Ray

..... and that's how I ended up in A & E 😁

I've supported St George for many years.... I married the Dragon! Happy St Georges Day

From the Hello album - volume up and enjoy 😁 https://youtu.be/4L_9H8WTTSw?si=WmgSFhSeoNBSPjxk

Softer Ride would work, then not work, then work... 😂 Love that track 👍

Cheers 🥃 I'm in the same boat, well not literally otherwise you'd have noticed. My trusted method which I'm about to employ is to find something like a "very interesting" podcast/radio program and follow it carefully. This method is so successful that over many years I have learnt absolutely nothing. Goodnight 👍

Absolutely agree, which may come as a surprise given my post above 🙂 I simply take issue with the way that the whole concept of woke has been turned on it's head to be seen as something bad. Whoever tells us what to do or think are dictators, as you say we don't need or want telling and in a way that's the point. By all means fight extremist factions be they Left, Right, Religious or Conspiracy Theorists etc. but nearly every decent person is by definition somewhat woke. On another thread there is a list of modern terms and saying that get under people's skin, maybe I should have posted this there...... "So, at the end of the day, I ran it up the flagpole but no one saluted, er my bad, you know 😂"

It's really a good idea to know what "woke" means before using it constantly in the pejorative just because it has become common to do so in certain circles. Here’s how the OED defines it. woke, adjective: Originally: well-informed, up-to-date. Now chiefly: alert to racial or social discrimination and injustice; frequently in stay woke. How many members here would like to be thought of as someone not caring about discrimination and injustice?

These people operate day in and day out and are virtually impossible to tell apart from honest guys just trying to make a living. I'd say you did well to get so much work done and not fall for the rat scam! All in all one up to you, you trusted folk like a decent human being but was not taken in 👍

How very dare you.... 😂😂😂 🍺🍺

Another aspect and I don't know if this has happened or is common, is that a helm becoming aware of being filmed may be distracted enough to make the mistake the filmer is hoping to capture. Many of us will have experienced messing something up because we are under scrutiny whether afloat or in any other area of life (my first driving test haunts me still after 50 years lol) Basically it's intrusive and un-nerving and more so for those making their first attempt at a new skill.

Help comes in many forms, sometimes a simple coffee and a chat will do, maybe a second pair of eyes to go over official documents and forms could help someone bamboozled by seemingly endless rules and requirements. Someone who is alone can quickly become isolated leaving them disadvantaged and unable to access help they may be entitled to. This applies on the water, in cities and rural villages equally, wanting to help can actually seem quite daunting but being a good neighbour often gives insights into where a little help can be given as a friend. Sorry to sound preachy or worse still in some eyes "woke" but I'd wager that every member has or would help a neighbour, it just needs a wider view of who our neighbours are

That's the problem in a nutshell, we have no desire to victimise people but the only solutions appear to do just that. Sadly, like so many societal problems every avenue costs a lot of money that simply isn't available. That's why I guess most such difficulties are treated with a stick rather than a carrot 🙁

I believe councils are legally obliged to provide facilities for Travellers, could there be any advantage in requiring the same of river authorities? I'm not proposing this as an answer just exploring the idea from the point of view of our experienced members.

Welcome aboard 👍

We spoke to them last year and they really wanted to find a buyer who would take on the whole ethos and character of the business. I expect their search continues! We always include a stop there, love the place 👍

What everyone else says 👍 We do really all get it wrong sometimes especially at first but even after years of experience. You'll laugh about this oneday and before you know it you will be the one giving a beginner helpful advice. Carry on regardless 🙂

I think that the family are going to receive the best introduction possible to boating.... Many happy hours afloat to them 👍 Nice one Griff 🍺

Nice job, looks good 👍

No blame attaches to the vast majority of decision makers doing their best in exceptional circumstances. Reviews all over the world of different approaches taken are very sensible in order that we can all be better prepared next time. If in rare cases these reviews reveal reckless behaviour then specific blame can and should be applied to those responsible if they caused more death and suffering... not through lack of knowledge which is understandable but as I say through reckless decisions.

We use the Indian at Repps as well, very nice food 👍

Also at the chip shop end is Broadland House vets, good to know if holidaying with your pets. In addition to being handy they are lovely people and really helpful.

Things change.... today's youngsters will one day miss how things are now! It's just the way of the world I'm afraid. When we first visited Stalham it still had the wednesday market with an auctioneer walking from lot to lot laid out on the ground, loved it and miss it but I also used to think that a torch with different colour lenses that you could rotate through was high tech enough to be almost sci fi 😂

Looking good Malc, we are missing being under way too, it's been a long wet winter. We have some work booked with Paul as well. Once the season is under way it would be nice to meet up for a lunch again if you and your good lady are up for a pint and a bite 🙂 Following some issues I alluded to a while back we both now eat meat and drink alcohol again.... thank goodness 😂

It's easier to list the pubs that aren't dog friendly, the only 2 that have said no to us are the Ingham Swan and that big one in Oulton Broad who's name escapes me. In both cases outside was OK, no criticism intended, both are fine establishments who simply make their rules around the dining comfort of other patrons

Cracking set of photos Griff, beautiful pooches clearly living the best lives, great to see 👍