Gramps

Again off topic but off the same roll of film, we covered some ground on that holiday

The two lads on the stern feeding the swans are my sons, the are both in their mid 40s now and still loving the Broads.

Slightly off topic but Vaughn might be able to make sense of this neglected photo circa 1976, I am as certain as my grey matter will allow that we hired this boat from a boatyard in Brundall. It has what seems to me to be a Hearts name plate and I think it was Broadheart. I am probably mistaken but I think we hired it from Bounty Boats, they had several similar vessels but they were dark blue in colour atop in contrast to the light blue of this one

Thanks for the feedback Vaughan, much appreciated, we will be on Ultimate Gem 2. The images on the website contradict the floor plan. They seem to show a engine housing inboard but floor plan refutes this!. Was this class built with an engine mounted aft with an hydraulic drive?.

Some excellent advice as been given above, don't know ages of the children but a 4 metre whip is indeed the way to go even better if it is elasticated, I bought a elasticated whip for about a tenner for my youngest grandson, ready made rigs about a quid. Don't fish without a disgorger and a landing net. I hate to see fish hoisted out of the water dangling on the hook. Also if the children are 12 or over they need a licence as will you if you are to handle the whip. Good luck and tight lines

Unfortunately behaviour patterns have changed throughout the UK since I first ventured on the Broads in 1971, then it was a special place where respect for your fellow man was paramount, today things are totally different. In the seventies I was happy to go into town with my wife on a Saturday night and any trouble was usually confined to a one on one confrontation, handbags at dawn etc.I would sooner be cast into a Lions den than take my family into a town or city for a night out these days. Some people go out looking for an altercation as the reason to venture into town. In my humble opinion this is down to a perceived thought of them against us. Some of the younger element in our society whether lads or lasses feel compelled to go against what ever authority deem as the normal because they can. Talk with them you may get respect, treat them as Lepers and they will rebel The more you show your disapproval at their antics the more they will rebel. Norfolk Broads user's welcome to the real world.

I am afraid we will have to beg to differ on this point JM. I use the term lads to mean the male members of my family that are younger than me, they are neither loutish or lager louts. It is also interesting that you singled out Richardson's as a negative example when another boatyard based at Hoveton actively promotes hire to stag and hen parties. To get back on topic it is down to Broads users to report anti social or criminal behaviour to the Authorities and not expect good businesses to discriminate against any one group, that is what the Authorities are there for IMHO.

Bit of a sweeping statement there JM , Some all male or or female groups are "family" there are many reasons these days why a family holiday group may be single sex including where a female member is disabled or where the holiday makers are part of a single parent "family" or where the holiday makers are in a civil partnership. Myself my sons and grandsons regularly holiday as a all male party (as does Griff aka BA) and I can assure you that Richardsons have never had a reason to be concerned about our behavior. Ron

Thanks Gracie I have had replies by PMs but nice to hear from someone who has been on that Class of boat. We saw Finesse last October whilst we were moored at Beccles, there were Six anglers on board and they said there was plenty of space for them and all the fishing gear so we looked for that boat first. Ultimate does not appear to have had a makeover but like you we don't mind that. I have asked the lads about the Stetsons, from the parts of the reply that are printable on here I gather they will make their own arrangements but thank you for the offer anyway Ron

After a few months of uncertainty and now getting the all clear we are back on the Broads for our "usual" October break. I have just booked Ultimate Gem 2 from Richardsons has anyone hired this vessel if so what do you think of it? Ron

Spotted in Gt Yarmouth, during our March holiday on the Broads, It is situated near the Market place on a building that is now a Bingo Hall

Thanks BB on first impressions I agree with you. Nice to see a few boats out and the anglers enjoying the last few days of the season

The sun is shining must be spring, Broad tours getting their day boats out onto the new Key heading and new camera at Barnes really stunning pics even in full screen mode

Thanks for that Liberty I think we will use the bus on the first visit to the shops then take the car so that we can visit other places of interest.

Plenty of choice by the look of things sounds as if a couple of days will be needed if we can stand the hustle and bustle of the city for that amount of time. Map purchase will be top of the list, we village dwellers can easily get lost when confronted by big towns, one reason I will not be travelling all the way by car the first time. Once again thanks for the advice. Will post a brief write up here of our experiences in due course Ron

Many thanks for all the information and advice, it is very much appreciated, especially the taxi number. At least I can get my "Better half" into Norwich for her shopping fix. Any suggestions for a good place in Norwich for Lunch. Regards Ron

Thanks Andrew, didn't think my bus pass would be valid on the P & R but i never leave home without it anyway. As for my pension taking a whack it will be worth every penny, and i do like your suggestions regarding the other side of PH not been that side for more than 40 years.

