AdnamsGirl

Onwards, with the temperature increasing (I didn't order a heatwave!). We decided to check out another pub which is within reasonable walking distance of Broads mooring spots. In this case it was Wheatacre White Lion which is about 2 miles from the Waveney River Centre. Back up to Geldeston village, turning right to head through Dunburgh and across to Gillingham, using the national cycle route there to cross safely over the main roads, up and across to Toft Monks and Aldeby before turning off at Wheatacre towards Haddsiscoe. We had detoured off route a little to find a nice place to stop for a picnic. We try to find a village green - in this case it was sitting in the shade beneath an oak tree on a deserted playing field. The respite from the blazing sunshine was extremely welcome for half an hour. The White Lion at Wheatacre seems to have followed the recent trend for gastro pub makeovers with the cream and heritage green colour schemes, but I have to say that the beer selections do seem to get a little more interesting away from the rivers. In this case we sampled some Ilkley Black from Yorkshire and very nice it was too. It's definitely a pub we will revisit by foot when we next stop at Burgh St Peter.

Yikes no! Proper bikes! Saturday morning, and with breakfast out of the way, we loaded the bike bags with essentials and set off for a days cycle ride which saw us covering a circular route of just under 27 miles. We split this up into three sections of 8-9 miles in length. Crossing the river Yare on the ferry (£1 each with cycles) our first destination was Geldeston Locks Inn. I try to plan our routes carefully to avoid main roads as much as possible, sticking to the smaller lanes and tracks where necessary to get us where we want to go. Geldeston was reached via Raveningham, crossing the A146 and A143 via farm tracks and single track lanes. We reached the Locks in a little under an hour. It's actually nearer than you think (about 8.5 miles). Thankfully they were open! Cycling in 26 degrees works up a thirst. We had a very fine pint of Grain Oak bitter, a bowl of chips each and a lovely chat with a retired couple from Lowestoft who had come to the pub on the Big Dog Ferry before setting off again to the next destination. Carol

We've just had a Broads weekend away that is a bit different for us ... there were no boats involved. On a budget, and wanting to explore the surrounding countryside a little further, we booked into the campsite at Reedham Ferry for three nights ... or mission was to abandon the car once it had got us, our bikes and the camping gear there. (I don't do light camping!) We arrived at the campsite late on Friday afternoon. It's quite a nice site with level camping pitches and a very smart new shower and toilet block. The price was £15 per night for the two of us. The non electric end of the site doesn't have marked out pitches, so you can essentially have as much space as you need with windbreaks, awnings, etc should you need them, and you can park your car beside the tent too. It was pretty busy being the school holidays but we didn't feel hemmed in where we were. There is a huge overflow field too to accommodate extra campers too. Could have done without the all night chorus of bullocks in the next field mind you! The secret to successful camping is the make sure you remember to pack a decent breakfast chef ...

We caught the train from Reedham up to the Berney Arms yesterday and walked back. It was a tad windy out there! Once I get the photos onto my PC later I'll post some up in the holiday tales section as we've had a Broads weekend away with a bit of a difference. Carol

What a fabulous set of photos Nigel. Many thanks for sharing them. Carol

That shows how observant I am ... I didn't know you could do that with the donation button! Thank you so much, that is extremely kind and generous of you and much appreciated . Many thanks to everyone Carol

I can't get enough of old photographs (you might have guessed) and the Boardman Collection are just wonderful - how the other half lived! I'd love to see more Carol

Thank you so much Eric - that is very kind of you. I'm honestly humbled by the support that Broadland Memories has out there. Thank you! Carol

Many thanks Ray and Monica - greatly appreciated Carol

Oh Howard - you are a dear Thanks to everyone for their support and kind words about Broadland Memories. I genuinely love doing what I do with the website and it is so good to get all of this stuff out their for people to enjoy and, hopefully, learn a little about the history of the area. Once I get the garden chores out of the way, and pluck up the courage to put my foot down with my mother over all the running around after her I seem to be doing, I will get back to work on the website! Roll on the autumn. My latest blog post hopefully explains a bit about the reason for Howard bumping this thread up. http://www.broadlandmemories.co.uk/blog/2015/08/latest-archive-additions/ Carol

Whilst over at Beccles today I took the opportunity to do another couple of Then & Now's. The first one is actually revisited as I had done this view of Puddingmoor before when the new houses on the right were still being built and were covered in scaffolding. The second Then & Now was also taken from Puddingmoor and shows Stepping hill c1910 and today. Quite a lot of change gone on there! Lots of houses missing. If it weren't for the steps and the building in the background, you'd be hard pushed to identify this as the same scene.

