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DAVIDH

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Everything posted by DAVIDH

  1. Great memories you have there Paul. I was only 21 when Clarksons went under. It was like nothing i had experienced before in my, at that time, short career as a travel agency manager. ILG was a great friend to the retail travel agent, and we were often grateful for their support when their rival Thomson, was doing it's best to run the independent travel agent out of town! Attached is a memory from the past, a 1969 Clarksons brochure.
  2. I was often finding that the best place for the unit was where there was nothing high up to place it on. So I bought one of these for £1 from Poundstretcher, and with the aid of the sucker, it can now be placed high up on any window. If it needed to be plugged in, then at least I could ensure it was as high as the cable would allow.
  3. I've had the Three card working in the Ferry Marina at Horning, though have to say, it's a bit up and down. Smarty should be the same.
  4. I use Three in the mifi unit referenced here. I had intended to slip the Smarty card in when the 12 month deal ran out, but was thwarted as the mifi unit was locked to Three. So if you go for this unit, or similar, make sure it's unlocked.
  5. I think Sunair came after ILG Paul, though I acknowledge your interest in the matter. Perhaps you were in the travel industry at the time, as that's fairly niche knowledge. I was/am too, and i wonder if you're mistaking Sunair for Clarksons, who really were the major innovative force in tour operating until their sad demise in 1974 (remember the Court Line Tristars being impounded at various airports across the world?) Before that failure, there was no such thing as protection for consumers if a tour operator ceased to trade. A levy of I think £2 was added to everyone's holiday invoice to set the fund up, and it still operates today under the ATOL system. I remember going in to work on the morning after it hit the news, and the travel agency was under seige with people worried about their holiday. I seem to remember it happened early July, so lots of summer school holidays went with them. There's more on them here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarksons_Travel_Group
  6. Oh, I would have thought it would be the ankles.
  7. Wednesday 7th July The wind had abated by now, though showers were still threatening. I put the computer on, only to find my mobile broadband "Three" 12 month sim card had decided it had had enough and was on it's way to collect it's pension. I knew it was imminent but reasoned i could just get a further splodge of data online. It's not that easy. The sim card directs you to the sales site, but then asks for it's telephone number. Oh, didn't think of that! It wasn't on the sim card and without being able to call it, I couldn't work out a way of finding it's number. Anyway, my plan for the day was to hit Reedham for lunch, then on to The Surlingham Ferry, where a table had my name on it for 6.30pm, with a corresponding mooring. Now where's the best place to but a replacement sim card i wondered? So the plan had now changed to a non-stop chug to Brundall, where I could catch the train to Norwich, where it appears, there are 2 x Three stores. All went well, and after a few hours, I spied the lines of chalets marking the start of Brundall. I took a chance that Brooms would let me moor for a few hours, and after seeing that their basin was empty, I carefully came alongside and tied up undercover (I thought). As I was getting ready to leave, a worker came over to ask how long I would be staying. I told him the story and that I expected to be back and on my way in 2 to 3 hours. That was no problem he said, adding that there was a charge of £17.50 for overnighters. I made my way to the station, and on arrival in Norwich, took a taxi to the store. New sim card purchased, I opted to walk back to the station. Suffice to say that I was back out on the Yare 2.5 hours after first tieing up. It had developed into a beautifully warm sunny day, and I was soon looking for my reserved mooring at the Surlingham Ferry. It was in the midst of a gaggle of reverse moored cruisers. That was no problem, but i prefer not to be head to head with people in other boats whilst watching TV (England match tonight), so instead I cruised on to the end of the moorings, where a side on mooring had my name on it (figuratively this time). So as to not waste a mooring place for someone else, I went inside the pub, and asked if they wanted me to remove the reserved sign..... which they did. Surlingham Ferry - good food - good experience. Need I say more? Feeling completely stuffed, I probably waddled back to Goosander, turned on the TV, and settled down to watch the England/Denmark game. It had been a mad-dash day, but I was non the worse for it. A couple of images from yesterday first You can't park here mate!
  8. Surely everyone knows that if it's in the Sunday/Daily Express, it must be true?
  9. That's Covid for you. They're having to stay in the UK this year.
  10. Tuesday 6th July They were forecasting 40+ mph gusts this morning. If that was to be the case, I guessed I wouldn't be able to cross Breydon. As it was, the wind did get up in the night and I remember being awoken by lashing rain hitting the roof at some ungodly hour. However, by morning, it had "eased" to 20+ mph. I asked the Yacht Station staff what it was like over Breydon, and they assured me it was do-able. So after filling with water, I left the moorings with the aid of one of the attendants. The tide was flowing in at this point, and as the boat was facing upstream, the current was allowed to push the stern out to such a point that I could reverse out. This manoeuvre would have been very tricky without someone ashore, able to hold the bow against a mooring post. For that alone, I reckon the £13 overnight mooring fee to be good value. And again, without the aid of the staff there, I probably wouldn't be able to stop off at Yarmouth. So I was battling my way against the incoming tide while travelling under the bridges, and around the yellow post. Breydon was a little choppy - spray over the bow etc, but nothing I haven't experienced before. I was heading for Oulton Broad in more or less one journey. As it was, on reaching St Olaves, I noticed the last mooring on the staithe by the windmill was free, so I decided to stop for half an hour. It's really scenic there, looking downriver to the wilds of the marshes, and upriver to the line of chalets and semi-developments. The tide was still flowing in when I left, so the Yarmouth manoeuvre was repeated, but was more manageable single handed, as the flow was slower. I eventually reached Oulton Broad around 2.30pm, a good time to pick a spot in the Yacht Station. The wind was still fresh and I had heard the river slapping against the hull whilst moored at St Olaves, so thought I would be better protected against a sleepless night in the Yacht Station. I like the floating pontoon, but have never been able to bag the last side-on spot, just opposite the white "gin palace" which occupies the other side of the walkway. My luck was in though, as the space was there, just inviting me to come alongside. That I did, though it wasn't straight forward, as I wanted to be facing out onto the Broad, not looking at the station buildings. I turned Goosander, but the wind was blowing her off the pontoon. After a little "jiggling", I got her alongside and tied up. You get a great view there, watching boats come and go. The rest of the day was occupied by a rather long walk around the area, past the private marinas, then over the lock and down the side of Lake Lothing. My evening meal was taken at The Wherry. It was surprisingly busy, with most tables occupied. The meal was good - I didn't have the carvery - shock!. Then back onboard to watch TV and just relax. The weather was quite changeable, as you can see. Low pressure was over the country, and the clouds needed no excuse to unburden themselves! There were very few hire boats in the Yacht Station. I think I counted six at the most, the whole time I was there. Plenty of these around. They seemed to stay in gangs too!
