grounded

We did employ pump-out delaying techniques, which were perhaps more effective than we expected. We have just been pumped out by Richardsons but no check of the red light, so i think we will continue in the same vein. Still sat waiting at Richardsons for attention to the microwave which has not worked since day one. I also asked about the electrical hook up cable in the wardrobe. This was not mentioned at handover, but it seems we can use shore power. It would have been nice to know. Not that we would have needed it much with no microwave and not having turned the TV on yet! Cheers Chris

Dawn over Thurne Dyke is something a bit special. To me it has always been the quintessential Broadland scene with the low farmland disappearing into the mist, the river glasslike and reflective as the wind has not yet begun to blow, and the windmill silhouetted against the early morning sky. And the sounds. The many songbirds coughing and throat clearing, the cattle calling to be milked, and the lone duck complaining loudly and incessantly about something. A bit like Victor Meldrew on speed. Oh, and the fishing was not too bad. As some (or all ) of you will know, Swan Rapture comes equipped with electric flush toilets. A truly wonderful invention, but with one flaw. They come with a red light. At handover the chappie said that when the red light comes on you need a pump out. Of course we failed to enquire the precise nature of the situation represented by the red light. Is it "your holding tank will self destruct if you flush once more" , or you have half a dozen flushes left? We have now been on this boat for 10 days. So the sole ( it seems) topic of conversation is the red light. Every visit to the loo is followed by: Person 1 " did the red light come on?" Person 2: "no" Person 1 " you flushed" Person 2 "yes" Person 1 "was that really necessary" Person 2 "well yes it was actually". And so on. The strain is starting to tell. So we do not know if we have a loo about to burst asunder or a duff red light. Which is why we are not sat at mooring on Sutton Staithe planning to go to Richardsons in the morning to get the bulb checked ad the tank pumped. On the plus side we have enjoyed an excellent repast at the Sutton Staithe Hotel. Sadly the fishing, for once, is naff. Cheers Chris

Hi there, i fear you may be correct and a dayboat may be the only way we could get up there. We have 11 days (only) left and erindoors is now drawing up a plan of places we "must" go to/ go back to before we hand back the boat. No doubt that will include the various shops in which she has spotted items we must take back for so-and-so, and the pubs with the best meals etc. The best fishing spots will only appear if i sneak them in whilst she is asleep. Wherever we go we are going to love it and take back a lot of very happy memories. Glad you are enjoying the tale. I had read so many accounts on here whilst we were planning our trip it seemed churlish not to give something back. Cheers Chris

Early morning on Fleet Dyke is a rather more beautiful experience than the name would suggest, and the fishing was not bad too. Over breakfast we decided we should re-provision (one night of bread and jam is enough) and we upped anchor and headed for Potter. After an easy mooring (these bowthrusters are brilliant) we paid the pilot a visit. In response to my enquiry about getting through the bridge, and upon advising him of the name of our boat, we got another sharp intake of breath and a muttered "you have a big one there" (almost Carry On Cruising). Not for a few days was the decision. This put us in a bit of a quandary as we want to venture South but even more we want to visit Hickling. So we have decided to stay up here in the hope of getting through. Not exactly a disaster as it is so lovely up here. A quick trip to Lathams and we staggered out with several bags of items we never even knew we needed. We slipped our mooring (getting nautical now) and whilst swmbo reorganised her cupboards i took us down to Thurne Dyke. Here we discovered a charge for overnight mooring applies on both banks. An easy mooring, despite the increasing wind, a spot of fishing, a spot of lunch and a walk along the Weavers Way. This can be a very pleasant walk but after our first encounter with dog poop we spent the rest of our walk with eyes cast down, missing everything we had come to see. I went back to my fishing, stopping on at least 3 occasions to assist boat crews struggling to moor with the wind blowing them off the bank. To digress briefly, i know there is an ongoing discussion about the tensions between anglers and boaties. As is so often the case, it is the few obnoxious individuals that create an impression of open warfare. When cruising i will try and slow down and give anglers a wide berth, but it is not always possible (on the Hauraki Gulf the missile of choice is not a handful of maggots but a 4oz lead ball sinker!). After an excellent meal at The Lion, i having Lamb and Rosemary pie with thick cut chips and Lyn choosing the Halloumi bites (so many she took some back to the boat and i am thinking chub bait?). We then settled down to a pleasant evening of fishing, reading, and quiddler, when around 8.30pm two of Herbert Wood's bigger craft came tearing past the head of the dyke in close convoy. From the bow waves i would guess full throttle. I assume someone on the leading boat spotted a mooring and he must have gone into full reverse, catching the following boat by surprise as he appeared (my vision was a little obscured) to ram the leading boat with an almighty crack. After a bit of slow circling and muttering they carried on towards Potter at a much more sedate pace. I would not be surprised if some damage was not the result. Anyroadup, swmbo is stirring so i had better make her tea. Cheers Chris.

