Swordfish

Hi David, Very well said. After the rain cleared yesterday, we had a short trip into Norwich by river, and a beer or two. Then saw the Black Swan, what better to temporarily forget about the problems in the " real world " Paul

Whilst we all take interest in what is happening in our country as a whole, and indeed the rest of the world, surely most members here have an overiding interest in taking advantage of the peace and tranquility of our Broads area. In my " day job ", I work in a very " PC " sensitive environment, and therefor have made no comment to this thread to date, but I now think all the bickering should stop, and we go out and enjoy the use of our boats or the Broards. Let's all have a good day.

Near the rail bridge at Thorpe Cut, we saw this today :

Hello David, The printing ink and clear film is that used extensively on vehicles, I was assured it should be very hard wearing. The film is self adhesive, seems to stick very well. The backing is 3.0 mm composite board, faced with alluminium. I chose the white powder coated and the brushed finish. I did not use another clear sheet over the film. After application of the film, I had to drill all the holes and trim the edges etc. There was no sign of scratching. I downloaded a 30 day trial version of Adobe Illustrator, sorted the design, e-mailed it ready for printing. All quite simple with no art work or design costs. Regards, Paul

Thanks Perry, I still have more to do this coming winter, then hopefully all will be finished.

I renewed my cabin and fly bridge instrument panels to suit a new engine last winter. I set it out using Adobe Illustrator, had them printed onto clear vehicle sign film, then applied the film to white alloy for cabin and brushed alloy for the FB.

Hi Pe.rry, Very good photos of your visit to the Broads, it looks like your return trip at sea was more comfortable ! Regards Paul

Hi Snuggtopz, Yes I recognise your boat now, I pass Carrow quite often, it's quite a nice trip into Norwich from my mooring at Thorpe. I do wave to your stepdad in the Avanti, I think he is in the US owners club. If you have seen my boat on the mooring, I'm supprised you havn't suggested I need new covers !! I do actually, perhaps we can meet sometime soon. Regards, Paul

I posted this observation several days ago. Could to be that the Broads Authority take notice of comments we make on this Forum ? because today I noticed that the barge has been moved 300 meters or so to an area where most of us would not choose to moor, allowing toll paying boats to moor in the public area. Well done BA if you have taken notice of comments made here.

That's a very nice looking job. I'm sure it will now give you confidence for future use of the boat, a clean and freshly painted drive does make future maintenance much easier. How do you find the steering fin in use ? I tried the single fin type and found it caused excessive steering load problems.

As you know, the food is always great, are you staying long ? I have to get the whole family organised, so will not be there till about 12. You could always go and try my favorite mooring spot at Riverside !! Regards, Paul

Hi, Don't eat all the food, we are booked in for lunch later.

Hi All, I seem to have opened a can of worms here. Let me clarify my origional post: The BA barge was moored in a PUBLIC 24 hour mooring area, it has been there for over one week, with the weed cutter tied alongside. Neither of them have moved this week during the normal " working day ". Weed was being cut 2-3 weeks ago closer to the centre of Norwich, outside Dragonfly House actually. When I passed, all the 24 hour mooring area was full. When a boat then gets closer to the City centre we see the new Riverside Development, with BA " No Mooring " signs everywhere. As a boat owner, who pays for a permanent mooring, and the BA Toll, I will never pay the BA again to moor at Norwich Yacht Station, particularly if I only wish to moor for 1-2 hours. The Yacht Station does of course have a well documented history re. boat security. When on our rivers, is it not considered " normal " to moor outside the estabisment you wish to eat or drink at ? So why do we have a Riverside Development with " NO MOORING " ? I well understand that overnight mooring may not be appropiate in this area, but what is the problem with 1-2 hours ? I only entered the " Ticket " reference into this matter because MY littleboat suggested we may see this soon, but as I have said earlier, I am dealing with this whole issue via a different route I feel that the BA have made Norwich a " no-go" area for boats unles you pay them more money. How many Cities / Towns in England would love to have a river running through them ? and would then actively encourage boating.

Hi Neil, Re your last post, my sentiments exactly. No problem with the mistake of the name, quite close as its another similar fish. I enjoy eating swordfish, have not yet tried Barracuda, but might have to change the name of the boat if I like the taste. --- Oh, but that would then cause big problems with the BA paperwork. Regards Paul "

Hello Friday Girl, I was moored in a " No Mooring " area, something like a double yellow line area, but on the river. The boats opposite did not get tickets though ! Regards, Paul

Hi Neil, " private details " ? Oh yes, everything written on the " ticket ", except my inside leg measurement. Sorry but I cannot post full details of the matter yet, as I will be dealing with it via another more formal route. Regards, Paul

After reneging on a promise regarding propping up the coffers from the toll account it wouldn't surprise me to see GATSO style cameras along the Yare and a parking warden hiding around every corner ready to slap a PCN on your boat for illegal or overstayed parking before long! Hi, MY littleboat, There's no need to wait for the " boat " version of the PCN, I have got one I can show you. This was Wednesday this week.

Maybe it is quite necessary to " bash " the BA when respected and knowledgable people in the boating world are quoted in the local boating press as saying " The Authority is running out of control

I noticed on the Yare today a Broads Authority barge, moored on the " Pubilc Moorings " next to Whitlingham Lake, as it has been for several days. Look at the Toll value that they pay.

Hi Perry and David, Thanks for coming up to the broads, you must have brought the sunshine with you. It was a great day on the river today, much more like the summer we should be having at this time of the year. Paul

On a quiet trip down the Yare this afternoon we bumped into these guys : It was good to meet you all, thanks for your hospitality, enjoy the rest of your visit to the Broads, Best regards, Paul & Jean

Hello, I moor at Thorpe Marina, which is next to Griffin Marine, Griffin Lane Norwich. Griffin have a good slipway, cheap to use ( £ 6.0 ) and they lock the gates at night. The road access is a little restrictive, what size is your boat ?, I can just get by Bayliner through the bridge on the trailer. Happy to give any more help, do you still have my mobile no. from the PM re. Storebro. Regards, Paul F

Thanks all, I did figure it out finally last night. I used MS Office, very simple.

Seeing dredgers and weed cutters at work is probably a thing of the past. We went into Norwich with some friends on Saturday, they were quite disgusted at the condition of the river.

Hello all, Can anyone please suggest the simplest way to reduce photos for insertion in a thread. I have used " tinypic " in the past, but it is terribly time consuming when you just want to add a quick photo. I did see a post re this a week or two ago, but can't seem to find it now. Paul