Kron

That made me laugh! The skipper's manual still gives those instructions too!

Thank you. It was a sensor that just wasn't connecting properly that we hadn't seen. We checked all sorts of stuff while he was talking us through it over the phone but this was the only thing he didn't mention. Felt sorry for him that we had called him out but he was fine about it and told us to ring back if we had any more problems. We had to call Richardson's out two years ago with a canopy that had come off the rollers on Sunlit Horizon, Richardson's were out pretty quick too. Thankfully that was a quick fix and a common problem according to the engineer!

Thursday 15th August Well what a difference weatherwise to yesterday! Decided to head for Norwich today. Set off about 7:30ish and had the river to ourselves for most of the way. Some parts really pretty and others not so but we had an enjoyable cruise. A bit of excitement at the Yacht Station as they had tree surgeons chopping an overhanging branch from one of the willow trees on the opposite bank and they thought it was going to fall in the river so had phoned the BA to ask them not to let anything pass for a little while. Luckily it wasn't busy! Excitement over we moored up, chatted to the BA chap about what we had planned today and then went to use the station showers. Once sorted we headed off to the Cathedral which we were very impressed with. The Helter Skelter was an interesting addition as was 'Fudge' the Cathedral cat! Having had no breakfast we were really hungry by this point and as the Cathedral Cafe had a queue a mile long we wandered off into Norwich and visited Harriet's for lunch. Food was lovely and service excellent, I can highly recommend them. Afternoon tea looked delicious! Back to the yacht station and filled up with water and started the cruise back. We were undecided as to where to moor tonight. Brammerton Common looked lovely but it was a little early to stop for us. We ended up at Rockland St Mary's. Another lovely mooring and a pleasant evening until we went to close the canopy. It moved about an inch and then stopped. We tried again and nothing. We phoned the out of hours number and the engineer talked us through a few things to try but nothing worked. He would head out to us but would take him about 1.5 hours to ge to us. Good job it's a nice evening! He arrived with us just before 10pm having come from near Cromer! I dread to think what would happen if we were in the middle of nowhere . So now currently sat with a coffee whilst the engineer is trying to suss out what the problem is. Will keep you posted! Will also post more photos tomorrow when we hopefully have a better signal.

Having spoken to the B&B owner again this morning and chatted about his ex-Admiralty Harbour Launch we left at about 8:30am and headed down the Chet to Loddon. We passed more boats and yachts coming out of there this morning than we saw since leaving Yarmouth yesterday! Just had a very gentle cruise, not in any rush at all. Saw a marsh harrier sat minding his own business on a post, but not much wildlife, although when we got to Hardley Flood it looked as though they were all there in abundance. Such a peaceful cruise and just as we approached Pyes Mill Moorings we were greeted by a Kingfisher, our first of this trip. We are now officially on holiday! There were a couple of spaces at Loddon which we were surprised at so moored there for a couple of hours and to fill up with water. One couple were having problems with their boat. They had set off not long after we arrived, but we're back in a few minutes as he had lost his steering. A couple of other boat owners went to offer help and tools. He thought he had fixed it then it developed another issue. I think he said he had a broken propshaft and was waiting for someone coming out to them from Horning. We had a wander and bought a few provisions before heading back to the boat for an early lunch of ham salad rolls as we hadn't yet had breakfast. At that time the weather was absolutely glorious but unfortunately it didn't last long before the rain started. It cleared again and we decided to head off probably for Brundall. The weather turned miserable and by the time we had passed Cantley Factory it was really lousy so decided to see if we could get moored for the rest of the day and night at everyone's nightmare mooring, Langley Dyke. No hire boats down here at all. We have been here a good couple of hours and it has been blowing a gale and persisting it down to say the least. I'm glad we made the decision to stop when we did, it really is miserable out there. Hopefully by morning the weather will have changed! A few photos before the weather turned.

Thank you Jean we will. You're right, I think it's definitely the best part of the day watching the world come to life.

