CeePee1952

The whole week we are on the Broads is our favourite time as we don't get to visit the Broads as often as we would like to. Chris

Well, we finally arrived back home at 1230 (2 and a half hours after leaving HW). Everything put away where it normally goes and washing basket full to the brim! I did notice on HW's webcam that the next hirers (2 adults and a young lad) were already being given a handover on the boat we had at 1.30 p.m. (HW certainly don't hang around!). When I looked again at 2 p.m. the boat had left!! Pooch collected from the kennels having been bathed and shampooed and now looking fluffy. I'll start composing the proper holiday tales sometime tomorrow after having done the obligatory shop in the local Sainsburys!! Chris

Photo of the new mould opposite where I had to get in stern on. Chris

Got back into HW at 8.50 and nearly made a dogs ear of mooring up!! Only one space left and it was opposite the new mould that was moored opposite that space! Anyway, slow and easy and got the boat backed up to the mooring without touching anything! Car packed with all our stuff and now in Flour and Bean noshing a Belgian bun and a cappuccino (Brenda settled for a croissant with strawberry jam and butter and a cappuccino). We’ll be on our way soon and Brenda is already planning our next trip on the Broads as well as the one we’ve already got booked for September next year!! (The lady that was about to start cleaning our boat said that they’ve got 56 boats going out today!! We’re so glad we did this week and not the half term week next week!!! Chris

Early start this morning. Cup of coffee and tea to kick start the body! Now the job of packing crates and bags ready to transfer to the car on our return to HW for 9 this morning. It’s been a lovely peaceful night here at Upton apart from some rain at 2 ish! We’ll have a bite to eat at the Flour and Bean before setting off for home. Looking forward to getting back and picking pooch up from the kennels. She loves her time there! Chris

Well, the white horse didn’t disappoint!! Excellent food, good beer and excellent customer service!!! Chris

Thanks Steve. The guys at the yacht place moved some of their yachts and I’m now stern on over on their side. Should make it easier getting out in the morning (he says cautiously ) where have you ended up tonight? Chris

Crikey! I left 63p on our meter! If I’d known you were coming, we would have given you our mooring and hookup! (I’ve a feeling that the NBD boat in the taxi rank may have plugged into ours when we left cos I noticed that they had used their pounds worth from last night!). Chris

So, after leaving Ranworth at 10 this morning, we had a gentle cruise up to Wroxham before turning round and coming back down to negotiate Upton Dyke. We arrived at the Dyke at 2.35 and now moored up at the end. Guys from the yacht place have said they’ve got a few boats going out later and they will help in turning our boat round once they’ve gone.

Friday morning at Ranworth. Surprisingly not all the moorings were taken up yesterday! Chris

Just to prove that we do cook on the boat! now finishing off the Prosecco before chucking another can of Carling down my throat!! Chris and Brenda

It was the pennant that caught my eye when you moored up next to us! Lovely to have met you both and Cody (what a cracking dog!). Just sorting our evening meal out on board. I've managed to convince Brenda that Upton Dyke will be a breeze Chris

Yuk! It's hammering it down! I've managed to link my laptop to my moby using it as a hotspot, so much easier to type on a laptop keyboard than using the phone . So, soup and bread for lunch on board and then breaded cod, new potatoes and green beans and parsley sauce on board tonight. Brenda has her Koppaburg or Prosecco for tonight and I've got my good ol' supply of Carling . Somehow I don't think we'll be moving from here today Chris

We’ve sort of followed the itinerary (ish!) now moored up at Ranworth (4th slot up from the taxi rank). Like Piccadilly Circus with boats coming and going like London buses!! Hooked up to shore power, there was only 2p left on the meter (miserable gits ) and topped up with water. Started raining on the way here and still raining! Mobile signal (EE) is bit weak. Soon be lunchtime! Chris

Think it could be but we’re well prepared for wet weather and will put our wet weather gear on before leaving here (we always use the upper helm no matter what the weather chucks at us!). Chris

