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Gramps

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Posts posted by Gramps

  1. I think charging for a mooring could be counter productive at a pub in a place like Horning, People would feel no compulsion to dine at the establishment If they had paid a mooring fee, they could dine in or use any establishment that served food. A payment of say £10 for a mooring would represent a poor return for the business if it prevented another  boatload of diners being able to moor and spend on food and drink.

    The New Inn was unique on the northern broads as you were able to book a mooring as long as you booked a table. Last year whilst we were there a couple of boats moored up whilst Gus was elsewhere, within minutes a member of staff came out to ask if they had booked a table for an evening meal, both said no they were planning on a couple of drinks and a meal on board, they were politely asked to leave. Those two spaces were quickly filled.

    • Like 3
  2. Don't judge a book by its cover, some people might not like the look of these properties from the exterior, but inside they are fine, 3 spacious bedrooms, all en suite good quality fixtures and fittings, no MDF in sight, a large balcony with table and 4 chairs with views down the river. The beds are the most comfortable we have  ever had In self catering accommodation. This was our first holiday with BB but would not hesitate ro return. Gramps and the lads usually hire a large bathtub from Richos in October but the lads now yearn for other places ie Turkey Ibiza or. Benidorm so it was just Gramps and Mrs Gramps this time, and it was supurb. 

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  3. Hello there, I stayed in Crested grebe last week lovely upside down holiday homes would highly recommend them. As far as fishing is concerned the property fronts onto the private part of the marina and so you would have to ask at reception. Each property comes with its own day boat (£50 refundable deposit applies) and I fished a couple of times, from that mooring plenty of small fish but nothing sizeable. the water was very clear as it was in the private part of the Marina. Just jump in the day boat go through the bridge to the viaduct moorings, much better results there. Day boat not provided during Spring Bank Holiday and main summer school holidays. hope this helps.

    • Like 1
  4. I wonder how many complainants report issues to the authorities? Or just move on because it is easier? If the problems are reported often enough those in charge should be taking action. Anglers along with other Broads users contribute greatly to the economy of the area many renting or owning riverside properties, spending money in the local shops pubs and restaurants etc. A cruise through the horning area will show the majority of holiday lets taken by anglers in season. They also suffer from problems caused by boaters speeding along the rivers causing excessive wash or hogging the bank when there is no need to, it is not all one sided. The Broads are for all, not just for 1 group.

    • Like 1
  5. Hope you have a great time Dazza, cant give you any info on recent catches but we have been on the broads every October for the last 6 years usually around half term. Our favourite spot for perch is around the Horning area which has provided good perch even from the staithe .Last year we also had many good fish from inside the Faircraft Loynes basin at Wroxham

    Tight lines

  6. 25 minutes ago, dnks34 said:

    Every year in the winter months the BA moorings by Beccles bypass bridge get taken over by what look to be match fisherman spread out up and down the Waveney either side of the bridge.  The moorings seem to get used for at least one or two pegs by kitted out fisherman so its unlikely its fisherman unrelated to the match.

    I have said before how do you make way for boats wishing to moor up when you are in the middle of a match?!  Its an ongoing problem and I would be in half a mind to say unless you arrive by boat then its no fishing, especially when fisherman obstructing moorings ends up affecting local trade. 

    If its a properly organised match I would assume someone must have "booked " the stretch from the landowner, or must have fishing rights to that section of the riverbank, in which case I doubt it is a BA mooring, if it is a BA mooring normal restrictions should apply and anglers should be moved on

  7. 2 hours ago, BroadAmbition said:

    I think the problem is that the mooring signs clearly state that boats have priority over the fishermen.

    Sorry to disagree but I don't see that as a problem, more plain English in black and white, or crystal clear.  Anglers (And I am one of them) are imho in a fortunate position to be able to use any Ba mooring free of charge 24/7 notwithstanding the close season. 

    However, let me also be crystal and state the obvious.  Ba moorings are provided by the Ba and paid for by the toll payers (Private AND hire) for . . . . yes, you have guessed it . . . BOATS,  be they stinkies or those that cannot helm in a straight course

    So it should go without saying if an Angler sets his/her swim out on a Ba public mooring then he/she should be fully aware (As per the clearly written signs) he/she is there on a freebie, allowed be there but MUST give way to any craft wishing to moor, and do so willingly without issuing any verbal abuse.  These days with cameras on phones etc any boat skipper should be videoing any abuse received and passing it on to the relevant authorities.

    Now then, on the odd occasion I have had to ask an Angler to move to allow me to moor up I have also offered them the use of 'B.A' to fish from onboard so I do try to meet them halfway but not if I get any verbal abuse.

    This is not a rant, just my take on it

    Griff

    Well said Griff the terms under which anglers can use BA moorings are clearly stated, boaters have priority, just report any transgression to the authorities so that offenders can be punished, instead of trying to obtain more cash out of anglers who respect the by laws and move on if requested to do so. Live and let live

    • Like 1
  8. 4 hours ago, stumpy said:

    Ref: the footpath to Acle, it's also very good for foraging - blackberries, sloes, cobnuts and plate-sized mushrooms in season! Eta. Ta very much for a cracking tale Gramps. 

    Well now I am really upset, plate size mushrooms,  love wild mushrooms, morrels or blueys, if down that way again I will be sure to check it out

  9. No didn't know about the footpath David, Thanks for the info guys. Good job the lads are not reading this they wanted to visit Acle. We based our assumption on not seeing a footpath on the numerous times we have driven down there

    3 hours ago, deebee29 said:

    Enjoyed your write up and photos as always, that last morning feeling is just the worst isn’t it.

