DAVIDH

Sutton Staithe Hotel - be sure to book a table - especially as it's Easter. Regards David

The image makes it look like Oulton has dried out - has someone left the lock gates open? David

The Ship in new hands? Alert - Alert - Possibly the best Steak Pie on the Broads in danger - Alert - Alert. David

We found out the same way when we replaced our car a couple of months ago. Surprising that such an aggressive increase had not been highlighted by the government but then as it is a tax to be on the road and as according to that study the other day, our roads are in dire need of repairs beyond the patch up and make do we are getting at the moment, then the government will surely be using the extra money to fix them - wont it?

It looks to me like Evening Light was trapped the wrong side of the bridge and required the help of HW/Pilot to get back. It is a 2 berth boat I think but I counted at least 5 people onboard - probably more inside, to weigh it down in the water. Regards David

Sanderling was an excellent 2 berth boat. It was the first boat we hired so I have a soft spot for Sandersons. They had four of them and we hired all but No 3 I think. I believe it was ahead of it's time having a hard top over the wheelhouse - a forerunner to the sedans you see today. Regards David

Just to say the hire yard in Reedham referred to earlier on this thread does not seem to be closing. It is in the new Hoseasons brochure and on sale on the website. The yard was never actually named on the thread but could by a little investigation easily have been narrowed down to the only working hire yard in Reedham. I am sure the speculation will have done nothing to further their business prospects. Good to see it is not "another yard biting the dust" Regards David

"while birds that become accustomed to hand-outs will lose their natural fear of humans and may become aggressive." Go on - make my day!

It's back on-line again and the pixelating has gone. Regards David

Not your everyday passage through Potter Bridge! David

Not allowing enough slack in the ropes where there is a significant rise and fall.

September and October dates are now showing on the site. It will soon be time to close the page down until April next year so if you are considering taking in some live music or other event time is running out - as is the season! https://www.norfolkbroadsboathire.biz/Norfolk_Broads_live_music_guide.asp Back next month with the final update for October. Regards David

Ludham Bridge is a popular stop off point especially for those travelling to and from Richardsons. The situation has been compounded by the shortening of the Ludham Bridge moorings - think it's the left bank going towards the bridge heading to the Bure. Together with the de-mast stretch and the area taken up by the Nancy Oldfield Trust boats the room to moor is now much less than it used to be. Imagine it next summer when all the New Horizon boats are relocated to Stalham! Regards David

That's as much as I know. David

The Lion is always a must visit for us when on holiday and we time our visit when the live music is on. We have had some great nights there and I agree it has a special sort of charm. I speak to Sid about once a month to get his list of what's on for my Live Music page and always find him to be a pleasant character and easily the most enthusiastic about the upkeep of the page which he says really works for him. I asked recently about the rumours he was leaving and he told me that his lease was due for renewal and that he had come in to some money from winning a court case and was therefore taking retirement. I really hope the place does not get sold off as someones private house. Regards David

August and September dates now added to my "Live Music and Other Events" page. These two months see the most activity in Broadland's pubs, probably because with the high season trade on offer, it is worth putting events on to attract them. Anyway for August there is still time to take in a Dwile Flonking contest at the Dog at Ludham Bridge, two music festivals being held at Beccles Quay, a chance to view the Tour de Broads stop off at the Ship Inn in Reedham and 4 music venues at Loddon for the Live Five Event. September is currently showing 28 venues for you to visit with acts ranging from vocalists, through bands to the Great Yarmouth Folk Group weekend at the Dog at Ludham Bridge. A new addition for August and September is Sunday afternoon music at the Bell Inn at St Olaves. It's all detailed on the page HERE Regards David

Just found this webcam which shows a live stream of the harbour together with recordings of special events. The Australia Day video is a spectacle. You think Wroxham is busy on a Saturday afternoon? Just look at the below link for a time lapse video of Australia Day in Sydney harbour. Make sure you watch the whole 7 minutes! Regards David. The live webcam can be found at http://www.webcamsydney.com/index.htm

I knew it was a simulator but it was still very tense: Regards David

Anyone wanting to take in some music, a quiz, Karaoke or even a Pool Competition night, my page of Live Music and other Events on the Norfolk Broads has been updated to include July and August. Highlights include the Upton Beer Festival from the 15th to 17th July, with 5 bands playing, The Water Rats appearing at the Lion Inn at Thurne, the Dwile Flonking Contest and Kemps Men at the Dog in Ludham and no less that two events in Beccles on consecutive weekends in August - The Harvest Moon Free Music Festival and the Beccles Carnival. To see the page click HERE Regards David

Having just returned from 2 weeks on the Broads I just wanted to recommend these portable LED lights which we used whilst on away. They are activated by movement and stay on for around 45 seconds when turned on. They are really useful at night on a strange boat where on the way to the you know where, you either bang into things in the dark or turn the lights on and blind yourself and wake up others. They provide just enough light to guide you then turn themselves off. We had one in the bedroom and one in the bathroom - both coming on when you are near. They tend to turn off mid flow if you know what I mean, but it is simple enough to move an arm to re-activate it. Also you need to put the one in the bedroom "out of sight" of the bed so as to not activate before you get out. They are now included in our "essentials to take on holiday" list. They cost £5 at ASDA including batteries. We are still using the same ones they came with a year ago. Regards David

If it has been known since April that this yard will close, why are Hoseasons still accepting bookings for 2017? Regards David

Just finished updating the live music guide to include events for June and July. There is plenty on including the Yarmouth Folk Group who are appearing at the Dog at Ludham Bridge over the weekend of the 17th to 19th June and a Beer Festival at the White Horse in Upton which hosts no less than five bands between the 15th and 17th July. See it HERE Regards David

With the summer season approaching, how about a game of who can capture the most hire boats mid-stream on the Barnes camera. The boats must not be moored and day-boats do not count. Also each boat has to be fully in view so none where only half of the boat is in the frame. I will start it off with 5 - can you get more? Regards David

" In 1996 the vessel was sunk by an unhappy customer " What? Love to know what that was all about! Regards David