tim

Tuesday 5th July Ok, back on track with the plan, bit of a lay in today, woke about 7.30am, got up about 8am, kettle on tea made, after about 10mins Lottie and I went for a short walk along the bank, mainly just so she could do what dogs that haven’t been out for 9 hours must do, mission accomplished it was back to the boat to make more tea! The weather was far more overcast, not cold, but a bit of a breeze As the kettle boiled for the second time that morning, both Mandy and Susie joined me in the lounge, breakfast for me today was to be a couple of eggs on toast, I was conscious that after our week on the boat we had 7 days B&B in a pub in North Devon, therefore I was tying not overdo the eating before we went there, I obviously failed, but I tried! Breakfast completed, we were on our way about 9am, but where to? Well, It was back the way we came yesterday nearly to Wroxham but into Salhouse, walk and paddle for Lottie, a trip to The Fur & Feather for my favourite Woodfords beer Bure Gold, then back down the Bure to Ranworth, and a pizza from the den at The Malsters for dinner Just before St Benet’s Abbey moorings and the turning for South Walsham, there is an area with large green posts and from memory signs that say danger submerged rocks (or similar) so I was somewhat surprised to see two hire boats moored between them, cant help thinking they are asking for trouble (picture below) It was a gentle cruise along the Bure, destination Salhouse and through Horning again, we arrived at Salhouse before midday. As I was praising myself on my superb boating skills at the New Inn, it’s only right that I come clean on stern mooring at Salhouse! Mandy moved the dinghy to the front, this time we were back to normal, no problems at all, just as I started to turn, a day boat which was obviously oblivious to my intentions to moor, cut up the back off me and moored side on the quay, he was soon moved by the Ranger/quay attendant. Unfortunately, the wind had got me, and I had to go round again to line up. To cut a long story short, it was probably another 3 attempts, before I cracked the code and start my mooring from the correct place allowing for the wind to push me to where I needed to be, but we got in, again with liberal use of throttle and bow thruster. The ranger / quay attendant took my ropes, Mandy stepped off the boat and secured the ropes, I went to the bow, Susie used the bow thruster to straighten the boat, I dropped the mud weight, all’s a ‘gooden’ I’ve moored at Salhouse a number of times, this was the first occasion I’d had so much trouble, probably karma for the praise I received at Horning! Shortly after a Herbert Woods boat came in with 6 fellas aged between 40 and 70, they made me feel better, in fact we had to pull them in with the ropes from our boat as the were stuck at an impossible angle, all was good no boats were hit in either manoeuvre I paid our short stay mooring fee, it was now time to take Lottie for a walk, around Salhouse, she enjoyed a paddle where it slopes gently into the water, as I have said before she is a bit of a coward, she loves being in the water but doesn’t like stepping down, Salhouse was perfect! After the walk, we went back to the boat, picked a bag of rubbish to put in the bins in the car park at the top by the road. Then walk up to The Fur & Feather for lunch. We walked up the path towards the car park, but on arriving at the Car Park, there were no bins! When did they go, did I dream there were bins there? I didn’t want to carry it to the pub, so I hid it round the back of the toilet block and would get it when we returned, I know there’s bin at Ranworth I’ll get rid of it there I thought! So, after a short walk up the road, we reached the pub, the weather had improved so we found a table in the garden, I went to order the drinks and get some menu’s, The beer choice is great, but my favourite is Bure Gold, Mandy had a couple of Pimm’s Susie’s choice Rose wine. We all ordered a baguette, had a couple of drinks each (I actually had a cheeky third) the food was very good and so was the service. We were there for about an hour, before making our way back to the boat. Once, at the car park I went round the back of the toilet block and picked up the bag of rubbish, as I came back round a gentleman sitting on the bench probably waiting for his lady, gave me a quizzical look! I thought I’d better explain to him, after I did, he said ‘I’ll take it for you, we’re going home so I’ll put it in my bin’ ‘Are you