Broads01

I found this old postcard on eBay which looks like it dates from the 1960's. I didn't realise that the staithe used to be so much narrower than it is now. There seems to be no room to reverse out for those in the foreground. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164866496821

Given the complete disregard for speed limits by a sizeable minority, I think I too would be miffed if I was shouted at for doing a measly 0.2mph over the limit, wash or otherwise.

Having been born nowhere near Norfolk for many years I followed my parents' pronunciation of Acle as Accle. I know it as Aycul nowadays, I hope that's right. I think there was a thread about St Olaves a while back. What's the right way of saying that - St Olives?

Thanks for the detail, Neil. Yes, so the design is 50 years old and one of the Rhapsody class in current hire will be 50 years old next year. I know Vaughan on the forum worked on the 1975 building programme. I guess that's why I was thinking they only arrived in the mid 1970s.

Interesting to see Dawn Supreme, the Bounty 37 in the photo alongside. In my mind, the Bountys arrived a bit later than that but there it is in the 1973 brochure, presumably the photo having been taken well before that season. That means some of those Bountys still in Richardsons fleet must be knocking on 50 years old now.

So is the Little Ships website http://www.littleships.co.uk/ourcraft.html longer current? They brand themselves as "Vintage Boat Hire".

Sounds intriguing. I can't help with the brochure but I do know the boatyard was Breydon Marine at Burgh Castle.

I don't doubt that at all, just not sure I'd go many extra miles to seek it out.

Wow, Helen, you must really like having electric. Is it worth it? I've never bothered myself, I like my freedom to moor wherever.

That's about the size of it. When people don't steer in a straight line, it slows their effective speed considerably.

That makes sense, I understand now. In that way Acle is also good, albeit for the last night there's only Stokesby or Stracey downstream.

I've never hired from Bridgecraft but all being well I'm putting that right in July (postponed from March) when I'll be on Forth Bridge 2 with my son. I started from Acle four times in the Horizon Craft days and I love it as a start point, whether or not I'm going south. That's the same anywhere, isn't it Jean? Generally by the first night, I'm not particularly close to the boatyard and occasionally not on the last night either.

When were they taken and what's the story?

Yesterday, my daughter Natalia began her first Broads holiday that she'd booked herself, having grown up and continued as a young adult coming aboard with me. Having first holidayed on the Broads at the age of 7 months back in 2000, she's now 21 and is aboard with her boyfriend, Joe. I've spoken to her today I know they're both having a brilliant time. If, like me, you've experienced taking your children boating and then seeing them continue as an adult, does that give you satisfaction, a feeling you must have done something right over the years? Not only do I get to appreciate this, later this year Natalia and I, all being well, will get to experience boating on the Caledonian Canal for the first time together. Sometimes, against the all the stresses life throws at you, you just have to take the opportunity to feel happy.

My daughter is oop north at the moment, she says it's very quiet. She and her boyfriend had Neatishead staithe to themselves when they stopped there for a while this morning.

I hope this is resolved soon otherwise I shall miss my slow chuggings across the inner broad.

I've ordered two today. One is a surprise for my son who loves tube map-style anything.

Vaughan, you haven't changed a bit

I get that Vaughan but isn't the same thing true of many forward drive designs, old and new?

I like the idea of a centre cleat but I don't think I've ever seen one on a boat I've hired. When helping others, I tend to offer to take a rope for them. Nine times out of ten this is gratefully received. If it's politely declined that's fine.

Good to hear from you Robin and thanks very much for the update. Good luck with the sale and completing on the house. May I ask, what made you choose Lincolnshire?

It's very nice indeed but nowadays if you're hiring you really need to be on either a Martham's boat or a sailing boat.

That's understandable but I'm not a fan of policies set up for the convenience of a business at the expense of the customer.

Great potential with that one. It'll fit under Ludham hopefully.

That's over the top. A 3 night break gives 2 1/2 days cruising at the most. I think if you went full throttle the whole time you'd still not spend that much.