Norfolkangler

I was hoping to be able to get down with the Grandchildren to see what its all about. As is the usual with working away from home, my shift rota dictates that I am away stuck in the middle of the North Sea. Any how, I hope you all have a great weekend which I am sure you will.

And I suppose that a lot of us on here are more about the experience.

I love mornings like that when I am out with the dogs, or fishing. Its what the area is all about.

I am sure there will be more than enough to keep his mind off electronics. When he returns ashore, he can impress everyone with his new found identification skills.

I don't see how you would impede the clear passage of any other vessels given that you are only a meter away from the quay heading. Nor do I see how you would hinder the lawfull mooring of any other vessel. Provided you were stern on a meter out from the quay heading with NO Ropes tied to the quay heading. You are after all just taking the same space as you would if you moored stern on tied up.

Why don't you just mud weight a meter of the Bank at Ranworth and use a plank to get ashore. Cant charge you if you aint tied up to the bank can they !!!!

Wow Fever Tree tonic, you certainly know how to spoil Mrs Nogg

As mentioned above, its so pleasing to see a Pub kept as a Pub and NOT turned into flats or holiday homes. Its just a shame that a lot of the boats on the Broads nowadays be it private or Hire can not get under PHB or if they do, run the chance of being stranded. If they could, this would undoubtedly bolster the use of the pub.

Its amazing how things have changed in my lifetime. Marsh Harriers were a scarce thing during my childhood. Now they are seen everywhere over broadland. Buzzards, again never saw one during my childhood but there is now seldom a day goes by with out seeing one. I remember back in the 80s seeing a load of "twitchers" on the Ashby road at the back of Fritton lake. When I stopped to enquire what they were after I was told that apparently a pair of Red Kites had been seen in the area. Again, I often see Red Kites on my dog walks around Ashby. Never tire of seeing nature at its best. Always out looking for something different.

Its one of my regular haunts during the winter as (please don't take this the wrong way) there is seldom any boats moored up and is so peaceful. Don't usually go there much past easter, but its been quiet so far this year after half term. During the winter months,there are occasionally a pair of hen harriers if you are lucky at dusk making their way back to roost and following the river to guide them. And again a bird that is heard but seldom seen, water rails with their eery call, which until you know what they are can be a bit alarming as its getting dark.

Now I know I am a bit late in posting this, but I was fortunate enough to hear the Bittern Booming at Somerleyton whilst I was home on leave and out walking the dogs early morning around mid April. I was totally taken aback by the sound as I got out of my car to let the dogs out. I thought I was hearing things as I have walked my dogs for many years (over 35) at various times of year along the river at Somerleyton to Smock mill and never heard a Bittern booming there before. Talking to another local dog walking couple, they were heard last year and it was apparently the first time they had heard them. It was great to hear one so close to where I live without having to travel as we do each year to Walberswick marshes as we did in february to hear them. We did also have an evening stroll round Strumpshaw the following week and heard one there which is really good news as they seem to be making a comeback. Still not heard a Cuckoo though, and Somerleyton marsh is generally where I hear the first one.

I am not a boater so do not know what yard has what, however, is it worth a phone call to the Somerleyton or St Olaves Marinas as you will pass them on your voyage down to Gt Yarmouth.

I got swamped by very attractive girly staff and customers as per the norm. They all said they wanted to meet Purdey but I knew better They are only human after all griff

That means they will need a full complement of "ships Biscuits" for the hound. :)

They put two bat net crossings in the NDR at a huge additional cost as they had also done so on the Thetford Bypass. Are we to be led to believe that the bats follow this route over the road to avoid getting hit by a car!!!!!! Has anyone on here ever been unfortunate enough to actually hit a bat whilst driving at night? Whilst I totally agree with protecting the wildlife, I would also like to see some factual evidence to suggest that Bats will use the crossings. The larger picture for me would be the overrun on time and expense (as seems to be the normal nowadays) at the taxpayers expense. And YES as has been mentioned previously, as soon as the road is in, along comes even more housing. Funny really, that gets the go ahead with no issues or am I just being cynical.

