YnysMon

Sorry Jay! Sometimes I just feel a tad guilty at the number of questions about MS that I send you via email.

Thanks everyone!

How about this one for a day boat experience? https://youtu.be/2i7qcf1zU3M

I need to work out how to get to Swancraft. We’ll be on Moonlight Shadow one of the weeks when Brooms are carrying out this work. 😒

I like this vlog from Cruising the cut, mainly because he’s very complementary about the section of canal that borders the area of Milton Keynes where we live (14.20 to 15.10 into the vlog). Like the way he says how scenic it is and how the planners made the canal a feature of Milton Keynes. We love our walks along the canal.

Does ‘barricaded’ count as defence?

I recall using the hose at Neatishead in March. Also Hoveton St John moorings, Acle, Barton Turf, Ludham Bridge, Womack Staithe, Potter H.

Looks like a good week for getting through Yarmouth. Tide table link: http://www.norfolk-broads.org/tides/tide_report.asp?

Wow, looks impressive though!

The view from my office window this morning. The campus ring road is between the line of wooden posts in the foreground and the strip of grass, with the river (normally) running past the football field. I missed the excitement yesterday as the river rose, as I was working from home. Several of my colleagues had to wade to their cars. Also missed sight of the white van man, who drove around the bollards that had been placed across the road and the signs indicating that the road was closed, stalled his van and then flooded the inside when he opened the door and then had to wade ashore. I normally have every sympathy with people whose cars get flooded, but in this instance...LOL.

When I first looked into hiring I did myself a little comparison table of the boats I thought would suit us most (showing key features we wanted and price including fuel etc.). I found that some of Ferry’s prices were cheaper up front on that basis, for like-to-like boats. Of course, if you aren’t planning to do much cruising and normally get back a hefty proportion of the fuel deposit, that might not be the case. Last time we hired with NBN we had to pay a little extra for fuel at the end of the week, but that was following 10 days in which we gone to Coltishall, Norwich, Geldeston, Loddon, and up the Thurne as far as Womack. On the other hand, what I didn’t like about Ferry (under their previous ownership), was their reluctance to offer a loyalty discount or a discount for a hire longer than a week. For our second 10 day hire from NDB we saved over £300 compared to an equivalent boat from Ferry because of the combined discounts. Jean, did Ferry offer you a loyalty discount at the end of your hire last autumn? I recall you said you got a good ‘incentive’ discount off the price to start with. I wonder if both Waveney and also now NBD under Len Funnell’s ownership will be following the same non-discounting policies as Ferry used to have under his ownership. Helen

Silver Myth looks like a lovely boat for 2. Island bed, as Speedtriple pointed out, plus bow thruster and 240v. The only thing that put me off Silverline when we were hiring was the higher than normal pet charge. If you don't have a dog their boats look ideal. I don't think pets are allowed on Silver Myth anyway. When we last had a week on Moonlight Shadow late August I couldn't help thinking that the Silverline fleet looked very well maintained. Helen

I was about to question Peter on his inclusion of Ruth Madoc, but thankfully checked out my facts first. Never realised she was born in Norwich. Still consider her Welsh though.

Griff, your post was so moving...your choice of words and the way you expressed yourself made me think you’re a poet in disguise. That post of yours was one of the most moving that I’ve read. It was ‘concentrated’ post in terms of emotion and thought, and I say that in the context of having very much empathised with other very emotional posts from other forum members who have lost loved ones or who struggle with ill health. I found it so helpful personally. Thanks.

Loved it. Mind you, my Graham is such the opposite that I find it a bit difficult to relate to. LOL.

I have one comment, we’ll complaint really. How come every Spring meet is on a weekend when I have other commitments. (Okay, I know the response to this...I need to do more forward planning...doh!)

I must admit I’m not watching much TV nowadays. Mostly watch YouTube. I have complete fallen for an American couple who are almost up to their goal of visiting 100 counties. What I love about them is that they are so respectful of each culture they visit, and they prefer to go to un-touristy places.

I have to admit I’m a bit ambivalent on the National Park thing...on the whole I’m convinced by the ‘it’s not a National Park’ argument and especially respect contributions from people who have invested their lives in business on the Broads, but then the arguments just go on (and a bit more). Love the thread drift though!

Happy New Year everyone! Helen

Thanks for posting Malcolm. Some great pics too, as always. Helen

Graham and I discovered computer ping pong at Crewe station sometime in the late 1970s, and space invaders not much later. Somehow I think Jay might have missed those delights. Oh the joys of the first tastes of computer games. LOL.

Well, we took No.2 son back to Bournemouth (Uni) today. A bit earlier than I’d hoped, but it’s good that he’s so independent. He seems a lot more mature than his elder brother, who is still living at home. We didn’t start off from MK until around 11, as I have a commitment to play organ in church, but managed to get to Bournemouth in good time, and even found time for Seren to have a run on the beach before the light failed (and we caught a wonderful sunset). We have had a lovely Christmas on the whole, though we have been stressing a bit about Graham’s Dad who came down to stay with us. He’s finally admitting that he’s having memory problems, so that’s pretty worrying, especially as he got into a minor financial crisis. Sorted now (we hope), but we are trying to persuade him to come and live with us. Family...the more you love them...

Merry Christmas everyone! Enjoy! Helen

I quite liked how they tried to weave into the plot something loosely connected to the rumours about Ransome having been a spy during his time in Russia.

Thanks for the early Christmas present Tim. A worthy successor to Stanley Unwin.