SteveO

Family of 4 taking a week's holiday on a Freeman 22. Having to take kids into naff smoke-filled children's rooms, which was often a lean-to next to the pub, if you want to eat out. Watneys Norwich Bitter, rabbit pie in the Black Horse on the Horning to Wroxham road. That old shop on the corner in Stalham, which sold everything. Market days in Stalham and Acle. The notice board at the mouth of the river Thurne? Coypu control. Those were the days. Steve

Looks like an interesting recipe, very similar to the one I use in my breadmaker, but with 5x the oil. Will give it a go next time I fire up the machine. Steve

With the demise of some of my favourite Yorkshire breweries, Websters, Ramsdens, Whittakers, Tetleys to name a few, together with the growth of good small breweries around the Norwich area and beyond, I have to say Norfolk. Was a different story 35 years ago when Watneys Norwich Bitter was all that was available in most places. Steve

Would have preferred to see a sugar beet on a green background with ducks rampant on either side. Steve

I have eliminated my plug-in USB adaptors by replacing my twin 13 Amp sockets with new ones that have two USB charging sockets built in. I also have a twin USB charging adaptor permanently fitted into my cigar lighter socket for charging and powering equipment when the boat is not on shore power. I tame my cables by rolling them up and storing them in clear "zip-loc" polybags, which I keep in a drawer on the boat.

I've not been back since we booked for a Sunday lunch for ourselves and my parents last September, only to find that our booking had been "bounced" in favour of a coach party of pensioners. I will definitely not be going back after that.

Watch that Chameleon, he's mustard at quizzes. Steve

There is a walk at Ludham that we love: From Womack Staithe, head up Horsefen road towards the village. Take the right hand fork at the top of the road and you will see a bridleway on the right, which leads to Fritton Lane. From there turn right again, Follow the road round until it turns into a track. You will reach a point where you can either carry on towards the river and follow it round to Womack Staithe or, if you are feeling less energetic, you can take the rough farm track back to Horsefen Road. A brilliant walk, with the added bonus of blackberries at this time of year. Enjoy!

Thanks Lori, for posting this, and thanks Paul for making such a wonderful film, which conveys the magic of Broadland perfectly. I will look out for the others you have made. Steve

We have a boat with a sliding saloon top and it can be draughts in winter. I found that expanded foam pipe insulation can be used to good effect between the sliding top and the rear cabin sides. just remember that you needs some ventilation, especially if you are cooking or doing anything that involves a naked flame. Steve

I use the same sort of thing as Jonzo, on the Three network. I buy a "disposable" data only SIM card from Amazon which gives 3 months of light use for about £20. I went down this route, rather then the phone tether because our home mooring is in the notorious internet "black hole" of Horning and you can plug a booster aerial into the MiFi box, which is essential where we are. The aerial is a Huoshang high gain 4GHz/3GHz 25dBi omni-directional booster antenna, which came from Amazon. It has a TS-9 connector, compatible with the MiFi box. With it connected, I get a signal in my bit of Horning which is faster than the ASDL broadband we get in E. Kent. Good luck!

Camping in a dinghy? I used to work with a guy who regularly slept in a canoe on the Royal Military Canal. It takes all sorts. Steve

Ahh the chalk board. I remember chugging past that with bated breath in case some long-lost great aunt had pegged out and we were required to abandon our holiday in favour of a funeral.

In the days when we hired, we always used to pack what we called "the Broads box" with everything we needed for a week away, including a torch, matches, my faithful Jarrold's guide, the Hamilton tide computer, maps, candles, penknife, can and bottle openers, salt, pepper, clothes pegs, washing up liquid and other "essentials". Now we are proud owners, we keep all of this stuff on the boat. However, old habits die hard and we still back a box-albeit one that contains my iPad (complete with weather, maps, tide and kindle apps), mobile phone, chargers, mobile wifi unit and high gain wifi aerial and a range of pills for routine medication against the ailments of late middle age. How times have changed! Steve

I too have the huawei Mifi on Three, and have augmented it with a portable wifi signal booster from Amazon, which allows me together decent broadband connectivity even in Horning, from where I am writing this.

Spliced eyes are the way to go. DIY is cheap, easy and not too difficult when you have the hang of it. Turning out a dozen fender tails is a very good way to improve your splicing skills.

Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all. SteveO

Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to all. Regards Steve

Dohhhhhhhhhh, I meant A140!! and i can't even see a way to edit my post. Regards Steve

3 hours and 15 minutes on a good drive from darkest SE Kent. M20, M25, A12, A14, A40, A47, Little Plumstead, Salouse, Hoveton, Horning, Paradise. Regards Steve

The automated mooring pins look like a great idea - definitely now on my "must have" list. Also looking at these sexy little numbers to protect them: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-X-MOORING-PIN-STAKE-SPIKE-COVER-HOODIES-HI-VIZ-/190484295249?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_BoatEquipment_Accessories_SM&hash=item2c59bfae51#ht_538wt_1140 Regards Steve

I am usually OK with the first rhond anchor cos I can use the second as an improvised hammer. However the second anchor is more problematic and usually results in a bruised foot or twisted ankle. Best therefore to carry 3. . Not getting the second anchor in properly has resulted in a few embarrassing moments such as the time we moored in Rockland dyke and woke up blocking the waterway secured by only one rope. Regards Steve

Interesting thread, this. I set up a 4ft tube heater on the raw water side of my engine yesterday, wired into a thermostat set at 6 degrees. I have no idea of the wattage of this - suspect 80, but am now wondering if I should put a second heater down on the other side of the motor. I am also interested in the concept of feeding 50:50 antifreeze into my raw water intake. I have no idea of the rate at which the raw water pump on my 2.2 litre BMC takes in water and don't want to risk knackering my impeller by running dry whilst inadvertently pouring coolant into the bilges rather than into the top of the weed strainer. I have considered pushing a 1 inch pipe into the top of the raw water inlet, sealing it with duct tape and looping the other end into a 5 litre container of 50:50 mix. Does anyone think that will work? Regards Steve

Mrs O and I might pop in and say hello at some point during the event. Regards Steve

I had a similar problem with my last boat, due to a leaking windscreen. I did exactly what Clive suggested in his last post and it worked a treat, to the point where, once I had re-varnished, you couldn't tell that there had ever been a problem. Regards Steve