ranworthbreeze

Hello Stuart, Yes we did, because of the pickup time on the boat we spent quite a good deal of time looking around the Falkirk Wheel Centre, and getting our two cars down to the canal side drop off point for unloading. You have to tell the boatyard which way you are going so they can either book you onto the first lock up the wheel or the the locks or bridge on the canal. Not so good with heights these days but really enyoyed the trips up & down the wheel. Iain, The fun day at Linlithgow is that in aid of the Canal Society? I spent a fair amount of time with one of the volunteers of the society talking shop about canals. When our children were in their infant years (around 8 or 9) we did a lot of work on the Chesterfield Canal around the Tapton Lock and other locks in Chesterfield. Tapton Lock took a long time because we had to dig all the black gunk out of the lock, Tan operated a barrow hoist or was in the lock filling the barrows, I did my fair share of digging but I also repaired stonework or brickwork and load of pointing with lime based mortor and pointing irons, I have a picture somewhere of myelf and another one of the volunteers sat on top of the new bottom gates we had made using an electric plane to get them to fit correctly, If I get a chance I will upload it. Regards Alan

Le-boat were offering a Birchwood 340 (similar to Ranworth Breeze) in May last year at £1650 plus the security deposit, plus the £250 fuel deposit and the usual waiver fees etc. As Jonzo says not cheap and this could be a reason why le-boat have gone for the easy pickings of Scotland and France rather than compete on the Broads. Regards Alan

Hi Grace, Rather than the Thames why not try the lowers stretches of the Grand Union Canal out of London, or on the Oxford Canal, both are worth a visit. Regards Alan

Participants in the RSPB’s Big Wild Sleepout will be able to see the sun set and rise at Lakenheath Fen on June 20, getting an otherwise unavailable look at the 740-acre wildlife haven. For details please see the following link:- http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/environment/sleep_under_the_stars_rspb_site_offers_chance_to_camp_out_as_part_of_the_big_wild_sleepout_1_3622265 Regards Alan

I think this local news item is worth a read. http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/storm_in_a_coke_can_independent_bookshop_takes_on_corporate_giant_1_3623068#cxrecs_s Regards Alan

Hello Grace, Here is a link to Cayley Cruisers:- http://www.caleycruisers.com/ We were thinking of returning to the Caledonian last year but ended up going on the Union & Clyde canals instead mostly down to cost and the shorter travel journey. The six berth narrow boat was £1750 for a week in May all in, the cruisers we were looking at on Caledonian were from £2400 to £3500 plus around £400 to £500 in all the extras. Our problem was that we required three double berths. The last time we were on the Caledonian was when there was no passage through Laggan locks (1976) where serious cracks in the locks walls were found, needless to say this cut down our passage on the canal. I am not sure who we hired from at the time but Cayley Cruisers were operating from the early 70's and we did hire from a boatyard on the canal section into Inverness. The boat we hired was a steel cruiser and at 25 foot was hardly big enough for four adults and a baby. We had a great time, well I did, everyone else was seasick when we moored on a mooring buoy on the edge of Loch Ness. Loch Ness can be like a mill pond and all you can see is your wake but on the flat water you see movement in the water to the side of you but well away from boat, giving you that eerie feeling. As already stated the waves on Loch Ness can be very dramatic and beats Breydon Water hands down. We will have to revisit there again and suggest to anyone it is well worth the visit. Regards Alan

Well I got my tickets last night, should I just put them into the recycle bin strait away or check the numbers and then put it into the bin? Just checked I have three numbers But all on separate lines Back to the pipe dreams. Regards Alan

Hi Grace, I would buy one of the houses that we have rented at Hope Cove in Devon, maybe a boat of some merit and the odd bit of land on the Broads with the space as you suggest for the said boat. Regards Alan

Hi 10B, Yes we have had that email from Ebay, when you logon currently there is a message re changing your password, which is a bit of a pain being as most of us have changed our passwords. Regards Alan

Hi Neil, On retirement we may buy another share or buy into a Canal based syndicate ( I still love the canals) we are on the canals again in October for a week. I know what you mean about not having more than two weeks until you retire, it is a case of fitting everything in, family, friends and all those hobbies and pursuits. Regards Alan

