[Broad Ambition - Underway on the H2O]

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.

[Can Anyone Recommend A Good Mobile Marine Engineer?]

You could try Alan Sabberton at Sabena in Wroxham .

[Broad Ambition - Underway on the H2O]

Hi Griff, im available to help.

          Regards Kevin

[Broad Ambition - Underway on the H2O]

2 hours ago, BroadAmbition said:

Now then,

I'm due to arrive onboard this Friday evening

I could do with a hand this Saturday morning.  I have a portable thicknessing planer to move out of our wetshed locker into my van, its heavy, a two man lift into our trolley than a two man lift into my van.  Anyone likely to be around?

Then I have six heavy leisure batteries to change over.

Then on completion I will be sailing to Thurne dyke (Or maybe another location?)- It'd be easier with a crew member onboard to assist me with lowering the canopy down for Ludham bridge if there is less than 7ft7" headroom

Then a hand to consume a few libations in the Lion followed by a return cruise to Griffs Corner on t Ant again through Ludham bridge

Then overnight where I'll be doing some bank clearance prior to sunset (Wx permitting) followed by libations and a film of some description on t goggle box prior to lights out

Sunday morning, a fairly early start, cruise back to wetshed and home.  I need to be back at home nlt 1600 so must depart Stalham nlt 1200

I'll provide the scran onboard and do the cooking Saturday teatime (Unless you wanna do it)

So if anyone fancies a river trip with an overnighter - Let me know (Able bodied only please)

I can of course do the whole lot on my todd but will struggle moving the planer and thought some one might like a trip out, there is room for up to four crew - You'll need bedding / sleeping bag

Cheers,

Griff

 

[Sutton Protest.]

21 hours ago, dom said:

All of the housing along that side is really the bit I find most offensive, as it has ruined the outlook from the staithe and Kings Head area - which make up a sizeable chunk of the publicly accessible space in Hoveton. It never should have been allowed and particularly not to the height that it is. As bucket says though, the image quality isn't great and the scaffolding is deceptive, making it look like newer development up towards the railway bridge. It's actually just maintenance on an established property.

The whole area needs Hoveton Parish Council, sorry Hoveton Community Council  to step up and decide a proper plan for its future. BA are responsible for the riverside park, but are pleading poverty regarding their obligations to maintain the area, the Three Horseshoes site needs a long term solution and P&H's yard is just running to ruin. It needs a clear vision so planning follows suit but they seem more wrapped up in petty squabbles than anything of late. It also doesn't help that they employed a Parish Warden to tackle some of the lesser issues, but the person concerned went off long term sick within months of employment.

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 ??

[Warning Capsized Boat On The Ant.]

8 hours ago, BroadAmbition said:

Do we start calling Griff Enid Sharples then ?

Point of order  'Enid'  indeed - Get it right man, she was called  'Ena'  

a boat with its fenders down at sea is tantamount to a lady going out with her rollers in her hair!!!!

It's also akin to setting off in you car with the boot / tailgate wide open

On a more serious /safety point, they are raised for safety to stop them getting caught / tangled when underway, same reason the rowlocks should always be stowed away in a dinghy if being towed or under sail

Plus - It just looks 'Proper'

Griff

 

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

[The Old Boat Wreck in Salhouse Broad]

5 hours ago, Vaughan said:

I know that Morning Flight's engines would give her 38 knots, using just over 4 gallons of 101 octane aviation spirit per minute - on each engine!

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!!

[Wild Swimming Good For Your Health....oh! Is That So?]

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

[St Ives]

3 hours ago, oldgregg said:

Gotta love 'Stives'.

We've not been since autumn 2020... At which point any sort of holiday anywhere felt like an absolute luxury. A sunny week in Cornwall even more so.

Only the other day we were saying how we need to get back there. Time for a pint in the sloop, and lunch at the Seafood Cafe .

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

[St Ives]

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.

[River Toll - 2024 - 8:5% Increase]

14 hours ago, dnks34 said:

We enjoyed owning a boat on the broads for over 10 years but Im not sad to say Im glad we no longer have a it.
 

Not having one has also meant we have experienced other things we probably wouldn’t have done with that all consuming financial bottomless pit hanging round our necks

If you are a boat owner I will keep you in my thoughts……..😂

 

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

[Moving The Denham Owl]

13 hours ago, floydraser said:

Well the time has come as they say, to move to pastures new and I have until the end of March to move the Owl round to Cove Marina, Brundall, from Brundall Gardens Marina. I'm planning to do it during a decent weather window of a couple of days so I can give it a good clean first. Not far but why mention it here? Because what crew I had will be in Florida!

I will notify people when I do it but if anyone is around and fancies a ride or just keep an eye out for me I would be grateful. 

