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GeoffandWendy
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Posts posted by GeoffandWendy
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Wendy and I have got a bid on this!
Only Joking,
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RNLI
in Broads Chat
Being an ex matelot, the RNLI is one of the charities I support. I think all charities that save lives are worth funding. Of course there are many other similar charities, such as Mountain Rescue, Air Ambulance, which all rely on donations from the public purse. We donate £10 per month to our local Air Ambulance, which gives you a chance of winning a £1000 in a monthly draw. But you can't support them all, it's a matter of choice, although I always pop a few quid into the box of any life saving charity, if I happen to see them whilst out and about, charities like Guide Dogs, or our local Hospice. They all do a good job and are well worth supporting.
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Oh Geoff don't worry about the zig zagging.. My mum still does it...
There should be plenty of that Alan from Wendy and myself no doubt, especially until I get the feel of the boat.
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I will probably be doing most of the helming, and Wendy will be doing the deck hand job of tying up the boat when we reach a mooring. But no doubt she will take the helm now and again, just to prove that she can steer a boat, just as good as she can drive the car.
. As long as she doesn't run into anything, 
then it should all be plain sailing. 
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We won't be in any rush Alan, just a nice amble, taking in all the scenery. It has been gorgeous here in the Midlands, so we are hoping the weather keeps up for us.
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We have been pretty lucky regarding heron's Mark. There is a large heronry at a local bird reserve not far from where we live, which is surrounded with about twenty disused gravel pits, so there are plenty fishing places for the herons.
I have a heron decoy and move it around the pond every day and so far we have not lost any fish in almost two years. I just put a net over the pond in the Autumn, to catch any leaves.
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Actually Grace, it is Star Gem 6, according to Clive. We had a letter from them the other day, warning us of the road works The Booking Ref No stated, Star Gem 6.
Alan, we have had the Golden Orfe four of them at 3" since last year, when we first built the new pond, and they are almost twice the size now. They seem quite active and healthy, but we haven't used any fish medication, only to treat fresh tap water and blanket weed treatment. Our largest fish is a 9" Koi (we call Moby) and five various coloured Ghost Koi at around 4". Three Goldfish, the largest 6", Three Shubunkins, 3" and Two small Blue Orfe, 3" making 18 fish in all. There is plenty of room for them all and the pump runs 24/7 providing plenty of ariation.
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Yes we are still alive and kicking Eric and the Riyadh Crew. Got carried away in our garden and hadn't looked on the Holiday Tales.
You seemed to have had a great time out there and you certainly picked some decent weather. Really nice to read about your holiday and September will soon come round again. It is our turn next week, but we won't be posting anything while we are away, not taking the computer, so you will have to wait til we get back home, before you read our holiday report..
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Thank you David, and all those who have ticked the box on this topic
. This is the time of year when gardening becomes a weekly chore, keeping the grass cut, weeding the borders and making sure the garden is well watered during any warm spells.Before I met Wendy two years ago, my garden was looking rather neglected after I lost my wife due to illness five years ago. I lost all interest due to a bout of depression. The pond was only half the size it is now, with no fish, more like a wildlife pond, full of duckweed, newts and frogs, it was looking very very sorry for itself.
Once I met Wendy, it felt like a breath of fresh air had come over me again and it gave me more of a purpose for life once more. Wendy lived in Leicester, about 30 miles from me and it just so happened that her youngest daughter, lives only four miles from me. It was Wendy's intention to move closer to her daughter, before we even met . So it was decided that Wendy sold her house and moved in with me.
We were both keen gardeners, so it was decided to get my (now our) garden up to scratch again. The first job was to make the old pond much bigger and build a decent sized water feature that would incorporate a waterfall and large enough to have some fish. Last year was spent digging out the new pond area (16ft x 7ft x 30 inches deep) and buying a butyl rubber liner. It meant giving up some of the patio area, so we decided to build a second patio area beyond the pond, by reducing the lawn. This was build in the shape of a cart wheel, using block paving for the perimeter and the spokes, then between the spokes, filled in with a light coloured gravel. We bought a self assembly cart wheel bench to sit on this, which has enabled us to have two sitting areas in the garden. The existing patio needs relaying, as it is looking rather sad at the moment. This is a job for this summer, together with new garden fencing and to use a shaded top corner of the garden for a stumperry/rockery, so we can have a fern garden.
