NorfolkNog

Hi, as far as I know the deal at the New Inn is that you need to book a meal to moor there. This would apply in the evening particularly although Gus would probably let you moor for a drink during the day if there was room but it will be busy in August. I agree mooring at the Parish Staithe could be a bit difficult given the time of year. Perhaps a plan B might be to moor at a slightly less popular spot and get a taxi???

Hi, yes very much so! Shadow is the boatbuilding arm/brand of Swancraft. Paul gets most of his work through personal recommendations and contacts and I know he is very busy! I'm sure he will get around to the website at some point but if anyone wants any work doing best bet is to give Paul a bell or email him. Incidentally I had a look at the restoration he did recently on the ex Alpha boat, Firefly. A really first class job and probably a better advert than a website!

Hi and a warm welcome. You don't say which restaurant - as far as I know you can book a meal and a mooring at the New Inn. It will be busy in August and Horning is very popular so it's worth planning ahead. Have a great time and do please let us know how you get on!

Never eaten at the Wherry but the carvery is certainly popular with the older generation. I've seen them all filing past with plates stacked to the rafters. Maybe not a light lunch but you certainly get the view.

Exactly. As for Red X, I remember that, probably would taste very similar too

Hi Monica I shot is basically a very small but concentrated alcoholic drink something akin to cough mixture. Downed in one gulp. The sole purpose is to get drunk quickly. Very popular particularly among the groups we have been talking about. And very profitable for the pub I imagine, as per Charlie's comment.

Actuality that is a very good point Matt. One problem I can envisage is that a group may be perfectly OK when they come in but they could start on the shots and become unruly later. It's a tough call. To be fair the only bad behaviour I have witnessed was a few years ago now and was actually a group of quite elderly males so it's not necessarily the preserve of the young. Another reason why I leave running pubs to the experts, customer side of the bar for me!

Geoff and Lorraine run an excellent pub and I'm sure that such a decision would not be taken lightly. It's a traditional family friendly pub and really not the place for large groups of Stella swillers. I applaud their courage and it will indeed be interesting if others do follow suit - the Lion springs immediately to mind.

I wouldn't be put off by a couple of showers Carole! There was probably more rain fell on me and Mrs Nog going over Breydon on our recent trip than you would get in a month. The forecasts are often wrong anyway, they can only accurately forecast over a few days. It will be manic when the kids are off. Go for it!

Looks a bit like on the road from Ranworth to South Walsham but I don't suppose it is! :-)

The thing that annoys me most about Chris Evans (and Steve Wright too) is that they will insist on interrupting the music and talking over every song before its finished. I suppose it's 'personality radio' which the BBC seems keen to foist on us. Still suppose some people must like them! :-)

Wow! Thanks for that Keith just wish I could be there That's a very good list, some of my faves from Norfolk, Humpty Dumpty, S and P, Golden Triangle and a really good selection from around the country too including a couple from the land of flat caps and ferrets. All quality stuff, whoever ordered the beer has very good taste IMHO Enjoy and report back please!

It's still sunny and warm up here in the land of ferrets and flat caps, maybe we've still got this to come! :-0

This was taken in December 2007 - probably a bit later than Barry's

http://www.edp24.co.uk/property/take-a-look-inside-marshmans-cottage-near-acle-on-the-market-for-900-000-1-5085614

Good points by Keith. I believe the previous arrangement was exactly as Keith described, ie a mutually agreed flat charge of 4 quid both sides. I hadn't really thought about it, I must admit, but yes the farmer could be on to a good thing, particularly if he doesn't have the hassle of knocking on boats and collecting the fees. The benefits of being a riparian owner! BTW is the new basin referred to, the one at Oby, not Thurne Dyke itself????

True but both Red Lion and Compleat Angler have riverside terraces not to mention Queen of Iceni and Ribs of Beef

Hi Rick Just a couple of thoughts. Firstly, liaising with the farmer is a very sound idea. I guess 99% of people will not know that the two sides of the dyke are separately owned, so it makes sense to keep things consistent if you can. Secondly, if you charge a fee (which I think you have to) you will need a member of staff to check the moorings and collect the fees. You will need someone with quite good customer skills! It also might be worth having a large sign at the top of the dyke clearly stating the mooring fees. The amount to charge is a tricky one. I think £5 overnight would be very reasonable and if you can afford to do this it might be your best option and its simple to operate. Otherwise, again £10 redeemable against a meal seems very fair, would this have to be a meal or could drinks be included? I’d perhaps be inclined to keep it as simple as possible. I assume you are not going to charge during the day? Also large “no barbeque” signs might be a good idea! Also to ask people to move up reasonably close together too, they will leave 20 foot gaps given half a chance! As I say, managing the moorings will be half the battle. Hope none of this is Granny and eggs! Good luck!

I don't think they can prevent you from crossing but if you are on a hire boat and go against the "advice" and cause any damage etc then it could cause problems with the boatyard and possibly insurance? You could be liable I suppose. There was a good write up on the Royalls blog a while back when Nigel Royall took one of his boats across when Breydon had been closed. I think they park a launch at strategic locations and no doubt the rangers will shout at you. I've a feeling that Breydon was supposed to be closed at some point when we crossed earlier in the month but we weren't aware of anyone trying to stop us! Not that we noticed anyway

I think it's either usually wind or visibility. It was quite hairy when we crossed earlier this month but that was wind and rain. I'm not even sure if it was closed then or not

I'll second that. Roy's seem to sell quite a bit of locally sourced produce and I agree the quality is well above your average supermarket fare.

Hi Dave, yes, I know what you mean, I'd rather be outside more. As I say last February was amazing but it would be sods law that next year it would chuck it down. Ron's experience of the boat has been very helpful. I've even had a shuftie at Faircraft Loynes but their prices are a bit eye watering and they don't do the Herby Woods discount. That in itself isn't putting me off (time to save up) but the air drafts are very high too and in winter that could be a problem. Depending on negotiations with Mrs N we might be better to stick with the Freedom/Evening class - low air draft, cosy and warm and a doddle to moor. Decisions............ :-)

Hi Jean and Ron Many thanks, that’s just the information I need which you can’t gleam from the brochures and the website! I do quite often poke my head out of the window when reversing but it looks quite a small side window. The boat we’ve just had (Tower Bridge) was probably one the easiest boats to moor particularly with the top down. I don’t think I’d have a problem helming outside unless its chucking it down. Certainly the weather this February just gone was amazing, we were in T shirts quite a bit. Another advantage of February is that there is very little river traffic and I frequently just moor side on at Ranworth unless there are other boats around. Try doing that in the summer! I’ve got plenty of time to decide and consult the oracle (Mrs Nog). Your comments are much appreciated!

Thanks Ron, that's helpful. I would be aiming for February so would probably need to be inside more, having said that the weather was lovely this February. Another bonus is there aren't many other boats to watch out for!! I'm guessing it's reverse visibility that's not so good?

Thanks for that Robin. I thought it would be hydraulic drive. I think they can use a bit more fuel but that shouldn't be an issue. I probably wouldn't use the outside helm in winter but that's good advice. That's also very encouraging about Ludham too, this could look a serious possibility! (rattles piggy bank hopefully)