.png.5ff10cca1d0967e44a17e4a2edde2a80.png)
ginbottle
-
Posts
55 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
1
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Articles
Posts posted by ginbottle
-
-
MauriceMynah...you make me giggle!!
-
In fact, I like all the above posts and many thanks to you all for posting them!
-
MauriceMynah, I'm not allowed to like your post, but being the rebel that I am...I do like it!
-
4
-
-
Might seem a silly question to some, but we wish to do the right thing so...
Yesterday, the river was so calm, it seemed a shame not to take advantage of the ideal conditions and take a trip along to Hickling Broad. We have only managed part of this route once before, but had to turn back, due to the high winds. On the way there, the channel was clearly marked by port and starboard posts, but as my other half isn't too competent yet, we didn't go right into Hickling, but turned around before things got complicated and headed back. Here's the question... If we are supposed to keep the green posts on the starboard side, which we did, this means we are not returning down the same channel and was that the correct way to do it?
The boat trip to Hickling took us one hour each way. We later went by car, to have a look around and that took ten minutes, plus fifteen minutes walk each way along the river bank to and from the car!
-
Well, many thanks for all these helpful remarks and suggestions, also for the sex change, which happened without me feeling a thing...ginbottle, i.e. me, is (or was last time I looked) a female person! I will be using my rowing boat purely for pleasure and exercise, not clambering from the Norman 20, down into the rowing boat! The reason for me wanting a different type of life jacket, is because the old fashioned type are very bulky and I would imagine, quite restrictive when rowing.
There has been such a lot of interesting advice and comments and I have heeded the warnings given. I agree that the most likely times that I might fall in the river will be getting into the boat and out of the boat, particularly if I have no one around to hold it steady for me! I was born and brought up by the sea, so was taught to swim at a very young age, but realise that fully clothed in icy water, is a different kettle of fish altogether! I absolutely dread falling in, so will be very, very careful. However, accidents do happen, so I will certainly be wearing a life jacket of some sort and keep everything crossed that if I do fall in, that I don't receive a bang on the head and am fully conscious at all times!
-
5
-
-
Talking of being 'mildly irritated' as MauriceMynah was...who decided that we are only allowed to 'like' 10 posts each day and why? Just wondering!
-
I have an old fashioned type of life jacket, which I find comfortable for use while on the Norman 20. However, as I am soon to be taking possession of my long awaited rowing boat, I am thinking that a newer, less restrictive life jacket, the kind that easily pop over your head and (hopefully) instantly inflate, should the worst happen! I was wondering if anyone on the forum has ant thoughts on this, please? Any experience of the newer type would be interesting, as I know very little about them.
-
Thanks for this reminder, JennyMorgan! Being a dogs owner, I dread one of them falling into the river, as the temptation to jump in after her would certainly be strong, but foolish!
-
Thanks again for all the helpful advice and comments! We decided to give the planned Christmas Day trip a miss, mainly due to the wind and the fact that I had a meal to cook!
Boxing Day seemed a bit calmer and as our family were returning to Cornwall on 27th, we thought a short trip would be fine. The weather was lovely, sunny and a bit on the chilly side, but for the time of year and all that...
We donned our life jackets, even the 5 dogs who were with us and set off, a mass of orange!
Headed down, or is it up (?) towards Hickling Broad. Got past the sign that said "Hickling Broad" and took some pretty photos. However, the wind seemed to increase and not knowing what might be ahead, we decided we had better turn around where the river was wide enough and head back to the shack! Well, that was the plan, but when we arrived there, the wind was blowing us sideways and made it very difficult to moor along the front of the property ( we never attempt to drive it into the very narrow mooring dock). After a couple of attempts, narrowly missing the neighbour's boats, my other half decided we would be safer going to Potter Heigham, where there is more open mooring space. We did this ok-ish, sat in the boat for a while, discussing our options and decided we would be likely to freeze to death, if we didn't take some sort of action! There is no heating on the boat, but plenty of warm throws, which the 5 dogs were curled up on! Eventually, it was settled, the skipper would swallow his pride and go and ask for help from our neighbour in the next shack, who we had spoken to a couple of times and who seemed like a nice guy...fortunately he is! He came out on Boxing Day, without a grumble and guided us safely back to our mooring, giving us some very helpful tips and advice along the way!
It felt good to be back in the safety of our little shack, but we weren't daunted by our adventure and next day, took our daughter, her husband and his guide dog, together with huge amounts of ballast (MM), in the form of 3 heavy suitcases and endless carrier bags ( my daughter doesn't understand the concept of travelling light) back to their car, parked at Potter Heigham. They said they will be back for their holidays in the Summer, so by then, we are hoping to be much more experienced in this boating lark!
Happy New Year!
-
10
-
-
Thank you ever so much for this amazing sketch with explanation! I have been showing it to my family, as we are all bowled over that someone who doesn't even know us, would go to so much trouble to help us out! You are so very kind. I have taken a photo of it, to make it easier to locate while out and about, as I struggle greatly getting any wi-fi .
-
2
-
-
Thank you so much for your sensible and very helpful reply, Vaughan. We will wait and see if the wind drops a bit. We have our daughter, her husband and his guide dog staying with us in our shack over Christmas, so are hoping to treat them to a trip along the river, but won't take any chances!