As you can see in the photos I posted, the pond area is looking more mature now and we are looking forward to the water lilies coming into bloom again. Anyway, we will be on the Broads a week today, for our first ever Broads holiday, which we are really looking forward to. So a break from gardening until we return, will be welcome, then we can get back to making a start on getting the rest of the garden, looking the way we want it.
Who said retirement is relaxing? We never seem to have time to relax.
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We have just received a letter from Richardson's warning us of the road closures and diversions that will be in force. As we are planing on leaving home about 5.30 am, we hope to arrive at the boat yard before lunchtime. This will get us off to a good start before the morning rush hour kicks in around the Birmingham area.
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The fish are actively chasing each other all round the pond, which is a sign of spawning has started. Any eggs produced will more than likely get eaten, until the plants have got more established. Whilst they are out in view, I decided to take a few more photos and turned on the fountain pump with bell attachment. There is another larger pump hidden beneath the bridge, this pushes water through the pressure filter hidden in the rockery, before it enters the top pond of the waterfall, where the pagoda is situated.
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As Grace has said, staying in hotels is nice and we will be down in Devon in June for a week as we do like to see different parts of the British Isles, while we are still able to do so. But the Broads will definitely focus on at least one holiday every year from now on, as since joining this forum, we have been truly hooked by the shear tranquillity of the Broads and to spend time in a different world were only boats can access.
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Geoff (And other potential newbies), from the pictures it looks like the boat went the wrong side of the clearly marked channel, it's hard to do if you are paying full attention so please don't be put of coming south by this, The southern side really does need the visitors and it is an amazing relaxing place... Just keep to the clearly marked channel and you will be fine
Not this year Alan, we want to do as much as the north as we can, but the south is definitely on the cards for 2016.
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Gardening is one of mine and Wendy's prime hobbies and with the lovely weather we have been having all this week, I thought it was an ideal time to get the garden pond cleaned out and refreshed again, before we go on our holiday to the Broads in a weeks time.
First I netted all the fish and placed them in a holding tank using some of the pond water. They remained in there for a couple of days, whilst I removed all the marginal plants, lilies and weed. Then it was time to get the pond vac out and remove all the silt from the bottom and get rid of all the blanket weed that had attached itself to the sides of the pond. I then ran the pump though the pressure filter for the rest of the day and the following day (cleaning the filter medium every hour) until clean water was being pumped back to the pond.
Monday was spent, trimming all the marginal plants and lilies, these were placed back in the pond, with the addition of a new small dark red lily, to compliment the larger deep yellow lily, which produce seven lovely flowers throughout last summer. Then I topped up with some clean water and let it settle in ready for reintroducing the fish.
Tuesday, was another settling day with the addition of a few chemicals to help get rid of the chlorine from fresh added tap water and to get the balance right.
Wednesday, it was time to reintroduce the fish, mostly Koi with a few goldfish and golden orfe (18 fish in all). I then gave some of the garden ornaments a fresh lick of paint and replaced them back into their prospective places around the pond, these consist of a large pagoda, ornamental bridge (I built myself) and a few lanterns.
With a few new plants from the garden centre, our garden pond feature is looking better than ever. I have just taken a few photos this morning, although work in the garden is still progressing. I need to relay the patio area this summer and replace all the garden fencing panels, as they have been in for over fifteen years and have come to the end of their life, after the strong winds early lest week.
The Dutch windmill is a new addition to the garden, it was a birthday present from Wendy. It came from Germany and has a revolving top dome and sails, all running on ball bearings. It stands just over three feet all from the base and I have anchored it down to stop it blowing over in strong winds.
