Smoggy

Quack quack.

It'd be the only thing that does navigate it..

The moral of the story is when someone shouts duck they are not always pointing out the waterfowl.....

Still trying, well the bell chucks out early.

Bear in mind the gauges at ludham bridge lie by a good few inches, like most of us.

There's better ways of getting a headache on a boat Ian Trust me I'm trying...

We checked the levels at ludham bridge yesterday and it was a good two inches lower than Ian's head.... Sorry Ian, beer has had an effect.

How is the bridge?

Mutford lock is not that expensive, tie up tight and nip under in a dinghy when they let the water out.... You won't be the first albeit not at mutford.

As the op I must remind the bit about being moored and having a snooze, avoidance was never an option on my part.

I've have a freedom window and now a silverline so I'm thinking I need a broom next to fill brundall's quota before I move down river to get a Sanderson's window. Do I have the wrong attitude? Both times it's been something that could have happened to any of us so no grudge or digs implied from me.

Looks like I have to carve another notch on my anchor! A silver line boat this time got it wrong in the wind (not really surprising) and used a window as a fender, not a shock that my anchor won the duel. I should be on commission from the window fixers....

For cleaning to keep algae and mildew off use a 4:1 mix of patio magic (or doff from aldi) and brush on and allow to dry, the marine stuff is called wet&forget but far dearer and the same stuff. I've heard of thomsons water seal used to reproof but never tried it. If there's a boat on the tin there will be an extra zero on the price tag.

It's always worth checking tachos against a digital tacho direct from the crank pulley, they are dirt cheap to buy and even if inaccurate at least it will be the same for each engine (they are usually spot on), once confirmed both tachos are ok maybe set the throttles together at normal river speed, idle should be ok as it's not the cables that set that, they will still be out at other throttle settings but closer in your normal range. Mine are never in the same spot, one engine always uses more fuel, you just get used to it, I turned my helm gear by 180 degrees as one had a worn spot at sea cruising speed so would keep creeping back slightly, I figured they wouldn't be doing those revs for long periods in reverse so shouldn't have the same worn spot.

I assume the osb sheets around the patio doors are to make cheaper doors fit, either way it looks like a cobbled together shanty town with it, does the building no favours at all. They must have found the only builder not owed money by the owner. (yet)

Outside the fishermans is steel piling with concrete behind, not great but on a hireboat it's less of a worry (I fend well) with posts to tie too, the section past the marina is steel piled with a top edge and posts, that one has a gravel path behind the piling, no electric at either. Next softer mooring options are polkeys on the yare or st.olaves on the waveney.

I've never seen a reserved sign anywhere there so I assume it's not something they do, I've certainly never booked a mooring there. Last time I was in there food was all served with disposable cutlery, next week I will go there and take a knife and fork with me, might even take a plate if moored right outside, I think they have the cheapest beer on the broads.

They have the old ba moorings too.

You don't have to moor at the berney if pushing it for time, the fishermans is just around the corner and open for beer and food.

Do you mean you have been chipped and snipped? That'll please Mrs G even more that the scottish dad.

Whoa there! Wash your mouth out at once! Such comments shouldn't be allowed.

Being car based southwold is not that far and always a nice place.

My 3 day itinerary is usually as follows. Drink Wee sleep Drink Wee Sleep Drink Wee Sleep. Just sayin'

A lifejacket is not much use without a crotch strap as you can be on the bottom while it floats uselessly on the surface, an auto inflate one needs the inflater replacing every few years and a manual inflate needs the bottle checking at least annually, and all should have the bladder inflated once a year for 24 hours to check for leaks, if you wish to buy your own bear these points in mind. I would rather use my own than a supplied one.

And of course then you have to ban the wearing of lifejackets inside cabin areas of boats as they hinder your escape route in case of fire or sinking. I will often use my lifejacket in coastal harbour areas but never when cruising along the broads or in the saloon or cabin at sea, I know I'm a poor swimmer and cold water shock will probably make my third breath my last but I still make my own decisions and accept responsibility for them.