Meg

I hope all of you with birthdays had lovely times and wish you many more of them. I'm having" three quarter" life crisis looking at boats for sale out here in the fens, trouble is I haven't got a Griff to help fix inevitable snags, its great fun looking though and there are possible moorings not far away. I don't know if I will be brave enough if I am I will let you know.

Well I did start a hare running with first cars, I have thoroughly enjoyed the posts thank you everyone. I had a look through old photo albums to double check she was WNK 650 and have now dug out about 20 photos of cars I have owned. I discovered/remembered my first vehicle with more than 2 wheels was a Heinkel bubble car, two at the front one at the back. My dad said it was a Heinkel plane rear gunner bubble turned up with wheels fitted. I used to drive this along the A604 (now the infamous A14) between Godmanchester and Cambridge. The lorries although small by todays standards used to tow me in their slipstream, happy days

Thank you Griff especially, I haven't laughed out loud on my own for ages, frightened the dog. Gearstick in the air Mum in the car nightmare stuff. Sea gypsy I think you might be thinking of a more modern A40 mine was black and definitely the reg was that way round, I passed my test March 1967 the new reg of that year was letters number and the letter E. I bought this car second hand from the local butcher and it was very old then, there were two shapes one a bigger version of a Morris minor and mine which was less bubble more square. I have some recollection of a column change but not clear enough to be certain. By the way I now drive a Ford KA but it is the plus model and is as big as a Fiesta black with white roof and white wheel spokes, snazzy hey!

I bet if I asked you all, you would remember your first car fondly. Just because you are now old and jaded and cannot get excited about a car, go back in your memory bank. The excitement of being independent, the places you could go. Robin probably feels that now and good luck to him. I bored the world and two brothers with tales of my Austin A40 and what good performance I got with WNK 650 and would love to see her again. ( probable with relined brakes though and the heater was useless oh and the lights were dim too)!!!!!!

Another lovely set of stills and video Bryan, pleased you got some sunshine although Barton Broad looked as choppy as when we were all stuck at Sutton Staithe that time. I hope you get good weather in June, we are back in July so also hoping for warm days.

Have a lovely time, we're shore based in Wroxham at that time but with only a day boat unlikely to cross Breydon! Anyone else out there do please wave at the white poodle and border terrier that accompany us as we chug along.

Just watched your tour around the highways and byways Robin. What a lovely day, counting the days to our shore based break about 10! At home in sunny Cambridgeshire with the dreaded head cold so your blog a welcome distraction. Thank you.

Thank you for the Trixie tour video Robin, a lovely boat and well described. I realised when watching, that what was missing in the car videos was your commentary. I am pleased you are going to continue with both. I will keep an eye open for Trixie when we are on the broads May and again in July. Til then happy chugging and clear motorways!

Thanks Old Gregg, I realise I don't have to read about cars but wanted gently to say boats too please, xx

Hi Rascal Please go back to boats! I have had more cars than I care to remember. My first was a Heinkel bubble car, two front wheels one back. It had an aluminium cylinder block as I discovered trying to screw a plug in cross threaded. I know!! but I was very young. My best buy was a Wolsey which I got cheap from a lad in the army, REME I think. However boats and serene waters are so much more fun, cannot wait to get back on the broads.

Griff you always strike me as a man happy" just being", if you contemplate "not being" its a darn good swop. Its 11 weeks until we come to the Broads roll on. I will certainly not struggle if I use the Rhond anchor having seen your clear explanation. thanks.

A Happy New Year to everyone, may you get good weather and safe moorings in 2019. By the way has anyone else got Barnes Webcam in squashed mode, boats looking very short!

Thank you Barnes, I can now get my broads fix over breakfast each day.

Although we have never met you are in my thoughts and prayers . Sincere condolences.

Welcome from me too, you will find answers to loads of stuff on the forum as well as some dodgy jokes! Beware of creating a double meaning in your post, there is a certain subscriber who is quicker than Benny Hill at spotting the other meaning! Enjoy

Hi Robin Very well done. If you are coming out to Fenland be aware bad roadwork delays around March Isle of Ely way. I think you should now aspire to an Indian motorbike! Back in the day mine was a 150cc Lambretta scooter all chrome, still got the licence but not the good hips needed for a bike!!

Thank goodness for this news, I had a 4 day break on Barnes Omega 23rd of October. The weather was lovely if a little breezy. No more chugs now until May so the webcam is my daily dose of the Broads. Of course if my lottery numbers come up I will be asking for advice on buying a boat, huh some chance hey.

HI I have just remembered my instructor nagging me to think ahead. One day I slowed down and he barked "Now What", I pointed to steaming horse muck on the road and said hot poo, horse nearby! Be alert your country needs lerts!

Hi Robin I think although the test has changed since I learned to drive one thing still stands fast, it is not that you make a mistake, everyone does , it is what you do next. As I took my test and was told at a junction to turn left I dutifully moved right and indicated. The tester said "I did say left" I said sorry but I cannot do that now without upsetting everyone. I turned right and we made our way back to the junction and I turned left at the second time of asking. I naturally thought that's a fail, wrong, passed first time. So when you are in the wrong place be careful how you put it right. Good Luck

I was working with the trainers to develop a clear verification trail for their amazingly detailed fire fighters training schedule. Fantastic job but alas didn't get a ride on an appliance not even their all singing dancing new ones. Full of admiration for the hard job they do.. Sorry Griff highjacked your thread

I am just about getting to know your sense of humour, does your name mean you were once a fireman (maybe still are). I worked in some fire stations and laughed a lot but missed a lot too. I miss the chat.

There are some of us hirers who take it gently, especially near anything as lovely as Broad Ambition. My one and only fish took bread off an un barbed hook, lucky or what. Loving this journey with you, thank you.

Hello David, I a so sorry you are considering cancelling your trip. I book a cottage with Barnes Brinkcraft each spring and out of school holidays you get a free day boat for the week. The problem might be all their properties have stairs. I know at Horning there are waterside cottages with disabled access and a boat, I looked them up for my neighbour. Sorry cannot remember their name but someone will or may have already. I'm sure there is an opportunity for an enterprising yard to hire out a person to chug a boat to different locations each day then leave you there. I know the time is approaching when my friend and I must think of other types of holidays. I hope you get some relief with your pain soon.

David as I said we have had this boat and we are not ones for long cruising, but if we are going somewhere not very far away we often do a little detour cruise to get charged up. We had no problems and did use kettle microwave TV and fridge as if we were at home. There is also the option of shore power at some locations which you buy a card for, ask at the Barnes office they will be pleased to advise you. I bought 3 and still have them. I know you will wonder what all the worry was for once you are on your way, relax and enjoy

Thank you point taken, I was not aware of that. You don't suppose I got close enough to hold it for long do you? It flapped away and just for a second it was held then back to keep net then very gently placed back in the river. I may never fish again but will remember that one.