sure, I’m sure I can get rid of it at Ranworth’ I replied He was having none of that, and took our rubbish from me, some people are very kind! On the way back Susie was fascinated by the hollow tree, so we had to take some photos of her, not unusually Lottie had to be included Back at the boat, I filled up with water and shortly after that we left for Ranworth Now the reason we hire a dinghy (Mandy is right it can be a pain in the bum) is so we can get to pubs even if the moorings are full, plus it’s only £25 for the week, so as we approached Ranworth we had options! Option 1 get a space on the Staithe, as we were arriving around 4 probably unlikely Option 2 moor at the Island, done this before, downside £13 for nothing except goose poo which the dog thinks is some kind of delicacy, and a long row when the instructions from your wife is ‘you need to go that way’ without any indication which direction that way is! Option 3 mud weight, never done this before due to the dog, but she does have good bladder control, the only downside would be getting us all into the dinghy from the boat So down Ranworth Dam and into Malthouse Broad, binoculars at the ready, as we passed the Island there were plenty of spaces, even for me in my current form, as we approached the Staithe it looked full, however there was possibly a space on the end by the dinghy dyke, but I thought it was tight and I didn’t want to be anti-social and reduce the entrance to the dyke. So we mud weighted near the dinghy dyke close but far enough for the boat to swing without hitting anything, Mandy made some tea, I needed to think about that space so opened a beer, soon my decision was made for me, a boat came in probably similar size to Star and took the space, however they did make a meal of it, and about a quarter of the boat was over the dyke entrance Oh well, I could have done that, but I’d have been concerned what people might think about me blocking part of the dyke, but that’s me! Decision made, we are mud weighting, well it you don’t try something you’ll never know if you can do it, do you? We didn’t need to book a table at The Malsters, there are plenty of tables inside and out so we decided that the plan would be row over about 6ish, go for a walk then eat, then take Lottie for another walk before rowing back to the boat! Time arrived to leave the boat, so life jackets on, we’re going into new territory now, batting order was Mandy Lottie Susie then me. Mandy was always going to be the problem, she’s not as mobile as she used to be, but no problem sat on back of boat, I held the side of the dinghy she slid down and as instructed made herself low and sat in the middle seat, once the dinghy settled, she moved to the back seat, Lottie was simple, a handle on her LJ meant I could lift her straight to Mandy’s arms although she didn’t enjoy the experience, Susie next same procedure, slide in keep low and sit on middle seat, me next, told Susie to move to far side of dinghy to give some balance as obviously I couldn’t hold the dinghy firm and get into it, would be some trick if I could! All 4 of us in the dinghy, Susie then moved to the front, and off we go, no problem getting out, so we headed for the Malsters for a drink. A nice little circular walk (photo below) took us back to the Malsters for around 7pm, it was a nice evening so we got a table outside, I got the drinks Mandy got the pizza order forms, I do like the pizzas from the Malsters, not expensive and include a choice of toppings, more than I’d usually have and no extra charge The girls couldn’t eat all theirs, so we left them in the box and put them in the dinghy, we then took Lottie for a walk up to St Helens Church and back down the footpath adjacent the road, this was the last chance until the morning for her to do the necessary, clearly there were appropriate smells on the walk so bladder now empty! Into the dinghy and a short row to the boat, which had hardly moved, the water was quite still, getting out of the dinghy, would be reverse batting order, i.e. me first so I could hold the dinghy steady. I have some boat steps which hang off the boat, I always have a wide plank so I can spread the load and not damage the boat, these came in handy getting Mandy out, but we did it without anyone falling in, so big tick for us! It was about 9pm, and the light was fading, so as per the previous night, we pulled the canopy back and I enjoyed some red wine, Mandy’s preferred tipple is tea, Susie had a coke It had been a good day!

