Viking23

We have a propex heater, run on propane, it doesn't smell like diesel exhausts, it must give off some CO. As I have said, even a boat with no facilities, no gas, electric or fuel are at risk from third party fumes so all boats should benefit from a CO alarm. I would also like to see more shore power on the Broads, more especially at places like Ranworth. As a low user of electricity, it would be nice to have a smaller credit, or have a £1 - £5 card and nominate how much credit to give at each time. in 10-20p increments. Mind you as it is, with the small usage, we often find enough credit on the post, so overall one day you might spend a £1 then for the rest of the week nothing.

I posted my comments below in another thread, but I thought I would start a new thread as it really inspired me. So with reference to the broads, what is your dream, what would you like to see? Here is my dream, slowly coming true. My field of Dreams. The dangers of CO I think the BA will be putting up signage in areas like Ranworth, Womack water and other other congested areas to prevent the running of engines from early evenings to breakfast time at many moorings. There will be additional signage at visitor moorings. This will help people from dying in their sleep. At other times whilst un pleasant, signage alone won't stop it. I think the boat hire companies will be adding to their handbook about the dangers. This just leaves the BSS to incorporate it into their requirements, time for yet more emails lol I still intend to crack this one lol I also think the BA should be leafleting all toll payers at renewal, and short visit toll payers should also have something included in their welcome pack. If we talk about it, they will come. The above comment, inspired by the film "The field of dreams" "If we build it, they will come." In fact some of the above are already in action, expect some changes in 2017. Richard Still trying to make that difference. What is your dream?

My field of Dreams. I think the BA will be putting up signage in areas like Ranworth, Womack water and other other congested areas to prevent the running of engines from early evenings to breakfast time at many moorings. There will be additional signage at visitor moorings. This will help people from dying in their sleep. At other times whilst un pleasant, signage alone won't stop it. I think the boat hire companies will be adding to their handbook about the dangers. This just leaves the BSS to incorporate it into their requirements, time for yet more emails lol I still intend to crack this one lol I also think the BA should be leafleting all toll payers at renewal, and short visit toll payers should also have something included in their welcome pack. If we talk about it, they will come. The above comment, inspired by the film "The field of dreams" "If we build it, they will come." In fact some of the above are already in action, expect some changes in 2017. Richard Still trying to make that difference. Edited to add, I feel so passionate about the Carbon Monoxide issue, that I will use it in a new thread. Moderators please feel free to delete the new thread if you think it is unsuitable. Richard

Wow, in the Picasso the battery is under the front passenger seat, when I got a new battery I was sure to get one with a vent pipe that went back through the floor. I wonder how many people are aware of the pipe, and also refit it after say removing it for say charging.

Actually I might register that name, it will suit a dual alarm lol. Except the sensors wouldn't be in their ideal positions.

I hope they have the type where you press a button to silence it, rather than the twist and throw overboard type. lol Also it has been said that quantities of hydrogen given off from charging and discharging batteries can trigger false alarms on CO monitors, but batteries often have vent points that can be connected to vent overboard. Increased ventilation can also help.

If we don't hear from you after your holiday...

I feel as though we have made a great step forward, there may be other hire companies that have done this, but Herbert Woods have announced that they are fitting both smoke and CO alarms to their fleet for the new season. I like others, have been quite assertive in pushing the benefits of the CO and smoke alarms, and with recent deaths caused by CO we need "a wake up call", excuse the pun. I think this will me a major step forward, well that's Herbert Woods bookings sorted, I hope people support them, and any other hire company that install them. This doesn't mean that boats not fiited with them are particularly that unsafe, but I personally and it is a personal thing, would sleep better at night knowing they were looking out for me. Richard

We never had poor TV reception on the Broads since they went digital, but as we are now on the Thames, we will cross quite a few TV transmission areas. I have seen the "Ballade" tv aerial, it looks like a tennis ball shoved in the top of an ice cream cone, it has it's own amplifier and is not directional, so can pick up without any more adjustment, around £35-£40 just wondered if they are any good. We haven't ventured out much from our marina yet, in fact not even retuned the TV to see if it even works. lol.

I was amazed at Griff taking a stroll looking for things that stand out. lol. I think if you get up and go to bed at Norfolk time, then having revellers going past at 2-3am maybe not your cup of tea, as you have had some of your sleep out by then, so trying to get back to sleep is more difficult. However, if you join in with a beer or three before midnight, then by 2-3 am you are probably quite relaxed anyway. I use Norfolk time, probably explains my earlier comments lol.

Good point, the river is much lower than the road, so the diesel particulates, carbon monoxide etc will hang around more, and the river is well protected from the wind too. Add to that, a couple of inconsiderate boaters running engines. I suffer with my chest too, if someone uses underarm deodorant I cannot breath and I cough for ages until I go outside for some fresh air. We live on Cannock Chase, so a lot higher than the surroundings, so we are blessed with fresher air, all be it cooler up here lol. We have stopped at NYS, twice to empty the elsan and top up with water. Being there for just 20 minutes was more than enough for us. Back to the quiet and open rivers for us. Thorpe green, is a quieter mooring option, but we have never overnighted there. Although when we do go to Norwich, we always carry on past the yacht station to the water mill at the end, (hire craft not allowed) but don't get too close as it becomes very shallow with lots of debris under the water, and long stranded weeds. Share some banter with the folk on the bacony of the pub as you pass it though, you get that close you could take the beer off their tables lol

I certainly agree with that. Thanks Hemsbypie for giving us an idea of costs.

The children in caveman days went to primate schools lol... They also used clubs after school too...lol

As the gearbox is a sealed system, it seems logical to have oil in the gearbox, best check the manual. You can always check the gear oil level, just remove the upper level plug, a tiny amount might run out, keep the engine vertical, ie normal position when doing this. I would recommend only using Honda engine oil, it has the right detergents and additives for the marine environment. I read somewhere that marine oils tend to hang around coating surfaces longer than car engine oils, as it could be months in between startings.

