addicted

speedtriple, like you I've never been afraid to go on the warpath where I perceived a wrong that needed putting right, and for many years I have achieved a great deal using this method. I was once reliably informed that the borough health officer in the area I was living in at the time would visibly pale and tremble at the mention of my name. But he made sure I had no further reason to complain! But I've had to reluctantly come to the conclusion that these tactics no longer work. You see no one is held to account any more. Far from being worried about your rant they can place themselves in the role as a victim of your harassment and the argument gets buried in their hurt feelings. these days it really is a case of softly softly catchee monkey. It's frustrating I know for people like us who feel strongly about issues and want to put that case strongly but, it just doesn't work any more. Regards, Carole

we've often admired this building when travelling along the cut and have seen the helicopter "parked" outside on numerous occasions. We've always suspected it may be an hotel. Beautiful building surrounded by beautiful gardens. It's about the only thing nice to look at along the cut which is, in the main set in extremely ugly and bleak looking surroundings. It probably hasn't helped that virtually each time we have cruised along there it has been pouring with rain! regards, Carole

my Granddad was invalided out of the army in 1916 with a piece of shrapnel lodged too near his heart for the limited skills of the day to deal with. He was sent to see an eminent , titled surgeon who told him that in due time the authorities would contact him and tell him that they could now deal with his problem and that he should have surgery. He told him that he should refuse to do this as the operation would undoubtedly kill him. He also said that the government would threated to withdraw his pension if he refused the surgery. And when this happened he should refer them to him It all came to pass exactly as the surgeon had said. And the surgeon contacted granddad and told him that he had dealt with it once and for all and he should never be troubled again. having led a very limited life from then on constantly very worried about the shrapnel coming dislodged Granddad died in 1929 and the consultant in charge of his case told my nan that he had several options open to him as to what to enter on the death certificate, as the cause of death but that he was going to put the cause of death to have been caused by wounds received in the war as in his opinion this is what was the cause. and he was very mindful he said of protecting her financial future This of course made sure that she got the full war widows' pension which made a big difference to her quality of life. I read of the poor financial aid given to todays soldiers and realise nothing has changed! Regards, Carole

Having been born shorty before the war ended I have no memories of it as such only the return of my Godfather who came home after 5 long years away. the latter part as a desert rat in Tobruk, to find the beautiful wife he had married shortly before embarking was now a shell of a girl dying of T.B.. He was in a very poor way - nerves shot. I recall he always said there was no man he would rather fight along side than an Aussie. My husband's memory of the war years are of heading for the air raid shelter with his pillow under one arm and his teddy under the other, regards, Carole

Do hope it does not take too long to get settled in to your new home Good Luck, regards, Carole

What really infuriates me is people who drop their voice at the end of a statement particularly newscasters quite often the salient point is contained in the last few words which become inaudible. The whole point is lost. There is a chap on Look East who does this all the time, I get very fed up with not hearing news items because of his habit of doing this. On ITV News there is a reporter who is just as irritating by doing the opposite ending every sentence with gratuitous stress. Regards Carole

Morning Gracie, Must confess old with character doesn't "float my boat" although I do admire them when I see Them out on the river and I appreciate all the hard work that goes into keeping them up to scratch. But would I want one No! I've found it very odd with boats that often those that look stunning outside lack something inside and vice versa. I like to be warm when on board, have, as you say plenty of storage and a decent galley. and I prefer the heads/showers not to be squalid/smelly please.. the bot we have now a Sheerline 1050 ac is modern (new when we had her 6 years ago) and has all the facilities listed above. and I think even on the back of a big financial windfall. changing her would not be a priority. regards, Carole

With a thruster each end we don't moor we park! It makes mooring side on in a tight space a doddle, but there are times when the thruster is no match for the wind ,when you're being blown off a friendly pair of hands on the bank to whom you can toss your lines is a godsend. Regards, Carole

