[Signed In Or Logged Out?]

yep, started last night and happening every time I access the forum 

Chris

[Thefts From Loddon]

3 hours ago, Cheesey69 said:

what is missing is fear of the prison itself.

Borstal young offenders were terrified of the open bullying (see film Scum), Adult prisoners went into General population before being sorted  into category prisons. Your offence was judged by your fellow inmates and yes, the screws would turn a blind eye.

There is more, things like the canteen where, back in the day, you could only spend what you earned, now you get a card that can be charged with cash to spend. So if you got those on the outside with money your on.

Very low paid screws leaves them open for bribes

you can even ware your own clothes, long gone are the days of allocation, making socks last!

I haven't got an answer because the actual punishment is restriction of liberty, not anything else and I grow up with ex-cons that used to tell tales of nightmare beatings and very rough justice that kept the more "weird" crimes in order and it never was a solution but just one aspect. 

I worked in a prison for 10 years up until 2020 when I finally retired for the last time. My personal belief is that we have become too soft as far as deterring the criminal minded amongst us. Indeed there was many a time when certain individuals would re-appear in the prison, having been released, only to re-offend and get banged up again! All too often I heard from many prisoners that life inside was far better than they had on the outside. Don't get me wrong, prison staff do the best they can with the resources at their disposal but with the "duty of care" being their primary mandate, it is all too easy for prisoners to work the system to their best advantage.  There are countless compensation claims that are made by prisoners all the time for various reasons which take up a lot of time to investigate and either have them thrown out or end up paying sums of money in some cases. I could go on and on but until the government puts a much harsher deterrent in place (especially for the initial period of time on entering a secure environment), then I fear that our prison population will never decrease. 

Chris

[Ranworth Update]

2 hours ago, mikeyboy1966 said:

This image was posted on BRAG,

Plus comments on how many boats moored up at the hire yards.

price hikes too much?

We don't mind paying the £13 overnight charge when mooring at Beccles as well as paying for one of their electric cards, as Beccles has a lot to offer both during the day and night as opposed to Ranworth. In fact Beccles will be one of our stops in September when we take our friends from Devon down to the southern broads on Royale Light 2.

Chris

 

[Ranworth Update]

This is interesting, especially the section concerning Ranworth mooring

https://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/about-us/committees/navigation-committee/navigation-committee-8-june-2023

Chris

 

[Ferry Marina Offer]

1 hour ago, Broads01 said:

Ferry are offering a 30% discount on holidays between 26 May and 10 June. I can't help feeling they wouldn't be left with unsold bookings to discount if they just charged less in the first place.

 

Hmmm "all inclusive boating holiday"?? Are they providing the catering and drinky poos as well??? 

Chris

[Paddle Skedaddle - Saturday 13th May]

12 minutes ago, Gracie said:

Well no matter how people feel it's going ahead. I wish them well and hope they have the best day

I've been thinking of having a go myself but not sure it would work in heels. Not sure I would stay dry either  x

And more to the point Gracie, where would you put the Prosecco and obligatory glass? 

Chris

[Charter Is The New Hire]

8 minutes ago, floydraser said:

Nor do I. 

Tried it once and my tent sank! 

You have to erect your tent upside down, then it will float 

Chris

[Charter Is The New Hire]

6 minutes ago, Broads01 said:

From the photo it looks like a general check in point rather than something being used to differentiate more luxurious boats.

When we were moored up there last Tuesday, there were barriers across where that sign roughly is and then at 1p.m. there were a few cars parked up in the three lanes (reminiscent of a ferry terminal but obviously on a much smaller scale!) and the barriers were removed. There were three ladies checking the cars and then telling them if their boat was ready and where to go. (I don't think it was a separate check-in just for the "more luxorious boats" either).

Chris

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

We're back home (yesterday) and sorting out all the post holiday tasks from washing to picking pooch up from the kennels and general household and garden tasks! Once we're back into our "normal" routine, I'll finish off the blog for this holiday with a few more pics and write-ups. Only 19 weeks until we're back on the Broads on HW's Royale Light 2 

Chris

[Charter Is The New Hire]

9 hours ago, Cheesey69 said:

Might explain the drift away from the idea and branding of hiring. 

I did wonder about this sign when we saw it last Tuesday when moored up at Richardson's for the night. Also noticed that they still operate the queuing system for booking in, reminded me of the days when I use to queue up for a cross channel ferry! I have to say though that the staff are very friendly and helpful! We wanted to top up with water but the pump was switched off. One of the staff was walking past and not only went to switch the pump on for us but also untangled the water hose that some previous person had left all messed up!

Chris

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

55 minutes ago, YnysMon said:

Bump the boat is obviously just a game to some idiots. As you say…grr. I was thinking of making a bee line for Thurne Dyke next Saturday morning (in search of good TV signal). Maybe Acle or St Benet's would be a better bet. Mind you, we have had an early morning ‘nudge’ from a departing privateer at Acle before now.

Good TV signal here, just back from the pub and watching the snooker 

Chris and Brenda

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

Well, well!! We got to Thurne Dyke at 1.30 and it was almost empty! Spun the boat round in the dyke and moored up on the left bank facing towards the river (easy get out in the morning lol). Booked in at the pub for 7 for our last meal of the holiday and had a quick pint.  As I type this, the dyke is almost full and mainly HW boats that I think have only just been taken over!  Ouch! Just been bumped by one of them coming up the dyke just a tad too fast!! Grrrrr! And the guy at the helm was laughing as he went past!!  Got the boats name and will mention it to HW tomorrow when we get back.  Oh well, onwards and upwards! 

