NorfolkNog

It's natural to want to keep the water topped up and it makes good sense. However it is suprising how little you actually use. I suspect some hirers maybe treat it as an Infinite resource and hence the standard advice given is to top up daily. However if you bear in mind it comes from a tank it's suprising how careful you become. For example Mrs Nog has long hair but when showering she turns off the water when applying shampoo then turns it on again to rinse. We were out in December 2022 when there was a lot of ice about. We intended to top up at Reedham but found the taps turned off. As we hadn't filled up for 2 or 3 days I was becoming concerned and a very kind Forum member even offered to bring some water to us which was much appreciated. However we were able to fill up at Swancraft and I was amazed at how little water was needed to fill the tank. So I would say, don't be put off Simon. December, in my humble opinion, is by far the best time to be out, you really do have the rivers to yourself, it's a magical time.

Indeed! reminds me a bit of the Woods End conversion, certainly looks a lot brighter. I'll have a walk down there if I can drag myself away from the Norfolk Nog This is from a few years ago, you can tell the difference

That's pretty much as I remember it. Be interesting to see what its like now.

Not been in for a while but from memory there was a stone flagged bar area at the front as you went in and the lounge area was to the right hand side and extended through to the back. The bar was L shaped, so the front bit served the bar and the side bit the lounge. There used to be a good sized garden at the rear. We're back in February so I'll try to make a point of having a look.

It is pretty much housing and the school. The bus comes round there along Norwich Road, then up Thieves Lane, back to the Stag and onwards to Wroxham. Must have a look in the Stag, John mentioned it too.

Apperently there is a sunken vessel at the Berney Arms, be careful if you go that way Helen!

We used to rely on Reedham as although the hoses were removed the taps were left on. But last couple of years it's been cut off completely. The water is on the pontoon at Oulton Broad but you need to borrow a portable hose reel. Goodchilds used to have water on their pontoon, not sure if they still do. We usually moor at Swancraft so top up there but you would need to give Paul a bell ideally. If you are careful with water it's amazing how long a tank lasts though.

Slack on Thursday is 10.14 so you would need to be off early although you'd probably be OK a bit later. The weather has abated here in flat hat land so it should be OK. The levels were high in December but we had plenty of room under the bridges. Good luck!

Tides look good from Wednesday onwards although you would probably have to come back Saturday or Sunday to avoid nav lights. I would have thought you'd be OK under the bridges. Hopefully no high winds either, you should be fine. Go for it!

Checking on Carol's excellent Broadland Memories website it appears there was indeed an old corn mill at Stokesby https://www.broadlandmemories.co.uk/stokesbypostcards.html

Agree, looks like the Ferry at Stokesby. The signs are a bit blurrred but should say Lacons I would think.

Thanks for the heads up, that was there in December, I should have mentioned it but you're right, didn't see it anywhere on the BA media. I guess it hasn't been shifted due to the Christmas holidays.

Local notice (thanks Sally Ann)

Never too early for a beer!!! Loving your tale. That boat at Horning was there when we were out. Think it's one of the winter regulars. Speaking of which, wonder what happened to Tombstone? Hope you manage to extricate yourself from the fishermen!

An excellent pub and a good example of how to make the best of difficult times. Good grub, good beer, cosy, live music and as far as I can tell they don't operate random hours or boot you out early. Some pubs have a habit of closing when it's quiet but if they're closed no one will go in and probably not return.

It's amazing how often that happens. We moored on the deserted quay at Reedham. Big steel Broads Authority work boat moored slap behind us. No obvious reason to moor there. With a fast ebb behind us I had a tricky manoeuvre to reverse out.

Good idea if you can spot someone I've moored on the river corner before but it's very low down, usually get protests from my mooring assistant (Mrs Nog) and it takes up more drinking time

Hi Kate enjoying your tale and photos glad you are enjoying the peace and quiet of December cruising! I believe Eastwood Whelpton are members of the hire boat federation but I'm sure they would let you moor there, no shortage of space! Might be worth someone enquiring in future as it's less muddy and quite a good height. Worth it for the pub

Thanks for the update Kate. This was Cockshoot Dyke on Sunday, so sounds about he same. The heights at Ludham seem a tiny bit high but not too far out for the time of year. Glad you got up to the Fur and Feather. We needed wellies (which we have now left with Bridgecraft) as it was even muddier than normal. Worth the effort for a drop of Norfolk Nog though. I've already made a mental note to visit the Stag at the next opportunity.

Mrs Nog seems to think Wroxham was about 6 and a quarter so you never know! Hope you get moored at St Bennetts, no shortage of space!

Sounds very similar situation to when we were out. If it's showing 7 feet ish at Ludham it would sound about right. St Bennetts was above water but not a lot! Looks like you have a low air draught which is ideal in winter

How are you finding the levels generally? Are they starting to drop again?

I think we could be tempted indeed!

Hi KP, sorry to have missed you! Lovely and warm at the mo but levels have gone up a bit in the last couple of days so please be careful!!

What a lovely tale! Thank you Andrew. Had the pleasure of sharing a beer with you in the Maltsters a while back but not now sadly!