Meg

Hi David, my friend and I hiring Sonnet late in the year purchased some pipe lagging (the thicker of the two sizes) this worked a treat, September you probable wont need anything or at most a bit of rolled newspaper. As DavidH said concentrate on having a lovely time, I am trying to persuade a friend to have another few days on the Broads before winter sets in. My highlight was catching a decent size Bream on Womack water, I was to be seen in marigolds acting like a real wuss waiting for a kind chap to come and help land it, he did and guffawed at the gloves so loudly that all the other boaters gathered to enjoy the sight and he is probably dining out on it still. Well must go got a spider in the sink heeeelp.

Hi David. I just remembered Russel Thomsom has a walkthrough of Sonnet on You Tube he had one May this year . search Russel Thomson you tube (he calls himself the Admiral)Hope it helps.

Hi David, that is great news, we had Sonnet several times and that class were refurbished in the recent past, I hope you have a super time. happy chugging.

PS just remembered the bow thrusters need switching on and press twice for on once for off, discovered this as I drifted around Gayes Staithe!!

Hi everyone, My friend and I had Encore 2 from 3rd July, wow what weather. I have a step for my outside door at home as my threshold is very high and this fits inside Encore's rear entrance and helps lessen the drop, but this does not help front entrance and is inconvenient when in position for getting into bed on that side. Encore is a lovely boat to manoeuvre, very responsive throttle and good bow thrusters, and of course it goes under most bridges at appropriate tides. The downside for us is that as it has a double bed in the rear so one of us sleeps on the pull out bed in the front. There are no grab rails front or rear although there is a roof gully over the rear door to hold on to. There are almost always people to help some of them very well known on this forum so don't be afraid to ask. I am concerned at your lack of leg mobility, it might yet be possible to change to another craft if you think the Encore is to difficult, Surely Hoseasons want what's best for their customers and Barnes have lots of different craft. I hope you have a lovely time whatever you decide, don't forget to tell us how you get on

Hi Robin Thanks for the tie up at Ludham bridge water point when you were on Trixie, Sheila does a great knot up too, enjoyed the chat, love Trixie's horn.

Well done everyone, as a famous comic once said "its the way I tell em". There is £25 in the till £3 with the ladies and £2 with the waiter that makes the £30. My worry is that those ladies thought they must have paid £9 as they had a £1 change from a tenner! Could we do this on a big scale with Brussels?

Will certainly give a toot. I hope Jayfire cannot misinterpret that! Problem at present my friend cannot come straight away so I maybe in Barnes yard for a day, not being brave enough to chug alone.

3 ladies met for afternoon tea, the bill came to £30, when the waiter took their 3 £10 notes to the cashier the cashier said those are really regular visitors give them a discount, take £5 back to them. On the way back the waiter thought, they never tip me so he pocketed £2. He now placed £3 on the table and they were very pleased and each took a £1. The ladies had £1 change from their £10 note so had paid £9, 3x£9 is £27! the waiter had £2 where has the other £1 gone?

It is only 4 sleeps until Encore 2 time arrives. Fenders deployed everyone, be ready to lend a hand we are on our way. 2 ladies 2 dogs and a boatload of expectation. Will watch out for you and be especially careful in your vicinity.

Is a Donny boy an updated teddy boy, interpret please

Many thanks , good photos and lots of smiles evident.

I may have missed some news but did Robin get presented with that lovely plate/plaque at the meeting in May and has anyone posted any photos of said meeting?

Welcome from me too, this really is a friendly helpful forum. Age is just a number and I never remember which way my number is. Have fun.

I've donated too, I hope to get to a meet sometime although only a humble hirer. Happy chugging

Happiness is a decision we can make every morning. I am happy to be coming to Wroxham in shore accommodation with a day boat to use for the week. Will wave like mad at any NBN friends.

Well now young Rascal that's a nice looking boat, I'm sure Independence is lovely but this is more my style. I worried that for Independence you needed crew most of the time and your blogs do show you liking solitude sometimes. I hope to have more blogs of a gentler nature now. Good Luck

Just watched the blog ,trip part 3, after 5 minutes thought it best have a ginger biscuit and a bucket nearby. I loved the music that was so apt for the tribute Robin, what a great crew too. I suppose granny age bow ladies are a no no !

Hi Broomsedan, a very warm welcome to the forum.

I really enjoyed the trip Robin, your new mike cuts the wind noise very well. I thought the crew were enjoying themselves and you looked relaxed too. A lovely relief from the Beast from the East. Eagerly awaiting more episodes.

On a real tangent my fire training ref chip pans did not say how long to leave the wet towel over it! I am now recognizable by my lack of eyebrows, lost as I peeped under the towel to see what was happening.

I am saddened to see how this thread has gone. Good advice sometimes only looks good after the event. The team got Independence to Gt Yarmouth, they did not have to call lifeboats or any other rescue service. No one was hurt and they did a very good job. I for one have too many times taken good advice and missed out on some fantastic adventures, so come on forum lets get back to enjoying our boats, I only get 1 trip a year but loads of you could go out right now. My advice (which you may ignore) enjoy today, yesterdays gone and tomorrow is always uncertain.

What a relief, will the next "fred" restart at page 1, the song sung by the Shanty men keeps coming to mind. " Home Home from The Sea". Well done one and all, I hope you all get rested up and the aches subside Griff. Looking forward to the next topic.

I remember Robin having trouble pronouncing that pub, is it the same as the hospital drama doctor and pronounced Beecham. I once had a customer called Onions who insisted it was O' Nions. Sorry just waiting like everyone brain in idle

It is no wonder you had a wobble Robin, just think how much has gone on and changed for you in the space of a few months. It was your processor saying whoa old chap lets just take a bit of time to catch up. Try not to feel bad, your crew would not want that, they really care for you and so do us forum folk and that's the only lesson to take from from all of this, we want the best for you.