Monday 4th July Woke up about 7am, got up about 7.30 and put the kettle on and made the tea, this appears to be my first job of the day, but to be fair it’s the same at home, I’m not into lying in bed! Canopy was pulled back, it was a lovely day, I sat outside at one of the tables near the boat in the dyke, Lottie seemed contented so no hurry to get her out for a walk, plus I wasn’t going to take her too far after the incident with her leg the previous day. The plan today was to get to Wroxham, get through the bridge then have a walk round Wroxham into The Kings Head, couple of drinks and then up to Coltishall, a walk down to Belaugh around the church and back, dinner at The Rising Sun Well, that was the plan, it was just a certain bridge didn’t see it that way! Anyway, Mandy was going to start breakfast at 8.30am, so Susie and I decided to take Lottie to the park, Horning isn’t best blessed for walks but opposite the Chinese there is a path that takes you up to a nice park. Lottie was disappointed because when we go for a walk in a park we normally take balls and frisbees. However, as we weren’t sure how good her leg was, it was just a walk! Back at the boat for 8.30am, Mandy true to her word had started brekkie (just a bacon sarnie for me) and had another cuppa waiting for me Low water Wroxham was 11.15ish, so I didn’t need to be away until about 10am, so breakfast completed we had another wander into Horning. Susie had broken her sunglasses, she had another pair at home, so she wanted to buy a pair of cheapies or get some super glue so ‘dad’ll fix it’ can get to work! The latter was achieved Back at the boat, I was disappointed to see that although many boats had left, the two that I could really have done with leaving were still there, oh well, I got in backwards, so it’ll be a doddle going out I had already moved the dinghy from the bow back to the stern and moved the boat forward a bit so it could be tied there, then a bit of luck, one of the boats left, although I’d rather it was the one on the starboard side as that was the one that was blocking the dyke, so I pulled the fenders that side up on to the freeboard to ensure I didn’t get them twisted together We left about 10am in glorious weather and made the short cruise to Wroxham, on the way we picked up a passenger, who refused to leave our roof for about 25mins (photo below) We got stuck behind several boats going very slowly, got past them but then caught up with a private boat that was constantly doing 1mph less than the speed limit, difficult to get past, but that was good enough for me we were going quick enough, and we weren’t in any rush Mandy rang the Pilot, he said that we were to call him as we approached the bridge, and pull over to the pilot moorings, as we approached we could see another boat already on the mooring waiting for him, so I held station just outside Barnes, it was probably only 10mins before I could get on the mooring, it just seemed longer as the traffic is rather busy there and the day boats were a bit of an issue! The Pilot took the boat waiting on the mooring through, so I came in and moored in that space, I should have said earlier I did lower the fenders again soon after leaving The New Inn. The Pilot soon came back to where we were moored, he was a more mature pilot than the ones I seem to remember in the past, as he walked towards us he said ‘she’s a bit high isn’t she’ I told him the air draft, he looked at the boat then the bridge, the marker was showing 7’3’’, ‘the thing is’ he said, ‘I can probably get you through, but if it rains you may not get back’ It was at this point I remembered the old saying (albeit different type of pilot) There are old pilots There are bold pilots There are no old bold pilots So, there was the conundrum, do we risk going through and being caught, there was no significant rain forecast, or do we thank him for his honesty and go find somewhere else to go As much as I love the stretch from Wroxham to Coltishall, I didn’t particularly want to go up and down it for several days, so after a quick crew consultation we opted for thank you for your honesty and left What now then? Plans ruined, since covid we have been more organised where we go, where possible we’ve tried to book tables and moorings, as shortly after the first lock down we had big trouble booking restaurants when we were in Cornwall, so do we try and move our bookings back a day and go back south earlier, or find something else to go today? We needed to discuss the options (or as it turned out I needed to come up with another plan) so into Barnes Brinkscraft, we went past the big willow tree and found a mooring opposite Beasty Bikes (I still harbour the dream of getting another bike) and moored up As we finished mooring a very striking boat came into the marina and moored opposite us, the helmsman got out and tied his ropes. He looked like he worked for Barnes, so I called out to him ‘is it ok to moor here for an hour or so’ the reply came back ‘I don’t know but I’m hoping to do the same’ it was only then I noticed the name of the boat, Ranworth Breeze! I don’t know if the person on it that week reads this but if you do, sorry to confuse you with Barnes staff, lovely boat though, but that height would make me nervous! The girls wanted to go shopping, I certainly didn’t, so Mandy, after 36 years marriage she knows me too well, suggested I go to the pub with Lottie while they go to Roys We all went to the pub, Mandy bought me two pints settled me down with a nice view of the river and bridge that I was denied access to earlier, told me they would be far less than an hour and left me to look at maps etc and come up with a plan! As you can see from the picture below Lottie was keeping a look out for their return Yeah right, far less than an hour, 1hr 10mins to be exact, Susie told me later that she tried to get mum out of the shops she told her, dads happy he’s got beer and is watching boats, yes, I was watching boats, but the beer ran out long before they returned! Anyway, plan was hatched, run past the crew, and accepted, it was to be lunch on the boat while travelling to Acle, then a walk up past Upton Dyke and dinner at The White Horse, somewhere I had never been before We left Barnes at about 1pm, reaching Acle about 3.30pm, moored up on what used to be Horizon craft’s moorings, we then took a stroll to The Bridge Inn. Whilst at the Bridge Inn, Mandy announced that she had forgotten to get something from Roys she needed, it was so important I can’t remember what it was! Not a problem, Lottie needed a walk, so along the river up past Acle Dyke, and up the footpath alongside the A1064 and into Acle, picked up the all-important item and returned the same route, lovely day, warm walking in the sun, so only right we should finish the walk how we stated with a trip to The Bridge Inn, then back to the boat Soon it was time to start the walk to the White Horse, there is a screen shot of my footpath app below, don’t be alarmed, even though it looks like I walked down the middle of the Bure, I didn’t! As Kate has said in her blogs about the footpaths, part of this footpath was quite overgrown, mainly the last bit that comes out on the dyke. It was a good job it was early evening and dry, had I attempted that on a wet day or early morning I think we’d have got very wet, on the way back we cut that bit out of the walk. It was the first time we had seen Upton Dyke, and yes as all reports I’ve read have stated it’s rather narrow, glad I didn’t get tempted to go down there on a 40-footer! I have heard good reports about the White Horse, but as I’ve already said I’ve never made it there in the past, well I’m glad we did, it did not disappoint, really nice meal, good beer, service and don’t remember going ‘ouch’ when I paid the bill Walked back the less overgrown way, with the canopy open enjoyed a couple of glasses of red before going to bed 10ish

