Wussername

With regard to that migration from shower to bedroom "au natural" Your concern is not unknown to the seasoned. boater. Fear not, in mid winter the peeping Tom is rare. Or indeed the peeping Tomess. I strongly advise that you perfect the leopard crawl from aft to forward, or forward to aft depending on the configuration of your boat. You should not be seen. However not to be tempted with the canopy down.

It is not wise to travel on The Broads in mid winter when the Broad's are frozen with ice. The rivers themselves can and will become frozen. You will be well-advised to seek and maintain a safe mooring.

I do not believe for a minute that it was purchased to reduce taxation. It was to make a contribution to thier profit stream. No hidden agenda. Unless of course you are able to confirm otherwise. Sure it is a speculative investment, To diverse. It is never, ever, that which you pay and invest in a project. It is what you are able to sell it for. The difference is your risk factor. Not the initial outlay.

Are you suggesting that you would like to be a hedgehog Andrew? If so, may I join you. Andrew. ..

If I remember correctly, and of course I may be wrong, it was some time ago, a two week holiday was reimbursed for one pump out. But only a two week holiday..

Richardsons used to dip tanks a few years back out of necessity, but times have changed and will continue to do so. As will become evident over the coming months. Old Wussername

You need to achieve a nice even red colour to the wood, before you start sanding. I have lost the plot. I know that it is me. Or scraping, then sanding, then stain then varnish. I have had a glass, only one. Honest. Old Wussername.

Carrow bridge is to all extent, in a bit of a state. Will it ever lift again. If so, for who? Is it not time to weld it shut. The area surrounding is past its best. I do not think that it will ever lift again.

It is The Broads. I have lived my life here. My great great grandfather, my great grandfather, my grandfather, my father, my children, my grandchildren. Please don't tell me where I live.

I get confused as well. I'm old and I have had a fall you know.

Sometimes, my head hurts! It is THE BROADS. Locals when asked where are you going? Will say: "Were a goin on the river." For the day, for the weekend, whatever.

or that matter so did Cliff Richard, who was a great lover of the Broads and had his own cruiser built for him in Thorpe. Moored at Jenners. Been on it. Took it through the bridge at Thorpe St Andrew's with his family on board. I

The Kings Head. Go there on a regular basis. The carvery, one of the best in Norfolk. Beef supplied by the renown butchers of Ludham. Most importantly two types of beef. Topside and Rib of Beef, rib being one of the finest cuts which you will ever experience, not over done of course, a bit of pink here and there. And of course a "doggy bag" for those, like me, with a physique like that of a racing snake, slim, honed. A bit of a tum "in fair round belly with good capon lin’d" as Shakespeare would say. For me, to all of my family.....all the more to love. However in these austere times the Dog Bowl sounds good for three quid. bit of beef, some greens, lashings of gravy and served in a bowl! What more could you wish for. I can feel a forum meet coming on at Womack. Wonderful moorings, we could all huddle up. With our bowls.

I'll be there with me boat hook mate!

Ah! The Boat Hook. One of the Quay Rangers at Ranworth has one. A poke here a poke there. Here a poke, there a poke, every where a poke poke.. Like Boadicea and Her Daughters he would stand proudly on the Quay. Others on the prow of their boat would emulate the prowess of the beholder of the Boat Hook. As they would approach private and hirer alike all would stir, and peer very closely like meerkats through gaps in curtains or stand at the helm. To survey. Surreptitiously, as to avoid recognition, confrontation. Some would venture onto the deck, nonchalantly, as if to examine a fender, or indeed to take “the air” It is a dangerous thing in the hands of those who are not aware, who are not accountable. A new variant has arrived. The Mark 1 collapsible. Made of plastic. Has been known to collapse under pressure leaving the prodder, pusher, somewhat vulnerable to the vagaries of fate. A plop in the bob and bobbing up and down stuff. Beware of the Boat Hook and all its followers.

Securing the boat at its mooring should not be difficult, avoid boat tug of war, a couple of round turns on the post should suffice, or a cleat, let the boat do the work. When stationery tie the boat off. Talking about "off" getting on and off especially in tidal waters can be a bit problematic. Preparation is the key, no jumps or leaps

Enjoy. I'm sure that you will. Let us know how you get on. Andrew Oh! I forgot. The good, the bad, we don't do ugly.

