Tempest

I must admit, I would regularly sign the declaration to say I could handle the boat and didn't need a trial run, I was content with a walk through and around the vessel to find out where all the "bits" where located I found the trial run a waste of time as it usually meant slow manoeuvres in a marina, or onto a river with little tidal changes or current and back to drop off the employee (normally at Stalham) I really don't know what you can do to change this as each boatyard is located in different places and none can replicate the issues you would have at the various locations around the broads I really can't see trial runs being of much benefit unless there are a set number of manoeuvres that must be completed to confirm a level of competence which all the hire yards adhere to

Gorgeous photos and a great blog

Do you have an aerial view of the location? Silly to ask I know, but can't wait for us to move! This has been a long time coming, very drawn out and then as quick as a flash we are going!

We would regularly hire that type of boat because we have large dogs and a guardrail / pulpit is difficult for them to duck under, especially when stern moored at low tide I wouldn't like to see these boats requiring to be changed due to a tragic accident We understand the risks when moving around the outside of the boat and take precautions. I have walked down the side of a boat and tripped over the centre cleat before, and luckily I remained on the boat, but I wouldn't advocate removing all centre cleats for example

The takeover time is after 4pm when the maintenance crew have been on board As a syndicate we are content with this all year round and many (like us) will arrive early and enjoy the wonderful village of Horning or other locations MS is equipped with navigation lights and is insured for night travel so it isn't an issue if the members want to remain on MS at the marina or venture out in the evening

To be fair, where I reside the farmers would have just put up some post and wire fencing for their land with the appropriate signage irrespective of what any "outsider" may have deemed to be their property. But it doesnt excuse threats to cause criminal damage to innocent boaters who are using the facilities unbeknown to any dispute All a bit pathetic in my view and the farmer should be extremely ashamed

Fantastic effort Is it possible to video the "wetting" and get it on YouTube?

Thanks Helen Keeps me out of mischief!

Fantastic pictures and holiday blog to date Malcolm We have ventured up to Dilham a few times and really like that run and the Bumble Barn B&B cottages we stayed at last year was owned by the landlord of the Cross Keys and the food and welcome there was first class You will have to send me a version for the website when you get back and I will upload it for you

I am in awe at the work you guys are putting into this wonderful vessel 👏👏👏👏👏

Have a great week 👍 Thats some cruise on day 1! Look forward to reading the rest of your trip Enjoy

Have you been speaking with my Mrs...... 🤔🙃🥴

I really couldn't image our life without a dog being part of it, as I was brought up with dogs and have had one for every year of my life to date They really are a huge part of our family and incidents like this are heart-breaking We were at Beccles when a nearby owners dog fell into the water and was lost even though my son jumped in to try and save it, but sadly it had sunken below the boat and he couldn't get to it. This memory is still very raw and no doubt to the owners also Dog ownership, love of the broads and syndicate ownership all come hand in hand for us and we probably wouldnt have been so keen to do the latter if it wasnt for our desire to give our dogs the very best experiences when in our care

Next to the Flour Bean Cafe is a small footpath and you can just see the roof line of the toilet block at the back of the cafe Walk down this path and they are on your left

An infrastructure that can support mass electric cars, trucks, buses and boats is many years away All the very best to those who wish to be pioneers, but it's not for me at this time as I believe they are not a viable option and certainly not as great for the environment as the glossy adds try to portray...

Apparently you can now hire a boat and a bike a Broom Boats Certainly provides additional options for holidaymakers https://www.broomboats.com/news/broom-boat-bike-hire/

When we hired Moonfleet was our number 1 choice as the service and the way they presented their boats was unbeatable in our opinion

You are probably best staying at Pyres Mill as Dave Whitworth and family are at Loddon on Silver Cloud and started at the White Horse and are now at the King's Head.....so it may get messy! 😂🤣😂

There is one in central London next to Vauxhall Tube and mainline station I have walked past it many times. Never had to use it yet!! https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/disgusting-public-urinal-outside-vauxhall-19590669.amp

I recently refuelled at Swancraft for £1.55 a litre

I heard a rumour that they are installing gender neutral toilets, so they only need one instead of two....

Forgive me for not wanting to see that! 😱

I filled up on Wednesday at Swancraft (Shadow Boats) at Brundall and the cost was £1.55 a litre for 60/40 split Pump out was £18 I rang prior to attending and booked a slot, to which Paul provided an excellent service and was a great help They are my go to place in Brundall

I know more people who have had or still have covid over the last 4 weeks than I did for the last 2 years Thats the negative The positive is all of them have felt a bit rough, reporting cold like symptoms, but otherwise they have been fine and it passed after around 5 days So fingers crossed this will be the outcome for all I do though smile when I see people walking alone in the fresh air with a mask..... especially when countries like Scotland force mask wearing still and have the highest rate in the UK... I was forensic specialist, and I wouldn't wear a paper or cloth mask constantly.... And certainly not when alone or in the open air!

The place is being striped inside and the outside has had a coat of paint The pubs surrounded by protective fencing at the moment, but it certainly looks as though they are gutting the place from the amount of stuff going in the skips We also saw Independence on the hard standing outside Broom main office so she is either awaiting some work or transportation As for the moorings at Broom, we couldn't help but notice the number of empty spaces as there must have been between 15 and 20 mooring spaces in and around Brooms which appeared to be more than we had ever seen before and from the Yare you could clearly see the hard standing area and the Yare PH I do think it would benefit them if they could create some visitor moorings, open up to hire craft visiting and create some decking and outdoor seating leading to the moorings If they did this, they could transform the area into something people would want to visit and raise the profile of Broom to the local and boating community