Hi Chris, At the moment it is not too much of an issue apart from a number of roads under bridges that have been flooded and the usual roads that are prone to flooding, reports have been on the local news. When we used to be moored at Ferry Marine wellington boots were part of our boat kit and the service roads at Brundall can be flooded but we are on floating pontoon finger mooring. If you go past the Reedcutter at Cantley look for the flood level signs on the upper story wall (I think it says 2010 or was it 2009). Water in the rivers effects the passage of the bridges which normal clearance at high water is less so may effect boats with tight air drafts passing through Wroxham, Potter Heigham and Ludham. The usual boat kit of hot waterbottles, thermals, waterproofs, plenty of shoes, jumpers, shorts, tee shits and sun cream always applies, it is "sods law" if leave out any you will need them. What ever the weather is doing, your on a boat enjoy it. Regards Alan

Hi Neil, I wish it had been but I think it would have been Peter who was lucky to have sunshine. We have had rain for almost a week now and still raining whilst I type. I set off yesterday morning just before 6.00 from Sheffield down to the boat to give a new owner a days initiation training, needless it rained all the way down to Brundall all the time whilst on board and the complete journey home. Still it was good to be back on board Ranworth Breeze, lets hope the weather has cleared before we come down again in July. Mooring practice in the rain luxury! but it needed to be done. I felt sorry for the number of boats that we saw moored up that contained mostly families holidaying for the half term. There was a number of boats travelling towards and back from Norwich including a five man crew sculling, the poor guy in the front looked as if he had lost the will to live, the four oarsmen were being put through there paces by the small boat behind them with the usual bull horn. Home by 20.40 a bite to eat and a glass of wine, if only I had seen the sun. Regards Alan

Thank you Lori, I watched this from beginning to end, I liked the way he filmed and presented the video, it was not only professional it was somewhat compelling. If the author of video is not a member of our forum he should be. Lori do you know who made the video? Regards Alan

Does anyone know how the reopening (23rd May) of the White Horse Inn at Neatished went? Regards Alan

Hi Robin, Thank you so much for your uploads on the forum. Regards Alan

More great pictures and I see you have got a picture of someone hung on the wall at the Beccles Yacht Station. It seems to happen quite a lot. Regards Alan

Hello Speedtriple, Great pictures but not to sure of the rogues gallery but ok in moderation! Sorry guys. Regards Alan

Hi Hylander, The fabrication department at Brooms is very good and is used by many of the other boatyards for their stainless work. Regards Alan

Hi Stowager, I am sorry to say it is the estimated level at Gorleston Bar that they text out. As you say a pity that they do not include the tide heights which is on their tide tables. Because of our air draft this is the most important part of any tide table we look at and is the main reason I personally use their tide table. Regards Alan

The Broads Authority is trialling a new text service to aid Broads boaters by giving the predicted time to cross Breydon Water. Please see the following link:- http://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/news-and-publications/news/new-text-service-to-help-broads-boaters Regards Alan

Hi Keith, The film you mentioned was called "Night of the Demon" staring Dana Andrews, a 1957 budget but classic film that was based on the casting of the runes by a satanic cult. I remember the demon that chases the runes victim as their time runs out. It looked like a steam driven dragon chasing its victim down a tree lined road. Sadly I have not heard of the term 'Windiego' Regards Alan

This story of John Booker's hedge is interesting and is almost a work of art. Please see the following link:- http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/video_and_photo_gallery_norfolk_gardener_carves_his_hedge_into_a_giant_dragon_1_3612415 Regards Alan

Hi Grace, I need more sucking up than that to give out those sort after "likes" Regards Alan

We have had an account with Brian Wards since we took over managing our syndicate boat part way through 2011 and I had been going in there for a few years before for the odd part. The team at Brian Wards that I come in contact with are Tanya & Nick in sales & Joanne in accounts, they are very patient with all customers and are willing to put themselves out by letting you try out parts for their suitability and can source most items if required. When we changed to led inserts they were kind enough to let me try different wattages inserts to get the best light coverage on the boat for our requirements. Grace I totally agree with you there is nothing better than personal recommendations for any company other than customers letting you know that you have helped them. I came into the office this morning to such a message on the answering machine, sort of makes your day. Regards Alan

I think I retain around twenty to thirty passwords and have to remember them all the trouble is that my head is getting like a colander so I may have to adopt the book in a safe place. Now where is that safe place? Oh its in the shoebox marked up with "safe place". Regards Alan