ranworthbreeze

Hi Frank, Being none swimmer I tend to be carefull but as you all say there have been times where I have almost been in the water. Regards Alan

For Private boaters the yearly prop (or dive) insurance offered by Maffett's and a few others is well worth their fee. We will be renewing ours again this year, Regards Alan

Hello Wooster, Welcome to the friendly forum from Tan & myself. Looking forward to seeing your posts. Regards Alan

Update on bridges – 11 March 2014 Trowse Bridge - Not operational (but can be opened at very restricted times, see below) Network Rail has informed us testing had to be cancelled last week due to lack of access. They have now re-planned the testing for Thursday and Friday morning 20th -21st March 2014. The current status of the bridge is that they have now managed to balance the jacks so they are all lifting and sharing the tonnage of the bridge evenly (this has been the main problem throughout the recent closure period). The jacks have been set up so they all return to zero after the lift. They still have a remaining error in that the bridge does not indicate fully raised when it is. They believe this is a software fault in the computer program and have an idea where it is. Next week they are going to address this software issue and are hopeful. They will update after next weeks testing. Due to the fact that the bridge has been out of action for some time Network Rail have agreed that they are willing to swing the bridge manually by bringing in plant staff when required. Due to the frequency of London trains and the time it takes to operate a swing manually the bridge can be opened on a Sunday at 09:05 and any night between 02:00 and 04:00 provided seven days' notice has been given to allow for plant staff to be on site. Openings within these times can be arranged by contacting Network Rail through their Area Incident Control Centre. This is staffed 24/7 and they will then pass on the request to the Ipswich Distribution & Plant team for a response. tel 02079 793609 email CO-ANG-EAH-11A@networkrail.co.uk Please find below opening times for the bridge once it becomes operational. Mon - Fri Sat Sun 1002 0910 0905 1107 1107 1128 1406 1405 1426 1606 1608 1726 1842 1809 1926 Breydon Bridge – Not operational The Port Authority has informed us that the bridge is not currently operational. New hydraulic parts are being sourced and they will not be available until at least week commencing 10 March 2014. Further information to follow when advised. Oulton Broad Road Bridge – Fully operational Oulton Broad Swing Bridge- Fully Operational Carrow Bridge - Fully operational Somerleyton Bridge - Fully operational Reedham Bridge - Fully operational Beccles Bypass Bridge - Fully operational Vauxhall Railway Bridge - Fully operational Haven Bridge - Fully operational Kind regards Angie Leeper Asset Officer Broads Authority, Yare House, 62 - 64 Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RY tel 01603 756057 mob 07971 156076 fax 01603 756069 angie.leeper@broads-authority.gov.uk

Hello Paulaj, Welcome to the forum, I have deleted your added posts. I suggest that you contact the pilot nearer to the time of your visit. If he will not take you through then you can always hire a day boat to travel above the bridge. Regards Alan

Likewise. I have never had a bad meal there, But a freind of mine we invited to stay with us on the boat had the red snappy in a cayenne pepper source. It certainly made his eyes water. We go via the car when we can't get through Yarmouth to the Northern Broads, you can get more or less anywhere on the broads in 20 minutes or so. Regards Alan

