catcouk

This just in! Further excuses for the terrible stern mooring - I was being closely observed. Moorings are always worse with an audience!

At last! After two and a half years, I have finally found myself helming a broads cruiser again. Ill health, lack of funds (due to having to leave my job), and, of course, the Covid lock downs have all caused this longer than wished for break. But, by 2.45, our 5 hour drive to Stalham was over... After the traditional swift check in at Richardson's, we found Spring Horizon 2 moored up awaiting us on Kingfisher Quay (which felt very special as I associate this as where the 'posh boats' moor). Added to the truly glorious blue skies and sunshine, it felt like a very warm welcome to our returning family. We did have a bit of a wait until we were allowed aboard - 35 minutes which is actually the longest we've ever had to wait. Felt a shame that we couldn't start loading our gear on to the boat whilst we waited for our hand over. I'm sure there's a good reason but it would have been a better use of time. After the handover, we were underway by 4pm. A quick note here - I always own up to having been before but always ask to be told everything. I'm really not the know-it-all type and I don't want to be "one of those boaters" when I only get an annual outing (moreso this year with such a gap). However, I was very pleased that the crew member said my boat handling was very impressive. He knew I was going to be alright as soon as he saw me leave the steering alone when in reverse. Of course, he made that judgement before he got to see my terrible stern mooring (a tradition for me at Stalham). Bathtubs are not my favourite by any means, but Spring Horizon 2 has been a perfectly good way to get afloat again. I did notice that she hates turning to port (which, looking back, I am going to claim affected my stern moor earlier...). When we moored up, I found that she only has a three quarter turn of the wheel to port but 2 and a quarter to starboard. Guess something isn't quite right there then... Before too long, we were on Barton Broad and this seemed like the perfect time for my son to have his first go at the helm (he's just turned 5). Of course, he was closely supervised but the wide open space would give him room to make mistakes safely. He was already thoroughly excited by the whole affair but getting to "drive" was his highlight. We're working on the nautical terms this week... With the sunroof open, our slow chug down the Ant could have been a summer scene (save for the wonderful lack of traffic). The beauty of that first house in Irstead always strikes me (I think it's called the Ice House). The wife and I always wonder what job you have to do to afford houses like that! Today's cruise ended, as is tradition at this point, at Ludham Bridge (ready for the shop in the morning). Unfortunately, some private owner clown was taking up two spaces on the shop side so we are relegated to the marsh side tonight (but still satisfyingly close to the bridge). I am ashamed to admit that our first mooring did not exactly coat us in glory. My first choice (which, irritatingly, was going to be perfect) ended up by the 'mooring only for water' sign. A rushed abort meant a minor bump into a barge. To add insult to injury, I then shunted the quayside when the wife told me something and I forgot to apply reverse. That crew member at the yard definitely judged me too soon. Bad things always come in threes though... The wife, bow spring in hand and standing on the bank, looked at me and said, "I can't remember how to tie this." My plan to throw the stern line ashore was over. As our lasagne cooked, we had a quick walk over to the stores. An interesting shop called 'Circus' has appeared since my last visit (or at least, I don't remember it). We could only look through the window but it looked full of interesting wood carvings. I don't know what time they open but I'm hoping for a mooch around there tomorrow. We were just heading back for dinner when, lucky as ever, the boy was treated to the arrival of an ice cream van! We did discover that we have no washing up liquid or cleaning cloth. Do the yards not supply that any more? Our plates had to make do with a campcraft clean tonight - run under water whilst the entrails are still warm (improvised with a face cloth) until they look clean. Well, it's due to be very cold here tonight (below zero). We're wrapping up warmly and hoping for the best! It's going to be cold in the morning!

Shh! (I saw her whilst on the handover handling bit. The yard guy said he hates her because she is so difficult to get on or off. Of course, I defended her honour but can happily say to everyone else that is just another reason NOT to hire my favourite boat...)

My third review is planned for this week (hopefully published during next week) now that I'm back out. You can expect a review of Spring Horizon 2 very shortly. Also, thanks. I do enjoy it and Robin's were definitely an inspiration for doing it. I wanted to give something back.

That's only the third boat I've seen with the larger windows. Sorry to the OP, well off topic now, but the windows are an issue I have with most newer designs. Sure, they look sleek from the outside but I'm going to spend a lot more time looking out of the windows than looking at the boat! Regarding the wiper - it's much more quiet than a motorised one I had once and much better than not having one at all!

I hadn't noticed that! That is pure genius! You're spot on about the boat handling but don't tell anyone else... I personally love the size of the massive saloon and it's enormous windows. All the other boats in the class have windows that end much higher up. But enough announcing the virtues of this boat or we'll never manage to hire her again! Let's focus on the terrible fact that it has no 240v or that it only has a manual windscreen wiper or that the heating on the fly bridge never works or... or... All the other terrible things about it that mean no one should ever want to hire her when we want to!

