neilp1962

Thanks, I've read that right of way goes to the boat that's traveling with the tide at bridges now you mention it, I think when reading about Ludham Bridge. That was a concern that went hand-in-hand with the steerage thing going under the red arrows. I just hope there's not a hirer who doesn't know this going through the opposite way at the same time because I hope to be right in the middle of the arrows.

Morning all I'd like to ask opinions from you good folk about a subject that at first seems straight-forward and obvious, but hear me out and chip in if you've a mind to. We're on Fair Commodore 1 for a week starting Friday 3rd August which has an air-draft with screens down etc of 8 foot. I'm heading south for the first half of the week, going through Yarmouth on Saturday 4th, returning north Tuesday 7th. Published LSW at Yarmouth is 10.09am on Saturday and 13.33pm Tuesday and I know that LSW is the ideal time to go through and I know the reasons why, but I'm turning the idea of going through a bit earlier in my mind because of the improved planning options that would create. Bridge height won't be a problem as the times I'm thinking of are much closer to LW than HW and fuel economy fighting tides doesn't overly concern me (not after what the boat hire is costing) although the power available in a hire craft does a bit. What would the expected issues be with going south at low water (9am) on the Saturday instead of LSW an hour later? In particular maintaining steerage if the ebb tide is strong, and I've never pushed the tide over Breydon so how bad is that and do hire boats cope? I've been over Breydon twice (each way) without issues but previously only at LSW. Plan to return on Tuesday 7th at 11am, two and a half hours before LSW at Yarmouth. Again bridge height isn't an issue but what about the ebb tide and power available? Does the tide through Yarmouth ebb gently then increase as you get closer to LW, or should I expect something akin to a torrent from HW to LSW? I think I'm asking if it's acceptable to do this rather than possible, given that I do know the recommendations for safe passage, but do people transit Yarmouth outside of LSW (bridge height permitting) without issues or will I get shouted at by the GY rangers and tutted at by bystanders? Cheers, and give us a wave if you see us

I was actually wondering about that, I like seeing Robin's solo cruising videos but that can't be possible in Independence. I don't suppose there'll be a shortage of volunteer crew though. I loved that video, I followed it all on here and watched progress on marine tracker and I'm grateful that Robin shared the experience with us. Jealous? no...no way....not a bit....hell yeah

This seems to be the recurring theme, it's your business your rules, but don't go changing the rules after you've had the money. I did see a comment from Mr Richardson that most of the effected people were understanding, but I'm yet to see a response from an actual person who has had their holiday cancelled saying they're ok with it. A bit of spin doctoring perhaps?

Was that helicopter a Royal Navy Merlin coming to check you weren't an unwelcome visitor? I expect the radar signature of Independence looks a bit like a warship

It's a real shame that this excellent thread has turned the way it has. It was one of the best I've ever seen, genuine hold your breath grip the desk stuff.......... oh well.

3000 odd litres !!!!! I know you've come a long way but 3000 odd litres Holy flippin moly, I shudder if I don't get anything back from my £100 fuel deposit

Well done to everyone who has contributed to this magnificent feat. I've been knackered just watching, take a bow everyone

He keeps going backwards and forwards, has he got the elastic on his pants caught on Hardley Cross?

Well he hasn't stopped for a pint !

Looks like he's waiting for trains, there's a southbound one leaves Reedham at 12.24 and a northbound one leaves Somerleyton at 11.59

There's a rumour that Robin left his flip flops on the dock in Plymouth, he's wondering if you and the lads can crew Independence again so's he can get them back

Although I'm sad for Robin that he hasn't been able to tuck Independence into her own bed tonight, I'm really gutted for the rest of the crew. Robin has toiled and suffered but at least he's done it to get his own pride and joy back to Norfolk. He's been delayed by a day that's all. The other lads have had to say goodbye before the job was done, imagine the triumph of turning into new moorings salty and weary after this adventure of adventures. It doesn't diminish their achievement at all but I bet they wish they were there when Brundall received her newest (and probably most pampered) tenant. Well done all of you, you're some set of lads doing that for a friend. I'll be looking out for Independence in August. I think I read that she's berthed away from the river but she's so big maybe I'll spot her from the top helm of a Faircraft Loynes dual steer.

Yup....they were so busy watching out for it they nearly crashed into a buoy

I think Robin's crew have to return to their normal lives tonight, he'll be needing a new crew

Robin just posted on facebook that Haven Bridge is not operational

I bet the buggers have turned the tracker off

Hurry up lads I need a pee but I'm not missing seeing them through the bridges

This is my first response on this thread, I've been watching the whole time absolutely mesmerized by the effort put in on this epic journey, all in the name of friendship and determination to see a job through. I'm delighted that Robin's boat will soon be at her new home, I'm delighted for him that he's soon going to be able to get her the way he wants her (I sort of wince at the money it costs to do that, and I couldn't bring myself to estimate the fuel usage just because the sums involved scare the hell out of me) and I'm very very impressed that even with the obvious enthusiasm he has for all things Independence he had the good sense to not jeopardise the operation by making himself a source of concern and therefore a distraction to others. It takes a strong character to do that, I once did similar in my mountaineering days when I withdrew from a climb up the steep side of Ben Nevis because it just didn't feel right that day. My team mates that day did what Robin's did in Dover, they supported me and understood that it was the right thing that day, next time would be different. I should be surprised about how excited I am now that the race is almost won, Lowestoft has just been passed as I type this, but we've all been captivated by this herculean adventure, well done all of you.

