Essexgirl

Mine is not coming up as paid, even though it is.

I'm so sorry to hear this Grendel. I know you're a real cat lover, like me. They really do become part of your life, don't they? RIP, Kitkat.

I think it sounds like perfect boat food and I, for one, will be giving it a go when we are next up.

Having looked at the photo, the boat is at Greenway Marine in Loddon and the photo would have been taken in summer last year due to the trees.

We were up in Norfolk at the weekend and I noticed that next Sunday (3rd April) is the Norfolk Boat Jumble at the Norfolk Showground. As we will be on board Kestrel for the first time on Saturday, we thought we would take a look and see what they've got. We last went about 3 - 4 years ago and there was a fair bit there but didn't really need much so didn't spend a great deal. As I hadn't seen any other mention of it, I thought I'd post the link to the association: http://www.boatjumbleassociation.co.uk/ Hopefully might see some of you there. Take care, Andrea

And very nice food they do, too. Love the photo of your visitor. He (or she) is a local Loddon resident and often used to sit on our boat when we moored at Loddon.

Thank you all for your very speedy replies. We shall give it a go. Can't wait to be back on the Broads. HAven't been for 2 years so getting very excited.

Hi everyone - well we have bitten the bullet and have now purchased Kestrel, a 42ft Alphacraft which needs a little TLC but nothing major (thanks to all the good work done by Maffetts previously). We will be picking her up from Wroxham next week and would like to explore the Northern Broads a little as we normally stay down south. A quick question - we have been to Dilham in a 35ft boat. What the chances of being able to turn Kestrel in the basin at Dilham? Has anyone taken a 42ft+ boat that far? I know that if boats are moored there it will be tricky. Thank you, Andrea

Thank you to everyone who has replied. You have certainly given us food for thought. We will be up for the second week of the holiday so will give her a thorough clean and see exactly where she has gel coat and where she is painted and then think carefully about what to do. Once again, thank you all for replying and offering advice. I will keep you all posted.

Thank you, Howard. I've arranged to go and look at Swancraft on Saturday. I'm really impressed at how quickly Paul replies to emails. Very good customer service.

Well we had the survey done and apart from a few very minor bits (cleaning out bilges etc) she is sound - thought she would be as Maffetts were the last to hire her out and I know they did a lot of work on her. We have agreed a price and she is soon to be ours after the minor bits have been sorted. Now all we need is a mooring! Have been in contact with Swancraft who have spaces and will be going to look at them soon. Will be hopefully out and about the second week of the Easter holidays. Obviously there are still bits that need doing but these are cosmetic only and a case of "making her ours". Not sure about the name. Undecided whether or not to change it.

Strange... Just looked on the internet and it says clearly it's episode 6 tonight on Pembrokeshire but on the TV they definitely said Norfolk Broads or to be more precise medieval peat diggings better known as the Norfolk Broads. We just jumped up and set the recorder straightaway. Oh well - time will tell!!!

Hi everyone, just seen that at 9pm tonight on More 4 there is a (new ?) series called Discovering Britain and the first episode is about the Norfolk Broads. Just thought I'd mention it. Have set the BT box up to record. Should be worth a watch.

Hi Jaws, That is something I have considered and will now do. We've dealt with Maffetts before and they are great people.

Thank you for that, Jonzo. I'll give her a good polish first and see what she looks like. Thanks for the advice.

Hi Jonzo - I am aware of her history and obviously will be getting a survey done. It's just that her layout really suits us. Obviously if she fails the survey then it will be a no go. It is Sabena who are selling her. Andrea

Hi Jonzo - The roof is fine (white fibreglass) but the sides and deck are blue. I would like these painted navy (if possible) to match the line just under the rubber strip. Many thanks, Andrea

Hi - Thank you for the replies. She is an ex-Sabena hire craft. Her interior fit suits our needs perfectly, what with 2 teenagers and possibly their friends. We are hoping to moor her at Brundall so will look into Swancraft. Many thanks.

Hello there. We are shortly to (hopefully) become the proud owners of an ex-hire Alphacraft 42ft. She is in good condition and just needs a bit of TLC. This is where I need some help. I would like to fit Holly and Teak flooring and also paint the topsides. I was wondering if any of my fellow forumites could give me some advice as to where to get this work done and roughly how much I would be looking at. Kind regards.

Only got it thanks to Diesel Falcon's rather clever clue. Thank you.

Bran Castle - otherwise known as Draculas's castle ?

Aldi have this on sale on Thursday: https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thur-10-dec/product-detail/ps/p/spanish-hot-chocolate-3/?pk_campaign=uk_product_newsletter&pk_kwd=2015-12-07_15-24 Retailing for £7.49 on Amazon. Kind regards, Autumnzephyr

The one at Womack Water is also a good one to do.

Have a go at the one at Hoveton and Wroxham Station. It's a real killer. My husband looked for it on about 8 occasions. Boy was he happy when he eventually found it! Andrea

According to the Twitter feed she has been up and about today. As it's her last season flying you are very lucky. https://twitter.com/xh558