vanessan

If we listened to the so-called "experts", we would be changing our eating habits every five minutes! A long time ago my husband and myself decided that moderation in all food and drink would be our mantra, it seems to work as neither of us is overweight despite slowing down as we get older. Walking our two dogs gives us the much needed excercise. My grandmother was told to lose weight many, many years ago. She did something like Gracie's 80/20%. She ate extremely carefully Monday to Friday but at weekends she enjoyed that little bit extra. Well, sometimes it was more than just a little bit! But it worked, she lost a lot of weight over a period of time and I think that's the way to do it rather than these crash diets. everyone!

" We are now on our third ensign staff, first one was broken by a hire boat, second two by our own crew insisting on using it as a hand hold." Maybe a pushpit rail would be useful then (thinking back to a recent thread on the benefits/drawbacks of)!!

With two terriers, I am grateful for this information and warning. Thank you JM.

Told you there would be plenty more advice on its way! Whilst a dinghy is extremely useful, do remember that you will be having to haul the dogs (who look gorgeous by they way) in and out of it. Boats do take a bit of getting used to (getting on and off etc as well as handling) and there could be a bit of scrambling involved! That said, things usually fall into place (hopefully not into the river!) and there will undoubtedly be someone ready to lend a helping hand. As has already been suggested, lifejackets for the dogs are a really good idea and will give you peace of mind. Whatever you end up doing, go with the flow at a gentle pace and enjoy the experience.

Hi and welcome to the forum. Plenty of good advice for you already but I would like to ask how big the dogs are and how long you are on the boat for? Have you had any boating experience previously? I think that information will help provide even more useful suggestions. What a great way to celebrate your anniversary, it's my guess you might even be eager to celebrate your 26th with yet another visit to the Broads. It can be very contagious!

Of course you have! It is still possible to find fairly dark areas of Broadland as you found mudweighted on Hickling. There is something very special about being on a boat away from 'civilisation' and just enjoying the stars and the quiet.

The most magical sky I have ever seen was in a fairly remote part of Australia. We were travelling in a campervan and stayed in a small National Park (a real one!), no lights at night anywhere. It was close to an observatory which we visited at night and were able to use the massive telescopes. Saturn and its moons were incredible and the southern skies are unbelievable.

Just for hire boats or private boats as well?

Babs Beverley married Billy Wright who played for Wolves.

I think the answer to that will probably in the BA Navigation Committee Tolls Review 2016 document, maybe someone could provide a link to it? I'm afraid I'm pretty hopeless with linking things from the internet -sorry! I seem to remember a figure of an overall increase being set at 3% although I may have dreamt that. The BA provided us with so much documentation surely designed to confuse and befuddle the ordinary boater!

I think they are trying to tell us that they can't bear to be separated from their computers and the forum! Very simply I'm almost always logged in too so I don't have to faff about when I want to check in. How sad is that?!!

I wouldn't disagree with that statement but, despite the original intention being a great idea, it never happened. In all the years I have used the posts, or been moored near one, I have never yet seen (to my knowledge anyway) an electric boat plugged in to one. I am sure they do on the odd occasion but, as I understand it, it didn't become the 'norm' they hoped for. Instead we lucky private boaters make use of them so at least they don't go to waste. I guess I probably need this on now!

I am sure that many of the hire boats that block use of the electric posts have no idea what they are actually used for. The vast majority of folk are quite considerate and would probably move up/along if asked nicely, assuming there was a space of course!

I just love those whiskers of the second coxswain! Has Hemsby Lifeboat crew thought about a calendar - on a 'calendar boys' basis of course?

I remember a few years ago I was looking through a certain forum's pages and came upon a thread discussing the attributes of various boat designs (not a lot of change over the years then!). A comment had been made that 'a boat should look like a boat'. I thought what an ignorant thing to say, quite stupid in fact. Then I got to thinking, well, what should a boat look like? It should have a hull, somewhere to steer the thing, something to help it move through the water and that's really about it - . Whatever else someone chooses to add to it doesn't make it any less of a boat, just makes it attractive to some but not to others. What matters is how it is looked after.

I think Seamaster has got his answer! It is a problem when something runs smoothly and then threatens to derail. It is only then we realise just how much work goes on in the background to keep it all ticking over so well, just shows how you can't take things for granted. Jonzo is clearly a linchpin and is going to be incredibly difficult to replace, if indeed he can be replaced! But there is a shedload of support being offered and I hope (in fact I am pretty sure) that solutions will be found. If there is anything I can do to help the wheels keep turning, I am only too happy to offer my services - as long as it nothing too techy!!

Thank you AJB, that's good to know. I'm sure others will be pleased to get that confirmation too.

I thought I read somewhere that old cards could also be exchanged at the BA offices at Hoveton, Norwich YS and GYYS. It would make good sense to have that option too, but of course you never know with the BA!

I think he probably creates byelaws to suit!

While he's at it, perhaps he could do the channel to Woods End Staithe too?

I have the full set of Secret Army DVDs and very good they are too. There was another series around that era called "Manhunt". Sadly they don't make series like these any more but, if you search online, you can probably find many of the old programmes digitally remastered onto DVD. Does anyone remember a black and white series called The Silver Sword? I think it was set in war torn Poland during WW2.

" Graham and I left Harry aboard and set out with Marv rowing the sailing dinghy to shore" Marv sounds as if he was great fun but to train him to row a dinghy, wow that's really something special!

According to the Met Office, the weather is likely to be milder at the beginning of February so you should be ok.

Just to add to my earlier post regarding the traffic noise. Most of what I would call 'heavy' noise is during the day when you would presumably be enjoying the delights of the city. If you also take advantage of the many good pubs and restaurants in the evening, the quieter overnight noises will probably go unnoticed! I can't say I have ever been aware of traffic fumes either but then I am lucky and do not have any respiratory issues. Bite the bullet and stay overnight, enjoy what the city has to offer both day and night and the following day you will appreciate the open countryside and farmland aromas even more!