SwanR

The yards were already hiring from the end of February this year - we went out second week in March before any kind of lockdown. And we have the same time booked for next year. But there was very little left for the boat I wanted. I am reading on Facebook groups of people who went for the first time this year, loved it so much they have booked again this year and already for next year. Such that some folk who want dates in August with specific yards are already finding they have missed the boat ... pun intended!

Wishing you all the very best Ian. And also thoughts with your family while they go through this with you.

Welcome to the forum. Everyone has their viewpoint so here’s my little list! Have never bothered taking any kitchen equipment. What’s on board is fine for a few days. Sleeping bags ensure you’re warm at night. And dressing gowns to slip on for those cosy darker evenings on board, they are a great extra layer. Have some cash with you for those few moorings where you have to pay. Ranworth Island is one of those but it’s fairly central so makes a great back up if other places are taken. You can’t do it all in four nights but I would go up the Ant rather than down to Yarmouth. That’s a place possibly better visited by car especially out of season. If you want to do Horning it’s worth considering booking a mooring and table at the New Inn. Have a great time and let us know how you get on and how you like the boat.

I would be surprised if this happened in England so soon after announcing the three tier system. But never say never with this pandemic. My personal feeling is that enforced travel restrictions should be part of the measures taken to stop the spread of the virus geographically. But I’m no expert and have to hope that people will follow the guidelines that have been given. I know a number of people who refuse to download and use the track and trace app. How does that help any of us?

Hi John, Pyes Mill is the stretch of moorings on the Chet just before you reach Loddon. It’s very popular and somewhere that we stopped at when out on the southern rivers. I dare say you’ll find a few changes when you come back.

I totally messed up in Thurne Dyke this time last year. I was really struggling against the wind and being blown across the Dyke. The bow thrusters were no match for the wind as we were on a high sided boat. And the chap on the boat facing me just stood in his bow fishing! He could so easily have come round to help but he seemingly preferred to watch me struggle. Conversely my best ever mooring is still clear in my mind. Stern on in between two other boats at Ranworth Staithe on Fair Prince. I hope you will have good memories by the time you get to handing the boat back next week PaulMargaret. I’m sure you will.

St Benet's is a nice mooring especially when the river quietens down in the evening. Until then it's another place for watching the boats go by. And you can get out for a walk over to the mill and the cross. There's been a lot of work done there over the last few years. And your mooring skills must be coming on a treat as it's not always the easiest place to get into. Hope you're enjoying your time afloat a little better now. :)

Ah ... in that case, still plenty of time to explore. I would strongly recommend some time cruising the Ant at a leisurely pace. As well as a trip back to Womack Dyke to see if you can get in at the staithe at Womack Water or down the Dyke itself. And don't forget to turn down Fleet Dyke (opposite St Benet's). There are a couple of stretches of moorings down there which are lovely as well as having a cruise around South Walsham Broad.

I didn't know that. Whereabouts is this please? Could be useful to know.

If you haven't got anything with you to indicate journey times, then if you go to Handy Information at the top of the page here, you can get to a drop down menu with a document listed of Journey Times and Cruising Distances. You might want to check out how long it will take to get from one place to another to help plan your remaining time. Wayford Bridge is lovely but there is probably only room for about three boats at the mooring - you might not want to chance going through the bridge as it's another one with low headroom where you have to be careful even if you should get under depending on the river levels up there. But it's still a beautiful stretch of river to cruise. Sutton Staithe is very nice and a popular place for people spending their final night before going back to Richardson's. I've lost track of how much more time you have afloat. Paddy's Lane is a favourite of mine and where we have headed for on our last night. But if you haven't explored the River Ant yet then it's well worth taking your time and meandering up there. I know that when hiring from Richardson's if you're not careful you come straight down it after picking up the boat and then only get back there when you're headed back to the yard. It's a beautiful river and takes a slower pace.

Amazing photos. Hard to believe that you can still manage to moor up when everything is underwater like that.

Interesting that it's been that long since the pilot took anyone through. Glad you got a few things sorted out with the washing and the shopping. Any ideas where you are heading for tomorrow?

This is why I like forward steer cruisers, no worries about some of the bridges when the river levels are high. But I’m still tempted by the Broom Captains.

It’s a beautiful morning. Have a great day.

Ooo I’m sure I’ve seen some of his vlogs. Is he going to be putting one together this week?

Looking forward to reading the rest of your tale as and when you get time to post it. :)

I was once told by Richardson’s that they don’t give out the shore power cables however ... there was one on Reflection when we’ve hired it in March the last couple of years and the person doing the handover said we could use it. We had problems with it this year and called out the engineers who concluded there was an issue with the cable not the boat. And no one said we shouldn’t have been using it. Plus I’m fairly sure it worked fine on Reflection the previous year. Might have been on number 1 that year and on number 2 this year. But even without shore power we had no problems using the heating and keeping warm in cold windy weather in March. The boat is only 31 foot and very cosy inside. Richardson’s also don’t sell the electric cards either other than for their own marina.

Now I’m no fisher person but consulted my other half who has fished that spot many a time. We were out last October and not catching anything anywhere. Someone we spoke to at Horning reckoned that the tides, high water levels and increased salt had driven all the fish further upstream, Wroxham and beyond. No one was catching. Could be the same. Maybe someone out with the Lads Week or an actual proper fisherman will be along to comment soon.

Definitely a sunshine and showers day here in Lowestoft which is not far from you. Had expected the showers to clear but that hasn’t happened so far.

Just looked up the launderette. I know it’s near the bridge and open every day. You could try calling 07592032172 to ask what you need.

Sorry couldn’t edit that last post properly! Meant to say that it’s nice to be done for the day. Now you can relax and watch the world go by. Plenty to see from where you are.

We had Reflection 2 in March and were very snug and cosy. Managed to book it again for March next year ... just! I’ve recommended it to so many people that there was almost no availability! 😂

That sounds like an excellent idea. Agree completely what Jay said about the heating. Only other thing you could do tonight is to make sure you’ve checked the Skipper’s Manual for any information about the heating. But a call to the yard tomorrow should help to clarify things.

We were reminiscing today about October holidays we’ve had. We would usually hire this coming week but are giving it a miss this year. However we have always stuck to the northern rivers in October. It’s always chilly and the water levels have been high most times.