Hi Paul, That does sound disgraceful must agree. Actually we used them for about 25 years then they got too expensive particularly after we acquired a more valuable boat. My husband does like to shop around as the prices can vary immensely. He had 2 quotes today that varied by a difference of £300.00 for exactly the same cover. So clearly lt does pay to shop around. Carole

Our boat insurance is due and we're being quoted such diverse premiums I wondered if anyone out there has come across any good deals Regards, Carole

Cheap at twice the price! So you' ll be booking in next week will you? When we lived in North London., St. Cat's used to be a favourite Sunday outing (by car) I hasten to add! Breakfast at the Savoy then a roam round St. Cat's. Perfect! Regards, Carole

That they have to be interested in making money.is the point I was trying to make If they don't make much I think that is a pity because clearly a great deal of hard work goes in to running such a business. One wonders how long it will before there are no hire companies at all. I am all too aware that being in business for oneself is not the piece of cake some think it is and if no money is being made there doesn't seem to be much point in continuing , Love of boats and enthusiasm don't pay the bills, unfortunately. Also it must be recognised just how many of these boat yards are sitting on land that would be much sought after for development. the temptation to sell for what would probably be a very great deal of money must be hard to resist when you're working your socks off for very little reward. regards, Carole

All this talk I local jargon reminds me of a short stay in Edinburgh about17 years ago. We came out of a restaurant and got a taxi back to our hotel The taxi driver was trying to tell us something that was clearly significant but unfortunately we couldn't understand a word he was saying.Finally,clearly frustrated by our obtuseness he tossed a newspaper over his shoulder, saying "0rch seefer yersels! He had been trying to tell us of the murder of Jill Dando. Regards Carole

Apologies if this has already been posted and I've missed it but a fire gutted East Hills bistro & the chandlery half of TingDene marina office at Brundall Bay on Monday night the cause is still being investigated. It's in a right old mess. Regards Carole

Hope you have the holiday of a lifetime and the current Indian summer holds on for you enjoy! Regards Carole

I am not on Facebook so have no idea of what it covers. Most things by all accounts. My reason for suggesting the hire companies is for the very reason given by Jenny Morgan they're only interested in making money.Of course they are they're businesses, I don't have a problem with that. It is in their interests to see that their customers are happy bunnies therefore it isexpedient for them to take close interest in the quality of the facilities on offer for their client base. If it falls below what's required their clients havethe ability to go elsewhere. Regrds, Carole

Before discovering NBN I was a member of another forum. I wasn't aware that there was more than one forum for the Broads. I abandoned the other forum very shortly after joining. Finding it full of rather nasty judgmental people who appeared to me to spend their time watching the forum just waiting for someone to post something with which they could take issue. Often in a personal vey unpleasant way I didn't look at it for about 5 years or more when I did all that time later it was to find that it hadn't changed a bit It was still full of seemingly nasty ranting .individuals.I then looked further and found NBN Although it does seem .that some action is needed to make the Broads more user friendly,It would be a pity to take any action that would change the ethos of NBN However, I'm not sure that I see this as a political issue. more a case of trying to get value for payment made. ie: boat owners licence fees going steadily up and up and facilities just as steadily decreasing, When a shop gives poor value you have the choice of shopping elsewhere Not a political decision, surely.Here unfortunately, we have no such choice other than to attempt hold the receivers of our funds to account. Is it possible for the NBN to do this? Are all members singing from the same hymn sheet? probably not I would guess. I would suggest those most affected by the apparent neglect of boats requirements must be the hire companies. they must be much better situated to apply pressure than we are regards, Carole

