Wussername

I come from a boating family. My great grandfather, my grandfather, owned boat yards. As did my Uncle Jack, as did my Uncle Bill. As did my cousin. My cousins owned boats. My father owned boats. My brothers all went boating on the broads. I have worked on several boat yards, for over 30 years on a part time basis. General hand, trial runs, out on the bobbing up and down stuff in the North Sea. Every time I met up with the family it was boat this and boat that. It was relentless. In the end I spent my holidays in Spain. Not in the Costa Plenty bit, but in the mountains and hillsides in Andalusia. No bloody boats up there I can assure you. But, do you know what, it has turned full circle, I love my home, Norfolk, the Broads, with a passion. It is a privilege to live here. To run a boat yard of say twenty or thirty boats, which may I suggest is a minimum, is a huge task, huge. Requiring the support of your family your whole family. It is like Mr Patel and his corner shop. It requires a dedication of all. Any lack of contribution by illness from any member is a serious issue. Be aware. .

I had a similar letter about the same time. I also received a letter last week requesting that I make contact by phone to make a booking in Norwich at the Mall. This i have made for Wednesday of the coming week and has been confirmed. Yesterday I received a text from Brundall Health Centre inviting me to make contact with the Hoveton vaccination Centre in order to make an appointment. I think that I would be inclined to wait two or three days and if nothing heard make a few enquiries. Andrew

They have been seen flying over Norfolk. Indeed I was fortunate to see one last year flying very high over Strumpshaw.

All is not lost. Let's hear it for the horse!

Pinebanks is yet another example Vaughan. The arsonist of our heritage, the very heart of Thorpe St Andrew seems to have been ripped away by so many. Without a care or consideration. I once read that the people from Norwich would travel to the River Green. By boat, a steamer type boat. Or a tram, to the pub called the Redan. (sounds poetic, and it was) I can remember that immaculate line of moored Hearts cruisers, the pride of the village green with its hanging baskets. Indeed the festival days, the slippery pole across rhe River. Nobby Clark, Nutty Slack, The people, oh! the people, the music, the crowds. The boats bedecked with flags. Carnival day Festival Day.

Thanks. Who needs an app when Grendel is about. Apt or what!

Eek! I didn't mean to say bested but bestest.. need an app for that!

I hate to "miss out" What is your best, your best app ever, your besty app?

Surely this is an early painting of the church at the river green, Thorpe St Andrew, showing the original course of the river Yare before the New cut. Andrew

My grandfather told me that people skated from Beccles to Oulton Broad. Or was that one of his fisherman tales? Andrew

I have an old ships bell, a brass bell, which is somewhat tarnished. Should I leave it as is, or clean it. Shiny bright as I used to remember. If I decide to go the clean route how do go about it, wire wool grade 0000 I believe although that does seem a bit drastic to me. I really do not want to mess up. What other process should I consider. Andrew

The winter of '63. A very good friend of mine used to sail and moor his boat the sailing cruiser Goldfish on Wroxham broad. The boat had been winterised at Coldham Hall for Harry Last to dance attendance on annual maintenance. My friend had purchased a brand new mini from Mann Egerton. This gave him the ideal opportunity to photograph his car on the bouy and he duly parked his car where the boat would have normally been moored, on the broad. I and my friends all drove old bangers, worth a fortune today, old MG sports cars, a Morgan, Austin 7 convertible, but we never risked them even though they were worth next to nothing in those days. I still drive an old banger, an expensive car in its day, worth today about threepence, but I still would not drive it on the ice. Andrew.

Blast me bor that came round quick. Do you hev a grand old do! Old Wussername.

There's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza, There's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, a hole.

Pleased that you enjoyed your day. The breakfast, the lunch, the after dinner shoot is an integral part of the day. With country folk. Every day is very special. Hopefully you will be able to revisit this particular day at a future shoot amongst friends.

