SPEEDTRIPLE

I think Sam has been talking to Karen again, that`s what she does . Next time you`re up the Ant and need a post, don`t forget to try Gaye`s Staithe. I`m sure there`s a post there, though others may be able to confirm yay or nay. It was great to meet up with you guys in September, hopefully if you`re around in mid March, we will see you again, though that would be very dependent on weather conditions and tides.

I forgot to say, Gunner looks a lovely fella, is he friend;ly?.

Hi Gunnerboy, welcome from me too. You could`nt have bought a better boat for a couple, those Aquafibre Pearl 28s are absolutely ideal for the Broads, and yours looks to be an excellent example. I`ve always liked them, and if i could afford outright ownership and it was just the two of us, it would be first on my list. Hopefully, we`ll see you about when we`re back on Lightning next March?.

Grendel, you`re starting sound like an old scynic, like me?.

This is an excellent write up Helen, and some really lovely pics. We always vist Loddon when on Lightning, often twice in a week. Sometime i`m going to try and swap some weeks around on Lightning so i can get 2 weeks together, then we can have a very leisurely cruise north and south. We`ll be up in mid March next year, will you be around then at all?.

Were you apprentices together then?.

Hi Helen, That`s what Karen and i have done on Lightning in November. Last year, we only took Lightning to Snuggtopz on the Monday, the rest of the time we were in the car, Lathams and Norwich for Christmas shopping, plus a quick trip to Roys, and Horning. November is a great time providing the weather is kind. If like we had 4 years ago, it was great, though very wet on a couple of days, and we were cruising from up top each day. The following year, we had strong winds from the North, and when cruising to Loddon, we froze. Then last year it was mostly wet, so used her for a houseboat for the week and hooked up all the time. As you say, now we own a share, we`re not of that mind set "must go everywhere in the week".

Very sad to see them go, we hired from them a couple of times and the boats were superb. Sue had a strange manner, you could mistake it for being a bit abrupt and off putting, but once you got to know her, she was a really nice lady. As for the boats, absolutely brilliant, all very well cared for, and always very well presented, and always looked great out on the river, very distinctive.

Gale Riverside is owned and run by John and Lynda Cressy, they who also own Maffett Cruisers next door. John is a real character and full of stories to tell. Karen and i often used to take one of their boats back the day before leaving for home, and sitting up til very late chatting with them. Something i miss a great deal. The site is really quiet and peaceful, and a 5 minute walk into Loddon with all facilities, "Rosie Lee`s Tea Room" being my recommendation.

If it' a Horizon 35, it's a guy called David who has a couple of Facebook sites.

I remember back in the 80s, the whole of the basin WAS open house, with only the dyke at the end for small boats. It was in the 90s (i think?) when they started putting a few private moorings in, and even then, they were`nt with posts, and not many at that. It would be great if they had water and electric on the North bank, with the green behind you.

It is, it`s one of the sister ships to Peta`s Joy.

It`s Thunder, Lightning has 3 fenders on her stern, and a bloody awful flying saucer tv ariel on a folding pole on the top, which incidentally i`m hoping we get rid of as it increases air draught by about 5 inches. Also, Lightning has a grey upper helm seat, whereas Thunders is blue (i believe?). But you`re still daft though

What's in store today Simon?. Where are you planning to go?.

Yeah, I used to watch it regularly. I used to like the sister who was a man eater, some of the outfits she used to wear always looked a bit outrageous. I always felt sorry for Elizabeth, always nervous when handed a cup of tea. I have to admit, our mother had a bit of Hyacinth about her.

Hi Simon I told Buck about you taking their pic across OB and he replied saying they will keep an eye out for you. He may want a copy, as would I if you took one of us.

Thanks Simon, are they moored up near you, it`s Paul (nicknamed "Buck") and his other half Clair aboard this week. If they`re moored near you, you are more than welcome to have a look onboard, just tell them you`ve been talking to me and you`re interested in buying a share.

One of the big things we found about November cruising is to stay out of the wind if it`s coming from the North. We were aboard Lightning in November last year, but used her as a houseboat and went out in the car. It was warmer than the time before, but it did rain a bit. We`re up in March next year which is another first for us so don`t know what we`re in for. However, we`re looking forward to it, and will hopefully meet up with more of you all again?. Have a great cruise Simon, and don`t forget to go into Rosie Lee`s if in Loddon, though she does`nt open on Tuesdays now, and if you do, could you pass on mine and Karens best wishes til we see her in March. She says we`re her Dorset regulars . The boat looks great, and i bet Andy at the yard was very welcoming.

Hi Malcolm, We had the same problem with Lightning.We had far too much clutter, of which people said "some people use them". My opinion is for things like games, captains hats, books etc etc, rather than clutter the boat with things most people don`t use, we decided to have a major de-clutter, it was surprising how much crap we got rid of. At our AGM last month, we decided to go a bit further and get rid of yet more little or unused clutter. It`s also worth remembering that it gives a much better impression to potential share owners when they look over a nice clean tidy and uncluttered boat.

We always supply our own on Lightning, though do have some for children on the boat, though these are only the bouyancy aid types. Seeing as you`re in Brundall, visit Brian Wards beside the railway crossing, and make sure you buy the right size and weight. It`s no good having a life jacket for someone who`s 10 stone, yet you weigh 14. Also, ensure they have crotch straps, and they are auto inflate, and always ensure the auto inflate gas canister is within its service time.

Like you Carole, if i`m not expecting any form of payment or anything from the internet, i too ignore it. You could suggest the main reason people allow themselves to be scammed is through greed, the something for nothing scenario, so anything like that, i just ignore it. The same goes for facebook. If i get a friends request from people already on my friends list, i delete it immediately and mark it as spam.

Anyway, this thread is about rememberence, not politics.

Never let the word NATIONALISM be substuituded for the word HATERED, it is`nt. Unfortunately, the mass media and politicians have "encouraged?" the public into believing that anybody who is a Nationalist or is patriotic is a racist bigoted extremist.

A few from this morning.

Nationalism encourages pride in our country, what`s wrong with that?. I am fiercely proud of my country, and will always respect those that have fought and died for it. What i am totally ashamed of is what successive governments and rich businessmen have done to it, and allowed it to become the mess it is.