Viking23

What worries me is where the photograph of the crocodile was taken... Most likely on the Northern Broads, more logs up there, after all we have minks, mandarins and storks that have recently made the Norfolk news and maybe in the future, some Lynx.

Now the trend is for mono-block taps, it helps reduce the risk of electric shock. For those not familiar with earth bonding, it helps to reduce the risk of electric shock, when placing one hand on one tap, and the other hand on the other tap, or a radiator, or shower etc and in the event of an earth fault, say the immersion heater fails, then it might be possible to make one tap live, and the other will be earth. The error made by so called DIYers, is that some might insert lengths of plastic pipe when repairing leaks, or adding say an outside tap, thus breaking the earth, as the modern plastic pipes are push fit and don't require spanners or a blow lamp and solder.

I quite agree, I use 2.5 mm2 cable, it is also tougher when dragged along the ground, and walked on by passers by, especially when the cable is resting on gravel or concrete.

No sorry, I need to correct you on that one, the 32A sockets are designed for exactly that, as electrically propelled boats need the higher current to charge the huge banks of batteries. The overload protection is normally provided via breakers, so next time, take a moment to look at the rating plates on the breakers.

Wherries... what wherries lol....? lol

If it's 1.5mm2 then it's good for 15 or even 16 amps on a good day, in open air, ie not covered or coiled up. However even this spec varies between manufacturers. Re 32 amp plugs, never use a 32 Amp to 16 Amp adaptor or a 32 Amp plug if you are only using 15 or 16 amp rated cable or 16A rated plugs and sockets. This is illegal, dangerous and inappropriate. Any excuse not to pay out in the event of an insurance claim. The only way it can be achieved is to have a 15 or 16 Amp fuse in the 32A plug to protect the lower rated 16 Amp sockets and cable.

I just love the wherries. Those and the wind mills(pumps) are the two major icons of the broads, and I would say probably unique only to the Broads. Well together with Potter Heigham Bridge lol.

Save it for a slow news day then... Go on, other than being sent for the tartan paint, what did electrical apprentices have to get? I was in the weighing industry, and every new guy was sent to the stores for a long weight (wait).

No! not a bodge... Just down to earth wiring... I really must apologise about that quote above... it was a "spur" of the moment thing.

I agree with Iain, at some point, your cable will be immersed either in a puddle, wet grass, or even the river, or even handling the cable with damp hands, if there is the slightest break in the insulation then there could be a potential shock hazzard, where with luck, if the earth leakage trip on the electric post is fully functioning, and if wired correctly, then the power should be cut off, before too much electricity flows through the body to earth. However, on the Broads, I have seen a few risky sockets, that have either been knocked down by a boat, ( Hardley Mill), or had the 16 Amp socket ripped out of the housing.( Sutton Staithe). So take care with 240 volts and water.

I have followed most of these films, and I and my boat have appeared as extras on at least two of them lol... All background and soft focus lol. Thank goodness, as I was doing boat maintenance in both of them. I'm not sure I like the opening part of the above review, looks like you are doing it through a bird hide with all the old wood framing, hey but each to his own, there is certainly an artistic side to you, and it didn't spoil the pleasure of the boat review in any way. What I don't understand is why all your wardrobes are empty, then I read what you did prior to the video. You are welcome to video our boat... provided you empty all the cupboards, surfaces and give them a scrub lol... Next time I see you about, I will introduce myself to you.

You need to consider your strategy depending on what the inner pipe is made of. If it is plastic, then futher tightening it could deform or crack the pipe. Cutting the outer hose and re terminating it and using a new jubilee clip should sort it, and a smear of non setting sealant, suitable for potable water, if you are drinking it. As many of you have found... there are many manufacturers of the worm drive clip, but only one jubilee, most are rubbish, and strip as you finally tighten them. If there is room... two clips set at 180 degrees are better than one.

As Tesco affects Stalham, Tesco also affects our local town Lichfield. We used to never visit Lichfield to shop, as parking was 90p per hour, and they even charge on Sundays and bank holidays. There are other local towns that are just as local, that we use with free parking. However, now we have a huge Tesco, we can use the car park to visit both Tesco and the local shops in town, and enjoy the free parking. 50 yards from Tesco is an Aldi, a mile radius is a Lidl, a Morrisons, a Waitrose, but strangely no Asda. Tesco is the nearest one to the town centre and there is a lot of foot traffic too and from the car park.

What do the signs say... "KEEP CLEAR, SHALLOW WATER" lol...

I used to love watching the live feed from "Queen of the Broads" from " Broads Tours" but even over Easter there doesn't even show a snapshot that she has been out. So have we lost this link too? I loved the Hotel Wroxham cameras, but they have been off line a long time now.

