GeoffandWendy

Thank you for that link Jenny, very interesting, so have book marked it. Getting back to the subject of the Broads having National Park status, I was surprised that this question was not raised during Question Time on last nights programme, which came from Norwich. Maybe it wasn't deemed important enough for some reason.

Thank you Strowager (don't know your proper name) You can never have too many maps and I like the A5 size Ordinance Survey Broads Book map as well, that you mentioned, so from your link, I have ordered one. There are a few sellers, on the same Amazon site, selling them new, at half the price as Amazon and got mine for £3.32 + £2.80 postage. Amazon price £7.95 + £2.80 postage, thus getting one for half the price.

That's a Wendy Mill. Just like the Wendy House. : Wendy says she had one when she was little. A house not a windmill. I think that's were she met Peter Pan.

I sent for a couple of Broads Boating Maps a few weeks ago, ready for our holiday in April. These fold out paper maps are really good but can be awkward to use without the risk of getting ripped, by constant folding backwards and forwards, to display the portion of map you need to navigate. So I decided to cut them up into A4 chart size pieces. The first map was cut on the map side, to cover all the whole system and the second map, was cut the same, but using the information on the reverse, such as, a distance chart, Mooring facilities, and other useful information. I also was able to cut out the larger scale maps for each major area, such as Stallham, Wroxham, Potter Heigham, Horning and so on from this side too. Once all these were cut out, I set the first chart inside a A4 size laminate folder, then placed a plain A4 sheet of paper to cover the reverse, I then placed one of the information charts I had cut, on top of the plain paper - I then put the whole laminated folder through the laminator, thus ending up with six A4 size plastic charts. They are much easier to use, than having to keep unfolding and refolding a paper map. They wont rip and don't take up much room. Easy to lay on the dashboard and they can also be used on open cockpits in the rain, as they are totally weather proof. Here are a few photos of some of the laminated charts I made. Sorry for the darkened images, but they were taken under artificial light and turned out a bit dark.

That is good news! I hope he gets his just deserve.

It is definitely not a real windmill, you can tell by the size. It may have been erected on the site of an old mill. It looks only to be a single story property, as there are no windows above ground level, in the central tower. It is a lot of money, for what it is and would only be suitable for a holiday home or let. But I suppose it is in a well sought after location, so someone who has plenty of money to spare will no doubt snap it up . Let's put it this way. If I had won the lottery, I would have bought it myself by now, and also a nice modern cruiser to moor outside on the mooring jetty. Wendy would be in her element pottering in the garden, planting TULIPS of course, ready for the coming summer (you have to have tulips for a windmill). Ah well, it aint going to happen, so we will just have to be content with hiring a boat for our holidays. I saw a WHERE! There by the chair, RIGHT THERE! A LITTLE MOUSE WITH CLOGS ON, GOING CLIP CLIPPITY CLOP ON THE STAIR

Very nostalgic. Wouldn't it be nice if we could turn the clock back. I remember the 1950s, when I was growing up, life was so much slower in those days. But it is nice to look back as to what it was like back then.

I have one in my garden, it is three foot high, six sided with working sails. Would that be ok for you? It was built by me for the little people.

Another hour at the RSPB Reserve today, captured these shots of the Heronry. with my camera. My zoom is not powerful enough to get closer shots, but you can see the nests and a few herons in these photos. Quite a bit of activity on some of the bird feeders and a few ducks, geese and arctic terns in the last few photos.

Thank you guys for your replies. I must make sure I bring a few tins of luncheon meat, this bait is usually good for catching carp. Other than a rod licence, are any other licences needed to fish the Broads? From what I seemed to have read so far, fishing is free, except in restricted areas.

We will be on the Broads in mid April, but will not be able to fish, as the closed season is in force on the Broads. But I will be bringing my tackle in Sept. Bream are nice fish. Are their any Tench in the Broads? These put up a good fight, if you happen to hook one over 3 or 4 pounds. I caught one just over 5 lb last Oct from a lake, where I often go fishing, had a few nice Common Carp over 8 lbs as well. (all caught using luncheon meat). I don't go fishing as much as I used to, but occasionally, I like to get the rod out and try my luck.

Yes you do need a dummy heron, stood by your pond if you want to deter real herons from taking your fish. I lost several a few years ago, until I bought a decoy heron. They do work, but you need to move it around the pond on different days. Real Herons are not that stupid, if they notice the decoy stood in the same position day after day, they will come for a closer look. We live pretty close to a Heronry where there are about a dozen or so nests, so there are always herons flying about, on the look out. I also put a pond net over the pond from the end of August until the end of this month (Feb) which will deter Herons or even cats from dipping their paws in the water. So pond nets not only stop leaves falling in your pond, but deter any wild life as well. Next month, my pond will get its annual clean, ready for the summer.

