djxjonx

Loving all the banter! C'mon Clive, chip up my friend!

Thanks Clive Am I right in thinking you're involved with Richardson's in some way? We totally cannot wait to get on the San Marino next year!

One of the reasons we love the Broads is because it's a suitable holiday for us to take our dog along, and judging by the number of fellow Broads holiday makers we saw with dogs this is a popular thing to do. Why then are there not more dog litter bins? We are responsible dog owners that always clean up after her but what on Earth are we supposed to do with the nappy bag of dog poo!? We saw next to no dog litter bins. We don't want it on the boat, it stinks. It's not right to put it in normal bins, that stuff gets recycled. So please, lets have plenty more dog litter bins to help us keep the Broads a pleasant environment for all! Thank you

Me too! Mentally I think we both bought two dozen homes each and a whole plethora of boats! Next time we will stick to the northern Broads in order to cut down on the cruising time.

Too funny!

The Mermaid: Richardson's, Stalham. First thing to note is that this is as far as I know the cheapest boat for hire on the Broads, and this should be taken into consideration. The boat is small, with one "double" bed but also has an option to turn the seating in the lounge into another bed. The double is really a large single when you consider that one side of the bed is hindered by a protruding wall construct that's low enough that I could not get myself under it! On the plus side the foam mattress was comfortable and supporting. The Mermaid was not made for tall people! At 6ft 1" I banged my head on the entrance door frame (at the rear) and on the main frame supporting the sliding canopy several times! Apologies to anyone offended by my language during such intimate moments with the wood work. The lounge was comfortable enough and there was plenty of cupboards and places to store stuff. The galley was small but sufficient. We found it just a little short of work top space for preparing food. The bathroom was pretty much a wet room, which suited us as neither my partner or I like those coffin sized showers you sometimes find in boats/houseboats. Again, there was plenty of room for toiletries and being a big lad, appreciated the shower wet room style and my elbows didn't hit into anything! This boat had curtains throughout but I suggest that blinds would work much better. There was some seriously big holes where the sliding canopy and front window frame didn't exactly meet in a neat and flush manner. This meant that during the grey, rainy days of our holiday (6 days out of 7) it let heat out and cold in. Not ideal. Rear vision was poor, as the doors are placed in the wrong place for the pilot to get a good look behind. I had to keep sending my partner out to check our stern! As I stated at the beginning, the Mermaid is the cheapest boat available for hire on the Broads and that is why we chose it. For that reason we cannot seriously fault the boat and 3 days after our holiday finished, we miss the little cruiser. On returning to Stalham we took a look around the San Marino...we're sold on it for several reasons: Good rear vision for the pilot, a decent sized bed, airy lounge, microwave oven plus our dog can have a room to herself at night!

This for me was a long awaited return to the stunning and relaxing Norfolk Broads. I first experienced boating there in 1990 when some friends and I hired two of the Horizon cruisers for the long weekend over Easter. I had such a brilliant time then and I've always wanted to return. Last year my partner and I rented a houseboat and this year we managed to scrape enough pennies together to hire the Mermaid for a week. I'm a (im)mature student and my partner is on disability allowances so money is tight. This for me would be the first time I would actually be responsible for piloting the boat, and at times my inexperience showed! We started off from Richardson's base in Stalham. By the time we were done getting groceries from the Tesco there, it was getting a little late so I decided to moor up at How Hill for the night, outside Toad Hole cottage. It was the ideal place for our 1st night away and a delightfully peaceful nights rest was had. We woke up very early (5:30am) due to a combination of light coming into the boat and birdsong. However, we were keen to get to Wroxham so the tiredness didn't hit us, at least not yet! Once at Wroxham we spent time looking around Roy's shopping centre, buying a few items of clothing. We then took advantage of what would be the only showing from the Sun, lounging around with the canopy open and dozing...bliss! We had a splendid meal at The King's Head pub that evening. Thursday 3rd: We woke up to rain but managed to sleep until 8:30 so felt much better. We headed off quite soon after waking, asking the nice bridge pilot to drop us off where we could get our sewage tank pumped. Now, listen up Richardson's! We were told by your guy to pump out every two days, but the guy who pumped out our tank said our tank was hardly even half full and only needed doing every 4 days or so. As it turned out, we didn't need to pump out for the rest of the holiday! Our destination today was Great Yarmouth, quite a long way from Wroxham! Eventually we arrived at the Yacht Station where we were greeted by the friendly staff. Some advise was offered on knots and mooring and gratefully taken, thanks chaps Friday 4th: Woke at around 7:30am and it wasn't long before we set off for Lodden. I was a little anxious about cruising through Barton Waters as our map made it sound quite daunting, but I need not have been, it was (excuse the pun) plain sailing... We moored at Reedham for some lunch and a quick look around, Reedham was superbly quiet and picturesque. We also received more advise from the guy on duty there, thanks mate Later we set off for Lodden and arrived there at around 5pm. We moored right near the shops and this proved to be a popular place. For us it was a perfect compromise between a pretty village and having the practical amenities available like shops, take-aways and pubs! The next day we headed to the King's Head in Lodden to watch our beloved Liverpool FC get beaten 2-1 by Chelsea in the FA Cup final... Sunday 6th: We had another long journey ahead of us, from Lodden to Ludham! Apart from a quick loo break for our dog Lola at Yarmouth, we kept going until we got there. The effort was well worth it! We moored up at Womack Staithe, which at £3 a night was brilliant value. We really liked it there, so pretty and tranquil. Monday 7th: Our holiday was drawing to a close. We headed to the Kings Arms pub...superb food and a novelty toy train doing circuits above and around the room to boot! Quietly, we headed back to Memaid and moored off to Stalham. We were both sad to leave the broads and Mermaid, although we both feel a bigger boat would suit our needs better for next year. We've already decided on the San Marino...can't wait!

Hi all Not long back from our week away in the Broads, which we spent aboard the Mermaid, a small boat just big enough for two. The Mermaid seemed to be pushed and pulled about quite badly during cross winds and strong under currents and this leads me to wonder, is it any different piloting a larger boat? My better half and I have pretty much already decided on the San Marino for next year but I would like to know from those whom are more experienced than myself if I can expect a difference in handling. Many thanks in advance

Haha! Plus I would be able to elp you guys deal with the stresses of inept summer time boat hirers! Thanks for the welcome little sprite

Thanks to all for the warm welcome

My GF moved to Shotley about 18 months ago and I moved in last August. I love it here! We often take a walk around the marina admiring all the fine boats. As for pubs, we've only tried the Bristol Arms, which is our local. Maybe we'll get to share a drink some day

Haha! Just the way I like it! Someone once said to me "The only ones who do psychology are the loonies who need it most!" Can't say I'm inclined to disagree with that statement! Thanks for the welcome.

Hi all. Thought it only right that I come in here to introduced myself! Plus, if I'm totally honest this is a handy diversion from the two essays and lab report I'm currently in the middle of doing for my university course (psychology and sociology) Been into the Broads ever since I first came in 1990. I finally got to return last year and my GF and I are due to set off for a week next month...can't wait! It will be just the tonic after a stressful and busy academic year. Just wanted to say I'm pretty envious of all you lucky peeps who own your own boats, just a pipe dream for me right now. Maybe in years to come I can be the first psychologist hosting surgery on a boat!? Laters