NorfolkNog

Hi Andy Think we passed you coming up through Yarmouth. Mrs Nog was on waving duty. Agree 101% re your Bridgecraft comments. Excellent yard.

On call outs generally I've seen Swancraft's call out sheets from the hire days. Very few call outs anyway and the vast majority were 'hirer error' Good preventative maintenance and good charging/battery systems reap dividends. Cutting corners doesn't pay in the long run IMHO Talking of Bridgecraft, I think I've only called them out once and that was in summer! Spend many weeks in winter without any problems at all.

The last time we hired from Herbert Woods the heating didn't work all the holiday. In spite of several call outs and even taking the boat back to the yard the engineer just kept blaming us for not running the engine enough. I make use of every second of Broads time and probably cover more miles than most. We just had the oven on all week. Hirerd Humber Bridge in December and February and the heating started faultlessly every time without needing to run the engine.

Hi Malcolm Swan Royale ticked more boxes for us than any other hire boat but of course that was with Swancraft which makes all the difference. Lottery never comes up when you need it! Apologies Jean, off topic, again

Hi Andy Yes, Royal Swan was the last true Royalls build (not to be confused with the legendary Swan Royale) You'll need to get behind me in the queue for a new build from Paul although it could be a long wait as he's understandablly in great demand atm I believe the brothers do own the moulds now and I think are building under the Viking brand? Just getting a set of moulds only from them might be a different matter however.

Hi Jean Great to see you out again, enjoy and please keep us posted. Some of the last hire boats Swancraft built and how good they are. Happy days

Looks like a plan to me. Everyone has their own ideas so you get different views. we were very impressed with the pub at Rockland and of course Surlingham Ferry is very good. we've stayed at the Premier Nelson but always use the one on Duke Street now. Much nicer hotel IMHO and very quiet - rooms have secondary glazing. The traffic on Riverside Road next to the yacht station does quieten down later into the evening but probably better to avoid Friday, Saturdays. Part of Commissioners Cut looked to be fenced off when we passed last month. You will get a certain amount of traffic through Thorpe. Beccles Old Bridge can get a reasonable clearance in summer at low tide. I've seen 9 feet there. The is quite a big rise and fall so I wouldn't rule it out. Just check the tides carefully and don't get stuck at the other side waiting for the tide to drop again!

Commissioners Cut is OK but you would need a torch after dark and the buses stop running at 5 or 6 ish The Yacht station might be a better bet. Where is the curry house?? Also good train service to Norwich, from say Brundall or Cantley. Bit of a longer walk to Reedham station. yes, agree, Bridgecraft are excellent, you wont get better customer service, nothing is too much trouble for them. They've been very good to us this winter.

Moorings pretty much at the yacht station or through the bridge on the pontoon near the swimming pool. Golden bridge is a Bounty 30??? if so, the bridge shouldn't be an issue unless right on high tide. Pubs in Beccles - Butchers Arms, Ingate and Caxton Club. Go down and carry on to the end - fork in the river - right to Geldeston Village and aforementioned Wherry - excellent pub. Left fork to the Locks - another excellent pub. 24 hour moorings at the Locks - more of a grassy bank at the village side. Beautiful stretch of river.

This photo was taken on the 10th before the storm and clearly shows the very low freeboard which Vaughan refers to.

That's right, the other buoy was near the downstream end of the public moorings. The safety boats were on the ball and kept busy as quite a few got wet!!! We had a good view as we were moored near the Staithe and Willow. Got bumped quite a few times but those Toppers look so light they woudnt cause any damage

Glad we coukd provide some reassurance Helen!! Mind you don't trust me all of the time Enjoying your tale and glad you got back across Breydon safely

Safely moored up at Bridgecraft earlier Breezy but no issues Wind was picking up by the time we left though

Not too bad here up North Helen Bit higher maybe but not too bad Hope the weather is better for you in May, you might see the Nogs on Breydon again too.......

Hi AC Good time to go, half term will be over, lighter nights but still quiet. Enjoy. Who are you with?

Are these yours Mr Q?

Sorry you've got to go Helen Lovely morning here at Ranworth Please don't be put off February - we've been winter cruising for 16 years and loved every second

Hi Helen Currently moored at Neatishead Bit breezy but no issues Springs set so if the wind does get up while we're in the pub we'll be fine Mrs Nog thinks the worst of the wind will be on Friday when we hand the boat back Keep well tucked up at Brooms and take care!! Look forward to our next Breydon crossing!

https://forum.norfolkbroadsnetwork.com/topic/21892-lost-broads-pubs/#comment-356012

Bit breezy at Neatishead ATM but springs set again in case the wind gets up while we are in the pub

Some I think. Lost pubs few for starters - eagle Neatishead railway reedhan Bridge potter Heigham railway Coltishall Bure Court Black Horse Hoveton St John Wood Farm Wayford Petersfield Ranworth Hall King's head south Walsham

I'm exactly the same. For the difference of time it takes I think it's well worth while.

Please don't be too critical but I thought this is a good example of the value of springs. Strong cross wind here at Sutton Staithe but the springs are holding us snug to the bank with no fore or aft movement. Would cater for tide variation too.

Bit breezy in Stalham but nothing to worry about as yet. I would agree about Rockland - excellent pub too!

Sunrise over Malthouse Broad earlier Helen's Irstead mooring empty apart from a fisherman Plenty of room at Richardsons, they have quite a few boats out at the moment