Wonderwall

I am contemplating forgiving you all

I spend it in a bad mood

The early sun with ducks sharing my breakfast. The smell of diesel mixing with water. Chasing maggots from the floor of the deck!!! Sweet tea and the smell of bacon while your afloat. Waving to strangers. Chatting to strangers while you help them moor. Mooring 1st time in a tricky spot. Attempt no. 4 when mooring is easy. My grandad teaching me the ropes. Teaching my kids the ropes. Drinking beer and playing pool at midday. Playing cards in the boat, late nights , early mornings , 40 winks in the afternoon. Quiet nights on the mud weight at salhouse, the madness of yarmouth. I could go on and on and on. What's not to love about the broads? I can't wait to do these things and lots more. What's your broads happy feel goods?

Okay, I'm onboard here. Seriously. I don't agree but I'm willing to conform for the sake of a stress free holiday. Please, if you can point me in the direction to purchase a 7 day ticket I would be very grateful. Thanks in advance

So, as I thought their is a charge. Quite ridiculous it think, but not everyone is in agreement I see. If you have a car you don't need tax for a caravan do you. I realise I am comparing apples with pears but it does seem a bit harsh , when surely people holidaying in England should be encouraged. There is few of us do it and its a lot of money into local economies. Just have a look at all the closed premises around the broads, they don't do theirselves any favours here. Having already paid taxes on my hire I find it incredible a small bit of family fun is now to cost me extra. It's all a rather sad reflection of the times we live in that common sense has absolutely place here.

I plan to take a 6 foot inflatable dinghy ( non powered) for the odd use during my much anticipated 10 day holiday in July. Do I require a licence for this purpose and if that is the case how strict are the authorities on this matter and what is the likely outcome should I dare to bend the rules? Not that I would of course

Remember we ( or I was!) talking mainly about people trying to fit a nine foot structure through an eight foot gap. It shouldn't be too hard to get that message over!!! Some people just refuse to listen though, that's the problem I suppose.

Anytime I have hired a boat, they always enquirie how often I have done so before. So the hire companies are looking for a degree of honesty here, and I'm sure they can quite accurately gauge your level of competence and knowledge from the handover. Also the clearance is always marked next to the wheel, and all bridges give you a height check well in advance . There is also a lot of info in the skippers manual. Apart from babysitting you for a week is their really much more they can do? Some people are just ignorant/thick and beyond any advice.

Thanks folks , and keep them coming please. I have fished with a swim feeder with ground bait and maggots at Acle with some success. My fishing knowledge is quite limited but a lot of times at the broads a hook and a maggot will do the trick with just a bit common sense !!!

On my many vists to the broads, I very rarely fish in the strong tidal areas e.g. Yarmouth, berney, reedham even stracey arms. Am I missing a trick here? I appreciate I would have to fish off the bottom with a weight or is it still too salty for them at these parts? Thanks in advance for any replies/ tips.

Just have to say for any novices reading this. Breydon waters should be treated with respect , but not fear. Common sense, reading your boating guide and keeping your eye on the ball (river!) and really that's all it is. Stay within the posts and you will be fine. Go for it!!

for the welcome folks. I'm originally an edinburgh ( mon the Hibees!) lad, but now live in sunny ? Kinross. I meant Herbert Woods, don't know why I put HB, must be the excitement of my fix getting closer. I'm sure you all worked that out! Just watching andy Murray , and thinking when he won Wimbledon we were moored at Womack and my lad done a wee jig on the boat with the St. Andrew's Cross when he clinched it. Happy days indeed!

Hi folks Coming down from Scotland on the 1st July with my wife and two kids. Picking up radiant from HB and hoping to get under bridge, if not will just roll the dice! Can't wait. I've been a broads addict since I was taken by my grandparents at 4, so over 40 years, though of course not every year. Let me know if anyone has hired the ex connisusseur before, and give me a wave in July Tick tock!