Broads01

I'm booked on Waveney Pisces for 6th April. The chances of that going ahead have been dwindling by the day and now gone altogether it seems. I'll phone them in the morning and see what the rebooking options are.

Thanks Vaughan, I think that gives us a taste of what's to come. My French isn't brilliant so Vaughan please correct me if necessary: 1-Work that can't be done at home 2-Purchase necessities from shops allowed to be open 3-Health reasons 4-Assisting vulnerable people and children 5-Briefly,close to home for individual exercise, excluding group sports and activities but including exercising animals.

Back in 1997 my one an only hire from Alpha Craft was a then fairly new forward steer called Mustang, at the time having registration T556. I've always been bewildered as to why the same boat was later T559 and it's now in the database as such. http://www.broads.org.uk/wiki2018/index.php?title=Boat_Details&BoatId=7100

Thanks for the detailed write-up and photos Jean. I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves. I'm interested to know, what makes you favour Reflection over the larger Swancraft 2 berths? As you may remember, I've hired Roamer and it was brilliant.

I work from home 3 days out of 5 normally, so I'm fortunate in being set up for it and used to it but I know I'm in the minority. I'm due my first hire of the year from Waveney River Centre on 6th April. Whether that happens or not is still uncertain and seems largely dependent upon whether I can avoid the virus before then. WRC are still operating at the moment and have released a statement today https://www.waveneyrivercentre.co.uk/about/covid-19-coronavirus-statement/

I've also hired Grecian Girl, Contessa and a few other dual steers. It's true, the upper helm position is odd, particularly the ultra low wheel but the fun and advantages of a low level dual steer outweigh that in my view. There were 5 of us in Grecian and we had no issues with outdoor space. Air draft is brilliant at 6 foot 9 so Wroxham Bridge is doable some of the time and we cruised under Beccles also. On the down side, the cabins are small and when the crew were down below the helm seat felt lonely. Later in the year I've booked Alpha Phantom of the same design.

I think the policy makes a lot if sense and I wouldn't read anything into it about Richardsons' finances. Any successful business has to keep a tight rein on costs and it looks like they've decided it's a worthwhile saving.

To be fair, photos can be deceiving and in hindsight I may have made a snap judgement. Being aboard is the only way to judge a boat properly I feel. It reminds me how useful it is to get a look aboard a boat when you get the opportunity.

Mmm, that layout doesn't work for me at all. The dinette looks all wrong squashed into the bow and seems to have limited headroom and limited natural light. The other issue I have is on a boat of this size and cost I would want an island double bed.

The database needs saving, I absolutely agree. I'd also be willing to give some time. Although I have no experience of web development I build data applications for a living so I have skills in that area. I'd be happy to help with updating data and adding photos. I recall John (oldgregg) also expressed interest.

I've learned something there as I had no idea there were pubs opposite Black Horse Broad and near St Benets. Does anybody have any photos? The one I miss the most from my own lifetime is the Berney Arms. Happy memories of sitting on the benches outside and enjoying the landscape.

I think you're on tricky ground there Jean. My understanding is the absence of "no mooring" signs doesn't automatically convey permission to moor. Given its private property you'd need permission which if the pub was still closed would be very difficult to obtain.

Last year I took my dog Rollie to The Dog at Ludham Lion at Thurne Bear and Bells Beccles White Horse Chedgrave All were very welcoming. It's just a shame Rollie always seems to be restless in pubs but that's another story.

I have two wide screens for work. I'm amazed how many people in the office can manage crouched over just a 15 inch lap top screen all day. I could never have the forum open whilst working though, I'd never get any work done. In fact it's rare for me to be on the forum on any computer, phone or tablet suits me.

My view is also leave it alone. It's one of the Broads' iconic landmarks so it should be preserved as is and not altered in any way. The only action I would favour would be dredging or similar that improved the air draft without touching the bridge. However if I recall previous discussions I gathered there's no certainty dredging would have any impact.

I too have hired Contessa and passed through Ludham with ease. I think you'd have to be very unlucky with conditions not to pass through. Bear in mind also the height gauge at the bridge is so unduly pessimistic it's more or less useless. For future reference, Barnes published take over time is 4pm but like most others, chances are the boat will be ready much earlier. Last year I think I arrived around 2pm and the boat had been ready a while I think.

There's so many moorings I love it's hard to know where to start. On the north Broads if I had to pick it would be either Coltishall Lock or Salhouse for different reasons. I love Coltishall for the complete peace and I love Salhouse for the complete opposite! On the south it would be either Langley Dyke or Surlingham Broad mudweighting.

No you're not the only one, David, I do that as well if I'm going that route. Usually my last look at the rivers (and my first on the outward journey) is crossing Postwick Viaduct on the A47. I try and glance across there also.

Just spotted this Hoseasons 1982 brochure on ebay. It brings back a strong childhood memory from bonfire night 1981. I was 10 years old and we had had our first Broads holiday that year. Bonfire night was an exciting thing for a 10 year old then but my memory of the night is my mum showing me the front cover of the brochure that had just arrived in the post. Brochures were a colourful window on the Broads hire boat world in those days. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153827976707

The database is very reliable so almost certainly it's your actual boat with a new colour scheme.

I imagine heating systems on syndicate boats get a ton of use given the number of weeks the boats are occupied. Does there therefore tend to be a higher risk of heating failure or can the risk be mitigated?

I agree, a very sad loss. The database has been around a long time and it's brilliant.

Hi Woodie and welcome. Thanks for posting your original invoice, it really takes me back as I first came to the Broads with my parents the same year as you and also with Hoseasons.

Ouch, taking over a boat that's not been cleaned, I can't imagine anything worse. I take it there's a defined process in the syndicate for dealing with such situations? I've been to the Ferry a few times but not spotted the water hose. Where exactly is it?

Ooh, nice! I love that design but haven't hired one for 10 years so I can see myself on that in the future. I'm interested to know where they've sourced it from but it's hard to tell given it's white and anonymous-looking.