Thanks Kate, we got her from the RSPCA when about 6 months old, we were told she was a cocker, but I think there might be a little bit of something else in there, but we dont care we love her. She has issues with strangers but once she gets to know new people she loves them. We dont know her history, only that she didn't have the best start to life Unlike Finley and Purdey, she'd never leap from the boat, she too much of a coward. She loves being in water but only if she can walk in like a beach, even a 4 inch drop has her worried, she loved a paddle at Salhouse! My family has strong links with the RSPCA, granddad was chairman of the Maidstone branch for years, and my mum used to collect stray dogs on holiday and take them back to their owners or to the police, that's why she would never go abroad because in her words 'I wouldn't know where to take a stray dog to' As kids we used to door to door tin rattling for them, I cant tell you on here some of the words I learnt from people who didn't want to give to animals

It's what us once a year hirers use when we realise we aren't as good as we thought we were!

You've probably had far better answers above than I can give, but when we hired this boat last year, Richard (the owner) said when I asked about the thrusters, you're lucky Star's got hydraulic thrusters, you've got far more power than electric, just keep the revs up if you need more power. As it happened, I only dis-engaged the gearbox once, that was precautionary as we were mooring with the tide at Reedham, and that was to ensure I could get the bow in quick after securing the stern The rest of the time I cant say helming was any different than it was with the electric ones I was more used to Hope that helps?

