Bexs

Just caught up on this thread, thank you for sharing such lovely photos. Sent from my iPhone using Norfolk Broads Network

I hope it all goes to plan, anything is better than how it is now. I find it a depressing stretch of the river looking at it as it is, but have memories stopping there with my parents on my first ever Broads holiday. Sent from my iPhone using Norfolk Broads Network

Fills me with dread!! When we are doing anything that requires my husband to be concerned with things out side the boat, namely mooring... Ours 2 & 4 (been boating since 1 & a bump) are made to sit in the saloon (bath tub boat) where I can see, hear and sense their movements from the helm. They have life jackets on and the youngest is strapped into the high chair. The dog is also clipped on to her lead attached to something. Sent from my iPhone using Norfolk Broads Network

This is a very good point, and a lot of the enjoyment of the broads it being with like mined people. Being from the south coast I am am very used to rafting up in harbours/marinas. Cowes marina for Cowes week or Round the Island race is one great raft of boats attached to each other with a mess of knitting. But then at that type of thing, I am not there to admire the view ore take in the scenery, but for the sailing and the boats are just used to race and sleep on. The social is all on shore. When on the Broads I am happy to stern moor. We still get the view from the front of the boat... And happy to be nose to tail at a staithe, we can see the river out of the side of the boat. I just wouldn’t choose to go somewhere where you are expected to be rafted up as some suggested on Facebook, with boats boats alongside and then also across our bow. Effectively boxed in. But others seem to be willing, which I think is very kind and accommodating of them. But not for me... Sent from my iPhone using Norfolk Broads Network

Not listening to Radio right now then?... “Serious Jockin” with Steve Wright is on... :-D Sent from my iPhone using Norfolk Broads Network

Having seen the photo of Ranworth Staithe jam packed on Facebook. I have had to adjust my thinking.. The comments about how rafting/double mooring/bow to stern etc, would allow more people to enjoy the location, seem very kind and helpful, but ludicrous to me. Having no privacy onboard and no view of my beautiful surroundings isn’t why I come to the Broads... I go to the broads for the peace and the views! On our last visit I was very put out when people expected me to forgo both of these fundamentals, because they had got to Ranworth late in the day and wanted to use us as a pontoon. But it seems I may be being ‘precious’ about this, and that many people are far happier to accommodate others. I will simply avoid Ranworth in the future, but it has lead me to question what to others people want from moorings?

I have missed hiring Zoe, so throughly green with envy!!! Sent from my iPhone using Norfolk Broads Network

Classic Gem 2 Sent from my iPhone using Norfolk Broads Network

We hire the same Richardson’s Classic every year. It has had a total interior re fit, a new engine, and every year since we have have been hiring her something new to surprise us when we arrive (240v, microwave, new cooker etc). We keep dreaming we will treat ourself to one of the new ones, but when comparing the interiors... there’s not enough difference to justify the jump in cost! Always immaculately clean and tidy. Dated on the outside, yes... but we can’t see that!! Sent from my iPhone using Norfolk Broads Network

If the moorings are fairly full, and it's approaching sunset, so not much time to get to anywhere else, then that's the time to help anyone who comes along looking for a space. Having said that, those are often the aggressive people who are in a flap because they've left it too late. They tend to expect that they can barge their way in somewhere. We had exactly this at Ranworth this year, two massive cruiser coming in late and effectively bullying there way in. We were on the last corner mooring (bow towards the church, starboard side towards the broad). And as 42’ of Richardson’s low down bath tub we apparently looked like a floating pontoon!!!!! No access on to the staithe or tie ups other than our boat!! First lot were polite but not taking no for an answer, happy stretching their bow line a straight across our bow seating, lucky they moved.... Only for a second lot to arrive who were dam rude and aggressive with it!! They kept up the aggressive comments towards us all evening. Sent from my iPhone using Norfolk Broads Network

