LondonRascal

I must say that following the winter maintenance currently underway at Richardson’s - https://www.facebook.com/BoatingHolidays - is greatly interesting me. Admittedly I am rather ‘into boats’ and this may not interest everyone, but it is a bit like seeing trains day in and out and then you see in the shed and how they are worked on – that ‘behind the scenes’ feel I think is special and makes the everyday just that bit different, even to see how some of the boats look out of the water – their hull shapes usually hidden from view. But I know it is not just Richardson’s who are beavering away during these colder, shorter days on their boats – all over the Broads boatyards large and small will be working on their boats and in the main it must be a thankless task getting dirty and greasy is hardly something to look forward to, but add in a damp cold day and it goes to show how hard owners and engineers work when the season is over. If I could, I would give you all a Mince Pie and a Brandy – but then I would not be able to afford next years trips, but take one ‘virtually’.

Personally speaking, I do not mind what something is called or how it may look aesthetically it is down to the question ‘does it do the job’? The NBF may not look very ‘web 2.0’ (though frankly we a probably in something like ‘web 7.0 where everything needs to be grey and flat in appearance) but it has, in the main worked. Above all it has had – and I am sure will continue to have, a large amount of discussions going on. You cannot make all the people happy all the time and If I had made a website and people came along and used it as a place to ‘hang out’ and talk about things to do with the Broads, I would not really consider too much as to how it might look or smoothly it may run – after all, it is not my business and single income stream and so this can be said about the NBF. Richard did not employ somebody to come up with the website, then pay them to keep the content up to date, code working and site live and hosted. He did it alone and got people who were passionate about what began to take off helping out – moderators, contributing to fund the costs of equipment and running the site as it grew and grew. Perhaps its popularity was also its Achilles Heel – as more and more used it, uploaded content more strain was put on the servers and line out ‘to the web’ coupled with a few hacking attempts thrown in to the mix. Something that began as an interest must have felt to Richard as if had grown into a goliath. This leaves aside anything to do with finance and the most financially savvy way to run a forum. At the end of the day just like a business, the forum (this included) will live or die by how popular it is and how many people use it. This is especially so when it is a forum, a place to share, discuss and inform. Sometimes politics gets involved, other times it is someone’s opinions grate with another’s or plain old not being very nice to others. That happens in real life all the time, and we all accept and deal with it – and so this and the NBF etc will mirror ‘real life’ since it is a canvas that real people come to and post on. Personally speaking since life has no moderation, I think a forum should be open – look at the mess Google has caused with You Tube trying to ‘clean up’ the comments requiring – forcing – people to use Google + to post a comment and so on. People have not liked it, because people don’t react too well to being told what to do. At the end of the day I am sure many people who a registered users here look at the NBF (and other websites related to the Broads) and post here and there – some may have a particular preference and feel more at home on one site than another, and then you have people who are not registered and just come and look and read. I think it is good we have people who run such forums – freely to the end user – and only ask for donations for their running costs. Surly it is important that we have places like this regardless of if on a personal level you may agree or not with people on there and what they may say in a discussion – much the same as a pub one person may dislike and not want to go to, another would love and be comfortable in it and with the clientele of it. A far as I go I am an ‘equal opportunities Forumite’

I think we all know any boat is going to be somewhat of a comprmise...It just seems some designers perhaps thought that people would compromise more than they may have in the end. It is why some boats go on and on and reamin popular with owners and hirers alike, and others slink off after a few years to be forgotten.

I really like the Powel’s boat because it looks larger perhaps than really is and very unusual yet ‘boaty’ design with a sort of American feel about its lines. Now as to the worst design has to be a Kingfisher 44. There are only two made and both are for sale. You see the problem is you design a boat and then keep adding on bits to the stern making them longer and longer – usually this works out well, even if it can end up with some unusual lines but Kingfisher Cruisers went on an all out offensive with this design. It is long at 44ft and from the bow begins like any other forward drive boat, however the helm is set rather far back and the seat means only those with short legs will find it comfy for any length of time to steer from. there is then the usual corridor type affair with two cabins off to the left and the galley to the right then it is as if we meet the join where the additional length was added – just past the sink the ‘corridor’ reaches a punch point ?(literally just about the width of my shoulders) where to the right is a very small heads and straight ahead two further double cabins. However these are actually just berths on the floor one has to crawl into and at the end of the bed (where one has the pillow) is a glass hatch which is just a few inches above the stern and the water line. The cramped ill thought-out design goes further because they decided to add an aft external helm – complete with seating but the door to this helm is narrow and has three steep steps – the cabin roof above far from being able to hinge open is fixed making head bashing a common occurrence – but it gets better for you then realise the engine (on hydraulic dive) is the reason for the steps up to the outside helm, and divides the two double cabins. It does not look too bad from the outside, but in terms of practicality and comfort to stay onboard you are forever squeezing through small spaces and doors or having to watch your head. I am not surprised the design was never adopted by others, but I guess at least this quirky boat made it to hire for a time.