Sunday 3rd July I must be mad, the alarm on my phone set for 6.15am went off, I lay in bed for a couple of minutes thinking, not only is this a Sunday but I’m also on holiday and listening to an alarm sounding! To be honest, I’m not one for lay ins, and I always enjoy the early morning cruise to Breydon, Mandy on the other hand is a nurse that used to do shifts on the wards, she could sleep on a clothesline! There also was very little chance of getting Susie out of bed at that time. T Shirt shorts and deck shoes were put on, as was he kettle, I asked Mandy if she wanted a tea, which she accepted. I pulled the canopy back, from memory it was a very pleasant morning Tea made, it was time to quickly take Lottie out to do the necessary, we were probably not stopping until Stracey Arms which was a fair cruise away. Lottie obliged and did her business quite quickly, she’d be fine now until we stopped, so I quickly went back to the boat to drink my tea Whilst drinking my tea I studied the ropes on the boat, I had put springs on yesterday, so I had a good look at to get the right plan to leave by myself, to be fair Mandy did offer to help, but I’d done this before and felt quite confident with the helm being on the side near the bank that I’d be fine! I did joke that if she heard a big splash I might need a bit of assistance, she just fixed me with a glare only women can do well! The boat was being pushed forward by the tide, so released the rear spring and looped over a post and tied to the rear cleat, the other stern rope was taken off completely and stowed, the forward spring was removed, and the other bow rope tied to the nearest post to the helm, ok I was ready, lifejacket was on! All was good, started the engine at 7am, yes, I did remember to engage the gearbox that I’d disengaged the afternoon before. Bow rope released, lifted the stern rope of the post, we drifted forwards slightly but there was plenty of room in front, so managed to get to the helm and give a little kick to reverse, between tide and bow thruster we were soon out of the mooring and on our way! Lottie had been watching me from the lounge, but once on our way, she decided to join ‘mum’ in bed, so just me, the boat and beautiful quietness, its moments like this which makes getting up early really worth it I had a look a ‘project troll’ on my phone, I was horrified to see the bridge height, according to that site the level under Vauxhall Bridge was 7’6’’ and I was a good 90mins away. I decided to ignore it carry on and see what the board at Berney was showing As it turned out it was fine, with canopy and screen lowered I needed 7’1’’ I went under with a good 18’’ to 2’ to spare Halfway across Breydon I was joined at the helm by Mandy, this was timely as the tea and orange juice I had consumed on the journey had worked its way down, so Mandy took the helm for 10mins whilst I had a comfort break and made another cuppa Just as we rounded the yellow post with me back at the helm, Susie joined us, her first words were ‘are we stopping for breakfast’ ‘yes Stracey Arms and about 10ish’ I replied This was the first morning of the holiday, so it just had to be the full English breakfast, I was also feeling quite hungry as we arrived at the mooring, turning the boat into the tide, LJ’s back on we moored near the end with plenty of space I took Lottie for another walk, she wasn’t keen on the company of ponies and goats, she is a coward and a bit of a drama queen! She is a rescue and although we had her early on, there is stuff in her early months we know nothing about We stopped for about 30mins before making the short cruise to Stokesby We moored at the BA moorings, this is the first time we have moored there, normally getting a spot outside the pub (which we always use) Usually we walk down the footpath towards Yarmouth, but recently it has become quite overgrown after about a mile, so checking my footpath app we found a nice walk going the other way, photo below. Once back at the boat, me and Susie took Lottie on to the green, she had a bit of a game chasing her frisbee, hoping this will wear her out a bit so we could have a drink at the pub. I seem to remember it being a