vanessan

I don’t think Boris is sure of the rules, this morning he apparently said - “In just a few days' time, I'm finally going to be able to go to the barbers”. 2+ weeks is hardly a few days!

ITV News - 26 March - https://www.itv.com/news/2021-03-26/covid-as-stay-at-home-lockdown-message-ends-in-england-what-can-you-do-from-march-29 *Overnight stays away from home are still banned, unless you own a second home. Those with another residence will be legally allowed to stay there from Monday.* I rest my case m’lud!

There seems to be a lot of confusion over whether or not you can overnight on your boat from Monday. The guidance is to minimise travel so for a lot of us it’s a non-starter anyway. The government’s guidance is not as clear as it could be on the subject. I have seen umpteen articles which say you can overnight in your second home or caravan (that must include boats too surely?) and umpteen saying you can’t overnight until 12 April - that includes the NSBA latest newsletter.

All too inconvenient.

Several large vaccination sites across the country are apparently closing for April due to a shortage of vaccine. Our local council has said that our main site will close for first jabs but second jabs will proceed as planned.

Can you be sure of that?

Sounds like a driving licence to me! 🙂

We have driving licences with a certain amount of personal information on already. Personally I don’t see any problem with identity cards, in fact they could be useful. Being a law abiding citizen, I don’t worry very much about big brother keeping an eye on me and my loved ones safety.

I don’t think anyone is huffing or puffing, just having a reasoned debate as to the viability.

Recent data is saying that, as the vaccine prevents you from getting a serious dose of covid, so it also reduces the transmission possibilities. All to do with ‘viral load’. Makes sense to me - I think! 🤔

Both of ours (the AZ and Pfizer) were done at different vaccination centres. Some neighbours of ours both had AZ jabs recently , one has a second appointment the other doesn’t. All seems a bit haphazard to me.

Second AZ jab booked along with the first with an 11 week gap. A friend had the Pfizer a week earlier but still has no date for second.

The government has promised that the second jabs will be available despite the expected shortages. I do hope they manage to keep to that.

I think both these statements will probably prove right. Some will get hooked whilst others will hate the gloomier rainy days and not know how to cope with them. I don’t particularly like the idea of hire prices being hiked up for this season but I certainly don’t blame any of the hire companies for trying to recoup some of their losses - as long as they don’t go too silly!!

I’ll add some of the text that goes with the chart. **Members were less enamoured by the Broads, the meandering waterways straddling Suffolk and Norfolk. It mustered just two stars for peace and quiet. Members warned to avoid it in summer, when visitors flock to explore the ‘Venice of the East’ by boat. We had many complaints of excess traffic and lack of parking. Even the scenery divided opinion; some enthused about big skies and colourful flora, others called it ‘flat, muddy and boring’. ** (It sounds to me as if those who responded visited by car, therefore missing the true pleasures of being on the water for a few days and discovering the peace and quiet that definitely can be found. Plus, anywhere you go gets muddy when it rains!!)

From Which?.

That does seem to be one of the long term effects, I’d hate to lose either of those senses even temporarily. I hope she improves soon. And you’re quite right about keeping safe, we’re a long way off being clear of covid - if we ever are! I’m sure the government etc were expecting cases to go up once the young ones went back to school but it’s the transmission that will matter. If the jab keeps people out of hospital, we’ll get there I’m sure.

Sore head this morning Ian? I guess you are well entitled to wear a NatWest t-shirt........... (And did the cookbook come from Australia? 🙃)

Thank you Tom.

Excellent news. Fingers crossed it all goes to plan. A big thank you to the BA for the comprehensive update.

We gals know the way Mr Nog!

I am looking forward to helping the economy as much as I can, a bit of retail therapy in other than essential shops will be very welcome. It will be interesting to see what the ‘new norm’ develops into. We (or those of us who followed the rules) have been rather cocooned in our own worlds for most of the last year. Especially those advised to shield from day one. I think a lot of people will be wary of venturing forth whilst others will no doubt be acting in the same way they always did. I for one will be behaving in a cautious manner, probably that will be my new norm! I did read that the nhs (or carer) lass who appeared in the news last year because she was unable to buy food after coming off a long shift, has decided to quit her job. That’s sad and I wonder how many others will decide the last 12 months have been too much for them. The pandemic has brought out the best and the worst in people everywhere but I hope there are still the likes of Sir Tom somewhere. Happy Birthday Ian, I hope this year provides all the joy and pleasure that last year took away. Just duck when you get to Ludham Bridge please!

Andrew - are you able to look at this link? https://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/boating/navigating-the-broads/boating-news/update-on-st-benets-abbey-24-hour-mooring The situation is all a bit of a mess at the moment and not entirely down to the BA although it is the Authority who is going to have to step up and sort something out.

Peter, this seems to be information that has only just surfaced. I can’t find anything related to it anywhere else (apart from someone on fb saying they had noticed part of the moorings were sinking). It must have some truth in it as I can’t believe the BA would just close moorings for no good reason. You mentioned a short while ago that the NDAA had been assured by the BA that the barriers would be gone by June 16 at the start of the fishing season, it makes me wonder why they were put up in the first place. If they are removed, will mooring be allowed again? (I know you personally can’t answer that but it would be nice to know.) These things that don’t ring true are becoming quite loud alarm bells now, are we to add St Benet’s to Thurne Mouth and Fleet Dyke - it could become a long list if we don’t watch out. ☹️

I assumed that, when the BA went out to tender in December, they were aware of the works that were needed. The moorings haven’t been in use since December to any great extent so I am surprised this has ‘suddenly’ become apparent. However, I know absolutely nothing about such matters so have to rely on those that do have an understanding to explain things. I think the BA urgently need some sort of contingency plan for St Benet’s although heaven only knows what that could be. Many hirers head for those moorings having picked up their boats for their trip, it’s a nice first cruise from Wroxham or Potter for a first night. It’s one of the iconic spots for photographing the Broads during a holiday and is in constant use during the season. I foresee many boats trundling round that area at dusk looking for somewhere to moor. Still, there should be extra rangers around this season available to give ‘guidance’.