charlesa

I seem to remember, some years ago, seeing a chain at the entrance to Meadow dyke from the Heigham Sound direction.

Horsey Mere Horsey Mere is a particularly sensitive part of the Upper Thurne, supporting some of the largest populations of wild migratory water birds. Between the start of November and the end of February boat access on the mere is limited to navigation between the end of Meadow Dyke and the Staithe. Anglers can also use a small area in the southern part of the mere as long as they get a permit first. More information is on the Thurne Fisheries website. Natural England sees any boating or fishing outside these areas as likely to disturb waterfowl and therefore an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. In the past much of the disturbance caused by boaters has been due to lack of awareness of the rules so we have put up a sign at the entrance to Candle Dyke asking boat users not to access the mere during the sensitive period. The designated areas for fishing are under continual review. However, at this moment in time it is Natural England’s view that any fishing outside of the permitted area could cause disturbance to the waterfowl. Well the above is from the Broads Authority website but also refers to Natural England . Thank you again John for the pontoon photo, I will give it a try when up there. Best wishes Charles

Thank you John. I spoke to a lady at the staithe store and she said that some temporary pontoon moorings will be available for hire boats too, stern on, but I am not sure how many boats there will be room for. I am going to try it the week after next and will report back too.

Wow thanks for this info John. I can't quite read the sign on the photo . Does this mean that there is nowhere to moor that gives access to the Horsey store/toilets/mill etc or is there a temporary pontoon for hire craft too ? Best wishes Charles

Coming out of Womack onto the Thurne ?

I have a feeling that Derek Applegate's ( Horsey estate warden) sister was killed by one of these bombs and that Derek himself lost part of an ear to related shrapnel. I may be wrong here but I seem to remember him telling me this.

For those interested in the history of the Special Operations Executive during WW2 I came across this extraordinary series of interviews on the IWM website a couple of weeks ago: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009337 It is 27 reels of interviews with Anthony ( Tony) Brooks who parachuted into Vichy France aged 20 and became one of the most successful SOE agents of all in France (he survived). He ended up commanding various disparate groups of Maquis in the Montaubon area and he and his Maquis were largely responsible for ensuring that the notorious " Das Reich" 2nd SS Panzer Division ( of Oradour sur Glane notoriety) took nearly 3 weeks to reach Normandy following D Day, rather than the planned 3-4 days. The recordings I am finding quite fascinating although the 27 reels last for a total of 800 minutes, so maybe for the cold winter evenings !! Best wishes Charles

How interesting Breydon, thank you for this. I thought I knew a lot about SOE ( my mother was at Tatton Park south of Manchester where they taught the agents and others to Parachute in WW2) but I had never come across Heigham Holmes as a Lysander airfield. I took her to the site of Tempsford airfield just before she died and it was very atmospheric although very poorly maintained. Best wishes Charles

I tend to agree with you Marshman but I still love the Nelson, particularly the fact that it has hardly changed in the 40 odd years that I have been going !

https://www.thepleasureboatinn.com/menu Looks pretty good Jono although I haven't eaten there for a long time. Personally I prefer the Nelson's Head at Horsey which I think is owned by the same guy. Best wishes Charles

Thanks for that photo Jimbob88, I stand corrected although if you look at the current Herbert Woods website for Glittering Light, for instance, it says this: Glittering Light Specification & Floor Plan Length: 38ft (11.58m) Width: 12ft (3.66m) Cabins: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Bridge Clearance - 6 ft 8 ins. Will not pass under Beccles Old or Potter Heigham bridges. Will pass under Ludham, Wayford and Wroxham bridges subject to weather and tide conditions with the windscreen lowered. (Bridge pilot service must be used when passing under Wroxham bridge) Hence I think one could be forgiven for an earlier post ¬!

I seem to remember hiring one of these from Herbert Woods many years ago having been fooled by the name ( v stupid I know !) into thinking that it would go under Potter Heigham Bridge. It didn't !!

Polly are adders something of an issue this summer ( more so than usual) ?

Good afternoon John, what a lovely, informative post thank you. I am not very fond of the lowliners. Amongst other things I loathe a steering position where you cannot see over the reeds ! Your booking for next year sounds idyllic. Where are you from in Cheshire ? I spent my first 20 odd years in Lymm before moving south.

I love the Connoisseurs and have hired quite a few of different sizes over the years. There are just two issues that I have with them: I don't like the entry/exit via those steps, particularly if you have the elderly/ very young/ dogs on board. I find them very noisy. But apart from that great boats and totally suited for the purpose of Broads cruising. Thank you for the review Robin.

1st boat in your photo Golden Emblem Vaughan ?

Fantastic, that cheered me up no end !! Very funny.

I can't remember whether we made it to the Broads that summer but what I do remember was having a severe bout of heat stroke and ending up in hospital for several days aged 15. The beauty of this is that I was unable to take most of my O levels and the exam board gave me estimated grades which were almost certainly better than I would have actually achieved myself !! Result !!

I so agree with all that has been written. Fantastic yard; fantastic boats; lovely people.

Hahaha this rings a few bells ! Provided it's not too windy and there's little current I'll nudge into the reeds and then dash down the steps in Juliette 2's front loo and be done with asap ! I have done the same in neutral in the middle of Heigham Sound when it was very still and I had full visibility for maybe 1/4 of a mile forwards and aft but there is obviously a danger of drifting beyond the posts. I have the same issue when the kettle boils in the front galley. Speed is the essence. Unfortunately I am not exactly Sebastian Coe......... Best wishes Charles

That is staggering Q ! Talk about shooting yourself in the foot !!

Happisburgh Manor I believe.

Does anyone remember this huge beauty being for sale a couple of years ago ? I was sorely tempted but the sea is getting closer by the month. Think the price started over £1m, last seen nearer £750k I believe. No idea whether it sold. I really feel for all those affected.

Yes, can be quite a tricky manoeuvre. I rarely manage to succeed 1st time reversing into a single space at Womack in a wind. The trouble with a boat like Juliette is that you can't really go in bow first unless you are feeling particularly athletic as the bow is about 5ft above the ground at times. The key for me is to keep the speed to an absolute minimum and trust to luck and a bit of help from other boats ( I am usually on my own).