MauriceMynah

mmmmmmm... nurrrrrses... mmmmmmm

Win win then, unless you are Richard III

I look at the gauge most occasions I'm out on the boat, pretty much a monthly occurrence. This has been the case for quite a while. Only once have I seen it approaching 7' (which was last Friday 20th in the evening at 18:00) and only on a couple of occasions do I recollect it being under 6'. So, No! I cannot, hand on heart, say I monitor the height closely enough to claim to be an expert, What I can claim however is that ... A. I agree with your quote from the pilots, and that B. my personal experience seems to be at odds with the EA's hyper accurate records.

I honestly can never understand why it is that what I read from official documents differs so greatly from what I actually witness! Generally speaking the bridge gauge shows the level to be between 6' and 6'6". Rarely is it 5'9" and equally rarely is it 7' This doesn't seem to align with any of the official figures "The pilots will indeed confirm that there's often a very insignificant rise and fall for days or weeks on end, depending on variable conditions." Yes, That's what I find too. Dare I say that the actual rise and fall is very rarely "average" Which of the averages do they use? mean mode or arithmetic?

As the matter being discussed is the change in the headroom that now exists at the bridge is it not reasonable to consider it possible that the amount of rise and fall has also changed. Whilst those of us who have known and loved the broads for many years, also hold the Hamiltons in high regard, we have to accept that the information is now somewhat out of date. This gives some weight to the arguments in favour of a thorough dredging regime. (in my far from humble opinion)

I have one or two comments I'd rather like to make that are of personal significance. The first is addressed to those who say "Shouldn't have purchased/hired a boat that won't go under the bridge" What about those (myself included) who bought boats that would normally have gone under but now find the passage less often available? I don't know what clearance is required by Royal Ambassador, but my parents used to go to the Pleasure Boat in that craft. According to the pilot I need 6' 3" for my Elysian 27, a far shorter and narrower craft. Also my moorings are on Hickling broad, where it used to be a hire boat with Whispering Reeds. Perhaps those who comment that as my boat is too big for the bridges it is unsuitable for the broads may like to stand back for a moment and consider this. I would most firmly come out in favour of KEEPING the bridge, and instead of raising it, a short locked canal from the Phoenix Yard with a swing bridge coming back into the Thurne where the Bridge PH used to be. I doubt that such a canal would cost a very different amount from that of raising the bridge. It would certainly be a longer term solution. I also believe that, starting at Hickling the whole lot needs dredging right down to Breydon Water. This might also solve the problem. Makes sense to me! Where did the figure 12" tidal rise and fall come from? Certainly not the view of the pilots, nor that of a frustrated Elysian owner who's waited for several hours hoping to get a 2" drop!

http://www.thenorfolkbroads.net/forum/user/578-mauricemynah/ Just like that! (if it works ) Edited to say "yep, it did work!"

Too true Little Sprite, I'm looking for a virgin to sacrifice. Thank heavens I don't live in Essex.

Is it my imagination or are "Oulton Oysters" getting bigger?

I'm reminded of this story... Waiting in a lay by to catch speeding drivers, a Police Officer saw a car crawling along at 10 MPH. He muttered to himself: "This driver is just as dangerous as a speeder!" So he turned on his lights and pulled the driver over. As he approached the car, he noticed that there were five old ladies, two in the front seats and three in the back...wide eyed and white as ghosts. The driver, obviously confused, said to him "Officer, I don't understand, I was doing exactly the speed limit! What seems to be the problem?" "Ma'am," the officer replied, "you weren't speeding, but you should know that driving much slower than the speed limit can also be a danger to other drivers." "Slower than the speed limit? No sir, I was doing the speed limit exactly...Ten miles an hour!" ....the old lady said, pointing to a road sign. The Police officer, trying to contain a chuckle explained to her that “A10” was the road number, not the speed limit. A bit embarrassed, the lady smiled and thanked the officer for pointing out her error. "But before I let you go, Ma'am, I have to ask...Is everyone in this car OK? These ladies seem awfully shaken, and they haven't made a sound this whole time," the officer asked. "Oh, they'll be all right in a minute officer. We've just come off the A120." !!! I do have some (albeit only a little) sympathy for the speeding motorist. The speed limits, stopping distances and many other things in the highway code were based on a car of the 50s. Brakes and road holding have been much improved since then, Sadly common sense hasn't. Draw your own conclusions!!!

And a gay old timer can be had by all. Sorry, that was a typo, it should have read "time" but it was too late to edit it.

Unit pricing of toilet rolls is tricky too... they just make each sheet shorter. it needs to be priced by the metre. (or by the poos per roll if you want it really useful)

Speed cameras. Safety devices or cash cows? an interesting point. Some are, without doubt, cash cows, especially some of the standard yellow box type but the average speed check method has to be a positive step towards safer roads. As I said before, we don't need lower speed limits, we need to enforce the ones we already have. Soundings... Sorry my friend but if your farmer chappie never has an accident, then it's rather difficult to justify calling his driving "dangerous". Rude yes! Aggressive yes! Even socially unacceptable but sadly not actually dangerous, until such time as he has an accident in which his driving style plays a part. Assessing something as "dangerous" before it has actually proved to be so and legislating accordingly is that terrible path that leads us by the nose to the "nanny state" we all object to so much.

I think so too :)

Arghhh one of my soap boxes... warning Rant alert!!! The correct speed to drive any vehicle on any road is that which is within the drivers capabilities, the cars capabilities and the prevailing road and weather conditions. HOWEVER, as we all know, other people don't apply this golden rule so speed limits have to be put in place. The speed limits that are about are, for the most part, about right. The problem is that they are rarely effectively enforced. This next question is rhetorical. How many of you reading this, always drive at or below the speed limits? What happens is that where there is a 50mph speed limit people drive at 60, sometimes more. then there is an accident, and then the speed limit is reduced to 40... RATHER THAN ENFORCING THE 50 LIMIT. There are some stats I'd really like to get hold of. There is a stretch of road from Hoveton to Potter Heigham, via Stalham. There were frequent accidents on this road even though there were speed limits of 40, 50 and the national 60mph along it. A few years ago, average speed check cameras were installed but the speed limits remained largely unchanged. It is my suspicion that just by enforcing the existing speed limits there will have been a significant reduction in accidents on that stretch of road. If so I shall rest my case, if not I shall reevaluate it.

Remember... Tarring and feathering should only be done AFTER the birching. Thank heavens he didn't drop litter, he'd have ruddy well been hanged. (Drawn and quartered as well if he'd been smoking within 1000 yards of a child)

To be honest I don't think the tank will really need sterilizing. Most diesel engines are very forgiving and the fuel filter will normally take out anything nasty. If it's an inboard petrol engine, the same applies though it's best to have in as much fresh fuel in the tank as you can. For outboards, just put any of last years petrol in your car and fill afresh. If I can be of any further assistance I'd be ruddy amazed.

Welcome to the forum Inormski. Sorry I've no pics of the Jolly Richie to help you but rest assured, you're in for a wonderful time.

You might not be able to get under some of the bridges now, but whatever the weather, you will certainly know where they are.

Donnygeoff, I reckon we should have a 4th of July every year.

I always knew as much Strow

Strow, You don't need to re-index your memory, Just rebrand it as "Accurate" MM runs away and hides

Proof that Gnats hate D&G... When did you last see a gnat with an over priced designer satchel?

More info on that one please Sidestand

"Norfolk LO John Currie has been..." "JC has been with the EA team today..." Sorry Peter, EA I know Environment Agency! But LO and JC escape me for the moment... Help please!