kpnut

I had a walk into Horning this morning for no real reason other than to be nosey. Not a lot going on, a space on the staithe and I noticed the Staithe and Willow building seems to be for sale. Or it could be there’s another semidetached building behind the cafe. The ‘for sale’ sign is on the road side of the building. I moved off downstream with no particular place in mind. A few spaces were free at St Benet’s. The wild mooring by the 2 dead trees on the Bure looked enticing, but I carried on, spotting Karizma going the other direction. A space at Boundary Farm as I went past, but I carried on. I got chased by a yacht near Oby Mill as he was whizzing downstream over the other side, having been caught up in the bushes just previously. I really wanted to be well clear of him in case he suddenly shot over my side at speed, it took a while to manage clear water between us. I carried on past Upton dyke entrance, another favourite of mine. And past Acle bridge that had a space on the electric. I was just enjoying going I think. I decided that Stokesby would be good, if space, as I haven’t been for a walk down there lately. But no space so I turned and moored on the wild mooring upstream. Did a bit of gardening and Finlay had a big treat of playing ball for a change as well as hunting for some tiny biscuits I threw to the wind. It’s nice just watching the boats go by in the sunshine, but I’ll have a wander along the rather overgrown riverbank later, or if the evening is nice and calm, maybe I’ll move off again on my way back upstream. It’s just one of those days!

Hello from me. Enjoy reading and posting.

What boat was that? Hope I waved. Sorry if not.

I’d say it’s about 10 mins (but then I was a bit over optimistic for the time from Salhouse Broad to the Stag). Up the path and over the wier by the old mill, turn right on the lane and it’s at the junction with the main road. Flat and accessible all the way.

Yep Grendel. Barnes webcam shows the bridge height gauge at 6’9” more or less on low tide, so the water does go up and down, just about!

The conclusion I’ve come to after spending an evening through to the next afternoon at Hoveton viaduct is that Wroxham bridge air draught isn’t changing that much from high to low tide. It seems stuck again on about 6’7”. After a quick hello to Steve and Cody at the electric St Johns moorings, first job of the day was buying some new tick tweezers at the pet shop, success for the ones I wanted, then seeing if the diy shop had a smoke alarm to replace mine that seems to have given up. No was the answer, as I wanted one that would go in the same screw holes on the ceiling as the existing one. I’ve ordered one from Amazon and my friend will bring it with her on Monday. Then an online meeting to attend. The wifi signal was good for that. After that, it was getting towards high tide so I took a wander to look at the gauge board. Still about 6’7”. So we had another walk, not that there’s anywhere local for a dog walk in Hoveton or Wroxham unless you go up to the Caen meadow area. We went under the bridge about 3pm, still showing 6’7”! Destination perhaps Horning church, perhaps Fleet dyke. The river was quite busy but mainly going upstream. I could have got in on Horning staithe at a pinch, or had my pick of the moorings at Cockshoot Broad. If it hadn’t been for a lousy forecast overnight and the morning, I might have stopped there as the boardwalk is now open again according to the May ‘broads briefing’, but other than that, there’s nowhere to go to now the riverbank walk along to the staithe opposite Ferry Marina is in such poor condition. On we went, and stopped at Horning church. We had a good wander up to the churchyard and across the field, round the lane back and now, with the canopies down in readiness for the rain, I’m quietly sweltering! The river traffic has died right down in the last half hour and there’s not a breath of wind.

If you could take a wander down fleet dyke too? I did the same, for the same reason, on a number of the wild moorings down there a few weeks ago, but expect they’ve grown again by now.

Probably Oscar looking for some homemade goodies.

Looking at the other sites again, I’m not so sure now that they are covered. Sorry if I’ve given any misinformation.

The house at Coltishall station is for sale. Probably way above our respective price ranges! You might be able to answer why Tunstead Rd, which I came off the railway line onto, turns into White Lion Rd after the triangular junction to St James, on its way down to the common. But I couldn’t find any houses down there with a name or look corresponding to an old pub. Was there a pub down there? Pleased you’re enjoying my wanderings.