    Thanks for taking the time to do the write up :default_beerchug:

    For future reference there is a safe track that runs behind the hedge adjacent to the road up to Acle ( on the Bridge pub side) it takes you right up to where you cross the road and turn right towards the village

     

    • Like 1
  10. 3 hours ago, BroadAmbition said:

    Did you fathom out the water pump / pressure leak?

    Griff

    No Griff we did not bother,just got used to the shouts of Turn water on!!! turn water off!!!! we also had another problem on the last day, toilets had electric pumps for flush water one wasn.t  allowing water in, although we could hear the pump. Got a friendly rollicking from yard team when we got back they said we should have called them out,We were ok with it, and would not criticise Richos in any way. It was just an end of the season thing on a budget boat

  11. Friday

     

    Very strange but the crew were not so eager to arise this morning, I was usually woken by Craig as he took Bella for a walk, the tell tale noise of the creaking floor near the engine hatch was the only alarm needed. Could it be the impending end of the holiday feeling? There was no river traffic noise but when I ventured outside most of our neighbours for the night had already departed.

    Craig took Bella for a walk through the boatyards and riverside checking out Pedro’s on the way. We knew we needed bread, beans and a pack of bacon if we all were to .have breakfast, but not wanting to dice with death on the road to Acle we decided to make the 15 minute cruise to the little shop at Stokesby.

    Another lovely sunny morning, we moored on the farm moorings just downstream of the pub. Dean Jamie Owen and Craig dashed off to the shop. My turn as Galley slave, so all remaining sausages under the grill, bacon sizzling in the frying pan, tin and half of tomatoes in the pan ready. At this point the lads returned to say the shop would not be opening today because of a funeral. Well not quite a loaves and fishes event, so we would make do.

    Dean said he didn’t want breakfast, Craig said he was not bothered but I convinced him there would be enough. It was me that was going without, Owen’s breakfast all week was bacon and beans, no beans available so he would have a bacon sandwich with one of the two slices of bread available, Jamie’s breakfast request sausage and tomatoes, no problems there, so Ben and Craig would share what was left. Plenty of eggs left but they only wanted one each. All served I went to sit on the stern to cool down and enjoy the lovely autumn sunshine while the kettle was boiling. We emptied the teapot washed the pots and started our journey back to Stalham.

    The mood of the crew was a little subdued as it always is on the last full day of our holiday, but as we passed under Acle bridge in the clear blue skies spirits raised a little.

    We always spend the last night in the boatyard this gives us chance to pack the cars before spending the evening in Stalham. In previous years we have stopped at How hill for a few hours fishing but with the expected high volume of river traffic we decided to re-visit Gayes Staithe instead. Traffic on the Ant was quite light but the moorings at Ludham Bridge were busy. How hill mooring were unusually quiet with 3 cruisers and two day boats the only occupants. Gayes on the other hand was fully occupied so back to the boatyard we went, it was no problem we always catch fish in Kingfisher.

    On the journey from Stokeby when not at the helm Craig and I had sorted our clothing out and packed away everything except a change for our last night and the journey home in the morning. Once moored up we loaded all we could into the cars in readiness, then time for a bit of fishing. By 4-30pm I had enough so the rest of my fishing tackle was loaded into the car, the toilet, bathroom and Galley cleaned, I showered and changed ready for the evening.

     

    Our usual place for dinner on the last night is the Swan in Stalham, they always make room for us. This time the restaurant was fully booked, think there was an Halloween event taking place, but tables were moved around in the bar area so that we could dine there. When we were seated the rest of the bar was empty within 15minutes all tables were occupied. What we like about this place is they don’t rush you to place your order, they don’t try to get you to leave when you have finished your meal, if you want another couple of rounds of drinks that is ok. The meals are substantial and reasonably priced. All too soon it was time to leave after a diversion to Tesco for a sweet fix for the lads.

     

    Next morning I was up by 7-30am, what a difference in the weather, cold cloudy with a biting wind, reminded me of my home on the Lincolnshire coast. After completing my ablutions I went in search of the yard guys to check us out. They had just finished refuelling a more modern vessel close by so came straight to us, fuel usage £48-70, refund due £101-30, good result. I mentioned that we used an almost identical amount  last year, he said the hull that Ultimate Gem had was one of the most economical on the fleet, He then showed me the figures for the other boat they had refuelled, figures similar but other way round, they had used £102 worth of fuel on the northern broads.

    Buoyancy aids returned, refund collected, we were ready for our journey home by 9am We would meet up at the Farm café on the A17 for a late breakfast before going our separate ways. Ben would be going home with till Sunday then his mother would meet us at Lincoln to take him home

     

    Will we be back? Feel sure some of us will be, It would be a shame not to use the loyalty discount we have accrued over the past five years.

    • Like 10
  12. Lovely words that must be taught to our youngsters. Over 60 years ago when I was in the Scouts our troop headquarters covered about 2 acres in area, mainly wooded, the double gates that were the entrance had a plaque over with some words that we had to learn. It went something like this;-

    "Scouts of this place be worthy of your dead, they gave their lives so you that live can reap a better harvest ere you fall asleep"

    These words must have had an effect on me, to remember them 60 plus years later. I always think ofthese at this time of the year

    • Like 5
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