RumPunch

Whenever possible

Norwich Councils anti car / pro bicycle fixation. Close many roads, reduce others to 20, now let cyclists use the pedestrian precincts. Mousehold heath - reduce the road width to create a big cycle lane, and the cyclists still use the road but it's now too narrow to pass them safely if there's anything coming the other way ( which there normally is ! ) There's shops and services in the City I've been using for 30 years, and I'm now so fed up fighting my way in I no longer use them. If they can't accept that Norwich is a rural hub, where from many outlying areas the only option is to drive ( sorry I forget, from Barton I have one bus a week on Thu mid morning ) then they need to wake up. OK there is the park and ride, and I have used this overpriced service ( per person not per car ) on occasion, but normally I need to be in and out and don't have the time or inclination to faff around. That's it - need a coffee now..... !!

I believe it's one of only two listed bridges on the Broads network. The other is the old bridge on the canal section between Coltishall and Buxton

There is increasing focus by the rule makers on DIY anti fouling. If you are going to do it, please make sure you take full precautions. I'm happy doing it myself, and want to be free to do so in the future.

They don't want anyone taking the p***

We ate there quite a bit over the winter / low season. The food was good, the manager friendly, and the service excellent. Come the start of the season, I phoned and booked a family table. We arrived to a largely empty restaurant ( luckily ) as no table was reserved for us, despite the whole window table(s) of 17 being reserved for another group who sat outside but the tables remained off limits all evening. The beer was flat, a large percentage of the menu was 'off' the service was far short of the previous visits - eg when I asked for menus the response was 'they're around somewhere you'll have to find them' so I did, and returned a dozen to the bar from empty, still uncleared tables. Not been back since.

If I see a Forum flag on a boat moored down the local staithe, I've been known to pop over for a chat.

Andrea

Got me thinking about if I could use the mast A frame pulley system to help with breaking out the mudweight ......... Re the chiropractor, yes I have used an excellent one in the past, in Wymondham. May need to see if he can fit me in

Getting old. Went out yesterday, engine went sick. Limped onto Barton and deployed mudweight first chance to sort it ( just needed connector re-seating ) but in the haste of the moment I've put my back out getting it back in again - agony today :-(

Read both reports - it was found wanting in January, but improved in July, but yes it's a mess from the river, with faded / missing planks in the cladding. Back to the Sea Cadets - will be a shame for them to lose a water based facility, but probably cheaper in these cost conscious times, not to mention the (extra) risk assessments necessary on a boat

Depends on whether I'm motoring or sailing and if I have guests on board who'd be likely to fall over them if stowed on deck

Coltishall Green this morning

Me too - fixing and painting windows. Also now enjoying an ale.

When I was out in Canada with the RAF, we went pike fishing one weekend with just such locally bought cheap outfits. Gravel bottomed lake, stocked with many small jack-pike. Nothing big and we were, as they do there, fishing to barbecue ( tasted good too not coming from a muddy river ). I took a couple to eat, then returned any extras I caught. Don't think there was much chance of hooking a monster as they eat anything they catch there. Have you ever tried to buy barbless hooks in Canada by the way - they look at you as if you have two heads

Did I spy you in Coltishall as I was going to work this morning ? I thought 0640 a bit too early to stop and say hi

BCU covers most of England. I use them for my two canoes as it's cheaper than tolling them with the BA

I'm kind of split on this one. I don't like to see people who can't handle their drink causing trouble. On the other hand, when I was in the Forces we would hire a couple of day boats, and en-mass go on a day out. Drink played a large part ( except the designated helms ) Yes we got loud, but were always respectful of others. One year I recall well, only one pub wouldn't let us in ( middle one of three ) maybe when one chap fell in going ashore it put them off. Fact he was the helm, sober, and couldn't swim ( as we found out ) might have contributed to things, or possibly they saw us hosing each other down with water pistols as we approached. Point being this high spirit was between colleagues, and the discipline inherent in the group kept a lid on things. However, the fact that such a group could well now be turned away purely on sight, when the next week they could be fighting for us makes me see red. Remember, we have Light Dragoons at Swanton Morley. If I see them in a pub, and if they are just back off ops, and they are letting off steam in a controlled manner, I'd buy them a pint.

If I need to indicate to a motor boats I'll normally point at them, then where I'd prefer they go. Maybe I'll then do the same in reverse - ie 'me - going there' My big problem is if I need to pass a tacking vessel ( whilst I.m motoring ) as again, if I slow too much waiting behind them I lose steerage

Glad it's more damaged pride. Each of us, everytime we get on the boat, needs to mentally at least do a risk assessment and decide on our actions. My normal sailing pattern in motor onto the broad, mudweight upwind, put the sails up, then sail off. The hazardous bit is the fact I need to walk back to the helm from the bow once I've pulled the mudweight up, and at that point all the sails are up and potentially the boom could collect me on the way past. So, from the moment I go to weight up, till I'm back at the helm with the sails down at the end of the session, I wear an auto lifejacket.

Very true - In a rescue launch, on the plane, I make less wash than at 5 kts

Back to the speeding thing. There is no requirement to have a speedo, is there ? Therefore if you are pulled for being a mile or two per hour over the limit, how can they prove intent or knowledge, especially if you are not in sight of other vessels to compare relative speeds. If you are belting along and it's obvious that's a different matter....

North Walsham canal ?

Sure he said 85 - he's from Dilham

Ended up towing an octogenarian eel catcher in last night ( his the old one not the eels ) after his engine conked out. Didn't know there were any of his trade left. Apparently he's been doing it 50+ years, returning recently after a break.