SPEEDTRIPLE

One thing about being in a "public space" is that the public can come and join in, and get to know about the forum. It`s a good way of introducing possible new members to what the forum is all about, and the folks that contribute to it. Regards to all ...................... Neil.

While i would agree with you regarding the hard work Andy, it`s still feasable to run a small 2-3 boat fleet as an indipendant, providing you have the back-up of other services. Maffett cruisers did just this for several years (me being a regular customer) offering 2 small specific cruisers. However, as most on here will know, John and Linda have the back-up of all the regularly available boatyard services, plus their salvage operation and diving services, not to mention their riverside caravan site. However, when they bought "Jay" into the fleet, her initial take up on bookings was slow, so they joined Waterways holidays, and she then started to get a lot more bookings. Now they`ve also got "Kingfisher", she`s also getting bookings throuugh Waterways. If a yard were to try toexist by just running 2-3 boats on hire, then i totally agree it WOULD`NT be financially viable. As for the value of Blakes branding?, i think any serious "value" was lost a few years ago when the number of yards in their agency plumeted, whereas Hoseasons seemed to keep more of their fleets. That said, i think now the days of any agency in the same vein as Blakes or Hoseasons are numbered. Regards to all ..................... Neil.

What i found a bit immoral was the 141 service to find out what number called you, then said "to return the call, please press 3". But purely by chance, i did`nt press the 3 for a few seconds, when up comes the voice saying "there will be a charge for this service". Why could`nt they advertise the charge imediately?, but i think we all know the answer to that . Personqally, if i don`t know the number, i`l search it on google or their website, but NEVER using the commercial directory services that rip us all off. Regards to all ................... Neil.

I know this thread is about Blakes branding, but just out of interrest, has you had any success with "Waterways holidays"?, as when i was talking to John at Maffett Cruisers last year, and he sad now they`re in the Waterways agency, he`s had an increase in bookings for his boat "Jay", which was pretty slow before. How would you rate the percentages (Clive) between Hoseasons and Waterways, or is that something you can`t comment on in public forum?. Also to Andy (Freedom.....) are you in the Waterways agency, and if so, has it been beneficial to you?. Regards to all ..................... Neil.

Hylander, do you REALLY think they give you that info?

For all their advertising "Tesco" are NOT that cheap anyway. Down here in "not so sunny Dorset, well actually west Hampshire, There`s a local village farm shop which some while ago was selling high quality sausages (the "pork" ones ) for around £1.60 per lb, and yes, we DID buy some, whereas when we went into the mighty Tesco later in the week, their top grade "Butchers choise" sausages were nearly £2.60 per lb. I qickly worked out that it would be cheaper to drive 25 mins into the country and stock up with meat than drive just a mile to Tescos, and for better quality locally reared meats. The superstores are NOT nessecarily cheaper than farm shops, but do carry a greater selection, though i sometimes wonder whether that`s a good thing or not?. And you can virtually garuntee your sausages and burgers were not running in last weeks 3.30 at Chepstowe or Newmarket when bought from your local butchers or village store. Personally i`m glad Tescos have had their nose bloodied by the Brundall folks, as it was pleasure for me and Karen to walk to the village store, and find "a village store", even though it had a Budgeons sign over it. Well done Brundall................. Regards to all .................... Neil.

Hi Andy, i seem to remember being told the Blakes agency, though originally formed by Harry Blake in the early 1900s, was in latter days owned by the yards themselves, do you know if this is true, as your last comment about a central Broads (only?) booking agent was exactly the way Blakes started with the canals and Thames following some time later (or so i believe). Do you think it feasable for the remaining Broads yards to join together and buy out the Blakes branding, and would it be beneficial to ALL yards, both big and small?. Regards to all ....................... Neil.

We bought the Teapot about 7 years ago in "Teapot island" in Yalding in Kent which got located on a window sill as an ornament, then 2 years ago, i was walking past our local charity shop, when i decided to have a look for anything to do with penguins, and saw it on the shelf. I decided to get it straight away, and when i got home, i went straight back out. When i got back, Karen was home and was delighted with it. When she put it on the window sill opposite the teapot, we realised it was from a matching set. Totally out of the blue, so now we always look to see if we can find a matching sugar bowl or the like. Regards to all ................. Neil.

Hi John, we were told a few years ago by a former boatyard OWNER who was then working at another reptuable hirefleet (i don`t think it wise to mention names in public forum) that Hoseasons were taking as much as 22% of the brochures advertised hire fee. However, if you hire extras such as a dinghy etc, Hoseasons stipulate you do so directly with the yard, and don`t get any commision on them. That`s a lot when you consider something like one of Clives biggies go for around £2,000 per week in peak season (Richardsons was NOT the yard in question, sorry if there`s any confusion Clive), which would mean Hoseasons getting around £440 commision. At first, you would think that`s extortionate, but when you consider tv advertising, millions of brochures printed and delivered, promotional expenses like shows, and media advertising etc, then you realise how much of a large chunk gets taken out of that commision. "Waterways holidays" however are a very differnt company with much lower overheads, so their fees are much lower, or so i`ve been told/, maybe Clive might give us some feedback on that?. Regards to all ..................... Neil.