Dogs have always been an important part of my life, our families life. Unfortunately my wife and I are of an age where we recognise the responsibility of having a dog. Financial, which has to be taken into consideration. Training, Food, vets bills, medication, equipment, kennels when you wish to go away. Finally, TIME. Time to walk your dog. So important. This quality time dictates the relationship between you and your dog. Make use of it. And finally The Broads. The woods, the marshes, the reed beds, dykes and bogs. They look very attractive from your boat. In reality they are a hostile place. At dusk, as night closes a formidable place. Your dog off lead will be very vunerable. It is not the local park. Do not treat as such. Many dogs have been lost. Do take care. If your dog is lost, heaven forbid,, make sure your dog is downwind from you. (Have I got that right), the wind from YOU to the DOG. It is so important, as is whistle training for your dog, it needs to smell you, hear you. Reed beds, woods are full of sounds to a dog. Your sound needs to dominate over all others. The Norfolk beaches, idyllic. For dogs? But that is another story. Andrew

My dear old uncle George worked on Lowestoft fish market all his life. Filleting fish. His hands were swollen from chilblains. He had to keep dipping them in warm water. They were so cold. It was all he did, it was all he knew. He was allowed an allowance of fish, once a week for his own family. A meagre allowance. When he retired at 65 he decided to continue the tradition. I used to accompany uncle George sometimes, with his trade bike, to the market, to visit his mates. A sack laid in the basket of the bike. Underneath of course were the fish on the return journey. This went on for years. George was quite ecstatic about his deception. Proud as well. A feed of fish on a Friday for the whole family. There was little more he could do. The security officers on the gate knew exactly what was going on. They were under the most strict instructions from the directors not to stop him. Such was the respect and affection they had for him. Never has such a privilege been granted since or will be again. Thank you Uncle George for that wonderful feed of fish on a Friday night, always fried, Dover soles, lemon soles, place, skate, rooker, Vinegar and salt. Never eaten with knife and fork, just fingers, hot, greasy, finger licking good. They were fishing folk. Never has fish tasted so good. My childhood, on holiday, with Uncle George and Aunt Ivy in Rouen Road, Lowestoft.

For some it is difficult. Apologise can be difficult. I understand that. Road rage has identified issues concerning such matters. Some wish to avoid confrontation. I have witnessed many such incidents and have seen many upset by such accidents, really upset. Not only from the perpetrator, the wrongdoer, the victim. Both being very upset. Damaged caused, people injured. Both parties distressed. Inconsolable. However some incidents happen. It happens to most of us. It is what it is. I still remember my incidents, I am sure others do as well.

A coroners court in November of this year may well make recommendations. The coroner does not have the ability to enforce recommendations.. But the coroner is able to designate a person or an authority to carry out the courts recommendations. I leave you to surmise the courts choice.

Hi Mark Cosmetic is no excuse to my mind. It really is not. The BA, the Broads Hire Boat Federation, British Marine will have established the Quality Accredited Boatyard Standard by 01 April 2023. To my mind the most important piece of legislation in my lifetime. It will impact on the hie boat industry, and inevitably on the private owner in the course of time. My concern with regard to this particular boat is important to my mind but pales into insignificance with regard to the general scheme of things.

Andy. You don't need to struggle. Happy to forward to you pictures of the boat by pm. Happy to post on the forum. But mindful of the forums position on such matters, a difficult situation. Which I have no intention of challenging as I am fully supportive of their position under such circumstances.

I took several phographs of the boat. With the hirers permission. I explained why. He asked if I was from the Broads Authority. He was obviously concerned. I informed him that I had nothing to do with the BA whatsoever. He allowed me to continue to photograph the boat. What a dreadful state of affairs. I am aware of "name and shame" I fully understand, I really do. But there comes a time. A time where some need to be held accountable. Those whose actions defy any degree of responsibility whatsoever. This forum, could and should be able to identify those individuals who blatantly ignore a code of conduct and pursue them accordingly. In the absence of authority. Andrew

Do you train a dog? Or do you shape a dogs behavior? If it is the latter then surely one should select a breed of dog that closely matches your ideal. Many people unfortunately do not. In many instances because of an unwise decision of the type of dog many are left frustrated, disappointed, angry. And so is the dog.