Sadly your right, I guess we are jost old coggers.

As an old timer I totally agree with your frustration at the changes that have taken place not only at at Wroxham but several other places to.. Totally over developed and looks nothing like the broadland we once knew. When planning was granted, surely it could have been a lot more sympathetic to the area. All you now see at what they call the "Capital" of the Broads is modern multi coloured housing be it for residence or for Holiday rentals. What happened to the Thatch roofs that are synonymous with the old style Broadland. They could have at least kept the appearances in keeping with the area. I understand the need for a certain amount of development, but why has it all got to look ultra modern which in my opinion look totally out of place. I know I am probably out numbered, but I really did enjoy Broadland when it was "Wild" and no where near as commercialised as it is today.

Unfortunately, I did not see too much of a joint effort round my area. Yes, the responsible people were following the rules. It was mostly the younger people not giving a care in the world. We have a college just up the road, and they all just stood around in groups during breaks etc with No masks and no social distancing, Many used to walk the short distance down to the high street during lunchtime, again no masks and in groups not even giving the general public space. We had buses full of workers off to the Bernard Mathews factory each day that passed my house, packed with workers, none of whom (except the driver) had a mask on. I even phoned the Bus company to ask why they were exempt. They told me they were not exempt and it was the drivers duty to get every passenger to wear a mask. You could not blame him. He couldn't make them could he! Being classed as a key worker (I work offshore) having to drive to Aberdeen around 550 miles from my house as we were not allowed to use public transport was a right chore. The only good thing was that the roads were clear as most people locked down. Its surprising how quickly you tend to forget all these things until this topic came up. My wife and I consider ourselves fortunate in that we did not loose any loved ones during this period. My heart goes out to those that did, especially with the arrangements for funerals etc and the limited numbers. Lets hope we never have to go through anything like this again.

You are spot on Grace. Deplorable that there was one rule for us and another for, well lets just call them others.

As has been mentioned above, dogs are fine in pubs if well behaved, its the owners that have no control over them because they have spoilt them, and then just assume everyone loves them that spoils it for everyone. I say that as a dog (well 3 actually) owner myself. Same with children. If parents can't control their children, the pub is not the place for them. I love to see families out for a meal with nicely behaved children, but some folk just take them with then then just forget about them which is a shame.

Thank you Gracie. I, like yourself, just wish we could all get on. Broadland is a truly wonderful place for ALL to enjoy and more importantly RESPECT, no matter what your pursuit in it is. I will keep an eye out for any of you whilst I am out and about. If I am home I may well bring the Grandchildren down to Salhouse for the spring meet.

As Griff has said, we thought it rather selfish as there was so much room up the staithe to moor. We were surprised as one of the electric posts was free further down and would have expected them to go there. These were no hire boaters as the lady that went ashore knew her stuff with the ropes so we would consider them "seasoned" boaters. We are NOT saying that we as anglers have the same rights on the 24hr moorings as the boats, why do people feel they have to keep saying that? We always have and always will move to allow a boat to moor as per the BA signs request. We appreciate that unfortunately,not all anglers do. All I was trying to point out was the fact that if SOME boats show the sort of in consideration towards anglers, by mooring directly in front of them, as was the case, it does nothing to help the situation. I appreciate that as boaters, you have your favorite mooring positions, I as an angler have my favorite swims, but I do not expect to secure them each time I go so leave my options open.

Well we finished off the season at Neatishead staithe. I know it can get busy so leave this venue till late on. Sat there at the entrance on Monday and around the middle of the afternoon, a large boat comes along. Not an issue. Lines came out of the water for them to come in. There were only TWO other boats at the staithe, one half way down, the other at the end by the recycling bins. This particular boat decided to moor up dead opposite our spot at the entrance. Yes I know they had the right, but with only 2 other boats and 80% of the moorings available why choose to moor directly in front of where we were fishing.

Oops sorry NorfolkNog. didn't mean to hijack your excellent thread.