Meantime

If you Google I used Bing, Horsey Mere Closure, amongst the top results is one from another forum from Dec 2006. It claims to be the "official" forum. Some interesting discussion on that topic, and it would appear at least two of the people discussing this topic here appeared to have taken part in that discussion back then. Small world.

Looking at the following information from the BA water depth survey, you may want to consider only cruising the New Cut at high water! and then very much in the centre. http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/514361/DEPTH__Haddiscoe-Cut.pdf

I don't know if you already have an examiner in mind, but I've used Tim Waters and he is very good. Phone number 07810 458021

Yes but it is up to two months before and this gets added to your new BSS so you keep the same renewal date. As you probably know the BSS is once every four years.

The Dollar still has a way to go, but currently at 1.40 compared to 1.22 last march, although the Euro is still dire.

Easter is early this year so extending the traditional hire season. Herbert Woods are reporting a 55% increase in bookings so far compared to the same period last year and they are building an additional 5 new picnic boats. So could this be a bumper year for The Broads? http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/herbert-woods-invests-350-000-in-building-new-picnic-boats-1-5365421

How about a chat with Sutton Staithe boat yard? I've always found them very friendly and helpful. They might be able to do you a special deal on an extended 2 or 3 week mooring. I know they have a couple of overnight moorings, but might have space in the basin especially as there would be some boats on the hard standing this time of year.

It flies really fast. It is now twelve years, since we are now in 2018 The Nelson is a good pub though.

I don't think that has happened for a number of years now. Since 2006 there has even been access for anglers, albeit it with strict arrangements on the number of boats, and area they can fish in. Something like only one boat at any one time and the area is from the end of Meadow dyke along the sides of the Broad for a number of yards. See map https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1GWn6yN4qB7n6H1bj9oVu0ciuCcQ&msa=0&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=52.73922100000002%2C1.6226080000000138&spn=0.003248%2C0.004656&z=17&source=embed

These days any business is for sale if the price is right. I suspect given the auction comments they would even be prepared to give it away if a buyer could be found.

I found this on the BA website which does confirm there is access to the staithe, although it doesn't mention Waxham Cut. Most bosts struggle to get up there anyway. Horsey Mere is a particularly sensitive part of the Upper Thurne, supporting some of the largest populations of wild migratory water birds. Between the start of November and the end of February boat access on the mere is limited to navigation between the end of Meadow Dyke and the Staithe. Anglers can also use a small area in the southern part of the mere as long as they get a permit first. More information is on the Thurne Fisheries website. Natural England sees any boating or fishing outside these areas as likely to disturb waterfowl and therefore an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. In the past much of the disturbance caused by boaters has been due to lack of awareness of the rules so we have put up a sign at the entrance to Candle Dyke asking boat users not to access the mere during the sensitive period. The designated areas for fishing are under continual review. However, at this moment in time it is Natural England’s view that any fishing outside of the permitted area could cause disturbance to the waterfowl.

Horsey Mere may be owned by The Horsey Estate, but it is tidal and therefore a right to navigate exists. Threats have been made in the past of prosecuting under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act which can carry a £20,000 fine for intentionally disturbing birds. However if all you are doing is navigating to the staithe or as Marshman has indicated Waxham Cut then you should be fine.

My understanding, such as it is, is that you must not disturb the wildlife but you can still access the staithe, or at least that is what I was told when calling The Nelson a season or two back to ask if they knew whether we could arrive by boat. I believe any ban is voluntary as strictly speaking the BA cannot close the navigation.

Wasn't there a similar case between Ranworth and South Walsham where someone had laid a boardwalk without planning permission? They also said they were planning on allowing public access to it at given times. What happened with that case?

Looking at the picture shown in the EDP, this looks nothing like an agricultural field. The land as agricultural land would have had a cheaper price due to the planning constraints on what it could be used for. How much has that parcel of land now added to the price of the house with it's extensive landscaped orchard and gardens? But I think the real point is that if someone gets away with extending their garden by purchasing the adjoining field, then how long before the assumed use of that land is as a domestic garden? Then ten years later there is a similar uproar because someone wants to sell part of their large garden to a builder who wants to build houses on it. After all we are short of houses and people all over the country are selling off part of their plot to squeeze in another house or two. It is this creep that the planning system needs to regulate more thoroughly. Personally I think if they rip up the hard border, grass and gazebo and just leave the orchard I think that would be fine, as it is still agricultural. Leaving it as it is, is just extending the domestic garden on a grand and more formal scale.

Isn't the traffic controlled by lights as well as barrier? If so surely it is not beyond the capabilities of the port to stop the traffic with the lights and then wheel out a temporary barrier across the lane to then open the bridge? It might add a minute or so to the road closure, but I cannot see that many bridge lifts being needed at this time of year. Why do they and Network Rail always take the easy option of just announcing the bridge is non operational until further notice.

Stunning shot, lovely reflections on the water too.

That's good to hear. Stopped there in November for a pint. Good choice and reasonably priced. Didn't eat on that occasion, but food being served looked reasonable.

No I think they were a group of trainees for the voluntary bailiff service out for a test run. http://www.anglingtrust.net/page.asp?section=1466&sectionTitle=Voluntary+Bailiff+Service

Been recaptured now. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/wolf-recaptured-after-escaping-from-sanctuary/ar-AAuQQz6?ocid=spartanntp

For anyone that missed this first time around, it is being repeated on Channel 4 at 7pm on this Saturday 20th. This is The Norfolk Broads episode. Well worth a watch.

It looks like a new member called expilot joined yesterday, so maybe he will post with an update if it is the same person.

Possibly slightly different, Thorpe Island is an island, and although connected by a bridge, I don't think the bridge gives access to Roger Wood's end of the island? whereas the bungalows at Potter do have a footpath access all the way along the back to the road. It may not be the most convenient for taking goods, but I can think of other places where there is no road access to the property, only a footpath. At Haddiscoe station there is a row of cottages between the railway and the river. Access is from the station car park, across the level crossing, along the Lowestoft bound station platform, onto a footpath and to the houses. Many estates on the "New Towns" were built to a model where car parking was around the outside of the estate and you had to walk through the estate on foot to deliver goods to the house. As a TV engineer in the mid 80s some of these estates became two man installs because you couldn't leave your car unattended to install a new TV for fear of coming back and finding your window broken and the rest of the TVs or videos gone.

It looks like NYA have now completed the purchase of the old Alphacraft yard in Brundall and in recognition of Langford Jillings snr is to rename the place to Langford Harbour. A fitting tribute. https://www.nya.co.uk/nya-acquire-alpha-craft-yard-brundall/

Looks like positive news from the boat show, although to pick up on one point, owners upgrading to larger boats will surely put an even higher demand on the dwindling number of mooring spots on the Broads. Conversely I guess it is good news for the owners of annual moorings who generally charge by the foot. http://www.edp24.co.uk/business/london-boat-show-2018-brexit-prices-help-norfolk-suffolk-marine-businesses-1-5358020