vanessan

Hi Terri and welcome to the forum. I feel it unlikely that anyone would be willing to hire a private boat out to you, I think our insurances would prohibit it. You may be lucky for someone to offer you a trip out with them in their boat - it’s a case of ‘watch this space’!

Or, “isn’t it lovely to have such a wonderful view of a National Park from our penthouse!!”

I get your meaning now, when I read your post originally it came across to me as if you looked down on smokers. I didn’t think that could be the case, didn’t really sound like you at all! Glad I clarified that, apologies Hylander.

I am not sure I can agree with that Hylander. I think it is accepted that there are people who smoke and it is their right to do so. As for looking down on smokers, is that what you really meant? To look down on someone who is exercising their right to do something you personally don’t approve of? I can’t believe you really meant that! I will add here that I gave up smoking some 40 years ago having seen my grandfather die from lung cancer and almost losing a dear friend (at the age of 30) to a blood clot. I hate the smell of cigarette smoke on a person and the way it clings to everything but I would never look down on a person because of it.

The jury’s still out in some cases! to the forum Dave. Not a lot of questions that can’t be answered in one way or another here. Sounds as if the bug has bitten, hope you enjoy your May/June trip.

That’s a great idea, could you share your method for this Smoggy?

Lovely shots coolcat, looks a tad frosty but that enhances the beauty. Make the most of the peace and quiet, it won’t be too long before things get going again!

More like a lemon!

I recorded it too back in November and watched it later. It is an absolute masterpiece, harrowing but something I am glad I have seen. With a grandfather who went off to the Somme at the age of 17, I have always taken an interest in WW1. (WW2 also as my father fought in Burma.) The old black and white juddery shots slowed and in colour make it all far more real. Incredible piece of work.

Sounds like a privateer who thinks he knows it all and should be looked up to as he has his own boat! Funny thing is, you come across these people every day on the roads too. Won’t give way to anybody and behave like they own the highways. Sad really.

In between the Romans and the peat-diggers then. You must have been responsible for some of the Broads!

I bet they do too!

And it doesn’t stop at first time hirers! I wouldn’t mind betting there are more than a few privateers that have no idea of how the horn should be used or the rights of way on the rivers. “Just give way and relax” - perfect sense.

Have they actually started charging properly yet? Last year the sign asked for the £2 to be put in the box if there was no one in the hut. Trouble is, they never provided a box! If you stopped for fuel or a pumpout, you got charged but not otherwise.

I get the impression that Barnes are ultra-cautious about taking boats under Wroxham bridge at certain times. We were upstream of the bridge last October when we had some heavy rain. Barnes were apparently refusing to take any of their boats under while the pilot was happily shunting boats back and forth. The gauge was showing 6’5” and I saw Broadlander and Broadway come through with room to spare. It did make me wonder if that gauge is correct but I know that’s been discussed many times. Incidentally the downstream gauge was showing 6’7” when we passed it a few minutes later so there is definitely a discrepancy!

Oh well, just a thought. I do tend to live in my own little world where everything is rosy and everyone is fair!

That’s absolutely right and, from what I have read on this forum in the past, there is a lot of tolerance and help given to newbies. And not so newbies too! There are those who cannot (or will not) tolerate a lack of experience but I think they tend to hang out elsewhere happily. It would seem these tuitional videos are hard to find, might it be an idea if we could put our heads together and locate them? They could then be collated together somewhere on the forum and be readily available when needed. Hopefully here is one:

The videos are available to watch, as are ones from the BA. I do wonder, however, how many people actually bother to view them. Sure, there will be those interested enough to do so, same as many of us years ago poured over the little booklets sent out by the hire companies. Such useful information in them. It must be so difficult for the hire companies, you can take a horse to water etc etc!

I was thinking along similar lines. Herbert Woods have a vast number of boats and I’m sure they could find 14 boats not yet booked and offer discounts on them. It would probably be worth it for someone who has already booked a similar vessel to contact HW and have a grumble. What’s the betting they might also get a discount?

Hear hear! I always enjoy a visit to Beccles Someone has certainly got it right where the town is concerned, from what I can remember even parking fees are not prohibitive like some other places.

Doh!!!

???

More please taleteller, you will no doubt have realised that many of us are of an age to appreciate the era to which you relate so don’t hold back! Out of interest, what sort of dog was the f****r?

aboard. Sounds like there will be some new boats around come Spring, the more the merrier. What sort of boat are you working on?

from me too. Are you a boat owner or hirer?