A few years ago my wife decided that she was not mobile enough for boating holidays on the Broads anymore and so I have been getting my annual fix by boating with my son and some of my grandsons each October, something we will continue whilst I am fit enough to clamber aboard, or until they decide on different types of holidays. I have, to me, a landmark birthday coming up and was asked how I would like to celebrate the occasion, a party? a meal somewhere special? my reply was a self catering holiday near the Broads. I was amazed when SWMBO said what a good idea, and so two weeks today I will be starting a week long holiday in a riverside cottage in Horning. Another item crossed off the bucket list. The Plan of action is, weather permitting, fishing the last two days of the season, then visiting some of our favourite places in Broadland, and possibly visiting Norwich at least once (it is 40 years since we were last there) This is where I need a little advice, Horning is isolated as far as public transport is concerned so visits to Norwich will be by car, I seem to recall a Park and Ride system near Sprowston, is it still there and does it operate all year? Secondly a day on the river on my actual birthday would be perfect and I was thinking of a picnic boat because they have all weather protection. Has anyone hired one of these type of boats? if so what is access like for less mobile passengers.

Thanks for the link Robin, a great little video with an insight into the past and a lifestyle sadly in demise Ron

Hello Les Sorry I cant help you with winter fishing info, I don't fish in the colder months but I am sure someone will be along with advice. Just wanted to say welcome to the forum

Its only the single bed in the forward cabin, the one in the rear cabin seemed fine, the only comparison I can make is with Dream Gem that has a single cabin at the rear that seemed ok.

Thank you for your kind comments, if there should be a next time I will try to keep my rambling shorter and more to the point Regards Ron

Friday 23rd October Craig was first one up again, I heard him on deck setting up the fishing rods, he had already mashed a pot of tea so I joined him, another very pleasant day had dawned. We both caught a few more roach and perch but Craig was more interested in his pike rod, he had set it up for live baiting as instructed by Gus who had also told him to drop it about 2-3 metres in front of the bow, within 20 minutes the method had worked and a very fine pike was on the quayside. With all the commotion the rest of the crew were now up and wanting to fish but we explained we had to make a move we were almost out of water and needed to go to Southgates next door to fill the tank we were then going to Salhouse Broad where we would mudweight and have breakfast. On arrival we found three boats on the stern on moorings and one more on the island, by the time breakfast was ready we were on our own surrounded by about 200 ducks, geese swans and coots. Washing up done we headed off destination Wroxham, just a cruise to the bridge before we turned around and had a leisurely cruise back towards the boat yard where we intended mooring for our last night. We did stop at How Hill for a couple of hours fishing en-route. Once back in Stalham we retrieved our bags from the cars in order to get all the packing done before we went out for our last night in Norfolk, our choice was to be the Swan Inn, we visited this place on our final night last year and was well pleased with both service and food, it was equally good this time round. When we left the boat heading for town we noticed one of the Amber Gem boats close to us had the engine running, it was still running two and a half hours later when we returned from the pub and it was obvious that no one was aboard, I was not prepared to go on board to stop the engine so a quick call to the emergency phone number and the problem was resolved in minutes. So arrived the day of our departure, diesel topped up was pleased to hear we had some money to come back despite the distance we had travelled, and some of it against the tide, total cost of fuel used £82-36. The buoyancy aids returned paperwork sorted we were almost ready to leave. I asked the yard guys if it would be possible to have a look round one of the Broadsman boats as I had a landmark birthday next year and may want to push the boat out, so to speak. They were very obliging and found one for us to board, very impressive I must say but probably not for a fishing holiday, I also found an issue with the steps to get off the side of the boat but we will see. Our boat Majorca 1, we had a few issues with it, trivial things really and ok it was the end of the season and the boat was the right price, but I would not book it again, it was not really suitable for the five of us. Although it is the same class as Dream Gem that we had last year the internal fitments were different, a separate toilet and shower room restricted the internal space the single berth in the front cabin was probably suitable for a child but with a width of about 1ft 9in with the back rest in place it was not suitable for Ben. The back rest looked like it was built in but on closer inspection we found that all the screws had been removed so we were able to remove it each night to provide a bit more width. As before mentioned we had the battery problem, we also found the grill to be unusable, and whilst getting back on the boat at Bramerton common the rear of the port side grab rail came away in my hand, the bracket on the end had broken. The rail had seemed loose before that episode and looked like the boat had come together with an arched bridge at some point. These minor points did not detract from our enjoyment of the holiday and as usual we received first class service from Richardsons. Finally thanks to you guys for answering all my queries, and helping us get the most of our visit down south.