Indeed we did walk to the Ship. However there was no room at the inn and we were obliged to walk back unfed. We had not booked. When earlier in the day i had suggested to my N&D that, being Saturday night we should ring and book, the response was "we will be fine". So making do on board. But it is a lovely evening now. Cheers Chris

Well, I guess it had to happen. Rain, and this style of "bathtub" does not have the overhang over the front well which i use to shelter from precipitation and now i am getting too wet! Yesterday we decided to take a slow mosey to Coltishall, another of our favourite places. There we were proceeding at 3mph towards a mooring we spotted by the common. I saw this craft coming towards me on the wrong side of the river. I wondered what the heck was doing before i realised almost too late that he was after the same mooring. He was really shifting, in a 3mph limit, and i had to quickly go into reverse. He got the mooring. Daftest thing was he had to pass a bigger one just to get to it, so we just slid into that one. I think he was just determined to get it because i wanted it. Anyway, the craft was "Swallow". We took a walk through the village to Horstead, followed by some fishing, somewhat hampered by much floating weed, but in the clear water i spotted some very large perch and an impressive pike. We finished the day with an excellent meal at the Rising Sun and more fishing and Quiddler. 4.30am Saturday morning and i was again dangling my maggots. The scene was pretty quiet and peaceful until around 100 Canada Geese decided to stage a Pythonesque screaming contest in which even the judges joined in. What a racket! After catching a few small fish i hooked and landed a beautiful bronze bream of about 4 to 5 pounds. A few more small fish followed and then the inevitable happened. One of the perch decided he wanted an easy breakfast and literally inhaled the 4oz perch i was bringing in. What a scrap! It was a good job my hook transferred to his top lip or he would have bitten through my line. There is a pic of him next to my size 43 foot. The plan was then to head for Thurne Dyke and the Lion Inn, but the dye was full so we about-turned and we are now moored on Fleet Dyke watching the rain and wondering what to about our evening meal. Once this rain slows i will start fishing again. Just another great day on the Broads. Cheers Chris

Hi. No we have been to Lathams many time in the past, the last being 2 years ago, but it never ceases to amaze me how they can have such a varied and eclectic mix of items all so mixed together. Long may it continue! Cheers Chris

Well we have had a quiet couple of days, i am happy to say! Wednesday started at 4.30am and the river at Potter Higham was magicaly misty and silent. The fish were biting and it was wonderful to stand and watch the community wake up and go about their business. The plan was to give Upton Dyke a try, so off we set at a steady 4mph. Arriving at the dyke we saw the line of moored yachts along the right bank and the sign which shouted difficult to turn. So we bottled it and went to moor at the top of the dyke until we saw the sign "no mooring" so we got out of there and headed to Acle for a small loaf, all the while watching the boat behind us moor at the end of the dyke. Ah well. Arriving at Acle we, of course, moored on the wrong bank which we realised carried a 10 quid mooring fee (redeemable against a meal at Pedros). As it was almost lunchtime and we did not fancy a small Mexican we went looking for the Bridge Stores. Having failed miserably in that intent we consulted our 2017 log and saw that Wednesday nights were carvery night at the Kings Arms. So we hightailed it, at 4mph, to Womack Staithe. To cut what could be a very long story short, we had a great meal and promised to return. Thursday began at 4.20am and Womack Water sounded like the noisiest place on earth. It was as if every feathered creature was holding forth at full volume to greet the day. I guess the trees created a natural ampitheatre but it was the dawn chorus as i have seldom experienced it before. We decided to head for Wroxham after breakfast. At 4mph. The pilot was as efficient as ever, and that was the fastest the boat had moved all week. We moored along Hoveton Viaduct and admired the recent upgrading of the moorings. Having thrown a wad of cash at Roys we had a fish and a rest before an excellent cod and chips supper at Greys. I then caught a few quality roach and perch, all the while marvelling at the huge perch which followed every catch to the surface. Now i have a question for the learned folk on this forum. Whilst purchasing comestibles at Roys i selected a pre-pack of 4 Braeburn apples. Upon proceeding to munch one on the boat, i saw they were a product of New Zealand. It was an excellent example of the variety, but i paid less for it than i would at home. This apple had left a carbon footprint the size of Big Foot travelling 12000 miles and was still cheaper than in the country that produced it. How the heck does that work? Cheers Chris

