witnessed had to assist a liveraboard in distress. A challanging confrontation. A mother, a child and a father with issues. Thier boat a few feet away. I will never forget. A confrontation, lots of " f" this and "f " that on a bench, on the River Waveny. The lady concerned, and the child, who was crying, were under enourmous pressures. The Ranger spent over two hours dealing with this particular matter. Forms were filled in. The tensions seem to have disappeared. I was not able to hear thier discussions. However I did witness the little girl and her mother hug the ranger.

I have to compliment and congratulate Dom and Marshman. They have both identified and grasped the nettle. For my part I see so many people, posturing on matters which they have little or no understanding. In particular other platforms, where they attempt to impress, to gain in order to achive a degree of control or a recognition of influence. I recognise their objectives with a degree of concern. Very old Wussername.

Our present predicament is absolutely nothing compared to that which Norfolk and its population had to endure in past years. Lives lost, homes lost, destroyed. Families eliminated. I remember as a young child visiting the devastation. I remember the contribution made by USA servicemen during those times. It wa a most difficult time. We came so close to loosing The Norfolk Broads as we know it. And yet that risk still exists. Happisburgh, Winterton, Hemsby. Wells, all vunerable. What is the answer. Web sites, forums, BRAG. All of which are neither fishing or mending nets. What is rhe answer? We need a concentration of minds which at this present motion in time is sadly lacking. What do you suggest?

My word. Wonderful pictures. For me, dogs, boats, the broads. It simply encapsulates my perfect day. Add our family of sons and daughters their children, our grandchildren, for Nanny and Grandad the most memorable of days. Hectic, frantic, sometimes anxious, and of course the dogs. Fleeting memories. Never to be forgotten. Old Wussername.

However I feel more could, or should, be done to assist those of an age, who would benefit of consideration. I often see people struggle to get on a boat, off a boat. Why? Infirmity, age perhaps or simply a lack of confidence. Or a physical impairment, a dreadful injury from what ever cause, albeit accident, illness or conflict. Sometimes a simple grab rail on a boat to assist. Folding steps on tidal waters from the bank to the boat. In my dotage, as a boatman, of many years, I have to look towards my grandchildren for assistance to get on or off a boat. Next time you have moored your boat just watch those who genuinely struggle and then ask yourself why?

I hope not. For some the end of boating. I had hoped for a more considered responce for those who leave boating because they lack support and help in their later years.