Popped over to Beccles today for the vintage wooden boat rally. Fabulous turn out and some truly lovely old woodies which a an absolute credit to their owners. Many thanks to Charlie and all on board Broad Ambition for the tea and hospitality. It was a pleasure to meet up with familiar forum faces and new ones too! Look away now .... boat porn! Carol

Many thanks for all the info re trains to the Berney Arms As Howard said, it looks like a Sunday is going to be the best day to do it. Carol

Many thanks for the pics Howard. If we get to do it I will report back!

Potter Heigham c1920s. Applegates boat sheds on the left, either side of the bridge and Herbert Woods on the right where the bridge pilot's office now stands - pre the Broads Haven basin being dug out. The launch in the foreground was, I believe, "Sirdar" built by H.C. Banham at Horning.

This is what I am hoping Thanks Howard

Has anyone done Berney Arms by train? I fancy walking along the footpath to the pub from either Yarmouth of Reedham and then catching the train back. I know it's a request stop but have read elsewhere about trains sometimes not bothering to stop. Is it only at certain times of day? And do we have to jump up and down Railway Children style to catch the drivers attention? Carol

I don't think I can help with photos of the logo, but it might be worth contacting Craig (Boats of the Norfolk Broads database) as he may well have something amongst his vast collection of photographs: http://www.broads.org.uk/wiki/index.php5?title=Main_Page (Many thanks for the kind words about Broadland Memories btw) Carol

The Happy Buddah? It used to be fantastic but we were gutted to discover that it had changed hands last year and the menu had radically altered. We tried it, but have to say we were unimpressed. Carol

Many thanks to all who have completed the survey - I'm sure that The Norfolk Windmills Trust and Friends of Norfolk Mills will be so pleased with the response and level of support for the Stracey Arms Mill You are all stars! Carol

Norfolk Windmills Trust has a grant to develop a larger Heritage Lottery Fund grant application for Stracey Arms Mill to aid with restoration and providing better access to the mill. Can you help by filling in a short online survey for the trust - it doesn't matter if you have or haven't visited in the past - follow the link fro the Friends of Norfolk Mills home page to the survey: http://friendsofnorfolkmills.org/ We have lost far too many of the Broadland drainage mills over the years. Those that remain are an important part of the region's heritage - let's make sure we don't lose any more. Carol

I've recently got back into wine making after a gap of many years. Last years "Hedgerow Nouveau" is actually quite good, if somewhat higher in alcohol content than commercial wine. I did have a go at elderflower wine/champagne once ... never again! The results were pleasant enough to drink (my grandmother certainly thought so), but the issue was the smell which emanated from the flowers during the making process. It was decidedly cat pee like! Carol

What an interesting thread! I collect old books too, although mine are largely Norfolk Broads related (of course!). My best find came from within the pages of an original copy of PH Emerson's "On English Lagoons" . The book was published in 1893, but was obviously taken along on later Broads holidays as, tucked away in the back, was a receipt for mooring at Horsey Staithe in the 1930s. The mooring fee was the princely sum of one shilling. Signed by millman A.Dove, I decided to try and find out a bit more about him ... I covered the full story in a blog post at the time: http://www.broadlandmemories.co.uk/blog/2012/04/arthur-dove-horsey-millman/ I love finding hidden treasures like this Carol

We did the trip from Bishops Bridge up to New Mills a few years ago with a friend. Fascinating area to explore on foot and by river. I put together an article on the history of the River Wensum Bridges which also gives average high water clearance for them all. http://www.broadlandmemories.co.uk/riverwensumbridges.html Carol

South Walsham - you can see the same cottage in the fourth photo down on this link which dates from 1961: http://www.broadlandmemories.co.uk/1960sgallery1.html#marchant60s Carol