How is the new pup coming on ? Not much happening I suspect. Surely you have not been able to resist a practice hold or a retreive of a Teddy or a similar soft toy from across the lounge floor, or is it a bit early? Andrew

Cover your soft furnishing with loose sheets as seen in stately homes Leave curtains open for ventilation and a visual means of showing that there is little of value to to steal. If items of value on view. For example expensive navigation equipment, install a confirmed intruder alarm, the emphasis on confirmed. Andrew.

Yes. Either in Red or Black. The Red being very rare. Andrew

Er! I've got an old pair of overalls with Blakes and Hoseasons on them. Looked very cool in the day On a more serious note has anybody got an enamelled badge with the single letter J? Andrew

Just in case! From: Police Connect Sent: Thursday, December 3, 2020 4:59 PM Subject: Norfolk Police - This week's Consumer scam alerts from Norfolk Trading Standards The following is a Police Connect message. Scam Alert – Telephone cold calls claiming to be from ‘Amazon’ – 3 December 2020 We are again warning residents to be on their guard for telephone cold calls claiming to be from ‘Amazon’. We have had several reports from Norfolk residents of recorded message calls claiming to be from Amazon that advise your Amazon Prime subscription ‘is about to renew at the cost of £39.99’. The call then states you can ‘press 1 to speak with someone’. Where residents have interacted with the call, they have then been connected to a person who attempts to gather personal, account or financial details. These calls are a scam and are not connected with Amazon in any way. If you receive this or a similar call our advice is do not interact with the call and hang up. Amazon have put together some helpful tips on how to identify if a phone call is from them. This information can be found on the Amazon UK website. If you have received a telephone cold call which you believe to be a scam you can report it to us via our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on freephone 0808 223 1133. Scam Alert - Investment scams and fake cryptocurrency exchanges – 2 December 2020 We have received reports of Norfolk residents falling victim to online investment scams, including fake cryptocurrency exchanges. Bitcoin is the most famous cryptocurrency, but there are more than 1,500 cryptocurrencies including other well-known ones such as Ethereum and Litecoin. Cryptocurrencies only exists online and are not controlled by a bank, treasury or country, meaning you can’t get physical notes or coins from the bank. If you don’t understand a cryptocurrency or an investment, it is recommended that you avoid handing over any money. A cryptocurrency scam can take many forms, this could include: A fake cryptocurrency which doesn’t, or will never, exist A bogus investment which promises to put money in a legitimate cryptocurrency A dangerous website link that then downloads malware onto your computer Which? Have put together useful guidance on how to spot an investment scam which can be found on the Which? website The Financial Conduct Authority have also produced an interactive warning list where members of the public can check investment or pension opportunities that they have been offered and receive advice about current scams. This is available on the Financial Conduct Authority website. If you think you have received an investment offer that you believe is a scam or you have become a victim of a scam, you can report this to us via our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline. Scam Alert – Text messages claiming to be from ‘Royal Mail’ – 1 December 2020 We are warning about text messages circulating claiming to be from Royal Mail. A Norfolk resident has reported receiving the message pictured above which states, ‘we attempted to deliver your package’ and offering a link to ‘reschedule your package delivery’. The link listed then goes to a fake version of the Royal Mail website which has been registered with one small difference which may be hard to spot In this case the website has been registered as ‘royaimail’. Anyone accessing it is asked for a range of personal information supposedly to enable them to ‘reschedule the delivery’. Our advice is always be wary of claims made in unexpected messages and never click on any links or open attachments contained within them. You can see further examples of fake Royal Mail communication and how to report ones received to them on the Royal Mail website. You can report suspicious text messages received to us via our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on freephone 0808 223 1133. Scam Alert – Telephone cold calls offering cover for washing machines – 1 December 2020 We are warning Norfolk residents about telephone cold calls from an individual stating that your washing machine warranty has expired and needs extending. The cold caller attempts to gather personal and financial details from the call recipient. If you receive this or a similar call our advice is do not give or confirm any details and hang up. If you want to check on warranty details of any goods within your home, contact the business where you purchased the item directly via their official website or phone number. A recent article published by Which? gives further advice on receiving unwanted calls about appliance cover which can be found on the Which? website. You can report suspicious telephone cold calls to us via our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on freephone 0808 223 1133. Information Alert – Don’t fall prey to loan sharks online – 30 November 2020 We are proud to support the Stop Loan Sharks Week Campaign #SharkFreeSurfing to raise awareness of the dangers of online loan sharks and help people access advice and support if they have fallen victim to this crime. If you have been a victim of illegal money lending, or are concerned about someone you know, please contact the Stop Loan Sharks 24-hour helpline on 0300 555 2222 or visit the Stop Loan Sharks website. How to protect yourself from loan sharks online Know who you're dealing with. If you've only ever met someone online or are unsure of the legitimacy of a lender, take some time to do a bit more research. Check the lender is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). If not, don’t borrow from them and report to the Stop Loan Sharks team Beware of loan adverts with no credit checks. Loan sharks have been known to advertise in community groups and on local selling pages. They may seem friendly and accommodating, but their behaviour can quickly change, and you might be harassed or threatened if you get behind with your repayments. Lenders must carry out credit checks to make sure borrowers can afford to pay back their loans. You should never hand over your bank details to strangers, even if they lure you with attractive offers. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is Beware of any requests for your details or money. Loan sharks may ask for copies of your passport or pictures of your house, the street and your house number. Never send money or give card details, online account details or copies of personal documents to anyone you don’t know or trust If you suspect someone may be a loan shark or they are acting inappropriately, you can report them anonymously to the Stop Loan Sharks website or by calling the Stop Loan Sharks Helpline on 0300 555 2222. Alternatively, you can email the team reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk or access support via live chat on the website Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. The Stop Loan Sharks App is free to download on both iOS and Android devices from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. To manage your contact details, additional information and subscriptions, please login through the member portal.

