GeoffandWendy

Having read the many replies to this thread, maybe I should have kept my mouth shut about Robin being rewarded in this way. Like has been said, Robin would probably feel uncomfortable by accepting such an offer from any of the hire fleets. I know that Robin does all his blogs because he enjoys doing them for his own pleasure as well as everyone else's and I am sure he will continue to do so. Maybe he does get discounted,, which he surely deserves and I am sure that all the hire companies, appreciate what Robin does, to promote holidaying on the Broads.

The London Rascal. As most of you will have read about Robin's day of near disaster aboard Belmore TC and the excellent way he handled the situation, in not just saving himself, but the boat as well, deserves some reward. Not only is Robin a great blogger, but he is also a great asset to all of the boat hire companies, with his regular Captain's Blog. for which he has become very popular amongst members of this forum and nation wide through Youtube. It was whilst coming across and watching these excellent videos on Youtube, that introduced us to a boating holiday on the Broads. Not only has he inspired lots of newcomers, to the joys of boating, but he has been and still is, a great ambassador to the many different hire boat companies, he has covered in his filming and the many different boats he has hired over the years. At his own time and expense, Robin spends many hours of his holiday, filming and describing each boat in great detail and his own account of what each type of boat has to offer. He has hired from many companies and is not biased to any of them, but treats them all with the same respect on the many different boats on offer to the hirer. He has shown, that as an amateur video photographer, he enjoys what he does and tries to present his videos to a near professional standard for everyone to enjoy, as well as promoting many hire companies. If Robin hadn't acted in the way he did, during this recent incident, Belmore TC could have quite easily have gone up in flames, but with his calm approach, he saved himself and the boat. I think it would be a nice gesture if these hire companies, were to offer Robin at least One Weeks Free Holiday, in recognition for his contribution to promoting boating holiday's on the Broads. Surely he deserves more than just a well done from everybody. Wendy and I would not have known half of what we have experienced, where it not for the Rascal and the Captain's Blog.

Under the circumstances, Robin did what he thought was best. It is alright stating where he might have gone wrong (not putting on life belt) but his first priority was to isolate the gas, do a quick check as to where the smoke might be coming from and to get to dry land as soon as possible. Everybody would have acted in different ways, but Robin sensibly did his best under the circumstances. He assumed he would be safe, having established that there wasn't actually a fire, but an electrical fault and he was concerned that damage to the boat might have been caused. Personally, I think he handled everything well and saved himself as well as the boat from any serious consequences. I think that after this incident. Boat Yards should make sure that everyone hiring boats, are shown how to isolate the batteries before handing over the boat and to make sure that the hirer is happy, as what to do in an emergency. You get my vote of WELL DONE!

What a situation to be in. At least you are alright Robin, that's the main thing. Regarding the battery isolators, I think that the hire companies should inform the hirer, where they are situated, so that they can be turned off if the same situation arises. Watching the short video clip, you handled the situation very well and kept your cool. Well done!

Nice to read about what goes on in the South. But for us, we are still convinced that the North suits us better. Great write up David

Hi Alan, Glad the link to Amazon was of use. The Guy Martin Series is very good, already got this set. I notice that there are some dvd's covering various canals, click on page 2. But some of them are out of stock. Maybe worth trying one, to see what they are like. Here is their website. http://www.canal-dvds.com/

There are some quite nice wooden bungalows that deserve being listed, but some that do look like sheds, which are classified as Holiday Homes. Some of them just need a bit of t.l.c. in other words a good lick of paint. Shed or no shed, these will set you back, more than the price of a decent house here in the Midlands. For Sale, My large garden shed which could quite easily be dismantled and re-erected as a Holiday Home, somewhere like the Norfolk Broads. Offers in the region of £100,000. Imagine, this could become your Dream Home.

Only just caught up with this sad news. How sad for the husband and family at the tragic accident of this lady. Our heart felt sympathy goes out to the family.

So sorry to read about your argument with that fire extinguisher Iain. Looking at the photos posted, it was not in the best of places. I bet it has knocked you back some what, reading what you have told us. Just take it easy and we hope you are soon on the mend.

There are lots of DVD's on Amazon about Narrowboats, some that have been shown on tv. http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Ddvd&field-keywords=Narrowboat

Hi Pete from us old pair.

Hi Bryan, Thank you for posting your video and account of your holiday. We were there, the week before you on Star Gem 6, and just stayed in the North. We like the Ant and its backwaters, as it's so peaceful. We won't be there again until the end of Sept and fingers crossed, we will get nice weather again, like we did in April.

If your heading for a pub Iain, you must be allright. Hope it wasn;t too serious.

Wendy & I met Jasper (Captain Dred) twice whilst on holiday. He is a nice guy and I am sure he will be watching out for these scumbags. If your reading this Jasper, hope we meet you again in Sept.

Nice boat, NOT a nice price!

Our boat Star Gem 6 from Richardson's had a 240 volt inverter fitted, but there was no shore cable provided, to hook up to shore power if we needed to. Not that we did need to, but I thought that one would be provided, so at least you had the choice.

Welcome to the forums Juli

Those of you on holiday this week are not having the weather on your side it seems. That is one thing you cannot book and have to take pot luck. Fortunately, we did pick a good week, which let's face it, makes all the difference when you have waited so long for your holidays. Let's hope that the next few days are a bit more favourable for those out on the Broads. Here in the Midlands, it is very wet and windy at the moment.

Keep it coming Dave,

We managed to spend the whole week, without ever once, running the engine whilst moored, before 8.00 am and never after mooring for the rest of the day. We did quite a lot of cruising each day, so our batteries were always topped up. We never used the television, only the radio/cd. Although we were up reasonably early (6.30 - 7.00 am) we managed to wait until later before having a shower, usually after 8.00 am when we could run the engine for hot water. A few boats next to us at Ranworth, were running engines around 7.00 am on several occasions, but we were usually up by then, (make the most of your holiday) but it wasn't fair for anyone else who didn't wake until later.

Great start Dave, keep it coming. Had my turn on the soap box last week, nice to read about other's holidays, just to keep the appetite whetted.

Thank you Robin, I will bear that in mind, we have a small 1Kw fan heater that would be ideal. Do you have to request a shore connection cable, or is it already included as part of the boat equipment? Great Video Blog Robin, as always. Hope to meet you some day on the Broads. What did you say Oh My Gawd! lol.

Being an ex Matelot, I was going to comment on this topic, but I have decided to keep my mouth shut in case it offends anyone. lol. It went something like this; - @******%=""£@### $~~&5***(@)

What about the Star Gem boats, they are all this colour Bright Orange.

We never saw any mobile ice cream boats whilst we were there, but we both enjoyed a triple cone ice cream at Wroxham with a double choice of flavours. We sat by the river like two big kids licking away at these massive chocolate coated cornets.