Springsong

Good news

That is as maybe but I booked it through Ryanair so they were good enough to passed it on to Stanstead airport at no cost to me so in my obviously misguided opinion that deserves recognition rather than damning with (very) faint praise

Remember Norwich Union ? They used to employ 10 s of thousands I think, under 10 thousand now it is Aviva, although they (Aviva) are still in Norwich just.

How it used to be when Jenny Morgan was a teenager. That's my Mother on the right hand side.

Alan one of the trails I used frequently was The Manifold Valley This was quite near the school I occasionally attended at Rocester where JCB has its head office. This was in I think its earlyish days in the mid to late sixties, that seems an age ago now. If I went there now I probably would not recognise it.

I was trying for the first time to single hand SP. Now as some of you know I am challenged in the leg department. I stopped for an ice cream on the Bure at Salhouse on the main river, by the time I had got off the boat the ice cream boat had disappeared on its round, I explained to the girl my predicament but she still charged me £3.50 for a 1/4 of an hours stay., That made for a very expensive ice cream, so unless it is for a club meeting of some description on the hard at Salhouse I will not be mooring at Salhouse other than mud weighting. I somehow doubt that Henry Cator Esq. will miss my non contribution to his bulging coffers. I have met Henry a few times as he is Patron of the MOB (Museum of the Broads) where I am a volunteer, he is a very personable gentleman so in no way is it a personal gripe just a general rip off gripe.

There are plenty of old railway beds nationally turned into walking trail/cycle tracks. See link below, it makes facinating reading. http://www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/rail-trail In days gone by, i have when I still walked, covered a few of these.

I used to spend much of my school time doodling these type of boats along with those beautiful flying boats Sunderland and the huge clippers. Hubert? Scott- Paine a very unsung genius in my eyes.

I flew Ryan air once albeit a few years ago from Stanstead they a wheel chair waiting for me at both ends even on the tarmac waiting for me ar Granada. Pushed me all the way through Stanstead and straight to the front of the passport queue, that was very satisfying

http://friends.deptfordcreek.net/afloat/suffolk/ Some friends sent me this link to and old Stalham Yacht services Broads cruiser being restored in Essex.

I was in touch a few years ago with a chap restoring a Star Premiere somewhere on the Lee. Has anyone seen it ? It has all gone very quiet, I hope she has been finished.

I really hope the fat lady is in good voice for you Robin. If you ever need a one legged crew who can cook (ish) steer (ish) but not a lot else I am your man. Oh and

Back in the day when we had the Ship at SW we catered a couple of parties at Kingfisher Cottage, yes a very nice place.

My thoughts are with you John I will raise a glass to you this evening but Vodka not Gin.

Robin do it. We had wanted to buy a Trader / trawler yacht back in the day, we left it too late and life overtook us. So to repeat myself Robin do it Traders are great boats.

I have bought a memory foam topper from Dunelm. Really warm and comfortable. http://www.dunelm.com/product/teddy-bear-memory-foam-mattress-topper-1000052734

I don't eat out much these days but I was treated the other day to dinner at the Waterside at Bramerton (the old Woodsend pub). It has been very well modernised but apart from that the service was exceptional and the meal really first class. Very impressed. had a flatiron steak a cut I have never heard of until now. I seem to have suddenly gone italic .

As many of you know being in Admiral Griff's company is at the very least stressful so one is entitled to a little R&R when he is away, the B*****D.

From age 11 I lived in Cheshire I remember Macclesfield and Stockport both had wakes weeks.

Vaughan I do remember Basil Hitchins he of the silver goatee. It was technically a country club as I recall, as non locals we had to pay two shillings (10 pees) to be a member. and drink there.

I should have said the above was the result of a silly o'clock start from just up river of Reedham Ferry on the Cockatrice B&B moorings. They very kindly allowed us to moor the night here on our way back north.

Here area few from our recent trip to Beccles and beyond.

Jonzo you just beat me to it. I really like this boat, the sheer is what attracts me I think. Does it have a rear entrance?

I could always shake a leg I suppose.

That was me in the middle in the wooden one trying to get through the bridge. They were all trying to pick up a pilot.