I like online shopping. That tap on the door. The weekly shop from Stressco's The Amazon delivery. The postman and the binmen. Tesco is now encouraging thier delivery drivers to stop, have a little chat with thier customers. We do and enjoy our weekly meeting. Christmas will be a difficult time for many. More difficult than we can ever imagine however I do believe that this forum will provide for some if not many, a focus on that which will ultimately be achieved. Boats, Cruising, Sailing, the rivers, the broads, the people, in the year which will follow. Andrew.

The Norfolk Air Ambulance has a night capability. For most of the year blue flashing lights at say 1000 ft give a reasonable indication of the scene of an emergency. I suspect that in difficult weather conditions they could do without the additional challange of conflicting blue lights. Andrew.

Difficult times. Awful. On so many levels. My wife and I seem to lurch from lockdown to lockdown. We are elderly, sprightly, But isolated. Vulnerable or so they tell me. No chance if you get it. Gulp! So we don't go anywhere. I live in the middle of the Norfolk Broads, Ranworth, Reedham on me wall, Womack, Wroxham, Ludham, minutes away. The government have written to me, Broadland District Council have written to me. Personal letters headed Private and Confidential, and to my wife. DO NOT MAKE AN UNECESSARY JOURNEY. YOU ARE AT RISK.............VULNERABLE Not even to see our Grandchildren, that is the most difficult part. Our life has changed. I do not have to go to Stress Co any more (Tesco). A very nice man delivers it. Love to go to Poundland. Smoke and mirrors, but I loved it. But no more. Morrisons after gym at Riverside Norwich but sadly no more. I do miss their pies. However, we are drinking more, at home. Alone. No longer social drinking, no longer that glass of Sauvignon Blanc on Barton, Ranworth (Mallthouse) or indeed Bargate. My wife and I feel alone. Not abandoned but isolated. Another glass my dear.. hic!

Do it now Ian. Andrew

I told you she would hop over it. No worries this is a good sign. Andrew