Ray

Hello and welcome :)

Glad you were OK and thanks for this eye opener, there is nothing better than experience to learn from. Would be interested to hear about your ladder mod when completed.

I think the general perception is down to the fact that for most be8ng on a boat is our down time or indeed holiday, anyone that enjoys a tipple even in moderation generally takes a glass or two when relaxing and enjoying life. I very much enjoy a beer or two when onboard or in a broads pub, but never to excess (since my youth anyway).

Never one to miss jumping on a band wagon and having a disappointing song as No1 when I was born, I thought this could be an interesting subject along similar lines :) Born in '55 and a teenager in the 70's my love is rock, heavy and prog plus the odd pop hit from the time I can now admit (as street cred is something I long ago stopped being concerned about) For a song I wished was No1 when I was born I haven't gone for my all time favourite, although it's certainly up there but one which I remember as catching the feeling of the time and how I felt! Steppenwolf - Born To Be Wild and The Who - My Generation

Not quite the rock anthem I was hoping for... Christmas Alphabet - Dickie Valentine

I believe you can buy long(ish) stay parking in Lathams large car park at Potter Heigham

This is a question often in the back of my mind because in fact I can't swim! I know I would feel desperate to help someone in trouble but not want to give the emergency services another victim to rescue. I wear my life jacket personally so no one will have to risk their life saving me, my life-ring does have a long floating line (tied to the boat) and I carry one of those emergency ladders that can be tied off to your boat or a bank because I saw a documentary in which it was clear that getting someone out of the water is no easy thing especially if they are not in a position to help themselves. Hopefully I'll never need to rescue someone or be rescued but under the circumstances I'll do whatever I can!

Webcams and replaced, accurate signage at the significantly low bridges.

Thanks MM, I have now kindly been pointed in the right direction and have the excellent diagrams of both bridges prepared by Stowager

I didn't think about measuring my own air draught! The best ideas are straight forward ones, I'll do that this weekend. I'm a dab hand at finding stuff on the internet, I'll find it.. many thanks for the heads up :)

That makes sense, thanks :)

Edit - Sorry MM I was typing when your post appeared That's a good tip, does anyone know what the difference is between the gauges? Could be handy to know in advance! My boat is a Hampton Safari so technically both Wroxham and PH should be passable at times, the air draught is published at 6" 6".. As a first time boat owner and not knowing how much difference my fuel and water level would make I think I'd want to see 6'9" or 6' 10" before my first attempts What other tips are good to know? If I'm happy with the height do I head through with a bit of speed or dead slow. Also the other week at Ludham there seemed to be much confusion over who takes precedence going through. I was going down stream toward St Bennetts and was nicely lined up when a large hire craft came round the last bend going upstream toward the bridge. She was committed and so was I but I reasoned I had more chance and room to give way but only just and did so. I don't think they made any attempt to give way but I can't say I blame them. Any tips for us bridge newbies guys?

"I can call you BettyAnd Betty when you call meCall me Al" (well Ray actually but Paul Simon didn't know that )

It's one of those things I look at and think "I love it... what is it?" :)

Has anyone been in there yet? It seems an odd way of opening a new venture, no advertising, no big signs outside etc. They have a good location but the fact that it is open seems almost a secret. I can't help thinking of Royston Vasey!

Well done everyone concerned by the sound of it. As a matter of interest does their boat show a blue flashing light when on an emergency shout? It would save explanations to those they have to pass in a hurry.

It will be a complete surprise to them when I open the box and they see the river :)

Thank you Griff, one of the ' marine' ones was over £200!

Forgot to add the link... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chrome-Thermostatic-Bar-Mixer-Shower-Valve-Tap-Top-3-4-Outlet-For-Shower-Column/282845341728?hash=item41dae56820:g:TWAAAOSwZrhabxcQ

Is there any reason not to use a domestic thermostatic shower mixer rather than one designated as marine? I have to go out and check the measurements and pipe sizes but a unit like this would save me a lot of beer tokens :) It looks the same as the one I have to replace and will only be needed half a dozen times a year (I live near our boat!) Assuming the physical dimensions/fitting diameters work I imagine the water pump will have enough pressure.

Welcome... I think I've been here just long enough to be part of the welcoming committee If we see you we'll wave and our dogs can bark at each other :)

Have to add my vote of confidence as well, bought some life jackets online and they messaged me to check the details and delivered them the same afternoon! Coincidentally I have discovered this morning that I need a new shower mixer tap too!

Looks great!

Sorry to hear about your wife Chris, I can only imagine how difficult that was and still is for you. Thank goodness you did have that quality time to enjoy together.

We've had our own boat for 3 months, before that we hired many many times. But the gap between our last hire and buying a boat is over 20 years.. there is no doubt at all that we are novices "again" But we love every minute of it of course!