vanessan

A quiz with a difference - love it! Even though I wouldn’t have spotted the missing items. Well done David.

Fred, my first question was regarding closing the river altogether thus removing the boat dangers. The charge for use of the river was in view of that closure.

Err, I think so.

Can I ask this again please, only JM has responded (quite emphatically!) or is everyone in agreement? If the BA was charging a nominal fee which was going straight into the Navigation coffers, would that be acceptable?

I have just read an article about a Captain who, after a training exercise, took his group of 30 squaddies to a pub. Unsurprisingly they were stopped at the door by a bouncer refusing entry to ‘a large group of men’. A quick witted young soldier said ‘actually we identify collectively as a mixed-gender group and as a gender non-binary adult, I find your remarks most offensive’. The bouncer backed down and the group enjoyed Happy Hour all night. I wonder what a boatyard’s response might be to a group of young men wanting to hire - answers on a postcard please.

If I feel I might be of use, I usually nip out to lend a hand to boats arriving. What tickles me is the attitude of the some of the helms of big bling boats. It seems to be ‘why are you standing there offering to help, can’t you see I am an expert?’ There are some however who are grateful, mostly the wife who has no chance of getting off the high-sided boat with a rope and is happy to accept the assistance.

I think that’s caught on in this country too. It’s a bit like fishermen who make sure they don’t make eye contact with the helm of a boat wanting to moor. But that’s another thread...................

If the BA had announced on its website, Broadsheet or whatever, that the River Waveney would be closed to all boats on Sunday 1st July between 8.30am and 1.30pm, what do people think the general response would have been?

No we are not!

Alan, which 24 hour moorings do you mean? The BA moorings are now closed entirely - see above.

I find that quite mystifying, what is your reasoning? Did you expect everybody who has concerns to put them aside?

Whoops, I see this article has its own thread. Missed that!

Lovely pictures again Jayfire. I hadn’t heard or read anything about the whole of the Burgh Castle moorings now being closed but I’m not surprised. It was only a matter of time. I believe they are owned by the EA although BA moorings and obviously not considered important enough to maintain. Probably far too costly. A great shame as Burgh Castle itself is well worth a visit. Still, there’s always The Fisherman’s.

Sadly, no. Nothing near at all but if you like a good walk then Oulton will provide.

Actually, I wonder how many have heard or read this week about the gentleman who saw a heron swoop and take a duckling from the water? He got his gun, shot the heron and removed the duckling and saved it. It only came to light because the gentleman contacted the RSPB to enquire about a job for his grandson and in the course of conversation mentioned that he himself was a bird lover. He went on to tell them how he had rescued this baby duckling. The RSPB reported him to the local police who charged him and he ended up with a police caution and losing his gun license.

With all due respect Bobdog, I don’t think you read rightsaidfred’s post properly or perhaps misunderstood it?

Mel Holland has covered everything very well and we should thank her for her input. I do however take issue with the above as she has clearly been fed some incorrect and biased information ie people don’t want outsiders coming in. That’s how I read that anyway. I am sure I speak for many of us when I say that it can only be a good thing when more visitors come to the Broads and bring business to the area. Hopefully some of the competitors will like what they see and want to come back. I hope you are reading this Mel because the Broads relies very heavily on its visitors, whatever aspect they come for. If you have been told this debate is because of selfishness, that is totally wrong. On this forum most of us try and look at things from all angles and points of view, sadly one or two cannot understand that. Having had the competitor angle, I would welcome some input from the BA as would others I imagine. Is it all business as usual or will there be any closures/restrictions. I hope some further clarification will be forthcoming.

I think you may be confusing a fox with a heron?

I agree!

I can imagine 50 Stand Up Paddleboard racers heading up the Waveney, at least there’s a good chance they would be seen! As for old crusty killjoy boaters, I don’t think so. Many of the comments made have been by boat owners who are able to pick when and where they go and will probably avoid the area like the plague on that day. Those who will be mostly inconvenienced are the hirers. The Broads are certainly for everybody to enjoy but must remain safe and it seems some of us are of the opinion that the safety aspect has not thoroughly been thought through.

The moorings to be used are presumably North Cove and Worlingham. Rope off even a small section of either of these and there will be room for one boat max. No doubt that space will be taken by event organisers or a BA launch. I still think it is dangerous to expect swimmers, boaters, anglers et al to use a stretch of river like that all at once. It’s a Sunday in July, I have seen day boaters from both WRC and Beccles going flat out on the Waveney. It is going to have to be extremely well controlled.

We found the best thing was to take the dog into the shop and see which model/size fitted best. I know that’s not possible when buying online but it’s the only sure way of a good fit.

Or just with another handbag or pair of shoes. Or better still, both! (Not for you, for the other half!!)

As they indicate they will be releasing 50 swimmers in each batch, it will have to be quite a wide channel don’t you think?

I can’t actually see where ‘everyone’ is thinking that. Maybe one or two but certainly not everyone. The above posts are members expressing their opinions as to the event and its practicalities. MM questioned whether the idea had been thought through and I think that is what is in most minds.