bit blowy there, although it was pretty warm as still in t shirts, I like the Ferry at Stokesby, we would normally have a sandwich there but as breakfast was only a couple of hours previous, we decided it was drinks only The only problem was trying to find a table with less duck and goose poo around, not that I was bothered but our disgusting spaniel wanted to eat it! We had a couple of drinks and decided to move on. We had a mooring and table booked at The New Inn at Horning, we like Horning and also like the New Inn, in he past you could book a mooring, but you had to eat there, now it’s £15 to book you have to pay when you book and no refund against food and drink. We considered the alternatives, but really if you want to go to Horning and guarantee a mooring, there aren’t many options, I think it’s £20 not refundable at the Swan? So, as we wanted to visit we paid the mooring fee, and in terms of what we spent on food and drink over the holiday it probably didn’t break me! We were a bit too early to go to Horning, so we decided a cruise down Chalet Alley to Potter Heigham, the girls wanted to visit The Temple of Tat, I certainly didn’t, moored up in Herbert Woods I filled up with water while the girls went shopping, I also rewarded myself with a beer while me and Lottie waited for them to return Returning with cakes pastries etc, no tat fortunately, we headed off for Horning Before we left Stokesby, Mandy had rung The New Inn, to check our booking and ask if there was a time we had to be there by, we were told to be there by 5.30pm, but if we were going to be later to call and let them know, but it was our mooring and it was booked We probably arrived about 5pm, and whilst everything on the trip so far had gone very well, it was about to unravel a bit! As we approached The New Inn I slowed down, the quay attendant was a different person from last year, he called out to me, the conversation went something like this: ‘Sorry we’re fully booked’ ‘I booked in March, and rang earlier to confirm’ ‘What’s the boat name’ ‘Pacific Star’ ‘Oh, yes you are on the list, don’t worry I can get you on the end by Southgates’ ‘Last year, I was asked to moor in dinghy dyke’ ‘Well, if you think you can get in there that would be fine’ ‘Well, I did last year’ Me and my big gob, sometimes I never learn, so no pressure then! LJ’s on, Mandy moved the dinghy to the bow, so I could reverse in, Susie waited by me to get instructions when closer! Then it all went wrong! We’ve hired a dinghy for more than 8 visits, the number of times Mandy has moved the dinghy so I can moor must be 30 plus, but this time she had a panic attack and couldn’t get back round the screen and back into the boat, about 30 seconds later Lottie jumped off the seat and hurt her leg, this in turn set daughter off in a panic about getting the dog to a vet (to be fair the dog has a history of this and is often ok a few mins later!) So there I was, lined up across the Bure and carnage going on in the boat! Somehow, I don’t know how, but despite the ‘noise’ going on around me, I went straight in, well after liberal use of forward reverse and bow thruster! This prompted a man on the next boat telling Mandy how well I moored the boat, and the quay attendant’s 13-year-old daughter Nancy telling me that was the best bit of mooring she’d seen all day! They should’ve been down at Salhouse a couple of days later to see me have 3 attempts to stern moor in a gap 10 times wider! The quay attendant and Nancy were very kind, they went and got us some numbers for a local vet, but Lottie had improved, wasn’t limping anymore, (as I said earlier, she can be a drama queen) calmness was beginning to return to the crew of Star Anyway, there was only on thing to do now, and that was drinks from the bar! We then had a little walk into Horning, we didn’t want to risk Lottie’s leg too much, had a drink at the Swan then walked back to the boat Our table was booked for 7.30pm, the meal was pretty good, and the service was first rate and do like the beer there, so all in all we enjoyed the visit if not the dramas while mooring! Back on the boat about 9pm again, nice glass of Red while I reflected on the day!

