vanessan

They are great Jean, the sky looks really blue and the pictures are good and clear. Fingers crossed for more sun during the rest of the week for you.

Looking forward to your holiday tale SwanR. I wonder if Jayfire is looking for you!

Lovely to see you back again Cap’n Jay. Super pictures as always, you are travelling a long way for a ‘short break’ as you put it! Looking forward to the next installment. Also waiting for SwanR to post - how great it is that holiday time is here.

from me too. I wish you many happy sailing hours.

I remember reading a little while ago of a lady who suffered with the ‘wobbles’ after only a few days on board a hire boat. Sadly she has never quite recovered as her equilibrium appears to have been permanently affected. I don’t think it is a common thing fortunately, there would be too many of us weaving our way along. You would at least be able to spot fellow boaters though! (Or fellow imbibers maybe? )

Not only the Broads though, pubs have disappeared from all over the country.

Seems a right mixed bag for you DJB but glad the downsides haven’t put you off. Welcome to the forum, I’m sure others will be grateful for your write-up although no doubt want to know which boat you were on. Some useful pointers for early season boating. Do let us know how you get on in September.

With the weather as it is, would any of the boatyards actually refuse to let hirers out until it calmed down a bit? I can imagine they would issue warnings, particularly to a first-time crew but would/could they refuse? Anyone know?

It is because women always try and anticipate what might be needed for what occasion and for what weather. We’re sensible creatures like that.

(Sorry to quote you again David, it’s just that what you say is so pertinent!) These people are sociopaths. They are totally unable to feel what normal human beings do. I guess there must levels of sociopathy as there are in everything else and the perpetrators in NZ must be close to the top level. There is no reasoning with people like this and I am glad they caught the guys involved. I hope it won’t change NZ too much. I went there back in 2000 and thought it a wonderful, fairly laid back country. Christchurch was sedate and easy-going and, having suffered so badly through the earthquake some years back, it is so sad to now have this happen.

I saw that interview a couple of times and thought how terrifying it must have been for that lady herself. It sounds as if she only just avoided being shot herself but managed to stay calm to help others. There are times when tragedy brings out the best in others.

I believe the cost of the posts come out of the navigation budget, no doubt someone can confirm that. The cost of the electric is just that, it’s not bumped up to recuperate installation costs. That is prohibited.

Between Acle and Thurne mouth.

Whoopee, that’s a sign of spring!

That cleat has been missing for at least two seasons!

You forgot the bit about taking what rope is left and tying it round the next post along. Crucial that bit!

Didn’t see a crossed clover knot there though. There are some good guidance vids around for knots but I do prefer English ones Alan!

They do tend to flood when the water is high, I guess that doesn’t help. For the past couple of seasons, the pontoon mooring has been missing a ring in an awkward place. Hopefully they will sort that out too.

Crossed clover knot?

In recent years, Loddon staithe has had a problem with overstayers. I wonder if this has anything to do with the possibility/talk of mooring fees being introduced. I am inclined to agree with ECIPA and Ray and think that fees at the staithe probably wouldn’t deter most people from travelling the Chet. However, having to pay a fee might encourage people to stay longer to get their money’s worth thus creating less of a turnover at the moorings. With pubs and shops in the villages, Loddon and Chedgrave are always going to attract boats.

I thought the moorings at Stokesby (not those right outside the pub) were owned by Glebe (?) Farm.

https://www.edp24.co.uk/business/broads-national-park-featured-in-new-award-winning-tourism-visitor-experience-1-5934778

I think there may be an honesty box at Womack? Not sure as we never go to the staithe preferring the quiet of Womack Dyke. I recall a couple of years back talk of charging at Reedham but something, not sure what, knocked the idea on the head. Someone will remember I’m sure.

I have put several questions to the BA in recent years and have received definitive answers if appropriate. MM, I thought even you accepted that not all BA employees behave like their lord and master? There are some great people in the BA offices, quite human and helpful. I would have thought that if local businesses are concerned that charges may be applied to Loddon staithe moorings, they would contact the local council in the first instance for clarification.

Langley Dyke?