neilp1962

I think it was a plastic bag, it was a nice day but a bit breezy....geddit? breezy...never mind. lol

We moored next to this beauty on Sunday 18th August at the Wherry Hotel. I wonder who it belongs to

Leaving a mooring was the thing that always got me on our first holiday a couple of weeks ago. I'd make sure the ropes were right, I had my wife at the right end of the boat to slip the line at my command, I pushed either the bow or stern out into the river (depending on current) and hopped on to ease away with my wife tending to the remaining rope........straight into the path of an oncoming boat. I did it loads of times, I just couldn't get it into my head to check up & down the river for traffic until we'd had almost the whole week. Sorry if any of you suddenly had an idiot steaming into your path, I got a few shaking heads in my direction but no harm done thank goodness. I'm enjoying your holiday story, I wish I was still there.

Didn't that type of boat get stuck under either Somerleyton or St Olaves bridges earlier this year? I think it was the one from Faircraft Loynes (Fair Executive?). Regarding walks at Oulton Broad, we walked through the park and kept going until we reached the marina, then when you're passed the marina Clubhouse there's a path which will take you all the way to the Waveney. We did it a couple of times two weeks ago and didn't see a soul, saw some interesting coloured old caravans though.

Since making my booking I've told loads of people where we're holidaying this year, and not one person has ever previously considered a boating holiday. Strangely, my enthusiasm for this together with showing people the boat (smartphones are great for this type of thing) has made almost everyone envious and loads of them are now at least looking at websites to see what it's about. I'll bet a couple of them will book next year. That's exposure, generated by the right sort of marketing, ie what is of interest to the average hirer. It's not solitude and the environment, it's having fun on the precious week or two we're allowed from the drudgery of work and making the place seem attractive. I'm not telling people I'm going on a glorified dodgems or river racetrack, I'm telling them I'm going to be completely chilled, in a beautiful part of our magnificent country with a nice meal in a riverside pub most evenings. People love the sound of that and in my opinion that's how the broads should be marketed.

What is the situation with hire boats getting stuck in the mud, is the customer responsible for any costs involved in getting rescued from what is marked as a navigable river with BA 24Hour moorings advertised? I ask because although I'm keeping my cruising plans fairly loose, there are two 'must visit' places in August when we hire Ruby Emblem for a week. These are Geldeston Locks and Loddon. We hope to spend a whole day in Loddon where we'll shop, walk, eat & drink (White Horse is high on my visit wish list) and probably fall overboard drunk. I'm seriously doubting if it's worth the risk in going there which will be a huge disappointment. Anybody know what the situation would be? Regards Neil

Canoe Skittles, there's an idea!