Arthur

Don't worry, will be open again same time next Tuesday and don't forget there is still a light hearted quiz at 8.30 every Friday. Steveo is setting the questions this week.

Wales for ever

Cymru am Byth

I would not exactly call the discussion boring. On the other hand I would agree that all we are doing now is going round in circles basically expressing our disagreement with the recent decision made by Richardsons. They have made their decision and are not going to change it, so there is little more to say. I have my own theory but I do not wish to add any more fuel to the situation. Like others I feel aggrieved as a single hirer that I am no longer welcome to holiday with a company I have used for a good while. However. as has already been said there are still other yards willing to hire and when and if i am able to get to the Broads again then I am happy that I will still be able to hire a boat.

I would second that comment Vaughan Over the years I often hired larger craft particularly if I intended traveling over Breydon to the South or from the South to the North. Much easier to handle from my experience and gave you that extra space on board. My preference as a Solo hirer was always larger, centre cockpit craft. Good view all round and just bring the warps alongside the cockpit and mooring single handed is easy.

Same here with my last few hires from Richos. They simply wrote No Trial Run on the form and then sign here and away you go.

I would be very surprised if details of seriously dodgy hirers were not shared among the hire yards. Even if not on an official database. This is not just about bad customers though. Richardsons are canceling the bookings of those who already have a good track record with their company.

I have hired single handed for the best part of 40 years. Hoseasons have always refused the booking on the basis that they do not allow solo hire. Therefore this is nothing new. That is why I ignored Hoseasons, ( who after all are only an agency) and always booked direct with the yards. Well as far as I am concerned if Richardsons wish to alienate some of their loyal customers then it will be their loss as long as other yards do not follow.

I no longer get involved with Facebook as I found the intrusive adverts among other things made the site impossible to use. This is the Norfolk Broads Network Forum and like you Vaughan I expect Broads related discussions to be on here where all can see them. Not hidden away on Facebook.

Don't do Facebook now so cant read the reply. However I find this still a bit odd. Hoseasons have always been awkward about solo hire but some yards have been OK when called direct. As for staff having to access competence. Surely they have to do this at takeover time with any party. I had always assumed in the past that my bookings, always made direct with Richardsons were accepted on the basis of my proven competence hiring from them and other yards. Anyway. If I ever manage to get to the Broads again then it will be another yard that gets the business. Even if I am not solo hiring.

I am also surprised that clive has not posted to explain and clarify. There are a few thoughts going through my mind but perhaps best not posted unless there is some proof Another question I have. Is this new policy only Richardsonss or have any other yards recently changed their policy on solo hires.

I always thought that Hoseasons were just a booking agency. Surely the decision regarding who they are prepared to hire to is down to the boatyard. As has already been mentioned. This is a golden opportunity for those yards that will allow solo hiring to let us know. A list could then be compiled and I am sure they would gain a lot of business from members of this forum. The suggestion has been made about members teaming up to share a boat. Fine in principle. However, despite the fact that most of my solo hiring was due to not having anyone to share with there are times when I actually enjoyed being alone on the river away from all the stress. Plus the freedom to stay still or move as I wished.

I don't like the sound of this trend. Because of other responsibilities i have not been able to take a holiday for 4 years now and I do not know when, if ever, I am likely to get to the Broads again. If the policy among the yards is going to go in the direction of a blanket ban on single handed hire then I guess I may be forced to accept that my days of boating are over. It would be nice if some of the yards would issue some clarification on this issue. I have had several decades experience of single handed hiring. For many years with Aston Boats and then with Richardsons, Horizon Craft and a couple of yacht hires from Eastwood Whelpton. Given up Facebook so I have not read any of the accounts on there. There must be other regular single handed hirers on this forum. I wonder of others have heard anything.

Not an odd decision at all Robin. All praise to you for being man enough to admit your limitations. As for the boat you could not leave her in better hands. She will soon be in Great Yarmouth and on the Broads.

Thanks Griff

Wonder if they will have a Navy escort past Pompey

Probably too far offshore to get a signal

Tracking working again. Now near Portland Not long to go now before she reaches Weymouth

Tonight the quiz was won by Mike (Chameleon) with an impressive score of 23 points. He will be hosting the quiz next Friday 12 January at 8.30 pm. Thanks to everyone who turned up for an entertaining evening. Fun is what its about Lulu. Not to be taken too seriously. Just a good social evening.

Come along anyway even if you are late.

Bump

Just a reminder folks that there will be another NBN Quiz tomorrow night at 8.30pm. in the NBN Quiz Chatroom. All are welcome to join in. The chatroom can be found at the link below. http://www.nbnquiz.co.uk/chat/index.php Enter your forum user name so we know who you are but leave the password blank or you will get an error message. Topics will be TV BUNCH OF FIVES YE GODS! Break for drinks etc CARS CHEESE GENERAL MAYHEM Although I am acting as QM for this quiz the questions were set by Steve (SteveO) who is unable to be there tomorrow night. Therefore you can be assured that I will not be asking questions about. Arthur Ransome, Trains or Scouts. Also I will not be asking any questions in Welsh. Do come along and have a fun evening. Winner gets the opportunity to set and host the next quiz. Don't worry though. If you can't do it or do not wish to then just ask for volunteers. Hope to see you there. Arthur

The next quiz was to have been on 12 January but I am unable to make that date so I will be hosting a quiz this Friday 5th January. Time 8.30 pm in the NBN Quiz Chatroom. Once again all are welcome to join in. No Prizes but the winner gets the opportunity to set the next quiz. This is the address of the chat room: http://www.nbnquiz.co.uk/chat/index.php Enter your user name but please leave the password blank or you will get an error. Topics will be: TV BUNCH OF FIVES YE GODS! Break for drinks etc CARS CHEESE GENERAL MAYHEM Hope to see you there Arthur

Thanks so much for changing the original post.

Thanks Alan. I know the cause of the problems but I wont go into all the technical details. However, I want to ensure that the quiz that Steve has put so much effort into is a success. Hence the changes. I will re-post the reminder at intervals throughout the day to try and ensure all see it. Arthur