Coronavirus And The Broads

[Meantime]

Barclays are even questioning the viability of large centralised corporate offices and saying they are a thing of the past. It has even been suggested that it may give up a large part of it's office at Canary Wharf. I wonder if there may ultimately be a rethink on the continued high street branch closures with some services decentralised where possible to be build in more resilience.

[DAVIDH]

35 minutes ago, FreedomBoatingHols said:

We're all concerned with where WE are going to go on holiday, not whether, as the worst hit in Europe, anybody will be wanting to or be allowed to travel to us from foreign shores.

This is the point. It seems the UK will be one of the last western countries to come out of lockdown, and eventually be regarded as "safe". If, as a minister in some country like Spain Greece or Italy, you had resided over much pain in order to free your country from the grip of Coronavirus, would you open the borders to countries such as the UK, which was still in the grip of it? As Andy says, it's not where we want to go, it's who will have us. This is unlikely to change for as long as there is no widely available vaccine. As such, I think domestic tourism is likely to do well this year - IF WE ARE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL OUT BEFORE THE END OF THE SUMMER.

The interview with Michael O'Leary makes me smile too, as he says the likes of Alitalia, Lufthansa and Air France get state subsidies while Ryanair and BA don't. Wasn't our government always sighing that it couldn't put state aid into ailing UK companies because of EU rules? Still now that we have left (or in transition anyway) that will all change!

[Poppy]

10 minutes ago, DAVIDH said:

This is the point. It seems the UK will be one of the last western countries to come out of lockdown, and eventually be regarded as "safe". If, as a minister in some country like Spain Greece or Italy, you had resided over much pain in order to free your country from the grip of Coronavirus, would you open the borders to countries such as the UK, which was still in the grip of it? As Andy says, it's not where we want to go, it's who will have us. This is unlikely to change for as long as there is no widely available vaccine. As such, I think domestic tourism is likely to do well this year - IF WE ARE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL OUT BEFORE THE END OF THE SUMMER.

The interview with Michael O'Leary makes me smile too, as he says the likes of Alitalia, Lufthansa and Air France get state subsidies while Ryanair and BA don't. Wasn't our government always sighing that it couldn't put state aid into ailing UK companies because of EU rules? Still now that we have left (or in transition anyway) that will all change!

I trust that if we aren't allowed to travel out by certain countries then their citizens will recieve equal treatment here

[Oddfellow]

4 minutes ago, Poppy said:

I trust that if we aren't allowed to travel out by certain countries then their citizens will recieve equal treatment here

I am not at all sure of the sentiment of this statement. It appears that a tit-for-tat attitude is being suggested. Even in jest, this isn't funny. 

[MauriceMynah]

8 minutes ago, FreedomBoatingHols said:

I am not at all sure of the sentiment of this statement. It appears that a tit-for-tat attitude is being suggested. Even in jest, this isn't funny. 

I think there's a bit of "stir crazy" about. It was bound to happen, comments being made prior to thinking them through.

 

[JennyMorgan]

If nothing else this pandemic has clearly shown us the risks involved with foreign travel. Being trapped on a cruise ship or in a hotel, no, not for me and presumably not for others either. It will be some time before trust is regained. The UK holiday industry has a chance now, let's hope that it doesn't blow it. Hi-de-hi  to make a come-back? Probably not, I loved working in that industry but I wouldn't have wanted to pay to be there! 

[VetChugger]

6 hours ago, RS2021 said:

Don't forget this country ceased to be a manufacturing country decades ago, we are a service economy now

I know this comment has a political slant but, nevertheless, this is something that many predicted would come to haunt us one day. And here we are. Yes we still make some specialised products but our mass production lines and natural resources that are the basis of any country's wealth are long gone. There does need to be a huge rethink as to our economic future. Apologies to the Mods!

 

[MauriceMynah]

Political yes, but not party politics!

The problem is that the there are other countries that make stuff far cheaper than we can. There's no point in trying to make things if you can't make them at a competitive price. There was a time when European goods were quality but expensive, where goods from the east were very cheap but of questionable quality. This is no longer the case. Their goods are still cheap, but far more reliable than they used to be.

We can't beat them at that game so we remain a country relying on the service industry.

 

[Lulu]

I recently purchased an old book called A Guide to the Norfolk Broads from 1923 and come across some very interesting pages, considering our current situation. Not sure if these will be readable, if not I will type them up.

[Ray]

1 hour ago, Lulu said:

I recently purchased an old book called A Guide to the Norfolk Broads from 1923 and come across some very interesting pages, considering our current situation. Not sure if these will be readable, if not I will type them up.

Wow, a powerful description of contagion and one which even today, despite hugely improved conditions beyond recognition, is recognisable during today's crises.

Thanks for posting these pages, I love old books especially those that speak of places we know and times we don't 👍

[JennyMorgan]

This is a bit of a shocker, not least for the Brundall Navy who always turn up to support the Gala Day.

https://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/coronavirus-cancels-oulton-broad-gala-day-2020-1-6630809

 

[Oddfellow]

1 minute ago, JennyMorgan said:

This is a bit of a shocker, not least for the Brundall Navy who always turn up to support the Gala Day.

https://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/coronavirus-cancels-oulton-broad-gala-day-2020-1-6630809

 

Can't really have come as a surprise, Peter. There can't be many people who don't anticipate that Social Distancing will be here for a very long time, even if lockdown is de-restricted. 