Enjoying your write up! Keep it coming.. Sent from my iPhone using Norfolk Broads Network

Half term down here on the south coast starts Monday 22nd.. Sent from my iPhone using Norfolk Broads Network

We have gone for Richardson’s Rhapsody which is smaller than our normal Classic Gem 2. But now the children are a bit older the bunk beds make good use of the space, and it’s only 7 nights not 11. Plus it will be nice not having to find 42’ gaps everywhere. We can only do it because we have the loyalty discount, so can’t get too used to it. Sent from my iPhone using Norfolk Broads Network

Just took advantage of our Richardson’s loyalty discount and booked a second holiday in October half term. Had to share the excitement! Haven’t been able to visit the broads twice in the same year since getting married and having children. Just couldn’t keep this news to myself... Sent from my iPhone using Norfolk Broads Network

I like returning to Richardson's for a few reasons, one of those reasons is because we don't have to waste time doing the trial run as we have hired so many times before. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Starts Monday 22nd October for our schools down south.. sometimes Norfolk is different. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

I am hopefully going to sneak a 4 day trip in, in the October half term. Wouldn’t normally be able to do this, but the Loyalty scheme will pretty much cover it, so makes it possible this year!!! It is one of the reasons we stick with Richardson’s. The other is the good value of there Classic fleet. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Does anyone know how she did in the 3RR? Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Wasn’t there when we visited 16th May (this year). Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

I used to have to move people boats around marinas and conduct sea trials as part of my job, before I stopped work and had children. So I tend to put too much pressure on myself and want perfection every time. Boats never do what you expect all the time.... Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Yes the conditions made it quite simple, not sure I could guarantee doing such a good job again though! Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Ahhh the last time we were on Zoe was our honeymoon.... Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

My husband has never been all the way up the to Neatishead before, and I was dearly hoping there would be a space (especially haven’t left to free morning at Gays, which undoubtedly would soon be taken). Last time I had moored there I was in the yacht Zoe from Marthams, so this was going to be a completely different kettle of fish... I wished Classic Gem was articulated for the bends, as we diagonally blocked them!! Each time holding our breath for nothing to come the other way. We met one boat coming back, which lead us to get to know a rhododendron bush rather well.. we asked them if there was a space.. they said yes but impossible to get to, so we should turn around now! Well that wasn’t exactly possible... We arrived (with some extra foliage from the bushes) and YES there was one space left, AND it was big enough for us, shame it was all the way down where the moorings start. Well we did it, with out touching/brushing another boat, and I got a round of applause from everyone moored there for my efforts!! I felt very proud of myself, I don’t mind saying!!!! Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

We spent our final afternoon cruising from Horning to Neatishead. We normally moor at Gays Staithe and walk to the White Horse in Neatishead for our final meal of the holiday. This was the first year we hadn’t brought the push chair with us, as we had been making our youngest (who is two and a half) walk further, and be carried on my husbands shoulders if he needed a rest. The road from Gays Staithe can be scary, and is a long way for little legs, so Neatishead Staithe was suggested, rather than having a stressful last night. We hadn’t planned to stop in Horning, so now we were running late and I knew we might find the moorings full. Plus, did I really want to turn and reverse all ‘thruster less’ 42 foot of Classic Gem into Neatishead???????!!!! But on the other hand, maybe everyone else had chickened out too, and there would be more chance of getting a space there that at Gays Staithe... We got to the turning for Gays, popped in for a look, and yes there were two spaces left. Ummmm what to do, grab one or continue up to Neatishead. I decided for a happy family, it would be better to be closer to the pub. So I pulled up my ‘brave pants’ turned around and continued up to Neatishead. Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

I would have loved to, and normally would! I did pop to the shop to buy some Rose and two more pork & chutney pies from The Galley for the journey back up the Ant... but I was keenly aware I would need all my senses full functioning for the enviable reverse down Neatishead Staithe!!! Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app