Pm sent.

Kevin

[Hotel Wroxham]

10 hours ago, Graham47 said:

Do Hotel Wroxham charge for mooring ?

 

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.

[Lovely Property Just Came Up For Sale At Hoveton]

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

[King's Head Hoveton]

3 hours ago, Roy said:

I think generally wroxham by the river / park has been left to get over grown it needs a good tidy and regular maintenance. 
 

 

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

[Horning Pleasurecraft]

2 hours ago, rightsaidfred said:

I could be wrong but I have always understood Clive has welcomed other boats but due to lack of space has asked that you phone ahead first, not unreasonable.

Fred

The sign at the entrance says"No hire craft "

[Horning Pleasurecraft]

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

[Horning Pleasurecraft]

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

[Water Speed Record]

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!

[Would You Hire A Boat Too Wide For The Ant And Chet?]

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.

[Silverline Announcement]

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.

[Broad Ambition - Underway on the H2O]

On 18/09/2023 at 07:20, BroadAmbition said:

Sunday forenoon, arrived at Wroxham, Berthed on the Ba moorings this time.
 

The lads went off to Aylsham via the steam railway, I stayed onboard, had a clean through and did some fishing, the rain curtailed that 

The bridge height board (up river side) stated 6ft2”. It was so tight that we missed the bridge (just) but brushed a couple of dangling height markers, the down river board stated 6ft. This then is ‘B.A’s limit unless we were to remove the mast and canopy, that would gain another couple of Inch

We cruised to Salhouse Broad for overnight. A call to JBX-5 advised us to try The Salhouse Lodge Hotel for dinner. I rang through and booked a table for four plus Purdey dog (Dog friendly)   The food and service was excellent. The lady who took the booking said it was a twenty minute walk. Here we go again - Norfolk time and distance - it took us forty minutes each way.

Back onboard, DVD and libations. 
 

Another great day afloat 

Griff

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

[Good Or Bad Year?]

50 minutes ago, MauriceMynah said:

If people want "things to do" send them to Butlins. If they want to chill, relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility the Broads has to offer, then they've come to the right place.

The Broads hasn't changed that much since the 60s in that respect. Entertainment is what you make it. Messing about in dinghies, fishing and drinking are all still there just as they always have been. 

I was 11 in 65 when we first came, and loved it. Saying that, its not a holiday that will suit all kids, but those who do like it will be the next generation of boaters.

Do we want more playgrounds for people to walk their dogs in? I'm not sure.

The Broads will evolve, and will do so pleasingly if not rushed.

The good Dr. wants to advertise the Broads to a wider audience. Well, to be honest, I think I'm wide enough as it is.

 

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

[Good Or Bad Year?]

17 minutes ago, kpnut said:

As I was reading this thread and getting things in my head, I was going to post that the Broads area is scruffy compared with lots of holiday areas. Now, I don’t mind that at all, (although I do think even in the past 6 years the place has gone downhill), but if you’ve spent out £2000 I think you would be. 
We, who are regular visitors see the place with different eyes to a first time holiday maker. And we realise that some of the scruffiness is just the wild nature of the environment. But some basics like screened off rubbish facilities, well positioned picnic benches with neatly mown grass on some moorings and the like go a long way to a good first impression. Definitely not saying that all moorings need this, but ask why Ranworth and Womack are so popular - they are little central hubs, picturesque (even with the goose poo)! Coltishall is another place with a sort of ‘continental vibe’ to it - nice pub, nicely kept green space, village nearby. 

In many places I’ve visited on the continent, you get somewhere next to a river/lake etc and it’s inviting. A little parade of shops, selling icecream and drinks, somewhere to sit while the kids entertain themselves with a swing or seesaw. Go to Reedham or Acle Bridge, or Ludham Bridge and it should be the same. But somehow it’s not. 
 

I personally don’t need these things, but even the ‘outdoor types’ mentioned above that should be a target group, might have experienced these things abroad and be impressed by the same here. Consider the ‘aire’ at Wroxham, opposite the stern on moorings. In France there are plenty of these riverside/canalside stop off points for motor homes etc, with nice neat pitches, sometimes marked out with low growing hedges. In Wroxham you are in the corner of a rough piece of concrete. 
 

To attract holidaymakers the area has to be attractive to them. Tart it up with casinos, nightclubs etc and it becomes alien to many, while attracting many others, but providing nothing doesn’t really attract anyone. 

Thd real beauty of a broads boating holiday should be adventure, and nature mixed in with that holiday vibe of a few picturesque scenes and a few treats along the way. Lovely photos of sunsets are not the only thing people want on a costly holiday. 

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".

[Good Or Bad Year?]

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.?