I would be gobsmacked if any events or venues that attract large numbers of people will be open this summer. 

[JennyMorgan]

1 minute ago, FreedomBoatingHols said:

Can't really have come as a surprise, Peter.

Well it did! I suppose it's obvious but I hadn't really thought that far ahead, at least not as far as that event is concerned. I'd already resigned myself to the probability that there will be no Oulton Broad Regatta this year but this latest cancellation really does bring it all home, with a bump. 

There is also a report in the EDP today highlighting the fact that many pub landlords are now predicting that they won't be opening this year. Even if boating holidays are allowed, increasingly unlikely I suspect, but a Broads holiday with no pubs is a frightening prospect. 

[BroadAmbition]

but a Broads holiday with no pubs is a frightening prospect. 

For some probably yes.

For me / us - Not frightening at all, we would manage just fine, as long as we can get provisions.  Being afloat with no pubs open would be far more attractive than not being afloat at all.  We would just take our libations onboard as we normally do but the difference bring it would all be onboard, I can live with that.  Admittedly may have to increase volume kept onboard, might even have to take along 'Tender Too' (Dinghy)

It's akin to that well known phrase  'A bad day afloat is better than a good day in t office'

Griff

[SwanR]

It’s interesting because when I talk to folk about our holidays on the Broads so many of them have this image of being moored outside a riverside pub! For us that’s often the last place that we want to be especially for our overnight mooring. Yes a nice meal out perhaps but I enjoy meals on the boat just as much. 

Total relaxation, peace and quiet, back to basics and appreciating the wonders of nature. 

No pubs? No problem. 

[Poppy]

Mooring in Upton Dyke as we do, we are often asked where the pub is. When they hear they can't step off the boat into the bar, but have to take a five or ten minute walk they turn around and go out again. Sad indeed.

[Meantime]

I quite like visiting The White Horse and I quite like walking as well. Having subscribed last year to the OS mapping app I found that there was a very nice walk from the Acle Bridge BA moorings along the opposite bank till you get to the sailing club, then head off into the woods and eventually you come out in Upton village and a short walk to the pub. As much as I like visiting Upton Dyke mooring at Acle gives more of a chance to stretch the legs before getting to the pub.

When The White Horse had its beer festival last year we moored at the Acle Bridge BA moorings, did the walk to the pub for the festival, then walked back and had a BBQ on the bank, followed by the short walk to The Bridge Inn for the last couple. 

[Poppy]

Wetherspoons Beccles 2021

[ZimbiIV]

There was a few times in 2019 I wish it had been like that.

paul

[Upcycler]

12 hours ago, BroadAmbition said:

but a Broads holiday with no pubs is a frightening prospect. 

For some probably yes.

  Being afloat with no pubs open would be far more attractive than not being afloat at all.  We would just take our libations onboard as we normally do but the difference bring it would all be onboard, I can live with that.

Griff

Unfortunately if that was the case and for some or most of our holiday makers, a lot of bottles along with caps and cans would end up in the river!

Try and keep the drinking to the pubs Griff!!!!!

[grendel]

you have obviously never been on lads week where drinking starts at morning coffee. to my knowledge i have never seen a carelessly discarded bottle or cap or can while on lads week, and having taken the rubbish bags to the disposal point, i can attest to the fact that all of those bottles caps and cans are disposed of properly.

[Chelsea14Ian]

In my mind,I'm thinking perhaps we can get to the boat by July/August.That maybe also unlikely.We do enjoy eating in pubs and restaurants ,but at the moment just to move around safely would be a bonus. 

[MauriceMynah]

I'm frightened when ever I think of all those jobs I keep meaning to do on the boat, but never get around to because the pub opens.

[Meantime]

1 hour ago, Chelsea14Ian said:

In my mind,I'm thinking perhaps we can get to the boat by July/August.That maybe also unlikely.We do enjoy eating in pubs and restaurants ,but at the moment just to move around safely would be a bonus. 

There is talk in the news today about the softening of the lock down towards the end of May with people being allowed to exercise more than once per day and also being allowed to have picnics outside but only with members of their own family and also being allowed to drive to the countryside for walks and picnics. I wonder how that might affect the ability to at least drive to and visit boats? Even if we don't take them out on the river it would give a welcome change of scenery and a chance to clean and do some maintenance. 

[vanessan]

36 minutes ago, EastCoastIPA said:

There is talk in the news today about the softening of the lock down towards the end of May with people being allowed to exercise more than once per day and also being allowed to have picnics outside but only with members of their own family and also being allowed to drive to the countryside for walks and picnics. I wonder how that might affect the ability to at least drive to and visit boats? Even if we don't take them out on the river it would give a welcome change of scenery and a chance to clean and do some maintenance. 

Trouble is with all the ‘talk’, we never really know for sure until the words come from government officials. No doubt there will be more guidelines to be interpreted when something positive happens on breaking the lockdown!