JamesLV

I’m quite loyal to Barnes as they’ve really looked after us in the past, and as I say, we will be having guests.

We’re thinking of hiring this next year after two years on Omega. We love Omega and will no doubt hire it again, but we fancy trying a centre cockpit, and something a little bit ‘flash’. We’re also planning on having guests so the extra space will be useful. Obviously I’ve watched Robin’s videos, but I was wondering if anyone else had any experience of the boat they’d like to share?

Condolences to Clive and the rest of the family, the Broads have lost a real character, but he’d be proud of what the family have done to continue his legacy.

I do have a vested interest in it, that much is true

Further to Dave’s comments, the actual calendar part (that is to say, not the picture) is 50% larger than previous years, so hopefully that will be more useful. obviously the picture is now larger as well. The main artwork for the format is now done (I had a spare hour or two) so it’s just a case of dropping the pictures in and then we hit proofing stage. Once again, thanks go out from me to all the entrants and of course the behind the scenes team for making the process a pleasure (ish) cheers all, James

You'll probably find it's because most are generic no-name ones from the far east, whereas the more expensive ones are probably Bialetti ones (who invented the Moka Pot). My other half is a coffee addict, so we have a Lavazza pod machine, numerous french presses (cafetiere), and a couple of the stove top Moka pots. We chose to spend more on genuine Bialetti as we think they're better quality, and you can get spares for them easily (gaskets etc.) Her current favourite is a stainless steel one, which is easy to keep clean, and works on all hob types. Top Tip, fill the water chamber with boiling water, then heat the pot as usual, it takes way less time, and produces a better 'less bitter' coffee. I got taught that by an Italian Nonna.

indeed it is james@newmanthomson.co.uk adding a P is a common mistake, to the point when we're telling people email addresses, it is always "that's newmanthomson all one word, no P in the Thomson"

I guess I fall into the ‘newer hirer’ catergory, this year being my fourth on the Broads, and I’m still (just) under 40 years old. For Ems and I, the choice is a week on a Greek island/Balearic island/Cyprus (delete as applicable) or a week on the Broads, we’re both mid-late 30’s, no kids, and we want to have a nice week away, Omega has supplied that perfectly for the last couple of years, but, we now want a treat, it is a holiday after all. I’m not fussed about microwaves or satellite telly, but I do want a proper bed and you know what, a flushing toilet is more agreeable to me than a jabsco. Personally I think HW are seriously bold offering this for 6, you only have to look at the Broom’s own hire, but without the 2nd cabin, it’d make quite the cruiser for a couple.

Great looking pics all, well done to everyone, I’m looking forward to putting it together. Cheers guys, James

Yes it was, sorry the excitement got the better of me! Good to see you all though, like I say if only in passing. So you’re all at Acle Bridge tonight? That was Wednesday’s mooring for us, last night was South Walsham but Ems fancied some more driving practice so we spent a couple of pints (hours) at Thurne on the (sort of) way.

Nice to see you all ‘of sorts’ as we passed outside Ferry Marina, I have no doubt you didn’t know who the idiot that was waving madly at you all. thanks to Howard for letting me know Charlie was on the last boat. Trust you guys all made it back to potter/stalham safely.

Think we saw you this morning on the way from St. Benets to Acle? We were on Brinks Omega

Yep, apparently closed at the moment someone we spoke to at Thurne said the same.

Don’t worry about it Robin, on my first test at a red light the examiner asked me what I did for a living, where I was from etc., then pointed out the green light wasn’t going to get any greener... i was not happy as I thought I’d been distracted but that is driving, next test I ignored all the unnecessary questions and just got on with it. Passed, no minors.

Strangely enough I was chatting with the Doris tonight about how quickly we’ve adapted to taking bags into the shops. I guess to a point I’ve been conditioned as my dad owns a property in Italy and my mum lives in France, both started charging for bags many years ago...

Sorry, my bad! I think I probably also misread your reply!

I don’t know about that, we’ve experienced 5 price rises on paper in the last year, and it’s now 60% more expensive than it was 2 years ago. Paper prices are dictated by the mill that supplies the pulp and over the last couple of years several mills have closed and a couple have had “industrial accidents” (they burnt down, make of that what you will) but trust me, paper is definitely a lot more expensive than it used to be!

You should see some of the stuff we print, it’s quite eye opening...

There was thinking you’d bought another boat!

Lovely stuff, it's a nice walk up from the moorings to the pub.

Oh well, we don’t really have any non dog friendly pubs down here near Brighton, but it seems they’re a lot more common up in Norfolk. No matter, a few beers on the boat it will be then!

Do they allow dogs in the pub now? We’re heading up soon and will probably do our first night at Salhouse so could take the pup for a walk up to the pub.

The week after passing my test my dad asked me to deliver him and his then girlfriend to Heathrow, I live in Brighton, so this also necessitated circumnavigating the M25, it was a baptism of fire! After that driving became part of my life as I went to uni in Epsom, but still lived down here, so M25 was a twice daily routine, then I got married to a Yorkshire lass so visits to the outlaws were a frequent occasion, however since getting divorced, and subsequently meeting a new lass, I’d be lucky if I covered 6k miles a year, longest trip we do is brighton to Wroxham

The guy who did my dads roof has a tame one, he rescued it after it fell down his chimney as a chick and was abandoned. Goes everywhere with him now including down the pub.

Only a few weeks until we’ll be there ourselves, likewise the Lion, and the White Horse