  11. Brooms let me moor Goosander (which is of course a private boat) for a couple of hours without charge. If I'd wanted to stay overnight, I was told the charge was £17.50. Don't think I would have been welcome on a changeover day though.
  12. Monday 5th July I left the moorings at 9.30am, making my way towards Yarmouth, where I would spend the night. It was a breezy day, but pleasant in the sun with the top rolled back. I called the Yacht Station as I passed the old Port of Yarmouth Marina, asking for assistance upon arrival. The tide was still flowing in when I left, but very slowly. By the time I arrived at the Yacht Station, it had turned and was very slowly ebbing. I made my way to the "rendezvous" point, which was just past the Rangers building, turned into the stream and came alongside without any dramas. The guys were there to meet me, and proceeded to tie the boat up correctly for the night. A that stage, the moorings were less than half full. Time for a walk to see the sea. I was out for around4 hours, calling for the (for me) obligatory chips at one of the market stalls en-route. It was a sunny day, with a stiffening breeze as I got closer to the promenade. Lots of people were out and about enjoying themselves, which was good to see. By the time I got back, closer to low water, the moorings had filled considerably. I had planned to visit the Kings Arms, a couple of streets down from the Yacht Station for my evening meal, but it was closed for the day, having work done. Option B was the Wetherspoons near the bus station, but I didn't fancy that as seaside establishments cna get rowdy on occasions. Instead, I visited the Brewers Fayre place next to the Premier Inn on the opposite bank to the Yacht Station. It was a good alternative, but I would go back to the Kings Arms next time.
  13. Been back a week from my latest trip, so here are the photos and a brief travelogue. Sunday 4th July. Couldn't start on the Saturday as had an engagement I needed to attend. I've never been on the Broads at a time when all the boats were out, so wasn't sue what to expect in terms of mooring availability. Normally, I stay at the home base on the first night, but having missed Saturday, my plan was to set off as soon as I arrived and had loaded the bags onboard. I got away at 2pm, and headed for Acle. I had decided to go south this holiday, in the hope I would be leaving the crowds behind. I arrived at Acle at 3.30pm, and was pleased to see a couple of spaces available on the BA side. By 6pm, all spaces either side of the river were taken. I'd booked a table at the Bridge Inn for 6.30pm, and was surprised to see the place still had tables available for walk ins throughout my stay.
  14. Or a member of a syndicate. Goosander would have suited you as it's outwardly, the same model as Evening Light. But we have a lengthy waiting list, which will take a couple of years or so to clear.
  15. It can be done. There was room at the bottom to turn Fair Statesman when i was there a couple of years ago, which I believe is the same model. As I recall, they turned it even before reversing into the private moorings on the right.
  16. Quite apart from what running the heating's fan overnight would do to the batteries, I wouldn't feel safe sleeping in a cabin being fed warm air (and who knows what other fumes if not running correctly) from a heating system.
  17. Bella Signora (which I think is actually just an individual name for one of the Haines 32 boats put on in June) is here: https://partners.hoseasons.co.uk/NBH/boat-holidays/bella-signora-bh2699 Both Amore and Tesoro have indeed gone from sale. My guess is that it was causing so much trouble with people booking boats based on the images shown, which turned out not to be a representation of the actual boat, Hoseasons have decided to pull them until Richardsons provide the proper images.
  18. BB has renewed their website, which has resulted in the screen size of the webcam being substantially reduced. I can't see a direct link from the home page navigation, so here it is: https://www.barnesbrinkcraft.co.uk/webcam/
  19. Yes, Bella Signora is available from October, whereas Amore and Tresoro start from September.
  20. Two new Richardsons boats added to Hoseasons this morning, Tesaro and Amore. Anybodies guess as to what they look like as they're displaying stock photos from Richardsons at the moment. Can't link to them as I'm in a McDonalds on my way home. Go to Hoseasons boats, then seaech my boat name.
  21. No added history I'm afraid, but just wanted to say I dined there a couple of days ago, with a little apprehension, but hobsons choice as the Ship is still closed. The meal was delightful, well presented, and good value. Staff very welcoming. I had liver and bacon, with mash, followed by honeycomb cheesecake. I will return.
  22. For what it's worth, I was on Rapture the last year it was with Swancraft. I used my laptop often onboard. It didn't damage it in any way.
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