Wussername

Can't remember. I bet Vaughan can.

Now. Where did I put that pint pot?

One day in February of this year I counted over 100 Coot on Malthouse broad. A large raft of them in the middle of the broad. The following day they had gone. Old Putty Nose can be elusive when he wants to be. By the way, never seen an Otter on Malthouse, or indeed heard of any. That doesn't mean to say that they are not about.

Many tempt fate.

Should it be mandatory for life jackets/vests/whatever, be enforced on certain parts of the Broads. If you disagree, why?

To my mind there are two very important factors that come into play for both parties, both buyer and seller. Fear of loss and greed for gain. Old Wussername.

Any way, enough of that. Do you get your UK winter heating allowance in sunny France. If so have you thought of sending it to Help the Aged. You could of course send it to me. Direct. Thus cutting out the middle man. Tootle pip me old mucker Old Wussername.

And neither does the sea.

Depends on the breed of dog. A yellow lab can fill a Dyson in one hit. Some breeds shed very few hairs. Fleas are very rare, but has been known and can be very difficult to clean. Carpets on the floor and walls can present problems. Many modern hire boats do not adorn the inside with carpets to any great extent. So for the boatyard a bit of a lottery. Some people are more careful than others.

The wireless door bell is an option you might wish to consider. It was used successfully by our family, in a large house when my father was terminally ill. Several sounders were used in different parts of the house and provided that degree of protection and above all else the comfort in knowing that we were providing support over and beyond that which couldn't have been achieved by any other means. Andrew

My wife and I have gone the picnic boat route. We pick the day, not wanting a rainy one. We pick our journey, South or North. Hickling and Horsey, or perhaps Coltishall, or if it takes our fancy Beccles and Geldeston Lock. Or a morning on Bargate followed by a trip up the Yare. With family, with friends. Each day is golden. It is not a substitute but it certainly helps to draw the sting. Andrew

Together with the approval and the involvement of the Broads Authority. Part of a marsh conservation program. I am not a horse person, other than our daughter had one which I disliked and it disliked me. Intently. It was mutual. I hated it with a passion. However. The thing looked the part. Well fed, well groomed and loved the vet. As did the vet love it. As for the horses on the marsh one has to say they all seem to look magnificent. Long may they stay there. But not in my paddock! Old Wussername

I think that you will find it relates to conservation management of the marsh land. Some horses like a good old munch. Keeps loads of nasties at bay. Excuse the pun.

Good to hear from you.

Interesting Timbo and thank you for your contribution. It would be comforting for the BA to acknowledge their responsibility with regard to this serious matter and I feel that the Authority would gain much sympathy and support if they were to recognise and admit to the financial constraints in which they have to operate and seek the help and cooperation of the many boat owners and hirers who are concerned about this issue which blights the Broads to the detriment of that which we hold dear. Perhaps, just perhaps, together and I mean together, we could seek and find a financial solution to this issue with the help of other organisations of a like mind. Andrew

A 28 days notice? Does that not suggest that the BA does indeed have the authority as well as a responsibility with regard to such matters. If that is the case why is the BA seen to be so reluctant in dealing with this problem. Legal, financial implications perhaps. Andrew

If you are correct MM and I believe that that you are, does that mean if you wish to get rid of your boat simply remove all obvious identification, moor it up against a tree, any old tree and walk away? What a dreadful state of affairs. Andrew

It is my belief that if the Morning Flight, an iconic boat of historical significance and local affection and importance had it been allowed to remain at Thorpe St Andrew it would have served as a standard for others to follow. A standard for others to emulate, to complement the beautiful background to one of the most attractive village greens to be found in Norfolk. With foresight it should have been protected and its surroundings likewise to preserve that which was held dear by the people of Thorpe St Andrew and indeed visitors from Norwich and the local area. There are good people on the island, Take a pride in their homes. Some it would seem quite content to live in depravity. It is the latter that needs to be addressed, not insurmountable. It just needs understanding and a willingness by the residents and the authorities to recognise the issues and act in a positive manner to bring back the River Green to its former glory. Andrew