Exposed damaged posts – Breydon Water, River Yare – 5 Mile bends Breydon Water starboard hand navigation post no. 49, just before the Dickey Works, has been broken off. There is about 1 metre still exposed at average calm water high tide. A replacement Starboard hand buoy has been placed in front of it and a yellow buoy will be placed as close as possible. Further, in the River Yare at 5 Mile Bends (the first bends with channel markers upstream of the Berney Mill moorings) the fourth and fifth starboard hand marker posts have also been damaged. The fourth has been broken below the water line and is marked with a post and yellow light behind it. The fifth is damaged but still intact – a buoy has been placed in front of it. Oulton Broad - Mutford Lock – restricted operation The Broads Authority has been working hard to rectify the damage to the electrical and hydraulic control systems at Mutford Lock following the flooding in December. We understand it is a high priority for users and have been doing our best to get it back into operation. The road bridge which was out of action is now fully operational. Despite the damage to the Lock control systems it should have been possible to manually open the gates. However, as soon as one of the gates failed to open engineers were called to inspect them. Nothing was found to be visually wrong with the winding mechanism nevertheless the engineers still could not open the gate. This is most likely caused by additional debris behind the gates. A dive team carried out an inspection on Thursday 6th February and have now cleared debris which will allow limited manual operation of the lock by the arrangement with the Oulton Broad Yacht Station who can be contacted on 01502 574946. The longer term solution to rectifying the damage to the electrical and hydraulic systems will make it more resilient to future flooding events. The replacement of the hydraulic system is expected to take 10 to 14 weeks. Update on bridges – 6 March 2014 Trowse Bridge - Not operational (but can be opened at very restricted times, see below) Network Rail inform us that the hydraulic jacking system has been levelled with all four jacks now lifting evenly and returning to zero for the first time. The software requires a minor change that will be carried out this week with further testing plan for Thursday and Friday this week. Due to the fact that the bridge has been out of action for some time Network Rail have agreed that they are willing to swing the bridge manually by bringing in plant staff when required. Due to the frequency of London trains and the time it takes to operate a swing manually the bridge can be opened on a Sunday at 09:05 and any night between 02:00 and 04:00 provided seven days' notice has been given to allow for plant staff to be on site. Openings within these times can be arranged by contacting Network Rail through their Area Incident Control Centre. This is staffed 24/7 and they will then pass on the request to the Ipswich Distribution & Plant team for a response. tel 02079 793609 email CO-ANG-EAH-11A@networkrail.co.uk Please find below opening times for the bridge once it becomes operational. Mon - Fri Sat Sun 1002 0910 0905 1107 1107 1128 1406 1405 1426 1606 1608 1726 1842 1809 1926 Breydon Bridge – Not operational The Port Authority has informed us that the bridge is not currently operational. New hydraulic parts are being sourced and they will not be available until at least week commencing 10 March 2014. Further information to follow when advised. Oulton Broad Road Bridge – Fully operational Oulton Broad Swing Bridge- Fully Operational Carrow Bridge - Fully operational Somerleyton Bridge - Fully operational Reedham Bridge - Fully operational Beccles Bypass Bridge - Fully operational Vauxhall Railway Bridge - Fully operational Haven Bridge - Fully operational Kind regards Angie Leeper Asset Officer Broads Authority, Yare House, 62 - 64 Thorpe Road, Norwich, NR1 1RY tel 01603 756057 mob 07971 156076 fax 01603 756069 angie.leeper@broads-authority.gov.uk

Hello Alan, Have a look at this supplier to see if anything is suitable. http://www.penn-elcom.com/default.asp?PN=Fibreglass%20Laminated%20Panels Regards Alan

Like the above forum members I have been on most of the canals in the UK over the years starting in 1974. I must say that like all of the canal based programs including the canal walks by Julia Bradbury. David Suchet is vice-president of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Trust and I have seen programes about him on his own narrow boat. Martin thanks for letting us know. Regards Alan

Oh Frank Regards Alan

As with all volunteer organisations there is a lot of politics involved, health & safety issues etc. I was involved with the Chesterfield Canal Society for a number of years and was involved in the restoration of Tapton Lock and some of the other locks that had been capped off. We had to adhear to the IWA guide lines with regards to health & safety. Hard hats and goggles were a must and after a while we had to be registed to operate machinery such barrow hoists, dumpers and portable tools. We also had to conform to the local authority rulings regarding the repointing of the lock walls, by using pointing rakes and only lime based mortar to specification. We also went on a IWA dig at Wantage which was an experience, but it had more chiefs than indians so very little seemed to get done. Volunteering on the Broads would be great but it would need to be well organized and to keep the volunteers active and happy they would have to see real results for their labours. Regards Alan

Hi Colin, I would try mooring at Womak Staithe, it is one of my favourit spots and Ludham just a short walk up the lane is a bonus. Good pub and shops etc. I agree you want to get to Herbert Woods after or around lunch time, all the hire companies be it on the Broads or on the canals have late take over times and in many cases the boats are ready or could be. Regards Alan