A few years before we moved our boat to the Broads we came to spend a day aboard a friend's boat who did moor there. We were moored on Perci's island and watched with a certain mount of fascination, a couple in a hired day boat trying to moor on the opposite bank. After several aborted attempts, a hire boater moored adjacent to the intended mooring came out to assist. taking the bow line The day boat went at some speed bow on to the bank then at the last minute reversed out again.almost taking his helper with him! By this time I'm afraid We were helpless with laughter as it had all the ingredients of a full blown farce. We could see the trailing stern rope and knew where it was going to end up, but were too far away to do anything about it. Eventually after a considerable amount of time they managed to land the boat. Then they began the process of tying it up, the bow rope was to hand having been tossed onto the bow by the disgusted helper who had by this time abandoned his efforts to help, however the ensuing lengthy search for the stern rope was hilarious, even funnier was the triumph when it was located only for the finder to realise it wasn't going to come up out of the water being firmly round the prop! Not to be thwarted in their intention to go to lunch at the Swan, they tied the life jackets they weren't wearing together and to our utter bemusement used them as a stern line. The thought of there being lots of people like that round the Broads almost made us re-think our intention to move our boat there. Regards, Carole

Hi Gracie so glad you're home safe & sound When does name calling start to become accurate description.? Seems to be a fine Line there some of the things you see going on , the people involved have to be daft & thus probably not worthy of your kind consideration. It's.a lovely evening here at Brundall Bay . just been watching an otter playing on the grass near our mooring he was having a lovely time until a Labrador off a neighbouring boat spotted him & then he felt the need to go for a swim!

We've always noticed an increase in river traffic at this time of year, on other rivers as well, not just the Broads. I've always assumed it's because boats sit on their moorings week in week out with nobody going near them and then at the end of the summer the owners suddenly realise they're running out of time and start using their boats before it's too late. This doesn't account for an increase in Hire boat traffic obviously. That must be down to lower charges on the back of the "return to School" I'd have thought, Regards, Carole

My father never bought a car that he didn't feel obliged to strip the engine of. In 1953 ( the year is significant) he arrived home with a bright green MG. My mother being very superstitious nearly fainted at the sight of a green car." Fear not" said father When I've finished stripping the engine, I'm going to re-spray the bodywork" What colour we asked, "Bronze" he replied. and he and the car disappeared into the garage at the bottom of the garden. The car wasn't seen Again for several weeks. This spraying venture was a great novelty, metallic finishes were practically unheard of at that time, involving him mixing his own paint involving all manner of Alchemy. Finally when no part of the car remained untouched it was time for the unveiling followed by the Sunday drive out to the country. When it came out of the garage, my mother announced "it isn't bronze at all, it's Gold! !"Less than impressed by her lack of enthusiasm for the new colour, my father somewhat tersely said "nonsense it's bronze, get in" Off we went. While driving through the Hertfordshire countryside somewhere we passed a group of cyclists taking a breather by the roadside, they all got out their handkerchiefs and waved at us as we went by. "Did you see that?" shrieked my Mother ," They think it's the b****Y golden coach! Take me home at once I've never been so embarrassed in my life!!!" Whereupon she sat on the floor and refused to move until the car and she were back in the garage. It re- emerged a week later a much more muted shade of Bronze, and drew many admiring glances for all the right reasons. My father may have been a bit colour blind (to be fair I think the poor light in the garage played a part in the drama) but he knew his way round engines . He was a spitfire mechanic in the RAF during WW2 Regards, Carole

I'm 100% with you on that Gracie, Frightening just thinking about it. What else is he capable of coming up with one asks, however it's a purely rhetorical question as one doesn't want to know the answer, it doesn't bear thinking about. I do wonder if the ironing system had anything to do with them going their separate ways 3 days later. if so I'm amazed it took that long!!! Regards, Carole

We've always found Mick Jones to be more than fair when you want a good price and there is usually exactly what you want in stock. Bonus for me is that when we go to Jones I usually manage to get my husband to spring for lunch in the Dolphin. Result! Regards, Carole

That has to be one of the most evil yet funny things I've eve read. It begs the question " what sort of mind dreams up a trick like that? Regards, Carole

Gracies What's good for the goose etc., When first married my new husband asked me press his suit trousers. I had already discovered that I loathe and detest ironing with a passion. So this request didn't go down well. I merely asked in all innocence " do I have to turn them inside out to avoid making them shiny?" He pressed them himself and never asked me to do it again. Result!!! regards, Carole