Mouldy

I think that blaming a pubs demise, even only in part, on the ban on smoking, is grasping at straws. Smoking in pubs etc. has been banned since 2007 and we are all used to that by now, surely? The number of people who smoke anyway, has been in decline for years. What is more likely the cause, is a combination of a cost of living crisis coupled with ever more expensive food and drinks in pubs and restaurants. I know costs for the hospitality industry have risen too, but faced with the choice of paying your mortgage or going out for a meal, most folk will protect their homes and forsake eating out. As for the mooring charge, some folk will avoid Ranworth, but for a family looking to go out for a meal in a restaurant or a pub, whilst on holiday, is the mooring charge going to make that much difference. After all, there is a charge to moor at Thurne Dyke for The Lion, at Womack for The King’s Arms, at The Bridge Inn, Acle, at Salhouse to visit The Fur and Feather and atbThebNew Inn, Horning. As a boat owner, I don’t like the charge at Ranworth and I think that the BA are bang out of order imposing it, but I’m not going to let it spoil my holiday. If I wanted to overnight there, banging toe rails with the craft alongside (which I don’t), then I’d pay up, go for my meal and just get on with living. I have read elsewhere that the landlady is not in good health, which if true, may also be a factor in the pub’s closure.

The last time I tried The Maltsters was sometime during November 2022. We were there with our son, his wife and three children. Like Ian, we wanted something light for lunch, but they were only able to offer main meals, all of which were quite expensive. Haven’t been in since. Is it fair to blame the BA for this, bearing in mind that The Granary started to offer main meals this year and seems to have flourished? Perhaps their success has been at the expense of the pub. Without trade from the locals, surely any business there will struggle after the tourist season has finished. The Bridge Inn at Acle and The White Horse at Neatishead must be prime examples of pubs not being dependent on tourism, as both appear to continue through the winter months quite successfully.

Err, no.

I’ve messaged Duncan Baker through Facebook to request his permission to reproduce the letter on the Forum. He has agreed.

I’ve just read an interesting letter on FB, sent by Duncan Baker to the Good Doctor, on behalf of the MP’s whose constituencies cover the Norfolk Broads. Obviously, I am unable to reproduce it on here, but if you do Facebook, search Duncan Baker MP and read it for yourself. Its worth a read, really.

Wonder if the current issues at Upton will scupper that idea. There’s obviously insufficient trade to support the pubs that are there now without another one reopening.

Sssssshhh! Steady, Danny! Don’t give the good doctor any ideas!

About the same as for our Broom 29 Sedan. This year we paid £476.

If the rate rise is correct, it will bring the annual toll on Norfolk Lady to just (and I mean just) shy of £519. In 2020, we paid £391.44.

Just seen on FB that the BA have approved an increase of 8.9%. If this is true, it’s not as bad as it could have been, but more than recommended by the Nav Com.

If it were a profit making organisation, shrinking staffing levels would be the first area looked at to reduce costs - I know, because that was the reason for the department restructure that forced me into taking voluntary redundancy. On a slightly different, but related subject, there is a post on a FB Broads Group today, showing an objection placed in the Public Notices of the EDP on 22nd November by the BHBF to the Secretary of State under the Harbours Act, regarding the increase in tolls imposed in April. It seems that the good doctor has upset more than just a few from the boating community.

Yeah, but we are talking about the BA.

I’ve read them both and they do make interesting reading. One can only hope that the good doctor and his merry men have the grace to read them and act upon the contents.

Window ledge was glossed yesterday morning, so just the door to rehang - easier to take it off and avoid covering it and the hinges with paint. All units constructed and secured to the newly painted and papered walls, TV attached to the wall bracket, hi-fi set up and the wife now happy (and so am I, to be honest). Perhaps she’ll stop bending my ear about decorating and allow me to relax a little, but I fear that may be asking too much as I’m sure she’ll find some more little projects for me to undertake! Roll on 8th January, when our new settees are due to be delivered!

We hired Hilight when it was about a year old, from Russell Marine at South Walsham. She was in beautiful condition then and had been built to a near private boat spec. Sadly, she’s not worn the intervening years well.

I get failing to distinguish between two four cylinder diesels, but spotting a five pot should be quite easy, shouldn’t it?

A lot of the Ocean 29’s I’ve seen advertised, seem to have the 5 cylinder, 62hp Nanni fitted and as @Bikertov said, the price premium is quite high. The ones advertised on The Broads usually are on the market at 75 - 85k. Although, with the folding screen and hood, they will be able to access more of the Broadland rivers, the internal fit-out from the saloon/galley forward appears very similar and I don’t really understand the huge price difference. Ours has a PRM box. I also understand that they’re fairly commonly fitted on Broads cruisers.

I believe it was a suggestion made to smooth the renewal of the lease on the moorings. Not sure that it’s in force, but to be fair, you could fit many more dayboats, who’d stay for far less time than most cruisers during the day, which may serve to increase the footfall at the cafes and restaurants in the area. Don’t get me wrong, losing more BA moorings is not a prospect that I find palatable, especially in view of our ever increasing tolls, but I can see the attraction of such a scheme for the Parish Council to potentially aid their businesses.

Yesssssssssssss! Decorating finished . . . . . . . . . . . . . . well almost! Still have to gloss the window ledge, which was left on purpose until the blinds and carpet had been fitted. I now have a sizeable heap of units to construct (thank you IKEA) and fit, mount the TV on a substantial wall bracket set up the hi-fi and possibly inflate an air sofa, depending on what the wife wants until our new settees arrive in January! When I’ve done all that, I can catch up with the gardening and cleaning the cars. Did someone say retired? Before and after shots including the awful artex pattern on the ceiling that was skimmed over!

Our holding tank is on the starboard side under the engine hatch. The original loo was a manual flush small bowl Jabsco number, with river water flush, which has now been replaced with a Dometic macerating loo with freshwater flush.

Our 29 Sedan had a diverter under the hatch in the floor, the saloon side of the door to the forward cabin. The seasick was just aft of that. Although not so easily accessible, it was only a few seconds work to lift the hatch and switch the valve as necessary. I wouldn’t want a load of additional pipe work and valve on view in the heads. One day, the boat may be back on The Broads and keeping the aesthetics right would obviously be of benefit in the event of marketing her in the future.

Got it in one! In garden chairs. Sadly, the decision on colours and furnishings meant that by the time we got round to ordering the new suite, the delivery date isn’t until early January!

Get that Ian, but every advert on the TV now is Christmas related. I’m 67 years old and Christmas Day has always been on 25th December. I know when it is and am already sick of having it rammed down my throat. I really feel for those people who have been so badly affected by this current economic crisis, who are struggling to pay their bills. How must they be feeling, looking at all of this tat in the shops that they can’t afford? Sadly, Christmas has become a huge marketing occasion and the true meaning of the day has been lost.

Gracie, let me just explain something to you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . There are twelve days of Christmas and none of them are in bloody November!!

Only 37? Really? Norfolk Lady, like most of the ex Emerald Star/LeBoat Broom 29 Sedans were fitted with a 50hp Nanni. Fairly certain that I mentioned to you that we re-propped NL over last winter as she was fitted with an 18x10 when we bought her and now has an 18x13, which has made a significant difference to her performance.