SPEEDTRIPLE

Karen and I will be walking up to our local parade in a few minutes, I'm going to take some pics, as it's always very well attended by booth young and old. Grendel, my Uncle Jack (Gunner "John Philip Lawlor") is buried on CWGC cemetery in Bergen Op Zoom in Holland. We took my Mum and Dad there to visit Uncle Jack's grave for their Golden wedding anniversary. When I found his grave, I felt a shiver all over, and a picture of a soldier in uniform came into my mind, I met my Uncle Jack for the first time. RIP Uncle Jack.

That`s exactly a point i`ve been making for years, hire a boat specifically designed and built to go through ALL Broads bridges (forget about PH) ie, the typical sliding canopy, fwd drv, or aft cockpit designs. One point i will make, having spoken to numerous hirers who have been "recommended" to hire a high top design, they`ve mostly said they did`nt know the boat they were on COULD`NT go through any of the upriver bridges. It`s all very well people (me included) saying they should hire a suitable design, but first timers, and new visitors more often that not don`t know anything about the area, cruising restrictions, and suitable boat designs for the entire waterway. Often, a hirer is recommended a boat because of the possible profit margin, and not informed of every option available, be it cruising preferences over cost. This is why i always recommend people to hire a low liner design, at least they have the option to cover the vast majority of the network, even above PH bridge if there`s a seriously low tide.

We will be attending our village parade down here in West Moors. It always gets a good turn out, and something Karen and i now regularly attend, unless we`re on holiday or ill of course.

Thanks for the link MM. I fail to see the point of building such a boat where passage under one of its home bases nearest bridges is very likely to be severely restricted, even not possible as in recent months. With the decades of boatbuilding requirememnts and experience, why on earth build the thing?. I can only think it must be a misprint. Also, the 45ft high topped monstrosity must get under it, so why did`nt they modify the top moulding from that?.

Far Horizon runs from Horning and i believe is recommended for 3-4 nights cruising only, as it`s limitation is the Ant below Ludham bridge, basically making the Ant no go, the Thurne to Potter Heigham, and the Bure and its tributeries from Wroxham to Acle Bridge. I`m sure it was mentioned on here some years back that it`s even too tall to go under Acle bridge, so Gt Yarmouth is a no go anyway.

Make sure Howard (Norfolk Nog) knows, he`s a regular winter wanderer.

Back in August 89 (bank holiday monday to be exact), we went into Notcuts Garden centre in Bearstead, just east of Maidstone. They were busy building their CHRISTMAS Grotto. I feel really sorry for people who claim they hate Christmas, i totally love it, but absolutely HATE the way it`s been so commercialised. I think ANYTHING to do with Christmas should be totally banned until the 1st December. The most rediculous thing we`ve ever had is food stuff that`s packed in Christmas packaging, yet has a sell by date in late November. Worst case of commercialisation i`ve ever seen.

Schumacher, the biggest cheat of them all, won one championship by deliberately ramming his nearest threat (Damon Hill) off track because he himself crashed because he could'nt keep Damon behind him, raced a whole season with active traction control and won when it was outlawed, and the FIA knew about it, haked into the start lights so the launch control was activated the split second the lights went out, again when launch control was banned, and then insisted his team mate was'nt allowed to win races when he crashed and missed several races due to his outlawed traction control system malfunctioning.

Hi Obb, I was'nt ripping into you, but i'l comment elsewhere tomorrow when I have more time, and don't want to divert Malcoms thread anymore.

Great write up Jean, and a very enjoyable video with a great choice of music. You mentioned you also went in March, will you be doing the same next year, as we're on Lightning in March, so if so, we'll keep a look out for you.

First of all, syndicate boats are not hire boats, and are looked after by proud owners, they are not a cheap form of hire boat, us owners look after our investment just like outright owners. With that in mind, all they would have to do is do a re-fuel and pump out like they would for existing berth holders. As for breakdowns, Lightning is covered by Boulters, not our home yard of Brooms. People really must distance syndicate owners from hirers, we're proud owners who can't afford, or justify, outright ownership. Anyway, sorry to divert your thread Malcolm, I may start a thread on this subject elsewhere.

Thanks for a great write up Travelman, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Being a syndicate owner, we get to use Lightning up to 4 times a year, and all for less than the cost of a weeks hire, after the initial share purchase of course. Where will your next hire be, North or South?.

Seriously though, I watched his first season (Rookie) and thought there was something fishy about the fact he only needed 8 points from his last 2 races, yet didn't finish either of them?, can't have a complete rookie winning the F1 title and shaming all the big stars now can we?. Don't you just love a scynic with a conspiracy theory?.

Have you been at the bar again John, or has Howard drunk it dry? 😂😂😂😂😂

I did wonder whether they are able to facilitate a syndicate boat operation, re maintainance, turnarounds, fuel and pump out, and on shore facilities etc?. I may have a look at their faceache page and put the question to them?.

I think i`ve still got some 12 BA taps in an old tool box in the garage. We always used BA threads on navigational instruments, and i can well remember marking and spotting for drilling and tapping 12 BA threads in phosphur bronze frames on azimuth circles. I used to do that by eye and without the need for glasses. Now i need glasses to read and most everything else. Come to think of it, where on earth would you get BA taps and dies these days?.

Really lovely pics Malcolm, glad the shake down cruise went well. We`ll be back on Lightning next March, so hopefully will see you around on the rivers.

Yeah, but no, but, yeah

I know i`ve been critical of the BA in the past, but i`m very sure you can`t hold the BA responsible for them. One of the main reasons why so many wild moorings have been lost is more likely to be the "sue" culture. If a land owner was to allow people to moor on his / her land, by law, they have to accept liability for your safety, so if you put your foot down a hidden rabbit hole or suchlike and break an ankle, said landowners are legally responsible. The old addage "at your own risk" is`nt worth the paper it`s written on. With that in mind, it`s no surprise they withdraw landing permission.

With so much "disuse" of many parts of the broads, be they staithes, or dykes etc, why can`t we make use of volunteer groups etc?. If lived within easy reach of the broads, i`d happily volunteer to help keep down overgrowth on former staithes etc, also to help clean up the navigations that lead to them. Looking at the North Walsham and Dilham Canal Restoration group, it`s truly amazing to see what they`ve achieved in a relatively short space of time, so with this in mind, why not get some volunteer groups together to help maintain the facilities which are gradually falling into disrepair and being overtaken by nature?. WE all moan and groan about losing facilities etc, so why don`t WE, with the guidance and assistance of people like Tom at the BA, do something to help look after OUR broads for OUR enjoyment (with the permission of land owners etc of course?)?. If this was to happen, many of these long forgotten places and facilities would still be available for use, and maybe if the public got involved in the maintainance and general upkeep of such staithes, it may mean you will have some say in how you can use them.

They play for the pride of their country, not a huge pay cheque.

As usual, England thought they only had to turn up to win because we invented the game. It's the same old story with All English international teams. One day, they may realise you have to play Better than your opponents to win tournaments. To be able to win, first you've got to "want to win", not rely on your own ego's.

Howard, it's US you're talking to, you've NEVER needed an excuse in your life to visit ANY pub 😂

This is one reason why it's always better to hire a low top design, to get to the quite stretches where you get a more varied selection of wildlife.

Stunning pics Vaughan, and some of those cottages look absolutely idyllic.