The sunshine was it seemed only temporary and clouds began to form as we passed through Reedham and as we entered Breydon it was another grey day but it did stay dry. The cruising time chart I had on board quoted three hours Loddon to Great Yarmouth, but we arrived at the yellow post in no more than 2hr 15mins. We had pushed down stream by a brisk ebb and had kept the Revs down to compensate or so we had thought. Ben and myself had made the breakfast baps on our journey across Breydon, once again the water was flat calm. As we approached the yellow post It was my turn at the helm and turning into the Bure I knew we were to have a slow passage against the tide. We had hoped to arrive at low water not the slack passage time because of our desire to reach Horning in time to find a mooring. It was a struggle to retain forward momentum in the narrow river near the bridges and the yacht station but once we got to the wider part of the river we were able to make better progress. Three hours later we were passing under Acle bridge. At this point Dean had a little signal on his phone, he was the only one, so he phoned the New Inn to reserve a table for 5 and a mooring for the night, no problem was the reply. We could now relax in the knowledge that we had a mooring no matter what time we arrived. As we got to Horning the sky was becoming a little brighter, we were in for a sunny afternoon. Outside the Ferry the few boats that were moored there were all well spaced out meaning that there was only room for boats of about 25 feet in length, a bit selfish I thought. We cruised past the New Inn and saw Gus was seated by the quay, so went up past the bend in the river by the sailing club turned round and made our way slowly back to the pub, very pleased to execute a good stern mooring manoeuvre in front of the few people enjoying an afternoon drink. Gus as always attending to the ropes to ensure maximum space was left for other craft that may come in. I have never seen these mooring so quiet. Another boat joined us a little later, and Gus said he was only expecting one more, but that one might not turn up, it was a Wroxham boat and they had been “experiencing technical difficulties” Dean and Jamie were soon fishing whilst me Craig and Ben adjourned to the terrace of the pub to enjoy a couple of pints. Not having any luck Dean and Jamie joined us and quickly disappeared to the arcade with Ben. Our refreshments downed it was time to visit the local shop for a few provisions for Breakfast tomorrow, then back to the boat for a spot of fishing, a few more roach and perch falling for pole fished worm. The pike rods were not seeing much action though. Soon it was time for dinner and once again the New Inn did not disappoint us, good food at a reasonable price. After the meal Gus came over to ask us about the fish we had caught and passing on a very useful tip, a tip Craig was to utilise in the morning. Back to the boat and bed for me, the lads playing cards and watching the free video they had got from Angling Direct, another memorable day over.

Shortly after we turned into the River Chet on a tight bend in the river we spotted a blue fendoff bobbing about in the river together with some fragments of timber, a few yards beyond we spotted wooden piling at the side of the river that had evidently taken a hefty whack, obviously someone had overcooked it on a tight corner. As we came to the first moorings on the Loddon bank there was a boat with a dangly bit of rope but no fendoff attached. We slowed down so I could inform him where to find the missing item but I don’t think they even knew about it. Its two miles back down the river I explained, they obviously were not bothered because when we left the following morning they had departed before us but the item was still in roughly the same position. When we arrived at the Staithe it was pretty crowded but we managed to squeeze in to what appeared to be the last available space, but when two other boats came down we observed the best in broadland spirit and friendliness when all boaters already moored closed the few gaps between boats to make room for the late arrivals, well done to them all. Ben and myself went to the White Horse at Chedgrave to book a table for our evenings meal, they allocated us one in the bar area that was ideal for us. When we returned for our meal we received a warm welcome, the bar was quite busy there was a darts match on and a good atmosphere, so much so that after our meal we stopped on for a few games of pool and for more of their good ale. The food was good value and well cooked. We went back to the boat and discussed the plan for tomorrow when we would be heading back north Craig wanted to spend Thursday night at Horning I checked the tide times for the GY passage times and decided we should leave Loddon about 8-30am because the cruising time chart I had downloaded gave Loddon to Great Yarmouth as three hours we knew this would mean pushing against the tide up the Bure but would give us the best chance of reaching Horning in time to secure a mooring. So plan sorted it was off to Bed. Thursday 22nd October Woke at first light as usual to find the weather much improved, another glorious sunny day. Craig put the kettle on for a brew while I went across the road to the Premier store for bread rolls etc it was to be breakfast baps on the move again today. After emptying the teapot and mounting the camera on the deck it was time to move. Lodden was so picturesque in the Autumn sunshine.