We all wish you a very Happy Christmas too!
-
3
-
-
Please can anyone offer some advice? As most of you will know, we are old, but new to boating! We have a little, old boat (Norman 20) and as it seems to be a bit breezy, we are wondering what are safe conditions to take to the river? We are moored on the Thurne. The motor is a 9.8 hp?
-
Very merry Christmas to all NBN members and a huge thanks to everyone for all the helpful advice in 2016! Stay happy and healthy in 2017 and enjoy boating!
-
4
-
-
I am enjoying these very well written accounts of your adventures, Alan. The photos certainly give the added feel of how flipping freezing it must have been! Can't wait to return to our shack and boat, but will certainly wrap up warm! Unfortunately, due to our lack of wi-fi, I am unable to write in this forum while on the riverside and have to wait until I am back home. The proposed trip to Norfolk, due to start on Sunday, has now been delayed, due to our dog being poorly and needing a small operation on Monday.
I hope Tan's back has improved, please pass on my best wishes.
Gosh, paraffin stoves...made a pretty pattern on the bedroom ceiling! How did we all survive?!!
-
2
-
-
Jonzo, 'getting away from it all' is lovely, but having just returned from a week away in our shack, with no wifi, nor phone signal, means I have 269 unread emails to wade through!
-
I'm finding it very interesting, reading Alan's accounts of life on board at this time of year too. As we live quite a way from Norfolk and just travel over to our shack and boat whenever we are able to, we seem to spend most of our time driving to B&Q, or a boat bits place in Wroxham. Jean, I'm envious of you 'not needing to do maintenance work' and I am very much hoping that our lengthy list of chores will eventually be completed and we can enjoy more free time actually travelling about on the water, instead of in the car!
-
4
-
-
I'm also interested to hear the replies to this, as my other half was keeping me awake the other night, with his hypothetical question..."what happens if we were to break down and be drifting in the middle of nowhere and can't get a mobile signal?"
We had been out on our old boat, for over two hours and not passed any other boats whatsoever! It was mid-week and out of season, of course it would be different in Spring or Summer! My phone is O2 and his is EE and the signal is non existent, or erratic at best!
Also, if we were to be lucky enough to get a brief signal, is there an equivalent to the AA, but for boats?
-
Has to be gin, surely?
-
Thanks, riyadhcrew! I thought it seemed quite a gentle river, just right for me! Many years ago, my husband and I rowed down a river to the pub, took about 20 minutes. We had a drink, or two and headed back...the return journey took us around 4 hours, as the tide had turned and we were rowing with all our might and getting nowhere! It was pitch dark by the time we finally landed back where we had left our car!
won't do that again!
-
4
-
-
As some of you will know, my husband and I are newish to all this and although we are learning, there is a lot to take in, so please bear with me, when I ask some rather silly questions. At the moment we have a small, old boat, with an outboard motor. I would prefer a rowing boat, as I was brought up by the sea and love to row. However, I just want to ask...is the river Thurne easy to row on? I'm not as young as I was, so my arms would not be as strong! Being a tidal river, I was wondering if I might struggle? I consider rowing to be a great form of exercise and really, really want a rowing boat! Any advice, please?
-
I enjoy feeding the wildlife, part of the reason we bought our little shack, but have heard recently that bread is bad for ducks. Not wishing to cause any possible harm, I bought some 'duck & swan food' from Lathams (where else). It wasn't as cheap as most things in there and my other half was complaining that he never gets any treats, so I'm wondering if I should sprinkle a bit on his supper?
Also,while on the subject of feeding things, I was advised not to feed the wildlife, as it encourages rats! I'm still going to feed the ducks and swans, but will make sure I throw the food well out into the river and not drop any in the garden (I use the word loosely).
-
4
-
-
Hello, everyone! Looks like I've got some catching up to do!
BroadAmbition...I believe our river frontage extends to 41 ft, so you might just about fit!
Hockham Admiral, I'm thirsty just looking at that lovely photo!
MauriceMynah, I can assure you that I certainly didn't know that, so thanks for the info and which side of the bridge rather depends on which direction you are travelling from, doesn't it?
Wildfuzz, there's not a huge amount to do to our little shack, but I couldn't in all honesty, describe it as a palace! It needs a coat of paint on the outside, but that will have to wait until Spring now!
I will have to learn how to highlight certain bits of text, as that will hopefully make my posts a little easier to follow!
Thanks to all for the lovely welcome! Hopefully see you all on the river very soon!
-
4
-
-
Hi, MauriceMynah, thank you for your help. I have googled, but can't seem to find the depth of any of the rivers, just the width. I'm not allowed to like any more posts today, or I would have liked yours! I like your quote, but hope I don't do any sinking!
-
1
-
-
Thank you, Iain and Alan, most helpful...glad I joined this forum!
oh, it's working!
-
1
-
won't do that again!
The Lounge Has Been Changed To The Broadscot Lounge
in The Broadscot Lounge
Posted
I've been without wi-fi for weeks (feels more like months) so have missed this sorrowful news, R.I.P. Iain.