Nope! It’s been like that since 6pm last night! Chris

Thurne Dyke this morning at 8 a.m. Chris

Ha ha! We had already planned our evening meal on board last night (which was excellent). After most of the day spent cruising we just wanted to relax last night. I did visit the Lion but only to pay the mooring fee. I did notice there were only two people in there though! Anyway, another fun day in store methinks and if the weather forecast is correct, could be a wet one!! Chris

Just a heads up for those who don’t know. Mooring fee at Thurne Dyke is now £7.50 (not £6 as stated on their website) if paid before 6pm and £10 if they have to come to your boat after 6 pm! They no longer come to your boat before 6p.m. Chris

Day 5 of 7. After a decent nights sleep at Loddon, we set off at 9 this morning in order to pass under Vauxhall bridge around 12 ish as advised by great Yarmouth yacht station. This time Brenda helmed all the way along the Chet (first time for her) and took to it like a pro, even passing an oncoming boat! Once on the Yare it was a steady cruise, slowing down only for the Reedham ferry to cross over in front of us and then on to Breydon at about 1115 ish. Not many other boats going in the same direction today and it was a bit “lumpy” on the way over! Vauxhall bridge was a good 18” above us when we passed under it and then onwards towards Acle. Acle was a bit full on the BA free moorings so we decided (as you do at the last minute) to cruise on to Thurne Dyke. Got here about 3.15 ish and moored up on the left hand bank near the mouth of the Dyke. Another perfect mooring, helped by the wind! It’s now nearly 5.30 and boats are still arriving!! Tea tonight is a fry up on board- not visiting the Lion this time! Initial plan for tomorrow is visit Ranworth Broad for a poodle around and then up to Stalham for the night! (That’s another change to the itinerary ). As always, more in depth details will follow after the holiday! Chris and Brenda

Day 4 of 7. Woke up to a very misty start at Beccles this morning. Had to delay leaving until 9 ish to allow the morning sun to burn most of the mist off. It’s been a beautiful day again and we arrived at Loddon quay at 1230. Quite an interesting afternoon (details will be included in my post holiday report after we get home). Decided on a takeaway meal this evening and we went to Lims fish and chip shop. Spoke to Yarmouth yacht station this afternoon and they advised leaving here between 9 and 9.30 tomorrow morning to make passage under Vauxhall bridge about 12 ish. Not quite sure where will end up tomorrow evening! Chris and Brenda

Thanks for the tips guys. We cook our own breakfasts (more fun) and tonight we’re in Prezzos. Weather brightened up after a lunch and we’ve had a pleasant afternoon fishing. Guess who caught the most - not me!! But I did catch a few decent bream of around the pound, pound and a half mark! Still quiet here, total of 8 boats including us so far. Last boat in moored next to us is a Broom Captain (White Heron 1). Chris

Lol nah! Decided to stay another night here in Beccles and now table booked for tonight at Prezzos (we both love Italian food!). Raining as I type so Brenda doing what women do and washing her hair etc and I’m going to chuck a float in and try and catch a shark Chris

Thanks Malcolm. Loddon is on our itinerary for tomorrow night. We’re trying to cruise with the tide and Rockland would mean us going against it if we went today. We’re thinking now of staying here in Beccles and cruising to Loddon tomorrow as planned and giving Oulton Broad a miss. (This is what cruising on the Broads is all about - indecisiveness Chris

That was a bit of a damp night! Complete change in the weather from what we’ve experienced so far and it looks like this morning won’t be much better! Despite that, we both had a good nights sleep and Brenda woke up this morning, one year older bless her! So, could be another change to our itinerary again! Plan A was to poodle up to Oulton Broad and overnight there. However, I can’t find a suitable/recommended place to eat this evening. What we’re thinking is taking a cruise up to Oulton Broad then returning here for another night and eating at Prezzos in Beccles. That thought might change though!! Chris and Brenda