Swimming in the rivers and broads has certainly increased, in my mind, this year more than ever. It was only about three weeks ago that I witnessed a group of some five or six young people on paddle boards, on Malthouse broad. Inevitably the group decided to swim. They were some 20 to 30 yards from the quay heading. Six heads bobbing about in one of the busiest and popular places on the broads. Frequented by experienced boat hirers and experienced private owners. And the not so experienced. Last year at Reedham, a number of children about six in total. changed into their swimming gear, collected their rubber rings and floating mattresses and proceeded to the rescue steps to enter the River Yare in full flood. Had they been able to enter the water there is no doubt in my mind that we would have been presented with a serious emergency involving an unprecedented response from the emergency services but for the presence of mind from the Broads Authority quay attendant the situation was prevented from escalating. Last Thursday, the hottest day of the year in fact I was cruising down the River Yare past the first railway bridge at Thorpe St Andrew village green. Just the other side of the bridge people were swimming in the original river. A fairly safe place I would have thought. Indeed I remember my mother telling me that she and her sisters would swim round the island from Town House into the new cut down to the other railway bridge, past the pub (for the life of me I cannot remember the name, was it Thorpe Gardens) past Hearts Cruisers and back to Town House. Jenners Boat yard. My journey that evening took me past the church mooring at Brundall. Some ten to twelve teenagers, boys and girls, from the village were jumping in and out of the river. not venturing very far into the river itself, it has to be said. A practice I suspect has been carried out for generations. A practice I suspect was carried out throughout broadland years ago, without reservation. Andrew

If you can't tie knots tie lots Seems to work for our holiday makers. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Do they wave frantically. I don't think so. A discrete acknowledgement when appropriate to the conditions. A polite recognition which I find a respectful greeting on the river. Long may it continue. Andrew

MM. Where does the wave bit which you seem to attach a degree of significance relate to that all important personal relationship between the BA ranger, in this instance the helm, on a one to one basis. Which in my opinion has been neglected. The Ranger is unable to achieve an impact, an influence from the confines of his launch. He needs to reach out beyond. To be approachable to all. He is not going to achieve that from your ideal of cruising up and down the river. Unless of course you are able to convince me otherwise. Andrew

Paul. Retirement will give you a whole dimension to life which you have not experienced. Do not criticise that which you do not know. Enter that place of a certain peace of mind, a place devoid of the pressures imposed by others. Pressures which bring forth anxiety. You are able to forget all that. You will be able to concentrate on that which is all important. You and your family.

I hope that you achieve your wish to move to Norfolk. I have lived in Norfolk all my life. I have been fortunate to have been able to travel all over Europe, Asia, and Australia. I could not be bothered to do the rest. Sad I know. It is just that the quality of life in Norfolk has provided all that I held to be important to me and my family. Security, friendships, the rivers, the coast, the wild life, all within a few miles from where I live. Indeed a few minutes, half an hour at most. Andrew

It is truly obscene that in this day and age individuals should be led to believe that they are able to behave in a manner abhorrent to us all. The fine for dog owners in Broadland who fail to clear up their pet's mess straight away has doubled, following new powers adopted by Broadland District Council as a way of combating dog fouling. A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is now in force across Broadland, which increases the fixed penalty fine for the offence from £50 to £100 and extends the scope to include all public areas and areas the public have access. Unlike previous legislation, this covers footpaths through woodland and marshland near to rivers and broads. A maximum fine of £1,000 if the case goes to magistrates' court remains in place. Does it not beg the question as to why the dog or more importantly the dogs owner is treated in such a draconian manner compared with other miscreants. Indeed does it not encourage the owner to swear the oath in court and say "It was me your honour, guilty as charged, it was I that did the dirty deed not the dog The judge accepts the plea and delivers the sentence of ten days community service. "Thank you Guv" The dog wagged its tale.