Has anyone checked that all the beer left on the boat is still in date? Assuming Robin hasn't drank it all. This technical boating stuff is all well and good, but priorities and all that....

A pirate's eye patch is what's needed, when you turn the lights off lift up the patch and this eye has good night vision. The hat and plastic cutlass are optional, rum is mandatory.

Nice boat, but you're going to miss the Rico's bathtubs. Seriously it is beautiful, I've looked at the websites over the years at the Azimuts and Princesses, planning where the lottery money is going but this is so much more than those. It has elegance borne from age old craftsmanship, modern manufacturing techniques just can't match the class that oozes from the perfectly fitted paneling and fittings designed with perfection rather than repeat-ability and cost in mind. The little we've come to know about you I still know you'll indulge her to a fault, she'll want for nothing and she'll thrive. Well done for following your dream Robin. Just one thing, is she too big for a sole crew? particularly casting off and mooring?

Sorry to drag this old post up, I thought I'd update you on things around here, you were all so kind and supportive. It took us 10 months before we could even think about having another dog in our lives after Alfie, but in April this year we went along to the Dogs Trust for a look around. Our old friend Alfie was a Staffie Cross, a beautiful dog with a lovely nature so we wanted similar. There are always lots of Staffies in these places, they get a tough time but they're wonderful in the right home, we had lots to choose from. We passed Boris a few times, he was a 3 year old Staffie Cross, a bit funny looking and a bit reserved, unlike the other dogs who came bounding up to the fence as you passed. He has a bit of a lazy eye and just lacked that .... whatever it is that draws you to them in these places. We went to the office with our list of dogs that interested us (it didn't include Boris) and the girl asked if we'd seen Boris. We discussed our reservations and the girl just said that poor Boris was lovely, hated kennels and just couldn't get a break. I asked for a lead and some time to walk him, everyone deserves a chance right? The little fella came to life in the playing field, he was exuberant, joyful, excessively energetic and a pleasure. There was a seat in the field and we sat for a while, Boris jumped on my knee and smothered my face with kisses. I told him "You're coming to live with us mate, you're going to fill the void left by Alfie's absence". He's a joy, he's wary of men, scared of walking sticks, and so men with walking sticks frighten the life out of him. I imagine men with walking sticks play a (bad) part in his previous life but that's all behind him now. We only look forward around here and he's in our future, not some distant past. He's been camping 4 times this summer (he loves it) he comes out on our Kayak with us (picture from Wast Water is attached) and we decided that next summer we'll see how he deals with a hire boat on the Broads. We've booked one of the Fair Commodores starting on my Birthday, August 3rd. I fancy life up a height this time around so I can see a bit further but we'll need to figure out how to keep Boris from diving into the water (he hated water when we got him, but he absolutely loves it now). Again, sorry for dragging up an old post but the kind comments helped us, and I wanted to tell you that although Alfie is always with us, we've mended and the future has four legs again.

The vet at home was still hopeful, there's more to do and things to try. Don't give up on him yet. He had a shot of steroids, this perked him up, he had antibiotics, they did nothing at all. We lasted another week before we had to give up. At the end he couldn't walk, didn't respond to affection, he didn't eat all week and didn't drink the last two days. It was time, my wife, youngest son and I held him while he slipped away. Sorry for the sad tale, I love the broads and so did Alfie. I'm comforted that he had at least some time there at the end. I'm not sure we can visit again soon, the recent memories aren't good and are too raw but we'll recover and be back. In the meantime I'll enjoy the tales others tell. Thanks for reading

The river was noticeably higher than on the way upstream and I was worried. I couldn't get through to the pilot and we got to Wroxham at about 10.00 am, moored stern on at the park like I knew what I was doing and I walked down to the bridge to find out the score. He thought it would be mid-afternoon before he could get us through due to the high water level (bridge marker showed 6'6", we came through yesterday with it showing 7'). We mooched around for a bit, I went to Roys for supplies leaving Bev with Alfie, and at about 2.00pm the pilot came over and said he could get us through. He said it was going to be tight but he did it, then he shouted at me to get my head down because I'd stood up to get a good picture after we'd been under but the marker chains nearly wiped me out. At least it gave Bev something to laugh about, nothing makes her laugh more than me having a mishap. We cruised downstream hoping for the Ant but Bev was concerned about Alfie, he was downhill again so we stopped at Cockshoot for a break but he was so poorly we decided enough is enough. It's too late to get to the car and get home tonight, we're stopping here and first thing tomorrow we're going home. He had a terrible night poor soul, his tablets had all gone and he was worse than ever. We see all his 'mates' when we're walking him at home, dogs that he has grown up with from a puppy and some of them have been on their last legs for what seems forever. They get operations and treatment for serious illnesses and we've always wondered if the owners should just let them be at peace. Do we sometimes let them suffer when there is no hope just because we love them too much? We have a decision to make at the vets tomorrow. The hardest decision in the world. We got back to the boatyard, I explained to Sue why we were there, thanked her and told her the boat was lovely but we needed to be home. She understood, she has dogs, she wished us well. We drove home and cried. The last holiday picture of him, it had taken him 10 minutes to get from the stern to the bow, bless him.