Wussername

Watched it. Magnificent. So refreshing to see a film/video which showed the REAL Norfolk Broads. Not the pseudo broads others film for pure pecuniary advantage and personal gratification. Ludham Bridge comes to mind.

Welcome from me as well. I wish you well in your quest. Norfolk folk are very reserved, friendly but wary of strangers and "furriners" that is anybody east, west and south of Scroby, Kings Lynn and Beccles. But I wish you well. Old Wussername

I suspect there is little mud in Salhouse broad, it is not an old peat dig. It is in fact an old gravel pit. Hence the sandy/gravel beach. Andrew.

The term sling your hook is polite way of telling someone to go away. This term has a nautical origin. Hook was a name given to the ship's anchor, and the sling was the cradle that housed the anchor. Therefore, to sling your hook meant to lift anchor, stow it and sail away.

My old grandfather, (all grandfather's are old.........I'm a grandfather) told me that there is an ancient statute bound in the history of time, in days of old when boatmen were bold, you were allowed to anchor in tidal water for one full turn of the tide. Anywhere. Free of charge. Makes sense dunt it if you were under sail and the wind dropped. This statute was created before people even knew about engines. It applied to all craft, why would anybody change it ? Even today some of the iconic Hunter craft do not have engines, just a quant. No wind, after sunset, a mist descending, a murky night ahead, no lights quanting to a refuge, a safe mooring for protection against marauding private night cruisers. I wud tell im to sling his ook i wunt sling mine, wus he a goin to do about it? Old Wussername

Without judgement Fred? Without personal prejudices, or do you mean concern. Andrew

I think that we should wait for the full report before jumping to conclusions.

Lock the doors. Batten down the hatches. Do not get off the boat.

They were giving paddle boarders a tug at Thurne Mouth some four weeks ago. Andrew

Great. Enjoy. Don't forget: A parachute is a useless thing If you forget to pull the string. Scramble, chocks away.

I agree Fred. Learning by mistake however is not the answer. Why are these mistakes occurring. It is not my intention to provoke a conflict of opinion, far from it. I just wish to see or realise a satisfactory conclusion to a difficult and distressing period. This forum, its members, its experience, understanding, knowledge, constructive and genuine conflict of opinion will surely be recognised by those who lack these attributes.

Give up. Is that the answer Fred?

The hire industry does not need legislation. It needs a recognition of the demands it fails to recognise. No amount of videos will resolve the issue. Before anything else there needs to be an awareness of the vulnerability of the hirer. That has never been considered. 1 Commonsense 2 Discipline 3 Communication 4 Consideration. Once those bench marks have been identified one can then move on to the finer points of handling a boat. But not until. Andrew

The tide is a most amazing phenomenon. It never seems to conform to predictions. I have often been at Reedham at high tide and it is not. Hammering through. On one occasion the tide overlapped the Quay. The water was half way up the mooring posts. And continuing. You could not see the edge of the mooring. Hire craft attempting to moor were in a muddle. The Broads Authority Quay Attendant was turning boats away. It was then that the most amazing happening occurred. A flood tide barrelling up the Yare and the water level recided dramatically revealing a mud strewn Quay heading. How deep was the flood? Where was the ebb in relationship to the flood. A tide defies human logic or definition. When you come to understand that you may consider yourself a boatman. I wish I was a boatman.

The owner carries the patina of old money and good breeding. Andrew

Many young men from norfolk worked on the oil rigs in those days. I may be wrong but I thought that Norman Chalk was involved with offering a catering service to the rigs.

I may be going off piste a bit, but I can hardly remember meals of the 60's or 70's. I was usually full of Red Barrel ( a lovely brew).Prawns in the basket for me old mawther, a Cherry B or a Baby Champ and Surf and Turf for me. As a special treat a bottle of the Franz Rey Liebfraumilch or a Niestiener Gutas Domtal to really impress. But the Sunday lunch time tonsil rinse in Norfolk was magical. In Thorpe St Andrew the families and friends gathered, The Red Lion, The River Gardens, The Kings Head, The Buck. Before you was a feast. Nuts, Pineapple, Cheese, Olives, Biscuits, Onions, An enormous selection of thirst enhancers. They would indulge until 2 pm. Then we would stagger home for Sunday Lunch. Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pud.

I will have a word with the owner next time I see him. Andrew

I have taken, with permission, some photographs of the interior of the boat shed. For me it was very interesting reminding me of some of the boat sheds of my childhood. It would however justify a more professional photographer than I. The exterior of the shed itself i find iconic, reminiscent of so many similar sheds to be found throughout the broads many years ago. All of which have sadly disappeared, to be replaced by holiday homes. It seems as if the shed was to remain, but now it seems under new ownership and I am confused as to what the future may hold. Properties will no doubt be built on the site beside the shed, if it remains. The plans submitted several months ago may alter slightly. They always seem to change at the last minute. Andrew

A wonderful picture nevertheless.

There is a toast. "To absent friends wherever they may be over land or water........ Andrew

Beyond investment I fear Andy. I just hope that there will be a sympathetic investment of the site, which takes into account the historical importance of the area. The developers may think otherwise.

Hi John Can you remember that magical forum meet at Salhouse, before Covid. There was an “esprit de corp” amongst the members which few Norfolk broads forums have ever equalled or indeed maintained. I have fond memories of meeting you in the company of Vaughan, his wife and mine over an enjoyable glass or two that evening. Over and above which I was unable to count. Unfortunately due to Covid we see “empty tables, empty chairs” Still empty for some of us and certainly for some of my friends, and indeed yours. An anguish we all share. Be aware of those who wish to take advantage and be aware of the number of genuine friends that you have. Friends who will soon fill those table and chairs. Andrew and Anne

Did you have a look inside the boat shed? It is like going back in time by several decades. How they manage to find anything I do not know. However, if you asked for a left handed screwdriver they would have one and would be able to lay their hands on it immediately. Sadly all of this will be lost. Another part of Broadland will be gone for ever. Andrew

Egrets are white. Surely?