MauriceMynah

It's so nice to read about the issues without the victim falling into the trap of "naming & shaming" the possible guilty parties. As you say, discretion is the best route, it burns fewer bridges. I would certainly talk to the yard first, they may be unaware of the situation and would appreciate the chance to investigate further, possibly leading to their repairing the issue.

Hmmm, I think in future I shall treat the chocolate flake in my "99" with a little more suspicion.

an Elementary Canal?

So did Harley Davidson.

Is that Burrill bloke any good? Chap on here called Teadaemon says he looks a right dodgy character! :)

I take it you realise that it's when the CHILD is 43 you can return to a normal life. Before that time, you have to go through the ... "Dad, can I borrow the car?"... "Dad, can I borrow a couple of thousand FOR a car?"... "Dad, can I borrow a few thousand for a deposit on a house?" and then... "Dad, can you babysit?"... before finally "Dad, can we borrow one of your boats?". THEN and only then will you return to a normal life... if you can remember what's "Normal".

If someone is going really fast, just for the fun of it... Do they have a warped sense of humour?

Thank you Alan, a very welcome modification.

Was snowing, now sun is shining. I'm out looking for a snowbow.

The Government told me that at 65 I would receive a pension from the state. It changed it's mind. The Government tells me that the Sandford principle will not be applied to the broads. you see why I worry about what the government says...and that's any party!

I think Strow, the problem is one can say "no" as often as one likes, but one can only say "Yes" once.

Back in the 90s I had a weird situation... I was working shift in those days, visiting my boat two weekends in three right throughout the year. Occasionally I'd get the feeling that someone else had been aboard. One winter I was proved right. The river was frozen over when I got to the boat and getting dark so I sat onboard, had a few smokes (I did in those days) and a bottle of red. Went to the pub for din dins then back to bed. In the morning I went to empty the ash tray overboard (yes, I used to do that too ) and noticed on the ice that somebody else had been doing it before me. On the ice were quite a lot of dog ends, I guessed about 20 to 30. I managed to retrieve one and found it to be a different brand to mine. It was obvious that whoever it was had been doing what I did, emptying the ashtray out of the window. As I have said, I'd had the feeling for over a year that someone else had been using the boat but this was the first time I ever found actual evidence. There was never anything missing, even though there was usually cash on board. There was never any mess, but it did explain why on occasions I seemed to think the boat was slightly cleaner than I'd left it. It took me some weeks to decide what to do, leaving little traps or tell tales. I'd leave a dead leaf in a certain position on the carpet and just one dog end in the ashtray. Sure enough, even though the dog end was still in the ashtray, it was in a different position and the leaf was gone. Whoever it was he/she was very careful to cover their tracks. (and No!, I never noticed anything in the snow). Eventually I left them a note saying that I knew they were using the boat and had been doing so for some considerable time, but given that they'd proved to me their honesty and carefulness with my property, they were welcome to carry on, and perhaps we might meet up sometime. When I next went to the boat I could tell the note had been read but there was no reply, and to the best of my knowledge, sadly, they never returned. ..Shame really! Still, probably the rarest form of squatter! Edited to ask... is there any way of using the word "Welcome" without the welcome banner coming up?

If the Telegraph ever becomes "balanced" I'll stop taking it!

It looks like some sort of measuring device to me. Thanks for putting the steering wheel in to give a scale.

Wow, that brings back memories.... or rather it would have done but I only had a Honda 70

I'm looking forwards toi the next set of holidays, That's when I get the boat ready for the May trip. Might see you then Iain

Ahh, so no takers for a share holding in the Walter Mitty Catfield canal company then! The proposed route for this new navigation was from Barton broad to Hickling broad via Catfield. One two way lock to stop any tidal flow, posh housing on the north side and a mixture of 24hr and liveaboard moorings the other.

I agree about the "go across the bows for privacy" point, but if for example my boat (aft cockpit) was moored alongside a forward wheelhouse boat, I would think crossing their stern would be preferable for them. Last year one night, I was moored outside the Ferry at Horning. (The Water Rats were performing there (or rather they didn't) ) A sailing craft moored alongside Nyx. As I had several guests aboard, my berth was in the cockpit. The night was warm when, at about midnight, the crew of the sailing boat walked across my stern, holding on to my canopy which was partially open to let some fresh air in. I did think that was a little thoughtless!!!

There are one or two things I didn't know about boating etiquette I was unaware of, and a few things where I was just wrong. (I didn't know for example that when holding a child's head under water, one should use a mop, rather than a boat hook, so as not to distress the child's mother more than is absolutely necessary.) Other threads here and elsewhere have highlighted some points, and I'd rather like to hear other points of view as well as mentioning my own. Mooring up alongside another vessel (yes, this old chestnut) My view... I wouldn't dream of doing this without the other vessel's skipper's/crew's permission unless in an emergency. If no such party is available to give that permission, I'd go and moor elsewhere. When I'm asked, I normally say yes. Mooring stern on between two boats... do I board either of the boats I'm going between. My view... Yes! If there's someone aboard, I would ask out of courtesy if nobody aboard, I'd just do it. If I asked and was refused... well I don't know what I'd do, and that's a fact! Now, here's an interesting one, and known to most (not all) of the sailing fraternity. I'm moored alongside another boat. I'm the outer boat and I wish to go aboard. In the sailing world, the person boarding would walk across the bows of the other boat stepping onto his own boats bows, then walking to his own cockpit. I would say that with two motor vessels moored facing the same direction, this would have to depend on where the cockpits are. am I right? or is it still "across the bow"? OK, Daggers drawn, off you go!!!

I can't see anything wrong with pointing out bits and pieces, I'm sure Clive welcomes such observations. Though in one of yours I think I do see a problem. Many hire craft seem to be equipped with painfully short mooring lines. I'm not sure they'd reach the bank.

I fully appreciate why there are certain parties on this forum who may have a low opinion of some people in that "other place". Hells teeth, I'm one of them! However, please try to resist the temptation of using a thread over there to beat them with. It does nothing to enhance the quality of this forum. I stated in one of my rare posts over there that forums sniping at each other had a negative effect on the forums doing the sniping rather than those 'sniped against', (though I may not have phrased it quite like that) a view I still hold. As far as the subject of this thread goes, Great work Clive. Thanks.

Awww, now my post looks silly. I'm not used to my posts looking silly!!

Should have tried to claim on the lorry drivers insurance, Might have managed to get a spanking new one

Hey man! Wot wrong wi de 'floatin fuzz'?

You were at your fathers' 12th birthday ??? This might explain many things!