Fridge Magnets are the new Attraction

Some news just in, my new fridge magnets and key rings are now on sale in the Mariner's Stores. Fashioned from purest PVC, they feature yours truly in my sexiest pose, complete with fishing hat and life ring (required by our insurers for health & safety reasons).

They are sure to become the season's must-have fashion accessory, so make sure you're one of the first to own them.

So long pikeys!

Eddie Gets Anchored

Last week I saw James walking round the Park with this guy holding a clipboard, so I knew something was going on. Perhaps the persistent rumours about selling up are true, I thought. But no, it turns out he was from the Yacht Harbour Association and he was weighing up how many golden anchors we are worth.

Well, fish fans, you'll be delighted to know that we are worth 4 of them! Apparently the excellent feedback from our marina customers (well all except one and we all know who that is) helped the assessor to his decision, as did the smiling faces from the staff. Well done everyone! And apparently, almost the only thing between us and 5 anchors is the geese - so you might say that getting rid of the geese could be the 'anser'.

I'd better stop before the jokes get worse.

New Bus Route at WRC

I had to do a double take on Saturday morning. I woke up and there before my eyes was a bus. And not just any old bus, but a proper red London double decker. On the campsite.

Somehow they not only got it under that tree on Burgh Road but also along Church Lane and round the corner into the campsite. Don't ask me how, but I believe that the lady of the bus was walking in front with a flag or something. I don't mean all the way from Essex, just the last bit. I can hardly wait for the next periodic email from a grumpy customer who complains about our approach road and says 'you could never get a big motor home down there'. I really just cannot contain the anticipation.

In other news, it seems that Lucky Jim wasn't when it came to the campsite. The forecast rain kept missing us and despite copious watering the bottom of the campsite is still almost as barren as it was in March. As a result, I hear he's found a whole box of bullets to bite and we are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of 50 pallets of turf and a bloke with a big knife & a hitting stick.

Somehow the staff managed to get through the bank holiday weekend and although they were run ragged, the customers were evidently all jolly happy. I even spotted LJ working in the pool on Saturday (and in the shop last week), it seems he will try his hand at anything. I expect to see him sweeping the goose poo from around my quarters before long. Hint.

Later, fish dudes.

It must be a Sign

Well will you look at that. Anyone familiar with our little stretch of river cannot have failed to notice the lamentable signage at the junction with Oulton Dyke - if you could see it at all through the reeds that is.

I've mentioned it more than a few times to my mate Steve Wright (in the morning) as he's passed by with his blue light and finally the message has been received at Dragonfly House!

The new signage is a big improvement on the faded "Oulton / Beccles" of the old one, as it gives the punters (and my fish chums) a better idea of why they might want to head further up the Waveney.

Perhaps this idea might spread further around the Broads? If you agree, please make your feelings known to Broads HQ.

So long fish stalkers!

Norfeo! Magical Storytelling at Waveney River Centre

I've just had this bird sitting on my tail and telling me about some storytelling job she's got down here by the river. Evidently it's got something to do with South Norfolk District Council's 2009 Festival of the Arts programme and it seems that we're to be treated to a retelling of the Orpheus Myth but with a local twist, courtesy of the Spin Off Theatre Company.

According to this piece of paper she gave me:

"Roland is a builder who uses the tools of his trade to create wonderful music. It even charms the animals in the menagerie, including the spotty lynx. But when the girl he loves his led astray by the serpent sounds of a rival band, adventure is on the way…"

What that has to do with Wheatacre, Aldeby & Burgh St Peter is beyond my puny fish intellect, so I think I'll stretch my flippers, wander over to the playground and find out. If you'd like to join me, it's during half term week, on Wednesday 27th May 2009 at Waveney River Centre.

One Fish Went To Mow A Meadow

Wa-hay fish fans. Have you missed me? It's been a bit dry down here, we need some rain for those new plants and especially the campsite. I've had a special fish seat fitted on to the tractor so that I can pull the tines through the soil - so now the ground's all busted up pretty good and all it needs now is water. I was watching Ritch & Gary try to empty the marina on to it today, but I haven't seen the level go down much. I think it must be something to do with the ship, it's pretty heavy and I think it made the water level go up when they put it back in - is that how it works?

Anyway it's been so dry down here that my scales have all dried out and gone crispy which is very uncomfortable, and Max doesn't give much respite when he comes visiting as he can't seem to get it much higher than my tail.

In other news, Oulton Broad Motor Boat Club are having their fitting out supper tonight at the pub so I've got some company for the evening, I hope they aren't too rowdy as I do need my beauty sleep!

The Big Steel Thing Part 2

You put your steel boat in,

Your steel boat out,

In, out, in, out, and shake it all about.

You stick it in the water and the bilge fills up

You've got a busted pipe.

What a day! Last week for the first time I saw the fruits of the winter's labours as the scaffold came down and the good ship Sulizan emerged from her steel & plastic cocoon. Today was launch day and, after some extra ground work to stop the boat lift from sinking again, she was lifted clear and trundled along to the wet dock, with quite a crowd of onlookers.

No sooner was she afloat than the umpteen sleepers used for supporting her were quickly redeployed as part of the landscaping around the shop and work commenced tidying the car park.

But hold it right there! What's that sound from the bilge? Oh no, one of the keel cooling pipes has corroded where it enters the ship and she's taking on water! Man the pumps! Get the strops round again! Rob the sleepers back from the landscapers! And... lift! Fantastic teamwork men, disaster has been averted. Mind you she does look rather vast sitting there in front of the wet dock. Let's hope she's back in the water before the weekend...