Aboattime

So there were a few tell tell signs that perhaps going to the Lion might not be such a good idea,when after a really good breakfast at the Rainbow cafe we were then supposed to go to Tescos for some shopping........No,Griff forgot and drove us back to the wet shed,looking back now had he already started drinking?? When we moored up at Thurne,i was on the bow rope,Griff on the stern rope complaining that he couldnt pull the stern in cos i was pulling the bow in....had he been drinking to much orange juice?? If only i had thought about it i would have realised what trouble was to be fall me. After a very pleasant couple of pints in the Lion{ i had Tom Cat very good] Griff had a couple of pints of some more orange.He left me talking to a Broads ranger and we watched him tacking his way up the staithe to BA,if only id seen him trip over thr blade of grass i would have rushed to his rescue.When i got back to BA,nobody had told ne the side doors needed a very firm push,so not wanting to damage the boat, and stern doors were locked,what was one to do??? On peering through the saloon window,what a sight! Griff asleep on the settee.or was he? lots of banging on the windows,shouting,ringing his phone,Purdy barking,How much orange had he drunk? After about 20 minutes of trying to wake the dead,getting colder and wet an idea,open the canopy and shout....no repsonse.......hit him with a sausage,eventually,yes he livesAll joking apart,i had agreat time.BA is just WOW,and Griff well considering he related to God,hes not a bad bloke either.

You could try Alan Sabberton at Sabena in Wroxham .

Hi Griff, im available to help. Regards Kevin

And this is "The capital of the Broads" in a "Nationl Park" ! If you were a first time visitor and walked by the river past the Kings Head through the park to the railway bridge, what would be your first impressiom? What a dump ??

No doubt Minnie Caldwell would agree with you Ena ! Milk stout anyone ?

My father in law was on Mtbs during the war out of Lowestoft,he always said that there one big advatage over the Germans counterpart was there speed!!

Just as well The Broads are a National Park then,or the rivers wouldnt be looked after then!!

Totally agree.The Sioop also does great food in the restaurant,we eat there twice during our last weeks holiday.

We just love St Ives,one of favourite places,all the beaches are lovey.We stayed in the Pedn Olva overlooking Porthminster beach with view to the harbour.

Much the same as us,weve gone back to hire now.

Pm sent. Kevin

Graham we moored there last year no one asked us for any money,we were eating there,Wendy the owner knows us both now as weve stayed there many times.When weve been on the terrace ive never seen any body ask mooring boats to pay.

Its been for sale for a while now, i keep doing the lottery!

Totally agree,main reason why we like The Wroxham Hotel terrace.

The sign at the entrance says"No hire craft "

Arnt HPC hire craft allowed those facilities at other hire yards,but at the moment not at HPC?

When completed will visiting hire craft be allowed to moor,pump out etc etc?

Theres a well known Broads boat yard owner who is building his own boat to have a go at the record.Last time i saw it, was taking shape, he had sourced his jet engines,He was confident of getting the speed,but his main concern was stopping!

No not for me,i wont entertain a boat that wont go under Wroxham bridge let alone 2 rivers.Im old but thats my take on things.

I remember many ,many years ago we hired from Alfa craft, was told the boat was ready so started to load our stuff on. A few minutes later we were told to stop{ i think by Mrs Langford} as she wasnt happy with the state of the inside, and she sent the cleaners on again to do all once more.We were so impressed and booked for the following year, boats name was Sabre and over the years we grew very fond of her.

We eat at the Lodge last night,food and service excellent,just as all the Colchester inns.

Nice to know that there are a few of us born in 54 still around and enjoying the Broads.

Ive often thought for some time that up stream of Wroxham bridge is very tatty. The riverside front from the King Head up to and including the park is very un loved. The Park has more fenced off area every time i visit, i will be back on Monday to see what work has been done to improve it but i wont hold my breath.Opposite is the old Connoisseur yard, the old reception office reception office is a real eye sore,but there are new rubbish bins!The moorings above the railway bridge and bridge broad are lovely,but im not sure Wroxham should be called" The Capital of the Broads".

So back in the day when the broads were busier and double mooring at places was common place,i remember there used to be arguments about if the doubled moored boat was liabel to pay a mooring fee as well as the boat tied to the quay.?