Wussername

You cannot delegate responsibility. Ultimately it rests with those in authority.

Fred. It is not just the Norfolk Broads. Look at the stastics concerning Mountain rescue. Every day, 24/7, 365 days a year. I used to be a boatman, and every thing that entails, nothing more, nothing less. How do you delegate responsibility to a person of tender years, a person who has by default, limited understanding of the river, of tides, wind, rain, cold. The impact of these variables.

I do understand your concern. Last year at Ranworth there were children on rubber rings, lilo's, swimming, paddle boards. A lido. In an area of 3 ton boats helmed by complete novices. Trying to secure a mooring. Would you please explain to me a child's perception of responsibility. Sooner rather than later there will be an incident. I hope that I am wrong.

Maximising the area worries me. Canoes, Paddle Boards, Wild Swimming. It is having an impact on the river, on the broads. Safety issues, conflict on right of mooring, of access. There needs to be more positive direction from The Broads Authority. I have a real concern that in the process of time there will be an incident. A tragic incident. Which will have serious consequences throughout Broadland. It has already happened. Still on going after several months. We cannot afford a repetion, we must demonstrate that we recognise certain issues, and that we care. That we have a responsibility. We just need an authority that understands our concern. I have said it before, you can delegate authority but not responsibility, the latter is elsewhere.

I read into your reply that we are talking purely about day boat operators only and not the hire boat industry in general?

I'm afraid that I do not share the enthusiasm of some with regard to such drastic measures which can only impact on the holiday industry. It needs, how do I explain, a less draconian approach, less invasive, a measured response perhaps. If indeed it is required at all! It may suit this particular boat yard, but for the larger operators it would be impractical and almost impossible to implement.

I have hired boats from this company many times. I will continue to do so. Their boats are immaculate. Like many boat yards in the past it is run like Mr Patels corner shop. Long hours, a family commitment. Their boat yard, and accommodation with regard to riverside holiday lets is superb. On arrival we went through all the preliminaries, before the trial run. Which took an age. We were going for a weekend. And then we were off. The boat was moored side on, and it was explained to me that the wheel was placed in such a position that allowed me to leave the mooring without input from myself in order to gain access to the dyke, opposite Coldham Hall. Such is their commitment. On return the owner is on the quay heading to instruct and assist the mooring. The boat is then inspected by the owner and his wife. My experience is such that they were very friendly and have welcomed me back several times. Some, a minority have not been so fortunate.

Bit of duplication, sorry about that.

They are also governed quite strictly in order to conform to the yards speed policy. They are not allowed to go down river any further than Cantley as they will not cope with strong tides. Do not go over your time, you will incure heavy charges in increments of 15 minutes. You will have to show evidence to prove who you are with photograph. No one under the age of 21 allowed to drive. The boats have GPS trackers which record in real time, place, time and speed.

Does the price include the flowers, marigolds are in vogue i am given to understand.

I'm sure they did if "In the mood".

The south rivers have much to offer. Like most things it requires a little bit of effort. You will be rewarded. That effort, in itself, has its own rewards, as does your final destination.

I agree Jean. A strange High Street. The beach however is superb. The grandchildren enjoy it. Did you have a peep inside the theatre. An experience. Good shows. Strange though. Table and chairs. You wave a flag, during the performance to order your drinks. Afterwards I stay at the Pier Hotel, or The Cliff. In order to conform to standing orders, don't you know.

I beg to differ. We all have had different experiences, hold different standards, have different opinions. This is a place where we are able to express ourselves without equivocation or reservation. I hope that it remains so..

Young children and teenagers are the very people who need to be informed of the inherent dangers also the disciplines they are likely to experience. Acknowledge by all, parents and children alike. Informed by a person of authority and experience.

May I call you Gregg? They are the very trees. They are magnificent. But what are they. I wonder who planted them.

Vaughan wins the cigar, the very ones. What are they? On reflection Oldgregg I don't think I explained very well.

Where are you?

Dear Oldgreg from Old Wussername. I remember the mill well before that dreadfull fire when we lost one of our most iconic mills. Several years later I used to moor at the lock. One had to go past a sign saying "No Hire Boats". I ignored all that and carried on, to one of my favourite places. I never ventured into the water meadows. Full of cows, heifers, and stuff with four legs. To be avoided. Every time I was on my own. Mornings were special, Church bells rang across the marshland on a Sunday morning. It was if I had been transported into a different time. A time which had not changed for many years. It has now for several reasons. I am of an age , I doubt if I will ever visit again. But tell me Mr Oldgregg. As you walk from the lock on your left you will pass through an avenue of trees. Hornbeam? Smooth bark. Grown for a purpose. Several of them. What are they? Joyce Kilmer " a poem of tree" comes to mind. Paul Robeson sang a song about a tree. Some of you are starting to nod off............

I have had cancer bowel cancer. My grandfather died of bowel cancer, my uncle Bill died of bowel cancer. My farther died of bowl cancer. When I was told that I had bowel cancer I felt so desperate. Those desperate mornings, 3am, 4am were the worst. Just lying there. In the dark. Not for myself, I resigned myself to the inevitable. It was the loss, not seeing the grandchildren grow up, my wife, my relatives, my friends, which caused me distress. My possessions funnily enough matterd not. Cancer will effect one in two of us. True. You will have it and will not know. Have it and live with it. With a good quality of life. Some will have a journey, it may be difficult, as mine was. An amazing journey. Accomplished by a dedicated team of consultants, surgeon's, nurse's and not least my family. Do not despair. Do not give up. Do not fail to visit your doctor with a concern. DO IT. Join us, you will not be alone.

Yes you are a lost cause. So was I. First thing in the morning a cup of tea and a fag. Never ever went anywhere without a packet of fags and a lighter. First thing I checked on leaving the house. Fags, lighter. Good to go. And then I had the cough from hell. Still smoked on top of that. And then. A bronchospasm.. Several. Patches, vapes, gum. Then I decided to give up. Ignored all the gimmicks. I just stopped. I have not had a fag for 15 years. Still remember the fag of course I do. I cannot, I must not even contemplate having even a puff. It would be the end of me.

Concern. You bet. Price retail Tesco, for 1 Lt, 75p for own brand.

How does a remote thruster work? Genuine question. Andrew.

For me I'm afraid that would "over egg the pudding" . Keep it simple. Do it gently is very good advice, Do not put too much energy into the boat approaching or leaving your mooring. If you can plan well ahead. .

Or perhaps, just perhaps, we are wittnesing customer resistance with regard to the present pricing structure favoured by the hire industry. We are all heading for a difficult time. Costs rising in every direction. The hire industry depends on disposable income. That disposable income is under pressure. Let's give the donkey another whack! The donkey could well buckle, give up, despair and seek refuge elsewhere.