Chris and Brenda

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

32 minutes ago, Gracie said:

That last night on board is special but the worst feeling in the morning when you have to give the boat back. Enjoy your last day and night but please do not harm any ducks if you get peckish on your travels. Peckish, get it  I know, I know where's the groan emoji when you need one  

Have a great day x

Thank you Gracie  it's a bit murky this morning here at Acle Bridge! No real plans for today apart from ending up at Thurne Dyke about 1 ish and then start getting all our stuff sorted out ready for the handover on the Saturday morning. We might have a poodle around South Walsham again this morning or even Ranworth again.  Not too bothered about handing the boat back this time as we're back in 16 weeks on Royale Light 2 with our friends from Devon . Time for brekkie!

Chris and Brenda

[Car Talk]

I used to have a Hornet back in the 70's! I was stationed at Bovington Camp and when we were posted to Detmold in Germany, it got us all the way there without any problems! I kept it for about another 6 months and then swapped it with an army mate for a Ford Taunus. The Hornet was a great little car in its day 

Chris

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

59 minutes ago, LizG said:

Enjoy a second or two drinks on board 

We are 

Chris and Brenda

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

Just back from the pub, bridge safely negotiated both ways , we shared a chicken tenders with sweet chilli for a starter which was very nice, Brenda then had the scampi and cod combo and I foolishly had the sirloin 10z steak! I say foolishly cos when we paid the bill of a few pence short of 60 quid - the steak was nearly half the bill  and we only had one drink each! Unfortunately, there was no specials board on show (which the steak was part of) and when the waitress mentioned it as part of the specials menu,  I didn't ask how much it was - well you don't do you??  I honestly have to say that the 8oz rump steak I had at The Lion in Thurne was much better and a lot cheaper! Still, beggars can't be choosers and the good news is that we made it back to the boat before the heavens opened up again!! Tomorrow night is our last night on board and we will as always be mooring up at Thurne Dyke and having another meal in the Lion 

Chris and Brenda

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

58 minutes ago, YnysMon said:

Maybe it's time to resurrect the Cooking on a Boat thread?

No tasty treat tonight , table booked in the Bridge Inn at Acle for 7 p.m. moored up on the free BA moorings just before the bridge and on leccy 

Chris and Brenda

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

Under the bridge at 1030 (2 hrs before low tide) gauge showing about 8' 2" . Currently moored up at Fleet dyke just before south walsham broad, having had a slow meander around it. Coffee time  and the sun is still shining!!

Chris and Brenda

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

40 minutes ago, Gracie said:

 

You could have had roast duck with your veg and new potatoes the other day. Oh goodness me I am just kidding, you can't eat a little duck 

 

Now that's a thought never plucked a duck on a boat before! Just waiting for the level to drop a tad more so that we can get under Ludham Bridge (we need 8') and the sun is shining for once!

Chris and Brenda

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

6 hours ago, BroadAmbition said:

Normally I despair of those that insist on putting up pictures of the food they are about to eat.  Especially on FB and the like

I think back to when when had rolls of normal film and 'Proper' cameras, taking them off to the developers or posting off to 'Truprint' then when you got them back, dashing round to friends and family saying - Look what we had for dinner      Really?

However in your last photo - I'll make and exception  - I could consume that lot right now, nice one   Needs a touch of HP brown though, along with bread n butter,  a mug of Broads tea (Has a small splash of whisky in it)

Griff

Thanks Griff - the HP brown is just out of camera shot at the top of the pic , I tend to use quite a bit of it so didn't want to show my dinner covered in it! I agree with you about putting such pictures on FB and the like (I never do). My excuse for posting on here is to show people who may be first time hirers, just what can be achieved using the boats galley facilities (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it )

Chris and Brenda

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

And tonight's tasty treat is: new potatoes (left over from yesterdays dinner), fried in butter and oil, fresh pork and tomato sausage, bacon from our friend who farms pigs in south warwickshire and tinned spaghetti rings (courtesy of a supermarket lol). Nice and peaceful here tonight at Ludham Bridge (only 5 boats including us!). Watching snooker again and enjoying a couple of beers and Prosecco 

Chris and Brenda

 

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

Best laid plans of mice and men! After my previous post, we realised that we've still got a fair bit of food on board, some of which is in the fridge, so rather than eat in a pub tonight we decided to carry on down the Ant and we are now moored up just before Ludham Bridge! Cooking on board again tonight but whether we stay here or not is another question  At least I've got a good mobile signal here!

Chris and Brenda

 

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

Morning all  thinking of paying a visit to Neatishead later this morning. I've read the thread about the grit problem there but would like to visit the White Horse to sample their food and drink  It's another place that we have never been to so hoping that it's a fairly easy place to moor up!

Chris and Brenda

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

Dinner duly cooked and consumed and washed down with a beer and a glass of Prosecco  now settled for an evening of snooker on the telly 

Chris and Brenda

 

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

Another peaceful night aboard! Departed Horning at 0910 hrs and headed towards Ludham Bridge. Got under the bridge about 30 mins before low tide with 6" to spare. On the way to Ludham Bridge we picked up 3 hitchhikers!! They didn't stay long as we didn't offer them any refreshments  Barton Broad was a bit breezy and we arrived at Richardsons marina about 12 ish to find that nearly all the quays were full but we managed to find a slot in the furthest quay and I surprised myself by reversing into it without any mishaps or bumps! After we had tied up, a member of Richardsons staff walked past and said he had been watching me come in and commended me on my boat handling skills! I thought to myself "if I had known he was watching me, I'd have made a right pigs ear of it!" So, having made the obligatory walk to Tescos, we now have roast chicken with mixed veg and new potatoes for dinner tonight 

Chris and Brenda