SteveO

I was amused that the A14 road works was showing a sign indicating "No Visibility" or words to that effect, as the likely end-date. I was less amused by the fact that Google Maps was neither showing the ensuing delays on their route nor factoring the delay into your journey time until you were in the mess itself with no chance to detour into Newmarket to avoid it. I am increasingly concerned that Google Maps is in league with Highways England in their self-appointed mission to keep as much traffic as they can tied up in roadworks for as long as possible.

I do hope they can sort this one out. Once the PO closes, there will be nowhere to obtain cash in Horning and, barring a car drive to the PO in Hoveton precinct, there will be nowhere there either. Whether we like it or not, small transactions require cash and the Chinese takeaway in Horning is cash only. The banks have salved their consciences and assuaged public anger when removing services such as ATMs by insisting that cash is always available from POs. Maybe they should be paying a subsidy into the system to keep the Post Offices open and attractive as a business proposition.

On the question of fenders, I fear that tradition might well be getting in the way of practicality. I can see the point on a sailing boat where freeboard is often low and the boat is prone to heeling. The sight of the lee side fenders floating in the water would be un-edifying and inefficient to say the least. However on a Broads motor boat, which is often crewed by just one or two individuals, you really don't want any potential contact with boat or bank to be complicated by the need to drop fenders in a hurry, nor do you want the side decks to be cluttered with raised fenders, which are unsightly and a potential trip hazard. I for one will be keeping my fenders dangling.

My bar mixer came with a pair of cranked connectors to cope with variations in the distance between the hot and cold water taps. I don't know if I was lucky but with these I was able to use the connections to the existing plumbing and the existing holes in the heads wall.

We had a Mira shower mixer on Windmill Lady. It didn't work well and so I swapped it for a £35 bar mixer from Ebay, which has worked well for the last 14 years and gives excellent temperature control.

Which they all were until the animal rights activists came to town.

Arthur took the honours in Friday's quiz by a considerable margin, and will be in the chair next Friday. Note to self: must make questions harder next time.

Bump!!!!!

As Arthur said, I will be in the chair for the Friday evening quiz. Topis are: Nature Ancient sites Cryptic rivers Brief intermission - where the beverage of your choice will be available Comedy lyrics In a manner of speaking Odds and sods We will start 8.30 ish on Friday 15th March. https://www.nbnchat.com/chat/ Enter User Name but leave the Password blank All are welcome

Trouble is that repair comes out of "revenue" budgets, which are often strapped for cash, whereas replacement comes out of "capital", which can be written off over several years via depreciation. Investment in new stuff also often attracts grants and other inducements which makes doing the right thing even more unattractive.

No, by the time they have recruited a new directorate to ensure diversity, accessibiliy and inclusion for recipients of water exports, it will be costing toll payers plenty

Boulters is difficult in crosswinds. I have never not managed to get in, but I have come close a couple of times.

I only just saw this. So sorry to hear this news. Ian bore his illness with fortitude and dignity and his account of his life, and the various treatments and tribulations he encountered towards the end of it, was both interesting and awe inspiring. Sincere condolences to Ian's family.

In less enlightened times, pike caught in the Northern lakes and dams where I grew up fishing, were often left on the bank to die. The consequence of removing the "top predator" was the proliferation of runty little silver fish up to the capacity of the water to support them. We rarely saw "specimen" fish of any type. I am glad that thinking has moved on.

Windmill Lady +2 attendees. We won't be staying overnight so will just pay the day rate on arrival.

Contestants were a bit thin on the ground this evening for various good reasons. In the end we just had enough people to run a quiz. It was a close run thing between Arthur, Polly and NikO until the penultimate round, when Arthur demonstrated his superior film knowlege and shot into the lead, which he held through the final round, and emerged the eventual winner. He even knew where Praze an Beeble is! Congratulations go to Arthur, who will be next week's QM.

BUMP!

Was he from the Isle of Man by any chance?

FRIDAY QUIZ: CHANGE OF PLAN: Bern messaged me today to tell me that she has had a bad fall and broken her pelvis. She is now laid up in hospital with no idea of when she will be coming home. I am sure you will join me in wishing her a speedy recovery. She has asked me to run next Friday's quiz, in her likely absence. Topics are as follows:- Famous faces from their places Red in tooth and claw Cryptic Britain Half time break Movie tag-lines Food and drink Odds and ends If numbers are sufficient, we will kick off at 8.30ish start in the chat room, http://www.nbnchat.com/chat. Enter your username but leave the password blank. I hope to see as many of you as possible on Friday.

A bit of good news on an otherwise bleak day. Very pleased to hear this.

Very sorry to hear this latest turn of events. My heart goes out to you and your family Alan.

I suspect that once the flood alleviation ditches are full of water, they are no further use for flood alleviation and since there is nowhere for the water in those ditches to go, they will stay full. This was either someone's expensive vanity project or another bird sanctuary by stealth and at the taxpayer's expense.

Odd you should say that. I cast an eye over Romney Marsh this morning and, apart from the odd puddle here and there, It showed no evidence of flooding. But then again, the Broads Authority's writ doesn't apply here and the drains are kept well-dredged by the farmers.

Bump!

I managed to win the quiz last Friday so will be qm for the next quiz on 22nd December. Topics fror Friday are: Christmas food and drink. Cryptic Britain Old chestnuts Half-time break Christmas song lyrics Double general knowledge Start 8,30 ish in the chatroom http://www.nbnchat.com/chat Enter your User Name but leave password blank