With the news of the sad death of our beloved queen, I've decided it wouldn't be appropriate to continue a story of fun and enjoyment at this time So I will take a short break while the country mourns the only monarch I've ever known

Thanks Malcom, I’ve got to say I’d forgotten how much time it takes to write these tales, maybe I should ramble less! 😉 Hats off to those who write these tales several times a year, I always enjoy reading them Pacific are an excellent yard so I’m not surprised they they take great care on the trial runs, it can’t be easy turning a boat on The Chet! I will definitely finish the tale, I had success and some abject failures, but never out of control, bear with me while I find the time!

Saturday 2nd July Firstly, I must apologise for the lateness of this holiday tale, I hope there isn’t a sell by date on the blogs? I’ve been a bit busy at work plus I turned 65 this week, after months of being an ‘ostrich’ and ignoring all the letters on a couple of final salary pensions that I had from a few years ago, I’ve finally got round to sorting them out They don’t make it easy with some of the jargon, do they? Anyway, all sorted, I was never going to retire just yet, but I am going to cut my days down to three in the new tax year, I actually enjoy my work and like people I work with I made a promise some months ago to Helen to write one, I like to keep promises I make! I apologise if I ramble a bit We booked again with Pacific Cruisers, this time with Star, a Moores 40, with electric canopy, microwave and hydraulic bow thrusters, 30 years old but well cared for. In fact, we had this boat last September when we went away with Mandy’s sister and hubby. This time the crew were Mandy, daughter Susie and Lottie the dog, two years ago after the first lock down was lifted, we went away with both Susie and son Nick as there wasn’t much else going on. Nick hated it but Susie loved it and has been back every time since especially as dad is paying! I loaded the car up on Friday evening, it’s a good job the boat has a kitchen sink, because I think we packed everything else! The car was rammed and considering it’s a big Volvo Estate, it took some doing! We left home at 9.30am from Maidstone and arrived in Loddon at about 12.15pm, 2 & 3/4hrs for 135miles Our hand over time was between 2pm and 2.30pm, normally I ask for an earlier time (and get it) but this time as we were only going to Reedham, I was quite happy with this slot We took Lottie for a little walk, but sill had time to kill before going to the boatyard, now what could we do? Yup, It was The White Horse Chedgrave, well it was always going to be a pub wasn’t it? I do like the White Horse, lovely garden good food and…………. Oh yes great beer! The bad man, who is the landlord wasn’t there this lunchtime, so I only had a couple, he’s a bad man because he preys on me being a weak man when offered another pint We’ve been using this pub for lunch before picking up the boat for the past 5 or 6 years, this was the first time I’ve seen the bowls green being used Mandy took the car the half mile to the boatyard, whilst me Susie and Lottie walked down the road and along the footpath Once at the boatyard, we were greeted like old friends, its probably why we keep going back, they are so friendly, nothing is too much trouble and for a big cruiser and level of equipment like Star we only paid £1300 which included pet charge and dinghy, which in my book is good value We soon loaded up the boat, and it wasn’t long before Richard had completed the paperwork and explained a few things we were unsure about. Life jackets for the three of us were brought out, Lottie was taken to the ‘doggie life jacket store’ and fitted with hers (free) Now at this point I hold my head in shame, apparently you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but you can frighten them to change their practice! I’ve been boating on the broads for the past 10 years plus, until that day myself or any of the crew (except Lottie) had never worn a life jacket! As I say, not proud, we just never used them. However, the events of last August at Yarmouth had changed my view, we all wore them when mooring or moving around outside the boat So off we went, very slowly as the Chet is very tight with boats moored up on the left then the right at Pyes Mill (ok port and starboard) Going past Pyes mill mooring, I spotted Norfolk Lady but couldn’t see anyone on board, sorry I missed you Now at this point I’ll mention the weather. I am writing this a bit of time after the event, but I remember the weather being very nice, we sat outside in the garden of the White Horse in shorts and T shirts, the parasols weren’t blowing, I couldn’t remember there being any issues with the wind So, I was shocked to read Malcom’s (Mouldy) blog of the same day stating the weather being very windy and that Breydon had been closed to hire craft, maybe we were lucky and sheltered from the winds I’m glad I didn’t know about Breydon, we were crossing the next day and that would have made me more paranoid than I usually am Anyway, first cruise since September last year and it felt good, it does amaze me how people who have never handled a boat before cope with their first attempt on that river, boy does that river twist! We were away by 2.30pm and after a relatively quite cruise we were on the Yare by 3.15pm, I had pre-booked a mooring at the Ferry with a table for three at 7pm (I think) so we had plenty of time The tide was falling, high water at Reedham was 1.15pm, we were 2 hrs after that and were getting a gentle push down the Yare, the chain ferry was soon in view, making sure it was docked I crossed over the chains! In an idea world, I would need to turn and moor against the tide, however I really wanted to be moored facing the other way, it would be easier to leave the mooring in the morning. As I passed the chain ferry I noticed the reserved board for Star, it was outside the pub near where the ferry docks, there was no way I was getting in there without turning! A quick discussion with the girls, I decided I was mooring with the tide but further down the moorings by the grass, there wasn’t many boats moored so plenty of space, life jackets on, we’re going in! It went very well, coming in with tide very slowly, when I was about a couple of feet from the bank, full right-hand lock on, gave the throttle a burst and kicked the stern gently against the bank allowing Mandy to step off and wrap a rope round a post. Susie sat the helm I’d disconnected the gearbox and upped the revs a bit, I picked up the rope I’d left on the freeboard, Susie used the bow thruster to bring the bow in I secured the bow rope, then walked back and sorted the stern rope, with the boat secure Susie turned the engine off All in all, a good team effort, I then moved our reserved board down to our boat, so I didn’t stop someone else mooring there! Time to take Lottie for a walk, we had a mooring and table booked at The Lord Nelson for the following Friday when we return from the north, as we were nearby, I thought I’d check that everything was ok with the booking It’s a nice little walk along the river before turning left before Brit House (?) along the footpath and along the road into the village The girls found a table outside and I went into the pub to check the booking and get some drinks, well it would have been rude not too! All was fine with the booking (well that changed later in the week) we had a couple of drinks and returned to the boat Mandy and Susie went back to the boat, I used the excuse of checking what time our booking was for to get another beer, yup table booked for 7pm, quick beer and back to the boat. Well, the dog was pleased to see me, pretty much indifference from wife and daughter! Soon it was time to eat, so the four of us made the short walk to the pub, got to say it wasn’t the best meal we had all week, it wasn’t bad, just not great for the price! We were back on the boat by 9pm, and soon to bed as it had been a long day and one of us will need to be up earl tomorrow to cross Breydon