Wednesday 14th August Photo from the back of the boat at 6am this morning

A bit like Coltishall Lock - a dreadful place

Tuesday 13th August Awake at 5am (nothing new there!) and up by 5:30 to make a cuppa. Just had a lazy couple of hours watching the sun come up and reading. I have just started Waterproof by Chris Crowther. Two boats came out of South Walsham broad before we cruised down there. On the 1st moorings there were 3 boats and on the 2nd 4 boats, whilst 5 were mud-weighted on the broad itself. We cruised back up to the river and headed off to Potter Heigham as there were a few bits we needed from Latham's, passing Evening Shadow on the way. We gave the Skipper a wave .We moored in Herbert Woods yard as we needed water and then off to Latham's. We bought a few bits that we really did need and nothing at all that we didn't - some people had packed trolleys full! Sat on the bench near the bridge and had a sausage roll/steak bake and then a quick visit to the tackle shop. Had a wander round the boats for sale, Jay is still for sale so obviously Gracie hasn't started her 'C' shopping yet! Went to suss out the showers and we both can back at the same time saying "I'm not using them!" They weren't very clean at all! Rang the Yacht Station to confirm the tide times before setting off. Not many boats about again, only 3 moored at Thurne Duke and from there to the entrance to the Bure we never saw one boat coming towards us. From there to Upton Duke we overtook one private boat and a hire one passed in the opposite direction. Hellllooooo, where is everyone? On through Acle where there were plenty of moorings available with the exception of outside the pub which were full. Stokesby had plenty of moorings and this was at 1:30pm so I would have thought peak lunchtime for the pub. We stopped at the Stracey Arms to have showers and pass a bit of time before heading to Yarmouth. We had quite a heavy rain shower there so had a mad dash to get the canopy shut and secured. Why is it not just on the rivers, but also on the roads as well that some people seem to have total disregard for the speed limit? These were both hire and private boats and you wonder what they have to gain? Surely travelling at the speed some of them do they miss everything along the way? We thought there was going to be a collision at one point, we were being overtaken by a hire boat who in turn was being overtaken by a private boat, with a poor unsuspecting Richardson's boat coming round the corner. He just seemed to be heading straight for them and never budged an inch. The Richardson's crew were luckily able to take avasive action to avoid him but the amount of wash he produced was ridiculous sending both us and the Richardson's boat all over the shot. We both shrugged our shoulders and said 'why?' Towards Breydon Water we saw several woodies coming back through Yarmouth, including Nipper, a beautiful boat . Breydon Water was also quiet (theme for the week). We were being followed from a distance by 3 boats and only passed 4 coming the other way. We were heading for Reedham but the other 3 must have gone towards Burgh Castle as we didn't see another living sole until almost at Reedham when we passed a private boat coming towards us. Now whilst it is nice to have the river to ourselves for a little while it did feel rather eerie. I did ask at one time if it was definitely August or were we in some kind of time warp! There were a few moorings at Reedham but pootled on down passed the Ferry when we spotted what looked like a private mooring but with no signage other than a very small one for Cockatrice B&B. No do not moor signs. So we moored up and went across to enquire at the B&B. He did say it was private but thanked us for checking and said there were some wild moorings a little further down. We explained that we hadn't wanted to just stop only to be moved on once dark. He chatted whilst walking back to the boat and when he enquired if it was just the two of us he said " I'll tell you what why don't you stay here for the night if I charge you to moor". We agreed, it wasn't worth the hassle of untying and mooring again further down river. He checked we had all the facilities on board we would need and wished us a peaceful evening. This was a cracking spot. We had steak for tea and relaxed with a beer whilst watching the sun go down. All was peaceful until 8:35pm when a Richardson's boat came out of the Ferry moorings, tearing down the river with lads dancing on the front. The last we saw of them they were disappearing round the next bend going backwards. Again I ask the question 'Why?' Photos were taken at 6am this morning.

They are building one in the shed at the minute.

Great photos and video as usual Jean!

We're on 1 and yes an electric canopy. So much easier than winding the handle.

We definitely will be doing. Sounds like our sort of spot!

Hope these come through ok!

To say we have been looking forward to this holiday would be an understatement. We booked right at the beginning of September last year and at the time due to my work was tied to holidays in school holidays only. We have been on the Broads at peak time in August a couple of times so know it can get busy, had we have had a choice we would have holidayed in June or September. Next year we will have better options available being able to take time off not at peak times! Anyway, I digress, we have been on countdown for what seems like an eternity and finally the time was upon us. We packed the car up last night with just last minute stuff to pack this morning. We left home at 8:45am and traffic was not too bad. It was reasonably quiet on the A1, we did our usual bypass of the Newark turn off and came off at Coddington before turning on to the A17. Unfortunately we got stuck two cars behind a young lady doing at maximum 40mph in a 60 limit for a little way before we managed to get passed, then apart from the occasional tractor, which to be fair one pulled into a lay-by, one turned right and the other kept well into the left we had a fairly decent run. We didn't stop at Benny's for breakfast as neither of us were ready for a pit-stop, so carried on and pulled up into Faircraft's car park at 11:45am. Let reception know that we had arrived (early) and that we were heading off for something to eat and a bit of shopping. They said the boat was nearly ready and would ring as soon as it was. We were going to have a quick McDonald's but it was rammed so opted for a portion of fish and chips between us and sat at the bridge watching the world go by. Although they looked and smelt really good I have to say I have tasted much better! Off to Roy's for a few bits when Diane phoned to say the boat was ready. Back to the boatyard, unpacked the masses of bags etc (does everyone pack too much, or is it just me?), handover done and headed off just before 2pm. Can't believe how quiet the river is. Apart from dayboats there wasn't much about at all. Salhouse looked quiet and even Horning was. Cockshoot had spaces but we were put off by the private boat on the entrance. Now I know that people do their washing and hang it out on their boats but grundies and all? And not particularly clean ones at that . Would have out me right off my tea! I apologise if any of you were the said owner but ....... We past Gooseander and gave them a wave David . Headed towards Ranworth, plenty of spaces on the island and one on the staithe, but someone was fishing there and we didn't want to spoil it for them. There's plenty of time on this trip so will come back another day. What was really perculiar was that no-one was mud-weighted on the broad, not a sole! Like I said it seems very quiet - eerily so. Carried on towards South Walsham and moored on of the wild spots on Fleet Dyke. Absolute peace and quiet, not a sound to be heard apart from the occasional aircraft and about half a dozen boats. Oh and we heard a dog bark in the distance, just once! Off now to make some tea and enjoy our first night afloat this trip. Tomorrow we are heading south. This will be the first time for us although we have been on the northern broads many times. More tomorrow ....

Oh dear, hope everyone was ok!

Great photos, thanks for posting them!

Norfolk?

Better get those brussels on!

Life's too short etc

Samsung x 3

Another one on O2 and no problems.

Welcome to the forum

I like your ramblings

How about this for some fantastic footage! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-49255861

Presumably at some point after the weekend then you are going to need to go back under the bridge?