Wussername

MM. I know that this is a stressful time mate. Gin with no ice, like a soft boiled egg with no salt, a banana with no custard. A new fridge. However did we manage without one. But...we did. Now me old mate, me old mucker. All is not lost. Fear ye not. In days of yore our ancestors would sup a warm gin by a log fire, a mulled gin fired with a red hot poker, fortified with berries and herbs and cloves. Do not be easily led by armchair fireside boaters. Resist temptation, do you really need a fridge. The fruits of the forest await you, the River Ant ice I am led to believe (upstream) is very wholesome. Old Wussername

They say that one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime. Some will live with it without knowing. Some will know and it will not effect them whatsoever. Some of course will have to make the journey. It is a journey which is all embracing, family, friends, nurses, surgeon's, consultants and of course your local doctor. You will not walk alone. Old Wussername

What a wonderful picture. Thank you Howard for posting it. Andrew

Your time will come mate. Trust me.

Ah! Wet arm motoring. My MGB, wire wheels, convertible, all the gear, would have given you a run for your money through the bends, Ketts Hill, Mousehole, Salhouse Road. However, I suspect you would have had the edge! Forgive us both in reminiscing. It was a long time ago. Andrew

Here we go! Here we go! A couple of geriatric roughnecks chewing the fat! I bet you both had sports cars, went to the Washington Club. Tropical Lynda? Ranworth Country Club. All our yesteryear's. Black Anna, Ber Street. StudioFour, Jazz. Norfolk was an isolated place,it really was. In some respects a place of mystery in the day. Stories to be told. My brother now lives in Australia, he refers to it as our Glorious Sarah Titch. Our Glorious Heritage. I really do hope, that at least, for that, we will be remembered.

MPs will run with the fox, if it suits them they will hunt with the hounds. Old Wussername.

Thank you Vaughan. There were two very influential ladies in Broadland who I was privileged to know personally. Jenney Simpson, Jill Thwaites. Both magistrates. They were close friends.They both owned boat yards together with thier partners. Well, their partners did, there is always a power beyond the throne. Together they both made an enourmous contribution to the Broads. It went beyond hiring boats. They supported the disadvantaged, Children with learning difficulties. Taught them how to sail. Adults in wheel chairs, sailing a boat, how cool is that. Never, ever, did they mention. They just did it. A great loss. Andrew.

A great loss to Broadland. To the hire industry. To the community. To us all. In particular to my family. William Granville Jenner and our extended family loved and respected you. A sad day for me a very sad day. Andrew

Well spotted. I try to keep well clear of it.

Well there you go. Advice from Norfolk. The Broads finest forum. From me, a norfolk boatman. Pitch up. Relax. Look up. The night sky. You might be in a magical place. Devoid of light pollution. Have you ever been in such a place?. Noise, at night, there is none. Perhaps the screech of the barn owl, the hoot of the brown. In the morning, geese, a skein of geese, screeching , demanding., perhaps, just perhaps, the boom of the elusive bittern. Enjoy. Old Wussername

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/23267237.norfolk-broads-boat-owners-raise-toll-price-hike-concerns/ There you go me old mate, me old mucker Old Wussername

Indeed. Is it not relative, or in isolation?

You may be correct in some instances and you have quoted a unique circumstance. Fact has determined a somewhat different conclusion on a number of situations and will continue to do so.

There are many organisations that are unable to issue fines. The MAIB, The BA, the Coroners Court, the RSPB, a whole raft of organisations, one could carry on infinitum. However they all have one thing in common. They "know a man who does"⁹

The parish meeting agenda and minutes for Ranworth and Woodbastwick are posted on the notice board of the post office at Ranworth. A few years past, four or five, a parishioner raised the very question as to if he had the right to moor his boat on the parish staithe free of charge. If I remember correctly, begrudgingly the answer was yes. In reality nobody wanted too. Would you moor your boat there, all year? Month in, month out? I think not. Oh! I nearly forgot. On tidal waters, you are allowed to anchor, on the bank, for one full turn of the tide, not moor in the true sense of the word but anchor, one rope to the shore. You would not be entitled to enter the land other than to tend to your anchor. Thus when the tide turned, the wind changed, in your favor, your wherry, of which was an integral part of Broadland life or your modest rowing barge carrying local haulage was able to carry on its modest way. William Bramwell Jenner, me dear granddad told me this when I was a young boy. He was a fisherman, a trawler skipper, deep sea, and a true Broadsman. A boatyard owner. Long since past. I honestly believe that there is an element of truth, of common sense in his belief, if such a belief existed has it ever been rescinded. Why would it. If I have to moor at Reedham or Great Yarmouth for social reasons I will happily pay, that is my choice. However, if adverse weather conditions, fog, high wind over tide, high wind, difficult tides, I will as the skipper, for the safety of my boat, my crew, myself and family I will not conform to the wishes of an autocratic quango and have to pay for my historical right for a safe and protected mooring.

If you require to stop at Reedham for water only, and many do, will you have to pay? If so, in view of the limited number of water stops available on the southern waters, does the Navigation Committee consider this mooring fee appropriate?

Yes, absolutely correct. However, some do not and require assistance.

The Bridge height is never ever important if you can get under it. It is when you have to get back under to get home which is so very critical.

I find "Blustery" on a boat a bit of a challenge. Concentrates the mind. Potter, Ludham Bridge, Reedham, come to mind.

Might be. On the Taxi Rank at Ranworth two days ago. A well sort after mooring. All mod cons. Toilets on site. Nice pub across the road. Electricity. Water. Post Office. Cafe. General stores, and gift shop. Art Gallery. Boat trips round the broad. Manicured grass area courtesy Steve and his sit on mower. Interested parties must love ducks, an Egyptian goose that thinks its a duck, BA quay wardens and boring old visitors (me).

The peep hole was once suggested that if a light was shone towards the Abbey it served as a warning to the monks that danger was imminent. From raiding hordes coming up river. The purpose of the peep hole was indeed less dramatic. It had a purpose. You must ask the question, why are so many norfolk churches isolated, so far away from the villages which they now serve. From that you will find the answer. Oh, as an aside, when you leave this delightful church and return to your boat, on your left there is a field, with corn, sugar beet, whatever depending on the year, on the season. To the right of the field, a high bank. Hidden from the road. Enter the field, carefully, not to damage the crop. Climb the bank. You will be rewarded by one of the most magnificent views of broadland. Andrew.

Thank you Salmar. I have lived here in Norfolk all my life, the Broads. I have found your poem, your experience delightful. I am old, I do not think that I would be able to cope, but I did enjoy your story. Thank you. Andrew

It is all a bit confusing. For me. I am fairly computer literate. Many in my community here in Norfolk in the middle of the Broads are not. They are country folk. Vulnerable. I fear for them. As are those who have decided to move here and now sadly left on their own.