Talking of shallow water near to the posts, a couple of years back, we were travelling from St Olaves at low water to cross Breydon, and several of the posts on our right as you enter Breydon, were high and dry clear of the mud, and even a boat length from the post there was barely enough water for our shallow draughted cruiser. So the posts should only be treated as a guide. Our fish finder, which is a great depth sounder is ideal for the Broads. It works very well in shallow water with a resolution of 0.1 ft.

I think with an 8 tonne boat, not afloat would require something capable of lifting close to 5 tonne, depending on the pivot point, just to raise the stern. It could be raised with jacks and long timbers slid under in several places, and then slide it sideways into the water. This will require access to the land, and maybe specialist equipment, well, my trolley jack can lift three tonne, a couple of them lol... A few wooden sleepers... A decent 4x4 with a winch and ground anchors might also be needed. Clearly waiting until an exceptionally high tide and waiting until it floats off is the cheapest option, if the boat is not on hire for a week or two, after all, it is not in danger of any further damage. I just hope the hull isn't holed, or cracked, when it gets back to the yard, it will have to be lifted, checked over and any repairs done before she is out on hire again. But this is what these hire companies have to budget for.

As a visitor to Stalham, and a user of the Tesco there, I wonder what affect it has had on the town. I guess the high street has been affected, but has the fact that Tesco with it's large free car park has attracted more visitors into town? Cars passing along the A149 may not have been tempted to divert into the town, but seeing a Tesco might help. I wonder how many people shopping at Tesco realise there is a busy high street a short walk away and what proportion of those shoppers actually take that step. Can more be done to promote the town from that area?

What fantastic service from Richo's. This can only show what a great company they are. Great PR too. If I was hiring again, then they would be first on my list. From the holiday makers perspective, they must have been traumatised, but Richo got them to continue their holiday, and more likely will have a life long customer. Excellent news.

So when is a dinghy not a dinghy? I am referring to those PVC airbed type dinghies or inflatable crocodiles, that have been on sale in Aldi, Lidl, and seaside stalls selling buckets and spades, and appear from nowhere on a hot summers day, and at the edges of say Salhouse Broad. I have also seen them being towed from hirecraft with people hanging on to them.(clearly towing a person in a dinghy is not alllowed on the Broads.) So clearly these dinghies also require a toll, but not a lot of people know that... What have the BA done about these craft?

Good reminder... Just ordered mine. I must admit, even though I am a fairly new member, I have found this site and it's members to be very helpful indeed. In particular, I find the feed back from the "Like" button to be very supportive. Great site, I'm proud to be a member, and so proud to fly the flag too.

We have a small burgee on the roof, we find it essential when deciding what strategy to use when coming into moor or passing through Potter Heigham bridge on a breezy day. It is very difficult to keep a boat into the wind, as once the wind gets onto the side, off she goes, unless good use of the throttle and steering is used, but even this in inexperienced hands, could result in making things worse, and cause damage to the boat and other property in the area. A burgee, flag or pennant is only useful if you know what the implications are, ie if you are experienced. Add to this, strong tidal flows, and it is easy to see why it ran aground. Does anyone know what direction she was originally travelling in? as from the boats position, there must have been some rather frantic moves prior to running aground which must have been frightening to the crew. I just hope that this experience hasn't put off any new comers. The Southern Broads are more open, with less tree cover than the northern, with faster tidal currents, and can be a challenge for even experienced boaters. Having said that, the Southern Broads have much wider rivers, more room to manoeuvre, less boat traffic, and on average, higher cruising speeds overall, but attention to tides and direction must be considered when planning a particular route, especially when getting close to Breydon Water.

Fenders banging on the hull is a pain too, many a night I have been on deck lifting them, or changing the rope length. Mooring under trees, even in the lightest rain can be a real annoyance, big drops falling off the leaves, even hours after the last drop of rain. I do like the pitter patter of light rain on the roof, especially when you are wrapped up nice and warm and dry. We have our reg no. and toll plaque on white plastic boards, suspended from the pulpit with cable ties, in the wind, the boards sometimes move backwards, and then vibrates on the supporting tube. Note to self... must rig something to prevent that... When heavy weather is forecast, then out comes all the mooring pins, sometimes we have five lines out, from four deck cleats, plus the mud weight.

We have moored at the Pleasure Boat inn, Hickling, during a few storms, but the problem there, is the sailing club, aluminium masts with halyards... ching ching ching all night... Then you have the joy of crossing Hickling Broad. Three feet waves, very common.

Those flags are designed to be hoisted, several can be toggled together, to go to the cross trees. For your application, I might consider pushing out the toggle and using cable ties, but if you want to lower the flag daily or for each trip, leaving the flag staff in place, then what you have done looks fine.