Hi Marshman and thank you for that advice. I did request the second mudweight for fishing purposes and i did not think of chucking that off the front too. I was just glad i had two. Today was, thankfully, less eventful. I was stood in òur bow well around 5am, rod in hand and contemplating nature and all her wonders, when the kingfisher flashed past me again. Another early fisherman, thought I, the only differences being he was younger, faster, and a darn sight more attractive. A couple of hours later an otter surfaced in front of the boat (which explained why the bites had stopped) and he must have been close to 3 feet in length. Anyroadup, after breakfast we travelled slowly to Pottet Higham with me watching the temp guage like it was the final number in the lottery jackpot. Steady around 70. We moored ip on the "quiet moorings" and visited the most eccentric store i have ever known, Lathams. Moderately laden we approached the bridge pilot and expressed our wish to venture through the bridge. This was met with another sharp intake of breath (is that a Norfolk thing?) And he advised not for a few days as the water levels are too high. Disappointed we returned to Swan Rapture to review our plans. Another "sighting" came in the form of a rather large grass snake crossing the road on our walk to Martham. Lots of fish caught. An excellent fish and chip supper (though i did forget we had no salt on board), then more fishing followed by a couple of games of Quiddler. These moorings are aptly named as this is the most tranquil place this evening. Tomorrow's destination has been left for tomorrow. Cheers Chris

Kia ora. Now using mobile hotspot(not bad for an old un). Anyway, to continue. We lefy Sutton Staithe with the intention of tootling to Gayes Staithe and an evening meal at the White Horse Inn. We were about half way across Barton Broad when the engine alarm screamed at me. I immediately turned of and adoptef a look of confused panic. Looking out of the window i could see the wind, 10 or 15 knots (blowing a ruddy hooley anyway) was pushing us at speed towards shallow water buoys and a small island. I then dropped the bow mudweight whilst erindoors calmly donned her lifejacket. I then dropped the stern mudweight (having had the forsight to request a second from the boatyard) gaining a rope burn in the process. I then rang the Richardsons fault line all the time watching our mudweights drag in the wind. I got Richardsons lengthy speech about privacy, data protection and recording, before being presented with 4 options, none of which involved faults!! When a pleasant female voice answered i explained our predicament, again watching us getting closer to the warning buoys. It took what seemed like 10 minutes to find an engineer to whom i repeated my tale with a tad more urgency. He said a tow boat was on the way. We were now against the buoys. I opened the engine hatch an got a blast of hot air for my pains. There was also the sight of a disconnected air filter box(see pic). Around an hour after my call the engineers arrived, by which time our stern was 20feet past the buoys. After much sharp intakes of breath, exchanges of technical information, and frenetic spannering, the diagnosis of a fritzed water pump impellor was announced. This was replaced and we were on our way again with the Richardsons guys following us all the way for reassurance. I have to say the guys were efficient, reassuring and clearly competent. We were very grateful to them but Richardsons should really look at the means of reporting emergencies by phone. The rest of the day passed peacefully and we did enjoy our meal. Thank you all for your good wishes. Cheers Chris

1st July. Our 47th wedding anniversary. Meant to be a special day, and so it proved but not in the way we expected. We were moored ( anchored?) At the first mooring on Sutton Staithe with our family members on Fine Gem 3 just ahead of us. I was dangling a maggot, as is my wont, when around 8am i chanced to look astern and saw a double-decker bus sized island of weed bearing down on us. My brother-in-law and i managed to fend it off our boats but there was no stopping it and it plugged the broad like a cork in a bottle. See pic. I rang Sutton Staithe boatyard who said he would wait for his mate, then i rang the BA and got the answerphone, so i then rang Richardsons. Eventually a chap came with a tow boat and broke it up and shephered it out of the way. Then we headed for Neatished when the real story begins. However we are in the White Lion and i am getting the evil eye. No wifi on the boat so more tomorrow if i can find a pub... Chris

Hello again. Boat wifi has been very miss and miss so reliant on pubs (not too hard). We had our family gathering on Malhouse Broad and then a gentle toby up to Sutton Staithe with the Yorkshire branch as they are heading North tomorrow morning. We will then be on our own to revisit many happy places at a leisurely pace. Now sat in the Sutton Staithe Hotel with a pint of Trawler Boys (being a Hull lad, what else could it be) and waiting for pork and cider pie (wwhich started off as steak and ale). Not sure where in the morning, perhaps just follow our noses but the prospects of getting through Potter Higham Bridge are looking good so we will be up to the Pleasure Boat Inn at some point. Ah, here comes dinner. Cheers Chris