Bully Beef is used a lot in the Royal Navy even to this day. When your in a Force 10 gale for about a week, up in the Arctic. Corned Dog Sarnies is the menu, as the galley is out of action. Had my fair share during my time in the Arctic during the sixties, protecting the British Trawlers around Iceland, during the Cod War. We even went as far as Newfoundland & Nova Scotia, where most of the Cod was fished in those days. Trawlers from Aberdeen, Fleetwood, Hull & Grimsby ploughed the seas in great numbers. Hardly anything left now of our great fishing fleets and the Royal Navy Fishery Protection Squadron, comprising of six Blackwood Class Frigates, based in Rosyth, were all scrapped by the early 1980s. I spent almost two years with the FPS in 1961 - 62 ( HMS Palliser) and again in 1965 - 66 (HMS Malcolm) Then it was off to Singapore in warmer climates for two years aboard a converted aircraft carrier HMS Triumph, which became a heavy repair ship, for the Far East Submarine Fleet. and we still ate the occasional corned beef sandwiches.

Hi Jenny, I would say it is a ledger rod, as there are no close whippings on it other than the ring bindings. Forgot to mention that the reel fastenings are on an aluminium section, that has a threaded nut to lock the bottom reel holder in place, so I expect that it could be mid to late sixties. Most earlier rods don't have threaded reel holders and are just placed over the cork handle. But, it is a nice little rod and has a decent two compartment rod bag which came with it. I may try it out when we visit the Broads in September.

I bought a second hand 6 sided split cane rod the other day from an antique shop. It is 2 piece, 10 ft long with cork handle and aluminium threaded reel mount., marked up at £30. I managed to get it for £26. It has one large ring on the but and 5 rings plus the tip ring on the top piece. All parts of the rod are in very good condition. On the aluminium reel mount it is inscribed;- Modern Arms Company, Bromley Kent . There is no date or any other markings on it. I expect it to have been made sometime during the 1950s, but it could be older. Can anyone throw any light on this rod, as to its age? It is the first split can rod I have seen for a long time, so decided to buy it and try it out sometime.

I can fully understand the concerns of members, as to what is going on regarding the Broads becoming a full National Park and the effect it could have for boating and the livelihoods of residents of the area. I am as much concerned as everyone is, about this issue. There seems to be that much legal jargon involved with all this, I find it all a bit mind boggling (to fully understand). I respect all your views and apologise if some of you took my post to be negative. I am very passionate about protecting wildlife as much as I am passionate of protecting the Broads for recreational and pleasure purposes, the very reason I stated that both could live in harmony with each other. The powers that be (the various organisations involved) don't always agree with each other, which raises concerns for the general public to have there say over such matters. But are the general public listened to in such matters? Protecting wildlife and the environment is a very delicate issue in this day and age, but to restrict recreation and pleasure, to protect it, should not take second place. Without it, the Broads would not survive.

Spring is definitely on the way. The sun is actually shining on my birthday.

Personally, I think that it is time to lay this thread to bed. It seems to have just become a slanging match between some members, and won't achieve anything at the end of the day. What will be, will be and that will be the end of it.

Imagine being in a canoe and meeting him head on! No there are no sunken canoes on the bottom here George, Had we better try further up? Nowt here either. These think they can do what they like.

Thank you Grace. Nothing planned for today, but we are meeting Wendy's youngest daughter and her husband on Sunday, for a game of ten pin bowling, then going to a nice pub for an evening meal. Her daughter lives just over four miles from us. Her other eldest daughter and her husband lives in Melbourne Australia and we are hoping to visit them for a month next year. My two sons and families live in Leek Staffs, about 70 miles from us.

Thank you Bonzo, I'm sure we will feel well at home here.

We promise to be good Iain, we don't want to upset anybody, honest!

Well we have finally become full members of this forum. Just in case you should bump into us sometime on the Broads here are a couple of mug shots, so you can recognise us. We normally disguise ourselves just in case we get hounded for autographs. But we are willing to oblige. Look out for Star Gem possibly flying the Jolly Roger between 17th April until 24th

Just for luck!

Sorry Maurice you got it wrong! This IS MY 50th POST! I posted my 49th somewhere else. Am I now given the red carpet treatment by becoming a full member of this unique forum, where you don't have to be mad to be a member, but it does help if you are! everybody Wendy and I now await our anointment and be sworn into this realm by the powers that be amongst you! Oh what fate awaits us, we will never know until I finally pluck up the courage to press the Post button! We have donned our tin hats, just in case! As we fear the worst Ah well here goes