Broads01

In the collage centre left pic I'd be very interested to know the story behind that photo.

They certainly do, fortunately. I have a solo booking for Waveney Pisces.

I've done a few 2021 searches on Hoseasons website and to my surprise Gala Girl from Summercraft has come up. I was under the impression Summercraft finished hiring in October 2019. Is that the case and Hoseasons have got it wrong? https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/gala-girl-bh1182?start=03-04-2021&page=1&sortorder=4&region=21647&gateway=true&adult=2&child=0&infant=0&nights=7&range=3&pets=0

I think this boat has come up in a previous thread but at the time there weren't interior photos available. Looking on Hoseasons website now I'm convinced this boat is very odd indeed. At first glance it's a conventional sedan but look closer and it's anything but. The aft deck is ridiculously narrow and with no railing doesn't look at all safe. And why would you put the galley just inside the stern doors with the sofa below amidships and not the other way around? https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/waveney-pegasus-bh2607?page=1&sortorder=4&region=23895&gateway=true&adult=2&child=0&infant=0&nights=7&range=3&pets=0&start=03-04-2021

Photos taken today by my son at Galgate Marina on the Lancaster Canal, ex-Golden Horizon and Southern Gem, complete with Richardsons logo.

I don't understand how Le Boat can estimate 12th June for the Thames. As I understand the UK rules at the moment don't permit non-essential stays overnight anywhere away from home.

I have to do no such thing. The fact I can't quantify the risk doesn't diminish the risk nor its dire consequences. I find your attitude towards this completely baffling to be honest. I thought the arguments that this is a trifling disease just because it only kills a minority of those that get it had long been put to bed. Alas not. I don't think almost 40000 deaths in the space of two months is a small number. Despite the fact that science has indicated the virus is transferred via surfaces, somehow you don't seem prepared to accept this.

As a three times customer Andy, I'm really sorry to read this. I do hope you're able to operate soon and be able to turn in some decent income for the remaining season. Regarding the issue of leaving boats empty for 48 hours, I agree you can't ask a customer to return a boat after 5 days when they've paid for 7. However, if I was only paying for 5 days and that was the maximum made available, I'd so much rather have that than not hire at all. I know that's probably of limited help because I realise you'd still have boats doing nothing for at least 2 days every week.

People who brave supermarkets, myself included, do so out of necessity, not because any of us are immune from catching the virus when we do so. Likewise with the gate latch example, I'm not saying don't go through a gate, I'm saying there's a realistic chance ( it mat be small but it's still realistic)of picking up the virus from doing so.

Absolutely yes there is.

That's the most hideous looking boat I've ever seen! I thought they all went to Herbert Woods when they bought them around 2012 except for the one Richardsons had.

I agree but the original post wasn't talking about that.

I don't understand why being on a webcam is an invasion of privacy. We spend our lives being caught on camera, be they webcams, security cameras, somebody's phone or whatever. If you don't want to be on camera, stay at home. A riverside garden is in public view.

It's fascinating to look at a boat like the Roach class and see how much customer expectations have changed since it was on hire. There was minimal living space, no shower, a combined saloon/sleeping cabin and no fridge. From the plan, it looks like the boat was so small the "galley" (what there was of it) was out in the cockpit. Was that the case?

Thank you for writing Malcom, you've captured your trip beautifully in your usual well written style. Previously I've wished I'd been able to have a trip this year before lock down but the emotions you went through have made me question that.

I can't see how they can offer that until they know what the next rule change will be. It would be virtually impossible to police whether all the occupants were from the same household.

Great start Malcom and stunning Oulton Broad photos.

Yes indeed, Sweet Freedom is ex- Aston Broadsword and Rambling Freedom is ex-Aston Humber.

I disagree completely with that. If you're talking about perspective, we should keep in mind about what a dangerous, indiscriminate disease it is and how many people are dying every single day. Not everyone who dies is elderly and not everyone who dies has a pre-existing condition.

It might sound obvious but how much I'm missing boating. I've got used to my first hire of the year being in the spring. To have to postpone my April trip has hurt. Despite that though, I'm very grateful to be well and to be lucky enough to work from home.

You're correct. I hired it last year and it has a lovely classic feel about it. In my childhood I holidayed with my parents on Aston Goblin which had the same layout.

Was that the boatyard known as Neatishead boatyard that had Ocean 30s? I'm trying to visualise where exactly it was - looking at the original photo was the bridge behind you and to the left?

Definitely Langley Dyke but I'm stumped by the second one. I don't think it is Fleet Dyke but I could be wrong.

JM you couldn't be more wrong. There was nothing whatsoever in the message tonight that communicated that, not even the "sports activities" part.

There were aspects of the message which were ambiguous, not least the wording (or lack if it) around travel. The park bench thing is plain loopy in my mind because inevitably if you sit on a bench you'll touch it and hence risk transferring the virus. The same goes for sending people to work - yes you can stay 2 metres apart whilst you're working but how do you avoid touching surfaces in the toilets or drinks area? I'm glad I live in Wales where "Stay at home" remains and the rules have been changed less.