I collect mugs, must have around 80-90 and have drunk tea out of all of them, Karen collects fridge magnets, with the fridge and microwave covered, the box full in the loft won`t be coming down. We also collect penguins of all types. Stuffed soft ones, tee light holders, hot water bottle cover (he`s called "Snowy" and comes everywhere on holiday with us) porcelein/china ones, and we also have a minature penguin band, and a matching teapot and biscuit barrell with a story behind them. Oh, and i`ve got a few meerkats too. Regards to all....................... Neil

We`ll be there about noon on the 21st June, and the following Friday for breakfast too , Anybody wish to join us will be good to see you all.

Hi Chris, welcome to the forum from me too. A question for you, If yo are intending to head for the southern rivers this time, why did`nt you hire from one of the southern yards?. There are some excellent boats available from some excellent yards, and It would save you a couple of days cruising from the north, allowing you more time to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet the southern rivers can offer. Regards and best wishes to all ................. Neil.

They`re also excellent for supporting TV ariels when in a bad reception area.

The BIG problem with otters is the way are decimating fish wherever they are. There are many commercial fisheries that have reported the loss of thousands of pounds of coarse fish due to otter predation, and there are many groups now looking to apply to Government to re-list them as vermin. They all look very cute, but they can cause havoc to fish farms etc. Years ago, they were an endangered spiecies, now though they have gone the other way and have become so widespread, they are killing other otter groups that wander into their teritory. Last year there was a piece in the angling and local press about otters found dead on a riverbank, and local fishing clubs were blamed, but in fact, they were killled by a rival family of otters after it is believed they "trespassed" on their teritory. I`ve also read in the angling press that Norfolk angling clubs are seriously concerned at how otters are having a detremental effect on fishing on the Broads and rivers. Just a shame that something so cute can be so vicious to other wildlife, especially when they kill fish but DON`T eat it. Regards to all .................... Neil.

I would have thought all the hire fleets would be able to help, as they all hyave to service their own boats. I`m not sure about the comercial marinas or private boatyards, but wherever you are, you won`t be far from somewhere to get diesel and a pump out. As for gas, you`ve got the added bonus of several riverside camping/caravan sites which would more than likely be able to help, as well as the hire fleets and comercial boatyards. Regards to all .............. Neil.

I see they`ve got the new Kingfisher on their website now, but with the OLD kingfisher floor plan. I can`t wait to get on board her in June.

Not me, i don`t do drugs .

That`s interesting, first it was classical music, now their having a multi cultural youth dance troup . Seriously though, although i`m no fan of classical music, providing it is`nt too loud, it might be quite relaxing in the background, especially if it`s a glorious sunny evening, and you`re sitting on the boat at the moorings with a fishing rod in one hand andd a mug of tea in the other?. One thing i WILL be concerned about is whether the moorings will be closed for general mooring, and reserved for fee paying visitors to the concert?. If this IS the case, then all boatowners and fleet operators should join together and get it stopped (paying to moor that is, NOT the concert). Regards to all ....................... Neil.

I think judging by the car, you`d have plenty of depth, and i think you probably COULD get an alpha through it John, but who`s going to be guinea pig? . PS, when we`re up there in June, we can meet up and compare Alphas . Regards to all .................. Neil.

That`s perfectly true Kadensa, but in over 40 years of hiring on the Broads, i`ve NEVER heard of any private boats causing damage to hire boats. Of course, there must have been the odd occaision, but i think that`s exactly what it is, "the ODD occaision"> Regards to all ............... Neil.

Good god almighty, i have`nt said anything to anyone yet, and i`ve already sparked 4 pages of replies. Just goes to prove that maybe, just maybe, i did`nt do anything wrong in the first place, just had the audacity to have a mind of my own maybe?. Regards to all ..................... S3, aka LOYAL-BANDIT, aaka (ex) DAYTONA-BILL............... Neil. And for the benefit of the uninformed, whenever i use upper case (or capitals) lettering, i`m NOT having an angry rant or shout, it`s just MY way of trying to put the emphasis on a word, or phrase, so please don`t take offence. HELLO EVERYBODY (and that WAS shouting ).

Me, i want food. I`m allergic to alcahol

It`s nothing new, they`ve been on the Hoseason`s website for a couple of months now. All very nice, but their boats are limited in berthage, which will hopefully mean they`re looking for couples, or small parties, which in turn means NO stag or hen parties. So everybody south side can relax . Regards to all................. Neil.

Nothing wrong with Tesco`s burgers Steve, i`ve enjoyed them many times

How VERY WRONG you are, but please try again, it costs nothing