Went in there a few of years ago with Mandy and Lottie the dog Sat on the decking whilst Mandy was deciding what she was going to have, my choice is always simple, a real ale, hers sometimes takes a little thought, yup drives me mad! We were approached by a lady, her first words were not good afternoon, she pointed at the dog 'you cant bring that inside' Then said 'are you going to order something' I pointed out that we were sitting outside because the dog wasn't going inside and that as soon as my good lady had decided what she wanted I would be in to order So having decided on a Pimms and lemonade, I went into the bar where the same lady was talking to a barman in a condescending manner, so I waited for a good 5 minutes for her or him to serve me, eventually I butted in, 'The dog is outside and I would like to order some drinks if not too much trouble' she reluctantly came over and served me When back outside, I explained what happened to Mandy, we both decided to drink our drinks and leave, we then went down the The Ferry House, which is my favorite pub, where we had a nice lunch served by people that seemed pleased to see you I only tried the place for a change, always preferring The Ferry House, I shall never return!

As a 65 year old man, she was the girl I had a crush on as a teenager, a feeling that never left me So sad!

Totally agree, which is why I firmly believe ex bikers understand the condition of the road better that someone who has never been on a bike! Make an error of judgment on a bike ( or don’t assume the car in front/side/behind isn’t an idiot) and you’re sliding along the tarmac on your bum! In a car you have a dent in your bumper/wing!

For Helen hope this works not good without a pc and too much beer! 😉

Yup gone for pasta and beer! 🤣

Well, as it happens first time I’ve logged in for a week, and we’re in there now! so, just asked and they do veggie sausages and nut roast with their Carvery Not into Carverys myself but apparently they do 7 meats 9 veg and 4 potatoes, got to say that is impressive! hope that helps!

It's the only meal we eat on the boat all week, eating in the pubs the rest of the time! It's was written in our marriage contract 36 years ago that she has to cook one meal a day However, as the week goes on the full fry up get down graded to a bacon sarnie, as the waistline increases!

Spot on Smoggy, been drinking and eating in dog friendly pub all over the country for years, I've seen many unruly kids, and very few misbehaving dogs When our kids were little we'd take colouring / puzzle books in the pub with us, if they kicked off we'd leave! Dogs just tend to go to sleep under a table!

For me no trip to Cornwall is complete without a visit to Polperro, about 4 years ago we stayed in The Crumplehorn Inn, which is the pub at the top of the village, every morning I got to walk those narrow streets with the dog as I took her down to the beach for her early morning walk, absolute bliss! This year we are staying for a week in a pub just outside Lynmouth North Devon, not been there for a few years so looking forward to it! And yes, pubs feature quite strongly where ever I go!

Going back to the OP on the New Inn, I have a different view on the mooring charges. I have already booked and paid £15 to moor at the New Inn Sunday 3rd July, obviously I'd prefer it to be as it was, book a mooring, book a table and it's free! Sadly, it isn't, and we like to stop at Horning for a wander around a drink by the river and a meal in the evening! Mooring in Horning is not plentiful, we're crossing Breydon in the morning and £15 for a guaranteed mooring, without the need to hurry in a place you cant moor is just part of the holiday fund, and as we only breakfast on the boat, the amount we will be spending in the Norfolk pubs, this will barely scratch the surface! By comparison for a tenner you can moor at Ranworth Island with only goose poo as a facility!

I did promise Helen on another thread that I'll try and do another one this year My last and only blog was about three years ago, which was quite eventful, having managed to trap my foot under a gate, get carved up my two racing HW boats and manage to leave a mooring at Stokesby with Mandy still on the bank holding a stern rope! I'm hoping this one will be a little more boring!

Yes took a day boat up there last July, leaving the cruiser at HW, was disappointed to see it closed as liked sitting in the garden with a pint and sandwich! However, had my first visit to The Greyhound which was very nice, got talking to a guy whose garden backed onto the pub, he was saying to doubted it would be open before the autumn, must admit I'm surprised it's still not open!

I hope it didn't have the same effect on Harry as it does with The Admiral, Helen? Enjoying your tale and photos as always! Might be tempted to do write another tale for our trip in July

Just used Google street view, and there she is on the left before the bridge heading towards the Bell Shame, she must be approaching 100 years old, a piece of history but just sitting there

Tell me about it! I dont drive Mandy's car much, but when I do, I often have to ask her how long has that light been on and how long has that noise been there! Her reply is usually, what light and what noise!

Same as us, Pacific Cruisers hire one to us for free, if they didn't I'd just buy one