JamesLV

Well the boat part of that doesn’t sound like much of a holiday, sorry to hear.

I’m one of those who had already booked, a bit frustrating but there go, win some lose some... we won the pub quiz in our local on the first time of entering the other day

Definitely a market, but what the profit is in it is another matter, I think a fair average is a 75% gross profit on food, some places will be higher (think harvester etc) and some will be lower, by the time these places have paid staff, paid bills, bought the raw ingredients it soon adds up. My local does fish and chips, usual pub affair, posh chips, beer battered fresh fish etc, and they’re hitting 60% gp on that, not a loss leader but way below the chefs bonused target

I concur, but I haven’t named any names, so why vilify me?

Not cast aspersions on anywhere, I’ve said I had a bad experience at a pub 30-40 minutes from Wroxham, nothing more nothing less, any assumptions are purely your own.

Dinky rudders, but I guess she's not made for slow speed manouverability (sp?)

I guess the old adage applies, you can't please all the people all the time. I don't think I've had a bad meal on the broads and I regard myself as quite a foodie, some places are fancier than others but I think there is probably something for everyone, you just have to seek it out. If you want trad pub grub, then the Ferry at Stokesby, The kings arms at Ludham or the bridge at acle do a grand job. You want something a bit fancier then the lion at Thurne or the white horse fit the bill. All the pubs have to appeal to a broad (excuse the pun) audience, many of whom will be kids, and/or fussy so I guess they sell whatever is popular. What I think is good, is that instead of saying "well, we have a captive audience, we don't have to be good" as is oft the case, they seem to be (on the whole) getting better due to the competition. There is one pub, that I will never grace again, in fact the first one I experienced on the broads, which actually left me questioning whether I'd booked the wrong holiday, down to both pub, and clientele, but that's the only time I've had a bad experience. I won't name names, but it was about 30-40 mins down river from Wroxham.

Was only thinking last night I hadn’t seen anything from you for a while Robin. Are you a full time Norfolk dweller yet?

Totally agree with this, I use it a lot with various different formats, and teamed up with a piece of software (the name escapes me) to transmit it to my PlayStation

For the sake of a few quid and the peace of mind, I’d be more than happy to let the pilot take it through. its a holiday, enjoy it, if you spend a few more pennies than you’d planned, deal with that when you get back, it’s a couple of pints at the end of the day ?

I’m going to take a punt that it was designed for clients who probably who don’t tend to cook on board. This is why I tend to favour the older “former” luxury boats such as Omega from Brinks, which have a decent cooking provision on board, as we tend to EOB one night, then eat out the next. That said, Fair Jubilee which I hired a few in its first season was a joy to cook on and Brinks Serenade looks well set up too.

That is you literally getting your coat isn’t it

I suspect there is still a GP of around 75 -85% in it, our local ‘foodie’ pub still works to around 75% average. Whilst a lovely looking dish, the only element with any significant cost attached is the chicken. Looks fantastic though, aside from the mushrooms which are Satan’s own work... great work chef!

It’s all about the angle?

great shout, I was very glad I had mine at a very windy Thurne last year!

Yes, providing it doesn’t say no mooring, or is private land, use common sense and you’ll be fine, just be aware of submerged tree roots etc

After all, I can guarantee you will be back!

Sometimes you get lucky and pick the boat up early, sometimes you don’t, I think it depends largely on the order they come back from the previous hire, but I’d expect the yard to be very busy over a bank holiday weekend. As for an itinerary, I don’t bother, I go where the mood takes me, but it doesn’t harm to have a plan. As for Norwich, depends on boat height, tide times and how comfortable you are with the boat. Their is plenty to do on the Northern Broads for a week, but the South will be quieter. What boat are you hiring? Most importantly, have a great time, relax, don’t rush anything, and if it goes wrong, try again, don’t try and rescue an already failing attempt, you’ll end up panicking and making it worse. Personally, I’d make sure doggo has a life jacket as well, they’re not expensive to buy (I’d recommend the EzyDog ones) and you can also hire them from the yard. Even if the dog is a proficient swimmer, they tire quickly and the life jackets have a handle for fishing them out if (when) they fall in. Enjoy!

Wow, talk about a sledgehammer to crack a walnut...

I really like the Bridge, it's totally unpretentious, and doesn't try to be something it isn't. Food is really good for the money, portions are pretty large and service was great. After we'd eaten the barmaid asked if we would like to bring out dog in, so we did (he's not very good with other dogs so we tend to keep him out of pubs) and she made sure he had his own 'safe space' gave him a packet of crisps and generally looked after all of us very well indeed. We will be returning later this year. If I wan't something a bit more 'upmarket' (not entirely sure that's the right word, but can't think of anything better) then we'll go to the Lion at Thurne, or the White Horse at Neatishead, as we will be later this year. In fact the only bad experience I've had on the broads was one in Horning many years back, but I won't name names, as it's still trading. They all have something unique to offer, and it's actually nice to see competition bringing the standard up, so often its the case that they know they have a captive audience, so why try harder.

We are up during Lads week, but it’ll be me, the Doris and the dog ?

What a lovely tale after a sad beginning, so sorry for your loss, but definitely keep doing what you’re doing, it seems to be working!

The village where I live, and went to school from 1985-91 has reached a new level of silly, we currently have a new build semi detached 2 bedroom house on the market for a paltry £785,000, yes over 3/4 million for a two bed semi... Edit: it’s sold STC

To each their own, by my own admission, I don’t have the skill or knowledge built up yet (this year will only be my 4th week on the Broads with a sizeable gap between years 2 and 3) so I like the reassurance that it brings, to me it makes for a less stressful mooring (and I’m on holiday, therefore the less stress the better) and allows me to get into spaces that I otherwise might struggle with. that said, year 1, I didn’t have them, and didn’t struggle too much, but I didn’t know any better!

Barnes and Faircraft from memory usually want £35/week, for us we wouldn’t go away (unless flying) without our lad, and £35 is about half the price of kennels, so double bonus really.