Yes I think I did miss it, a lot on my mind at the moment, but I am pleased that Ruth is happy with the suggestion, so on that basis it has my full support.

What does it really cost to call out the lifeboat to say a rescue of crew on a boat in the mud on Breydon? Even though time is given voluntarily, there is a material cost, wear and tear etc Ok you can't put a cost on saving a life, but if a crew being rescued slipped you a tenner, to me it would be an insult. Are we talking £50-100 more possibly. If more people were aware of the true cost, would they take greater care, and read the instructions. If I donated say £50 I would hate to think it subsidised some one who was simply negligent or misinformed.

I don't think much of the "after" pic, the "before" pic shows the balcony and single door to access it, the after pic shows no access and the balcony is no more. I guess you are showing a non balcony room to show the decor, lol. I hope they have quietened down the extractor fans, quite noisy from the balcony rooms as I recall.

Just a time for reflection, can anyone try to to think what Iain might have wanted, and surely what his wife might want as a remembrance of his life?

I get the impression with one of the most popular gas service providers in the UK, that their first task is to find a way to sell more products. I was told that their gas engineers get a bonus for every new enquiry that becomes an order. First they try to condemn the boiler, too old, can't get the parts, price £ 2-3k for a new one, next needs a power flush, ohh... 10 rads... doh... £900 The latest, with my brother in law, he asked for smart meters to be installed... they took one look at the house wiring... a few tut tuts... a photo or two... can't wire them into that... and they walked away, I bet they will get a quote to rewire the house next, probably crappy plastic conduit glued to the wall... This is the same company that 6 months earlier, serviced their combi, third one in about 12 years, and damaged the silicone flue seal, allowing carbon monoxide into the house. My sister was complaining of headaches for weeks. This as you can imagine is being investigated, and the company involved are making things very difficult... it is still on going. I have a very simple attitude regarding people that are quoting for work, if they do a sharp intake of breath, or tut tut ... this is the first sign that you are going to get ripped off. Game over... there is the door... go now. I do not want a quote thank you. I have the same attitude for tradesmen who only advertise their mobile no. with no base number, or home address. We have a cleaner, who advertised in the local rag, with only a mobile number but was well known to us from friends, so we took her on. After a couple of weeks I advised her of my attitude of not taking on "mobile only" trades people, she fully understood, and the next advert included her home phone no. As a consequence, she has had more enquiries and new business. There are a lot of uninsured tradesmen, unqualified gas safe engineers and electricians around plus a load of have a go plumbers. On the other hand, there are some really good tradesmen about, the problem we all have is sorting the wheat from the chaff. Recommendation, word of mouth is by far the best way to help you choose a tradesman, provided of course, the work is within their scope, and they are insured to do that part of the work.

Now Grace has a good point, well I had to delete the bit about the shoes, sorry Grace, but ... keep a tide table handy, it might be an early start, but what better than leaving Stokesby at 5:30 am crossing Breydon and mooring up at Breydon being met with a tray of hot bacon butties... magic. Would I pay a small premium for an early bacon butty? most probably. What about an early start breakfast, for those making the crossing from Berney going north, book and pay for breakfast the night before... be awoken by the smell of fresh bacon, cast off and enjoy the Early Breydon Experience. Infact, most boaters moored at Berney would welcome someone casting them off, some days, it's a long way down at low water. Have I just invented that unique selling point that the Berney arms has been lacking? if so ... tomato ketchup on mine lol Look guys you have to make a go of this, there are a lot of folk on this forum that will support you. A great thank you for keeping this place alive. The very best of luck. Richard and Roz

Now that is one fantastic opening first post, I don't think anyone can beat that one. Great news, walk before you can run, a cafe, shop, a toilet, a rest stop for walkers too, and for those travelling by train. You might just put the Berney Arms halt back on the map again. So... what can the shop stock ? Milk, bread, loo rolls, tea, coffee, chocolate, newspapers, toys sweets, crab lines, buckets and bait, postcards, stamps, ice cream, Broadland fudge with a picture of the pub and the mill. lol. Still haven't convinced Gracie yet, chocolate... not enough... wine yep that's the one. It might take time to go for the licence route, if you wish to later. I am so pleased it will open again as it is an iconic venue, like the Wherries and Potter Heigham Bridge, you are part of the Broadland landscape.

Google "houghtons ltd spy watch" and plenty of them around. Very interesting that they had the fine engineering over a hundred years ago. I bet they wern't that cheap at the time.

Well the door bell and the letter box are a bit of a giveaway, looks like it's in the front garden, at least for the moment. A couple of lads on the way back from the pub... hmm.. I had to explain a yellow flashing beacon that ended up in my car once... Then you see road cones on car roofs and bus shelters, and houses suddenly found to be on the market on a sunday morning lol... Good luck ! If you ever watched "Scrapheap challenge" there was a team called the barley pickers in that team was a guy always saying... "Proper Job" might be nice on a small brass plaque, with the boat name dates etc.

This is only one reason out of a lot of reasons I love this forum and all the members on it. We are all here to make the forum run well, and have "fall guys" to take the flack lol. Lets have a free for all day, anything goes on April 1st, no one will believe anything posted that day lol For the mathematicians amongst us, do you realise that 2017 is a prime number. The last one was 2011, and the next, 2027 y a w n . . . Prime numbers make the world go round. I am expecting a better year this year.

I am really offended by that comment, well a bit lol, mostly because you thought of it first, but secondly, having irritated one person already, you have achieved your daily target lol, so you can now be kind to every one else lol...... Have a great day.