It is interesting reading about DSL and ADSL (I remember ISDN) anyway...I am about to switch to BT Infinity 2, since they offer 19Mbs upload and 75 Mbs download (or is it Mb or Mpbs or Mbps) it is fast...Which will help me with sending videos up to You Tube which currently take forever. I think increasingly upload speed will be more important for many people and we share and keep more data in the Cloud and obviously need to get that stuff up there to begin. Take Flickr, great being offered so much free photo storage but with modern cameras taking larger and more detailed images each photo is several Mb in size – uploading several together can be painfully slow.

I just happened to remember seeing old photos of it, and one of the few times good old fashion memory worked. Note too the logo of the Bridge Inn at Acle has an 'arty' logo of three 'swooshes' which appear to make out a bridge with three arches.

Well I can only say I wish him every success in getting things going again the task of migrating data even when it goes smoothly can take a great deal of time – especially when one is having to upload it. There is a great deal of information easily accessible on the NBF which makes it rather unique and more than just a place for people to come and discuss topics with the extended time it has been down, it will be interesting to see what numbers return and get back to posting once it is back live. It might be also handy (indeed for this forum too) to have a dedicated Twitter account where short simple posts on status can be sent for the wider community.

I'd go with Acle.

You could look into 3M - and their professional range which is what I would go for if it was me. Here are some details.... They have a range of high quality products: http://www.3mdirect.co.uk/c-805-marine-supplies.aspx And this, (while specified for car use) seems pretty comprehensive with three different polishes and buffing pads getting ever finer: http://www.3mdirect.co.uk/p-1998-3m-perfect-it-iii-compound-and-polish-kit-50873-including-free-storage-box.aspx Your need a varible speed polisher - it must be varialble speed because if not you can burn the gelcoat through heat bulit up with friction: http://www.3mdirect.co.uk/p-2319-3m-electric-car-polisher-240v-1-pack-64393.aspx You will find all the polishing pads here: http://www.3mdirect.co.uk/c-593-polishing-pads-and-accessories.aspx To clean the hull prior to polish have a look at: http://www.marinemegastore.com/product.asp?pf_id=BUR_381700&jump=0&cat_id=MAICLE002&cid=OOMQ7C3VV1XKX5CQ57XNZEU4QO7Y5C8V

I have had a couple of silly moments – none of which so far have been witnessed by anyone but myself. Most recent was my clever idea to clean a Rhonde Anchor of mud and having been successful with the first by dangling it in the river and moving it around, did the same with the other- but just let it go and watch it sink. I doubt I could repeat fishing one back out with a Boat Hook again though. Then there was the time I got off the boat and it had been left idling in reverse taking me for a walkie along the bank before I figure what was going on and got back on and put it in neutral. I’m sure one of these days I will do a right clanger somewhere very public, like Ranworth Staithe say but most of the time thinking before doing has prevented things going wrong. Little tip as to mud weights: leave a note on the dash that it is down, they are easy things to forget you’ve got down the morning after the night before. I also wonder why electric winches don’t have a red LED on the dash that is on when the mud weight down and off when raised.

Here is three of mine - I used to be slender lol - and how Barnes has changed and How Hill now you don't need to get muddy and its all 'formal'.

