PaulN

If you have filled in your Census form this week, I think the information we have had to provide is far more comprehensive and intrusive than Herr Schicklegruber, the nasty little Austrian painter and decorator ever managed to achieve. However I don't consider this could lead to such disastrous results, but could prevent a third wave and preserve life. We have to have so much ID these days, what with NI numbers, driving license, security cards for most major office buildings etc etc. One comprehensive ID card, I can't see as a real problem.

Well, I for one will be more than happy to go in a pub knowing everyone has been vaccinated with at lest the first dose a couple of weeks earlier, I will feel a lot safer. I believe I'm right in saying, that under our licensing laws, the licensee can chose who he wishes to serve and a public health issue would seem reasonable to me. No doubt I'm in for a lot of criticism but like it or not, that's how I feel.

Thank you Tom, that sounds very encouraging.

Looking forward to getting back to both Pubs, what a fantastic change when you took over the Lion. My wife loves trying your different Gin's.

Thank you David, I have registered and now waiting to hear back from the Administrator

Well someone took responsibility for fencing it off, so maybe they should rectify whatever it is that they are not happy about. There are few enough free 24 hour moorings for the number of boats, as it is. We pay enough on our tolls to be able to use our boats, so it's us that should have the primary consideration, I would have thought. My toll due at the end of the month is £581.60 and the same bot, if it were a hire craft such as Swan Radiance or Romance, it would be £1,310.00, so fisherman hardly finance the facilities, my current rod license is £20 albeit those using this stretch have to pay an extra £20. Come on BA, stop hiding and get our moorings open!

Thank You

Wow that was quick. I see I'm a full member today. Thank you Mr Moderator!

We purchased our boat from Paul, it was so straightforward and professional, a real gentleman. He built her for the previous owners and maintained her from thereon. Although we moor at Horning in an excellent yard with very good staff; because of Paul's knowledge and care of the boat, we always take her back to Brundall for servicing etc.

Thanks JM. If the N.A.T. are the landowner, then the future for this section of mooring is probably bright, I hope so, as we enjoy mooring there and watching the world go by. I must say, that NBN site during lockdown has been a godsend. Being retired and unable to get to the boat, it's been an enjoyable part of every day and gives me my 'Fix' of the Norfolk Broads. I note elsewhere on the Forum that one can become a full member at the Moderator's discretion after 100 posts. Well this is number 100, I wonder how many were deemed sensible. Ha Ha

I've seen lots of references here to 'The Landowner' but who is that? The only reference I can find is Wikipedia which says the Crown Estate sold it to the Norfolk Archaeological Trust, is that the case, I'm sure some of you knowledgeable guys know. If it is the case, then surely the N.A.T. have no interest in moorings, and so can't some of our tolls be used by the BA to maintain them by doing a direct deal with them. I'm no doubt being very naive, but if the Environment Agency prefers a 'soft bank' option and the landowner has no interest in maintaining piling, then shouldn't some more lateral thought be applied to the problem and money spent for the benefit the 'Cash Cow' that provides it?

We really like the Fisherman's Inn. I first went in there when we moored up outside in December 2018, having just taken delivery of our first Broads Cruiser, purchased at Brundall. It had only just reopened after refurbishment. We were made very welcome by the Landlord and the Log burner on that cold evening. Food and beer excellent. Last summer we enjoyed the garden too with it's great views of the river and the start of Breydon.

Tidings village store at Horning sell them £1 each I find they last easily during a stay on a 24 hour mooring. I turn the immersion heater of at night and just put it on for an hour or two first thing in the morning, ready for the shower, washing up etc. We have a 240v freezer on board that is left on all the time and that is not a problem, it runs on the inverter when we are not hooked up to shore power.

Thank you Tom, that's great to know, as a boat owner and angler. Paul

Hi stonkn, how are you getting on with finding a bot for this summer. I'm afraid the one at NYA that I said I doubted if it would be there long, has gone already.

Yes, I agree 'Sour Grapes' If the vaccine was from Bremen University and not Oxford, I'm sure there wouldn't be a problem. Ursula von der Leyen did did her best to punish us over Brexit, trying to stop it happening and now she's in charge of coordinating the EU vaccine roll out. It would be funny if it wasn't so dreadfully tragic for the older people in the EU being unnecessarily left vulnerable to the virus. Had my Oxford AZ a month ago and looking forward to the 2nd

Sorry Marshman, my comment re 'wet sheds' was very tongue in cheek, just to demonstrate how fraught with problems trying to re-write the law is, as the BA seem to be trying to do. I shall be following the law set out by Government and approved by Parliament, so shall be using my boat and staying on board with my wife from 12th April, providing the dates don't change.

So people in wet sheds wont be able to go on board presumably!

It was a sad day when MW retired from commentating on F1, he made the programme along with Fleetwood Mac's 'The Chain' Murray developed a bit of a reputation for commenting on how well a driver was performing, only to see them spin off at the next corner, or worse. I remember Damon Hill when he won the World Championship saying that all he could think about on the last lap was 'Don't say anything Murray' RIP Murray, you made the sport very special.

Like you, our anniversary is also in March and for the last 3 years (2018-20) we have booked an evening meal on the 21st at the Bridge Inn Acle, which is our favourite venue on the North Broads. Last year, we were so disappointed to get a phone call the day before to say that as the lock-down was due to start on the 22nd, they were closing on the 20th. So it looks like we can next go for our anniversary there in 2022.

Yes, we hired Commander in 2018, probably our last hire, as we purchased a boat later that year. She is a beautiful craft, great visibility down below at helm position though not so good for any seated crew, great sun deck and even has touch screen heating controls in each cabin. An ideal size for just the 2 of us!! What so often surprises me though, is watching people trying to manoeuvre these boats and keep shunting backwards and forwards, when there is one boat shaped knob to control both bow and stern thrusters, which makes it all so simple. We really enjoyed the boat and would recommend her. We didn't pay anything like the current rate, but my wife doesn't like flying, but loves the broads, so no more expensive that a cheap foreign holiday.

I'm sure Paul Crampton can help, as NNog suggested. Alternatively, Nick and Tanya at Brian Ward's must know them all in that area.

Thank you everyone for your mine of information as usual. I think I would only attempt Potter Heigham with pilot if as Marsham says, the water is low after a long dry period and even then, only if the forecast is to continue dry. Also would have to be just before a spring tide, knowing that it will be even lower a day or 2 later. We had thought of hiring a day-boat from HW and as suggested here, that will probably be the best bet and more relaxing. Thank you everyone for your help.

Thank you Brundall Navy. Wroxham Pilots told me that they weren't insured for private boats and so I assumed this applied to Potter Heigham as well. So that is really good to hear and when the water level looks a little lower in the summer, I may well give them a ring

Thank you for your reply, but is it my imagination or are water levels higher than a few decades ago and if so what has caused this. As you can probably see from the small inset photo of our boat, on my NBN profile, our roof does slope away at 45 degrees either side (it's an Alphacraft 36 with fore and aft access). However at the heights I am seeing, I just wouldn't feel confident. I would happily pay the pilot to take the boat through, but I don't believe they can do that for private boats, although I stand to be corrected.