I'm frightened to mention her name in case anyone else realises what an amazing boat it is... A bit like the secret of the South and the dreaded monsters they have down there! (I'll whisper it - Contessa) I don't think anyone heard so it should be okay!

Sad to hear that but I'm not surprised. The hire charges over this holiday have seriously risen (and maybe that rise is all year). There is a particular boat (my absolute favourite and part of the 'classic fleet') that last year (2022) would have cost about £600 for the week. Looking at next year, the same boat is now over £900. It isn't entirely the yard's fault but rises like that make visiting the broads far less attractive. My wife quite rightly points out that if we save our money, for just less than twice the price, we can holiday in Turkey in the much more expensive summer holidays. This fact makes me really sad.

Don't know why it's blocked the thumbnail but here is the link instead: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_ZV_Qqlq_0r2OZmha6xlTLT3y1ODoG6D

A few years ago, I started a playlist on YouTube to try and capture as many of the boat reviews or walkthroughs as I could find. I just did an update to it and thought I would post it again here. I think I can claim personal credit for only two of them but I thought it was useful to have them all on a list. I think these videos are great for giving people (especially newbies) a good idea of what the different boat choices are like. It also satisfies that nosey curiosity! If anyone knows of any other videos like these, please do let me know and I'll add them to the playlist!

Is the key word here "customarily". Sure, the BA don't have a leg to stand on now but - how long do they need to charge a fee (legitimately or otherwise) before they can claim it is now a custom?

I think I may have even watched that video before. It's trusting they will stay and a general nervousness of getting the boat (and prop) close to the bank!

I really will have to be brave and learn how to use rhond anchors! But probably not on this occasion...

I thought Watford Bridge was a paid mooring?

That's what worries me. If there isn't a free spot, it's a long way to find the next free moorings!

Are there moorings at the locks? I'm ashamed to say I have never used rond anchors and lack the confidence to do it... Also, I love going to the navigation limits. Dilham is the only rural one I haven't done (but I'm always worried I there won't be a free mooring as it's so small!).

I am a self-confessed lover of Richardson's "classic fleet" - whatever you think of how such a fleet was assembled, you cannot argue that the range of boats was outstanding. Whilst looking for a boat, I noticed many familiar names missing (not unusual for a late booking) and was shocked to find them up for sale! It's not shocking that a yard should be shifting some of its older boats bit I was surprised at the sheer quantity up for sale. Plenty of boats that aren't that interesting to me but I'd always fancied trying Astral Gem or Jollie Richie. I thought the idea of the Jollie Richie was particularly innovative but I guess the family focussed idea didn't pay off? I was also surprised to see the entire fleet of Aquafibre Ideals on sale (the Challenger/Champagne boats that have a particular reputation for group hires). Some of the boats also had reletively recent facelifts. Odd too with some of the boats they decided to keep instead. I guess I'm just hoping that all is okay at Stalham. I would be gutted to see the classic fleet disbanded or even further thinned out. The equivalent boats at Woods are nowhere near as nicely kept and they simply don't have the same variety.

Well, the wife agreed to give it a go! Thanks for all the helpful comments and suggestions. I appreciate the houseboat suggestions but I'm at my happiest chugging down the river and boat handling. We have booked the absolute cheapest boat on the broads but I've only had good experiences from Richardson's so I am really looking forward to it. Bathtubs are not my favourite but it will mean we can cruise up to Coltishall. I just hope the boat isn't too rustic! I'll be sure to create a new thread to let y'all know what we get up to.

I wish you the best of luck with this. I'm not a local but I do love a chart!

That was excellent detail. It feels like there are absolute gems like this post that come along that we need to keep safe somewhere. Many thanks

Absolutely! Our son was wearing his lifejacket on deck from 8 weeks old. As an ex-sailing instructor, I take the safety and seamanship of our holiday very seriously! Great suggestions there. I will certainly put those on the list - thanks for all the details.

I hadn't thought about the extra cabin - great idea. I actually have an electric bike which let me go on my first bike ride with my son. Unfortunately, I suspect that extra cabin will be rather costly. Worth a look though.

Absolutely - I won't be scaling that particular mountain any time soon... Ha ha.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Not sure a house boat will feel the same to me - often my highlight is just cruising down the river!

Lots of places down South but I can't imagine a relaxing short break from Stalham getting there! I can add to your list of play parks though as I did some work on this a few years back. I'd have to look up the full list but the one near Horning village hall was great and, for a bit of a walk up the hill, Loddon has a play park and a skate park. There is also a very little park about 10 minutes South of the main moorings at Potter. Also - I can confirm the park at Beccles is awesome. My son loved that when we were last up.