You’ve got some yards that went down the ‘book late save 30%’ route. Then one reduced this to 25% reduction within 7 days of a booking being made. Now purely on seeing how many boats were tied up in these boatyards when I have been about, these late deal savings may not have worked as well as planed further it encourages your regular customers to wait later and save so overall you may well loose more than gain. What may be an idea to encourage people to book ‘on a whim’ is when bookings are not looking as good perhaps in a particular class and have a ‘bargain’ page on the website – it has nothing to do with booking within a week and saving a percentage off the usual price, but based purely upon a selection of boats that may be ‘under performing’ in hires and these can then be hired at a reduced cost – take it or leave it type thing. The deal could be removed at any time, and indeed might only last for a couple of days in the first place but in so doing you have not devalued a business, neither have you encouraged people to wait and book a week before they are planning on going knowing should they do so they will get up to 30% off because this would be almost random, based upon bookings not how long one waits before making one. Of course the Broads Authority can (and should) be doing more to help the businesses – not just boat hire, but where planning matters are concerned encouraging new or helping support current ventures. It does seem a little bit like they don’t want to get too complicated with tolls because it may cost them more. So to have a database of boats based upon age as an example, and have tolls reduced by the age of a boat and newer boats (which hire for more money) be tolled on a higher band would likely not work out since the Broads Authority would not want to go to the extra trouble to maintain such a database and do all the back office work. There are lots of different ideas out there – you’ve got Herbert Woods who are not part of Hoseasons but doing there own thing, yet Ferry Marina went all inclusive and made a big splash about leaving Hoseasons. Of course however you price and run a business be it all inclusive or not, part of a booking agency or not – you need to make a modicum of profit on each boat and each hire how much you make (or try to) along with all the other overheads is where the crunch comes. It is not always about price though; I am more loyal to Richardson’s because of choice and service and in particular have found Horizon Craft very nice but that is just my personal opinion, but be it a big or small boatyard I think the times are fast approaching where the tolls levied on operators are looked closely at because these may very well start being the difference to stay in business or not make it worthwhile.

I got my figures in my previous post wrong now am home and checked the paperwork. The cost was not £186.50 for a fortnight it actually was £232.82 (£46.32 more).

Clive, because I booked Mystic Horizon over the phone (to use the loyalty discount) I’ve not got the total bill with me here – so I am working this out using memory of what the boat cost per week at the 2013 tariff when I booked it therefore the figures below may nto be exact. I believe it would have been charged at £305.00 per week for the cheapest band of which the period I was away was this would be hire charge only. This has now I see reduced for 2014 season. So I had the boat for 14 nights, of which you get a discount for a multiweek booking (I think that is 15%) so 14 nights @ £610.00 – 15% for the multiweek discount = £518.50. Take off this amount my discount accrued of £332.00 and so the boat cost me (without fuel and damage waiver) £186.50 for two weeks or £13.32 a night. I could have used a £50.00 voucher given for bad weather in March 2013 but have saved this to go towards next seasons first hire., had I used it of course I would have been even more ‘quids in’. You would have paid around £75.00 to the Broads Authority for the two weeks I was on Mystic Horizon in Tolls, - the VAT element in the hire charge and you certainly would not have got much profit out of me this time

I too thought why not charge by emissions or engine size rather than the size of the boat. A 200HP engine would produce more emissions than a 40HP engine and since in main the Boards in an inland river system it would reward those with smaller more efficient engines and yes, those with larger boats with several hundred horsepower or even smaller ones which can use their larger power at sea would be penalised. This is what my local council has done with cars – a small car with a larger engine will pay more to park in the borough than a larger car with a smaller engine would – so it is about carbon emissions and encouraging (pushing) people to change their habits. It is not a happy medium of course and makes a lot of people angry as they feel they right to choice and freedom has been taken and now are having to pay so much over the odds – but then it is a choice want a powerful car pay an extra ‘tax’ to park it – want a nice powerful boat pay extra to be able to legally use it on the rivers. Further with the Broads - it has been the case where the hire industry has taken the brunt of tolls increases for years, and indeed surely contributes a lot not only to the Broads Authority coffers but to the area as a whole. However the size of the hire fleets continues to reduce – you therefore cannot just keep expecting those who remain hiring boats to pay ever more in tolls when the public want to pay less and less to actually hire boats. This is something where you cannot ever make everyone happy – now accepted it does not directly affect me, I do not own a boat. However I confess to being a touch perplexed by the feelings over how much one pays for tolls. You see boating (especially ownership) is a choice, and so if you have people who having spent thousands of pounds on buying a boat, then the next largest cost annually is their moorings fees, then probably fuel and running costs then insurance and tolls being just a few hundred pounds a year seem pretty small fry compared to the cost of buying and just keeping the boat tied up somewhere. If I had bought a boat it might be an annoyance to have to pay someone money each year to use it on rivers that in the main are kept reasonably well, moor at moorings freely over night it would not make me as upset as the fact the fuel that goes into the boat from boatyards invariably now costs more than fully taxed roadside fuel, or the marina where the boat may be berthed costs so much and is charged by length despite many boats mooring stern on so a fairer system would be by their width and flat fees being applied. So in the general scheme of things, are tolls really for some the ‘straw that broke the camels back’?