Well, we arrived at Richardsons boatyard at 1pm on Friday 28th June via taxi from Norwich airport (Goldstar taxis, thankyou Robin). Swan Rapture was ready to go and Richardson's staff were super efficient. First impressions of the boat? She is a little frayed around the edges but well fitted out and very comfortable. I don't think i have ever had a more responsive helm. A joy to drive. First night at Ludham Bridge. A bit of a shaky first mooring but we made it ( with a bit of bow thrusters) then an evening at the Dog Inn. Saturday morning found us at Womack Staithe (we love that place) and then on to Ranworth for a special family occasion tomorrow. Evening meal at the Maltsters (steak and kidney suet pudding, or a well disguised mudweight). Now for an evening fish and a good red wine. So far the fishing has been high in quantity but a tad low in quality, apart from a huge eel which would have brought a pretty price gack home. I have my NBN stickers on my windows but my attempts to fly my New Zealand flag have come to nought. We are here for almost three weeks so give us a wave if you see us or say hello. So glad to be back. Chris.

Spot on. We covered some territory that week, from Brundall to Potter Heigham and back. And were very nearly capsized on Breydon Water just to add a little spice!

We honeymooned on the Broads in 1972. Happy days though our craft was just a tad smaller! Have a wonderful time.

If we are posting pictures of "old boats" here are three of Blue Wisp from Brundall. Taken on our honeymoon in 1972. That was one cosy boat! Cheers Chris

It is a wonderful view and we are looking forward to seeing it soon. It just happens to be about 12,000 miles away. Ah well. Chris

Hi Maxwellian and thank you for your help. I have family in God's own county of Yorkshire and I will send them there. When I remember the address that is. Cheers Chris

Good morning. I have just attempted to purchase a couple of Forum member window stickers for our holiday hire boat. Sadly the "shop" will not accept my New Zealand address and rejects my order. Is there anyway to overcome this, or should I come up with a UK address to which they can be posted please? Many thanks Chris

Hi Gretzsky, that sounds like excellent advice for using two mudweights, though you can't legislate for the prawns that moor up after you and have no idea how long their boat is, or even that it will swing around the rope! I hope I can persuade SWMBO to let us move off, after she has enjoyed her evening pub meal, and mudweight somewhere I can get into those big perch that lurk around the less disturbed places. Cheers Chris

The advice to let out plenty of rope on the mudweight makes sense, that was the drill when anchoring on the Manukau Harbour in my little "fizz boat" when fishing for snapper (I thought I was fishing for snapper, the sharks thought I was fishing for sharks). I am getting a picture of a wild mooring as somewhere away from formal moorings, does not have a "private" or "no mooring" sign, no birds nesting, no underwater stakes, but has a tree and a bit of bank. Have I got it? Cheers Chris

Kia ora and good evening folks (well it is down here). Thanks for the advice on mud-weighting. Whilst we may not drop one somewhere I will request a second, just on the off-chance. With regard to cooking, well I am a pretty fair hand in the kitchen myself, but the Memsahib can become a little, shall I say, determined when it comes to her creature comforts whilst on holiday. We are not averse to a walk, say from Gayes Staith to Neatished or from How Hill to the Dog, so I don't have to dangle my maggot in front of a pub, but some of those out-of-the-way moorings do look so fishy. Ah well, wherever we moor (berth) we will be on the Broads, which can't be bad, and I have caught decent fish in Richardson's boatyard. Cheers Chris

I have a couple of questions, which I hope will not prove to be too silly. My first concerns “wild moorings”. Now when we have holidayed on the Broads, Erindoors has always practiced “total holiday”, which means zero cooking. So we have (almost) always moored with ready access to a hostelry, of which the Broads has many excellent examples. We have passed boats berthed (I am learning) in the middle of nowhere and I have often envied the fishing prospects. So, finally getting to the point, I would like to ask what constitutes a “wild mooring”? If I could persuade SWMBO to eat a-la-cruiser, what features should a wild mooring have or not have? My other question is similar I suppose and regards mud-weighting. With the same caveat as above, is there a reason why I should not request a second mudweight, therefore being able to drop one fore and aft, thereby providing constant access to the spot I most want to fish, rather than swinging round with the current? I have become almost squared eyed watching countless “Captains Blogs” but I have not yet seen these points addressed. Many thanks Chris

Hi Bryan, I love your camera work, especially the wildlife. The last time we were around Irstead we spotted a couple of Swallowtails. We don't get them down here. The write ups about the boat are very helpful also. I often wondered why water tank gauges were not fitted to Broads cruisers, so it is good to know some improvements have been made. We can't wait to be on board again, pootling along at 4mph, sampling some proper ales, great pub food, and dangling a maggot at every opportunity! Cheers Chris

Hi Bryan, Thank you. They supply towels for overseas visitors too and we have already requested them. Some of our UK based family are seasoned Broads visitors so they should be on the ball, but I will remind them. Cheers Chris