Jona

Hi Chris, My wife and I would like to do the Competent Crew sailing course, albeit not on the broads, might I ask a question? Am I right in thinking that this course would not matter if the area we took it in was tidal or not? The qualification would stand regardless. The reason I ask is that we have done a couple of trips down the Great Glen out of Laggan with just a couple of hours basic tuition, I would like to take the course in Croatia next June and combine it with my wife's 50th. I have been told that the Adriatic, as well as the Med are classed as Non - Tidal so higher up the course ladder the qualification outcome would be different. ie Day Skipper. Could you please clarify this point for us Many thanks in advance Jon & Jo

Well we've finally done it We are sat swinging on the mudweight in Surlingham Broad. We have been here for two hours and the weight has not budged an inch so we seem to be staying put just fine. It's great, in fact it's better than that, we have the whole place to ourselves, tipping it down with rain as this dirty great squall works it's way through, but we don't care it's just awesome. Regards Jon & Jo

Morning all, Have done Norwich on quite a few occasions, always weeknights, never had a problem. Yes it is noisy, say compared to Brammerton, but then you're in a city centre. Wonderful city, loads to do and see, clean, lovely folk. Go for it, but keep to weeknights. Have a great time wherever you get to. Regards Jon & Jo

Gonna do that on the way back up Alan We wouldn't have fit under St Olaves if we'd gone that way around Doin well, managed to get a signal here at Somerleyton this morning, and the weather looks a bit brighter too Regards Jon & Jo

We've just arrived at Somerleyton and managed to get moored up just before the heavens opened Think you're right Peter we're off up to the pub to book our meal for tonight Regards Jon & Jo

We have Broom Capt 1 Named Horatio, and yes, quite simply the nicest boat we have hired to date, and we have never had a bad one so that is an accolade. Coming onto the Wensum early today I opened her up a bit and yes, I very quickly reined her in again. Tomorrow may well be fun

Evening Alan Well, we may just have to have a play tomorrow, heading down to the Dukes Head for our spoily meal of the trip. Will head out onto Breydon for a spin.

We arrived at Brooms yesterday and during the handover I did ask if it would be possible to take along an extra mudweight. No problem was the reply and 5 mins later it was aboard. Weather is holding out, certainly no wind to speak of, so may not need it, but it's there if we do. Cannot praise Brooms enough for the boat turnout, immaculate. Regards Jon & Jo

Well, we did the trip into town today, left at 0730 from Brammerton to make Trowse, what a lovely day we have had, some great beers, most of which were local too. We love Norwich, very nice city, could very easily live here. Regards Jon & Jo

Just arrived at Brammerton, It's been 3 years since we were here. Pub is shut. cos it's Monday??? The 35 ft boat we have hired is wonderful, What I would like to say is that I have put my wife ashore safely to tie up. Did i use a thruster? Of course I did. What's wrong with thrusters?.

Carol, smashin video thanks for sharing. We are sat at Brammerton tonight, so will be doing that very same journey tomorrow. Regards Jon & Jo

Thank you Peter, Hopefully then we shall be able to do both Surlingham and Oulton this coming week, as i said earlier something we've wanted to do for a long time, really looking forward to it now. Thanks everyone for your advice, it is much appreciated. Oh, and Peter, yes, without our beloved but rather excitable Jack Russell, we may just get that elusive otter photo Many Thanks and Kind Regards Jon & Jo

Thanks very much for that advice Gents, the only remaining question is where, on Oulton, would we best be placed "Outta the way" so to speak ? Am thinking after leaving the dyke over towards the left hand side, but I dare say that will depend on the wind. On saying that, if it's blowing a hooley we won't be mudweighting anyway Thank you Jon & Jo

What a great start, it's always lovely to get a warm welcome, we are down south from Monday so hoping the weather holds. Have a great time, here's hoping we will too, never been with Brooms before, sure all will be fine. If you're crossing over to the south we may catch sight of you. Best Regards Jon & Jo

Thanks for that Marina, It's something we've always wanted to do, but have had dogs with us so we couldn't until now. So weather allowing we shall have a go, any advice from any of you good folks will be greatly appreciated Regards Jon & Jo

Aye we have a healthy respect for Rockland, as you mention tides, we are also on springs midweek as well i think. I reckon it's probably as we suspect, Surlingham and if do-able and allowed, Oulton. Thanks Jon & Jo

Evening all, We are down this Monday for a week on the southern rivers out of Brundall. We intend, weather permitting, to mudweight on Surlingham Broad at some point, does anyone know of anywhere else down south where we could safely do it? I thought maybe Oulton Broad, but would that be too busy? It would probably be a midweek night so as to be quieter. Many thanks in advance. Jon & Jo

Hi all Just to bring another point of view into the conversation, my wife and I are aware we overpay our dual fuel on a monthly basis. What we do is apply for the inevitable refund towards the end of November, we then use it as extra cash for Christmas. It can be a good few hundred pounds some years, so I suppose we are using them like a savings account with no penalty really. Regards Jon & Jo

We were camping in Appletreewick at the beginning of the week for a couple of nights, one of the local hostelries was serving a wonderful bitter called "Black Tan" From the Naylor Brewery up Keighley way. Quite honestly one of the finest beers i have had the pleasure of suppin. Would quite happily sat there in the sun all afternoon, but wisdom prevailed and we went on our way after a couple If you do come accross it, i can highly recommend it. Regards Jon & Jo

We're down soon for a week and Jo has already made and frozen a couple of curries and a stew, we also take the tinned makings of a corned beef hash too. We take the usual bacon and eggs for the mid morning brunch also. We keep them in a 12v plug-in cool box and the frozen gear easily lasts a week no problem at all. Regards Jon & Jo

Some lovely photos of lovely boats, thank you for sharing them. We shall be doing most of those stops next month on the Broom Captain (New) out of Brundall. We are particularly looking forward to mudweighting for the first time on Surlingham Broad. Regards Jon & Jo

Hi Mike, Is that the one that moors up and down the Ouse in York by any chance ? Regards Jon & Jo

What a wonderful time you all seem to have had. We have enjoyed reading every word of your beautifully scripted tale. This has whet our appetite for our return after a few years away next month. Thank you for sharing your holiday with us all. Regards Jon & Jo

I'm sure I read somewhere that alternating between "Fresh" and "Salt" water was supposed to keep the fouling at bay quite well. Is this true or another myth ? has anyone any experience of this? Regards Jon & Jo

So if this gets the go ahead, is there an alternative to "Anti-Fouling" a boat if you wished to still "DIY" it? Regards Jon & Jo