Hello Colin, Welcome to the forum from Tan & myself. Regards Alan

Hi Jill, More on the story with pictures of the other night and the possibility of being able to see the effect tonight. http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/chance_of_another_northern_lights_spectacle_in_norfolk_tonight_1_3373864 Regards Alan

Ant and Dec revealed last night that Norwich shoppers to get chance to win Florida holiday as part of their Saturday Night Takeaway TV show. For details please see the following link:- http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/ant_and_dec_reveal_norwich_shoppers_to_get_chance_to_win_florida_holiday_as_part_of_their_saturday_night_takeaway_tv_show_1_3381066 Regards Alan

Please see the following link, there may be more sightings over the weekend, http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/photo_gallery_your_stunning_pictures_of_the_spectacular_aurora_but_will_we_see_it_again_tonight_1_3371065 Regards Alan

Hi Andy, What a good idea re the locks, I can thinks of at least five bridges that this would be a great solution for, especially the two at Yarmouth. Regards Alan

Someone I used to know once told me she had a box that she kept on a shelf that she used to put important items in. Written on the front of the box was Safe Place. Regards Alan

Hi Geoff, I can not give you distances especially in Norfolk miles (always more than on any sign) but anywhere on the Broads is quicker by car when you know all the back roads, Wroxham to Brundall is about 20 minutes. By boat most of the day assuming good tides. Regards Alan

Further to my email below the Authority has just been informed that the planned lift of Breydon Bridge for Wednesday 26th February has been cancelled as it has not been possible to repair the bridge to a condition which would guarantee a safe and reliable lift. Kind regards. Chris Bailey Administrative Officer Operations Broads Authority Tel: 01603 756007 email: chris.bailey@broads-authority.gov.uk Please note my current working days are Monday - Wednesday.

Hello Alan, Did you use the magic sponges on the fenders? They come up almost like new in very little time. Regards Alan

Is Grace and me the only ones have not retired yet? Wishing to join the club but they wont let me. Regards Alan

Please see below communication received from EastPort UK regarding Breydon Bridge. Please be aware that the Highways Agency are intending to perform a bridge lift on Wednesday 26th February 2014 at approximately 20:30. We are in the process of making extensive temporary repairs to enable this, and works and test lifts will be carried out overnight Tues 25th Feb. Assuming successful tests, we will be in a position to carry out the lift to vessels on Weds. Please could you make your members & contacts aware, so that any craft wishing to transit Breydon Bridge are in place for the lift on Wednesday night. We also need to know if any vessels transiting are tall masted, as it is likely we will not be able to open the bridge fully during this emergency lift. Permanent repairs are due to commence w/c 17th March, once replacement parts are received. However at this moment we do not know if the bridge will be fully repaired and able to go into full operation. I will update you as I know more. Regards Stuart Stuart Clarke Port Engineer EastPort UK Direct Dial: 01493 335516 Mobile: 07584 238899 Email: sclarke@eastportuk.co.uk Web: www.eastportuk.co.uk

Hello Simon, Have a look at the day boat hire section on the forum. Go to forums Open Visiting The Broads Open Useful Links/Slipway information Click on Day Boat Hire Each of the links will take you direct to most if not all the websites of the Day Boat Hire companies on the Northern & Southern Broads. Regards Alan

Hi Frank, If you have a contract in place that all parties agree to and sign you should not have a problem. The key points would be for a friendly group of three or four people sharing a boat:- The price of the share. The entitlement of the share (usage in weeks) Who manages the boat or syndicate (who arranges all the payments, river toll, insurance, moorings, servicing, repairs etc). Who's name the river toll will be registered in (it can be in more than one name if you prefer it). Insurance named owners. Limits to where the boat can operate, i.e.is it just the Broads or can it be taken to sea (this has implications on the insurance). Set procedures such as, responsibility for cleaning, refuelling and replacement of gas bottles and handover times. Have at least one meeting a year to discus the winter servicing and laying up and set a budget for the forth coming year. To give you an idea our management costs have been as follows for our twenty shares. 2011 £980 last year being managed by a company. We became self managed in early 2012, jobs were done when required, the boat was serviced better to our specification and improvements were constantly introduced. 2012 £700 2013 £500 2014 £600 If anyone wants more advice please feel free to contact me directly.. Regards Alan