Sorry it didn’t show the name, think that was the way the sun was shining. Belaugh is certainly a world away. I’m always amazed how hilly it is compared with everywhere else.

I pronounce it like that Sam. Like Beeler with the emphasis on the Bee. No idea if that’s right.

Oh yes please, as my extra one though as I couldn’t desert SR, my first love! Well spotted.

Ah right, although the other places seem to have a roof. I ageee the more natural the better really. Last year was my first year of watching them when they had no success.

He’s up at Coltishalll Common now so I was half hoping the mooring would be empty.

Get yourself along there Sam. The scene won’t have changed.

I plumped for the best of both worlds. Looking at the map, I found an interesting looking route that’d take me up onto the railway path again, heading towards Coltishall. From Belaugh mooring, turn left and head for the main Hoveton/Coltishall road. As you come up to the main road there is a permissive path running behind the hedge opposite in the Hoveton direction. I was very grateful to Trafford Estates for saving me the walk on the road. It joins with the footpath following the field margins up onto the railway. Another train photo for Roy. The driver seemed to having great fun tooting at everything that moved, probably even the birds in the sky! I seemed to be following some blue signs, turns out there is a Bure Valley circular path that I’d inadvertently earmarked as my route. Funny how a lot of my walks end up going where I’ve just come from or where I’m going next. This time Coltishall Common - same location, different boats! The path back goes behind Anchor moorings and across the water meadows. I’m writing this while waiting for Finlay to dry himself off and then we will head off to the metropolis of Wroxham/Hoveton (whichever)

And not forgetting Cody, who in any ‘best coat’ competition would win hands down.

I cast off in the strengthening sunshine off up to the lock, just for the pleasure of the journey, turning when I got there and coming back down again. There’s a big dredger on the anchor moorings loop so I squeezed through the gap. It is another lovely day on the river. Belaugh mooring was free and it looked far too enticing to go past, so I stopped in there, and we’ve been for a walk round the village lanes. We walked round the churchyard but didn’t stop in the church itself this time. After a sit in the sun reading a book - I’m still reading ‘Water, Mills and Marshes, life and work on the Broads 1920 - 2020’ and reckon it should be compulsory (and very enjoyable) reading for anyone with a boat on the Broads - I decided it was time to move off. But within a couple of minutes had changed my mind as it’s so peaceful here and now I’m just dithering. So do I move on to Hoveton as I have shopping to do, and it would boost the batteries and hot water, or stay here in this idyllic spot? Can’t decide!

I looked a bit after I’d posted and it had certainly moved to hide, and now out in the open again with an adult. When I first posted, it was lying with eyelid shut and neck stretched out with beak open, looking very expired. Pleased its not. It’s a monster size!

Happy birthday Malcolm and the weather certainly played ball for you.

That’s a completely valid point Smoggy. Habit I suppose as regards a ‘workhorse’ even if it’s not really working. My car also doesn’t have a habit of showing full oil for weeks on end then one day dropping below the minimum for no apparent reason.

I don’t like the look of what I’ve just seen on the webcam. Hope I’m very wrong.

And I do the engine every 9 months or so too, with the daily checks like I was taught on the tractor.

I too don’t feel the forum is anti hireboats at all. Someone commenting every now and again on the state of a rope or whatever is just stating a fact they saw, not yard bashing. I think the same comments are written about privately owned boats as well, including our own. (I speak for my own pride and joy, however much paint is flaking off there)! I owe all my enjoyment with SR to the fact that someone owning a hireboat company allowed me loose on their very expensive piece of machinery in the first place, as probably many of us do. When I became more involved in what make the Broads ‘tick’ and was looking for more information etc, I read all the forums and Facebook groups. I chose this forum as it seemed the most balanced, factual and friendly. Long may that continue.