There is still quite a lot to do in our garden yet, with the relaying of the patio area, new fencing along the back and one side of the garden and a new stumpery/rockery to add to the top shaded part of the garden, where we can grow ferns and othe moisture loving plants. This will keep us busy throughout the summer, when we are not away on holiday. Not everyone is keen on gardening, but for those that are, we hope to bring you some more photos as the season progresses.
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You'll get a TEN from LEN Griff!
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So glad to hear that the family were taken off safely and given another boat for the rest of their holiday. Hats off to Richardson's for excellent service. Glad we have booked with them, but we won't be going anywhere near Great Yarmouth, so don't panic Clive, your boat is safe with us!
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I bought a pair of lightweight trainers last week from Aldi, for £12.99. Nothing wrong with these Grace and these are to wear on the boat during the day. Taking another heavier duty pair for walking and a pair of slip on shoes for going to the pub at night and of course my slippers for relaxing on the boat.
God knows what Wendy is taking, I don't interfere when she is packing for a holiday.
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Iain,
I'd like you to know that I am very level headed. I dribble out of both sides of my mouth at the same time. lol.
Is that all, we dribble at both ends and do synchronised hand clapping whilst singing, Michael Row The Boat Ashore!
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Well Easter is almost over and we have started packing for the holiday. Oh sorry just in case you didn't know, we have hired a boat on the Norfolk Broads. We had forgotten all about it, until Grace reminded us (bit of senile creeping in me thinks). and Yes Grace we will be taking lots and lots of piccies
for everyone to see when we get back. Just remind me on Thursday 16th April, to make sure I have packed my cameras.
AND if anyone happens to see us, come and say hello! but give us a wide berth, if coming in the opposite direction, Wendy might be at the helm and she is known to go into panic mode.
You won't miss us, it will be a big Orange & White Bathtub called Star Gem, probably with L plates in the front and rear windows.
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Polly,
It IS!! lol The camera work was good. It has to be seen in the flesh though so to speek to see its full working principle.
Which reminds me, I must go see how the new Forth Bridge (Queensferry Crossing) is moving onwards and upwards!
IainI was stationed in Rosyth when the first road bridge was being built in 1961. We had to use the ferry then, to get across to South Queensfery and in those days, you could na get a drink on a Sunday unless you were classed as a bonafied traveller.
Of course every matelot in Scotland was a bonafied traveller on a Sunday, it was just a matter of signing in the book. -
As Grace has said, you don't have to be mad to belong on here, just don't mention SHOES. We were definitely not mad before we joined, BUT WE ARE NOW! Welcome
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Give them a few weeks and you should see them about. At the moment they are nesting. We have a large heronry at our local bird reserve, Middleton Lakes, just a mile or so from where we live. We were up there yesterday and of the twenty or so nesting pairs, most of them were sitting on the eggs, viewing with my binoculars. They nest in colonies on lage platfoms nests made of twigs, at the top of large trees, away from predators. Once the eggs hatch, the herons will start fishing and getting the young fattened up ready for fledging. By the end of April, they should be out in force again.
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Thank you to all who have commented on my post for this topic. I'm sure we are going to have a great holiday.
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Not that Nelson would have spent much time below decks, but he wouldn't have needed to walk with his head bent, as he was only 5' 2" tall. Captain Hardy, was 6' 2"
Another fact about the Victory, there are only two of the original cannons on the ship, the rest (98) are replicas, all made of wood.
. As long as she doesn't run into anything, 
then it should all be plain sailing. 
. This is the time of year when gardening becomes a weekly chore, keeping the grass cut, weeding the borders and making sure the garden is well watered during any warm spells.
Roadwork delays A47 weekends
in The Broadscot Lounge
Posted
We will be coming down the M6/A14 from the Midlands, then onto the A11 and towards Norwich. Due to these road works at Postwick, we will stay on the A11 and cross the Norwich by-pass (A47), then pick up the inner ring road towards the airport. Then take the A1151 to Wroxham and on to Stalham. It may be a bit longer distance wise, but will save waiting in traffic hold ups.