Your heating really will not have used that much per hour (even having two) If you look at the technical specs for warm air heaters it is the KW output that obviously determines the amount of fuel they consume and that is on high. With the modern system Carousel has when it reaches the desired temperature it will then reduce air flow and heat output (and fuel usage) Mystic Horizon has an older system and a smaller 2KW heater but I ran it on low most of the time for background heat. Where I think the money (and fuel) has gone is the fact the boat has a 50HP engine which is a lot larger than the average hire boat which is going to be between 35 and 38 horse power. Add this in to the fact it is a hydraulically driven boat (not shaft driven) further eats into the fuel usage as transferring torque through liquid is never as good as a mechanical linkage just as I have found in the past with anything from Far Horizon to Saleno they used far more fuel than I was expecting. Further the fact the boat has a GPS speedo means you can maintain speed often regardless of tidal flow - unless say at Yarmouth, but of course using a lot more revs to do so. I use an App to judge speed but if I am going against the tide then I often don't fight it e.g. 6 MPH limit, doing 4 MPH and maintain lower RPM and just take that much longer to get where you are going. A45 foot boat takes a lot of energy to push through the water compared to 29 foot boat such as the boat I was on. I used on average 11 litres of fuel a day and I know that has surprised some in amount used (e.g. thinking rather a lot). It all comes down to what you seek - if you want a nice comfortable holiday and go for a new larger cruiser you will spend more on fuel but live in more comfort or you can go smaller not have as much space and comfort and pay a lot less to hire and use less fuel. You still see the same places and visit the same locations on both. For me it's not just about cost I find the interior of these boats (not Broadlander however that looks lovely) too bare, white and 'plastic' in feel and the older fit outs often have a more cosy homely feel with more use of wood laminates. I also now will only hire shaft driven boats - save fuel and cut down on the whine the hydraulic motor/pump gives off when underway or running the engine when moored.

Friday 25th October: So the last day, and it began dull, cool and wet. I opted therefore to go back to bed and hope for sunshine later, upon getting up again around 9:00am the sun was not out but the rain had gone and it felt a lot more mild. The boat who had been moored in front of me had departed and in so doing dislodged some over the wooden bank which was now semi-attached and floating at my bow. Off the boat with the boat hook and pulled it back in but it is all rotting along this section and it won't be long before the yellow stakes go in I am sure. It was a struggle to leave the mooring because the wind had got up some and was blowing the boat away from the bank, this meant one had to be quick with pulling up the Rhonde Anchors, sorting the ropes and getting on the boat. Because I had to do this in stages and keep pulling the boat back into the bank it took some time but safely onboard I departed with Ranworth Staithe my destination. Just as I turned onto the Thurne there was a terrible noise, a shudder and the engine tone changed for a moment. I went straight into neutral thinking the gear box or engine or both had suffered some kind of issue - but as I looked behind me the cause of the issue was now seen floating in several bits. A rather horrible sight but one of the larger dead fish that have been a sight along the banks of the Thurne had clearly just began to sink below the surface and I had 'run over it' the propeller doing the rest. By the time I was on the Bure, despite the dullness it was not at all chilly and could have the sunroof open. I arrived at Ranwoth Staithe, not too many boats but all moored with a couple of feet between them so took up most of the space - there was a slot but then a boat began to depart so about turn and took the much more spacious slot he had left. I've got such a feel for this boat now having been on it for an extended time it makes all the difference with confidence and knowing what to do and how the boat will react. It also means when you do a 180 turn and come in perfectly stern on in front of others you feel a nice glow (but act as if it was nothing and head off for the water hose). It was here that I met Paul and Helen who are themsevles sharing their adventure and will be taking Carousel 3 back to Stalham tomorrow. With water topped up and rubbish deposed of it was time to depart, direction of Horning to see if I could moor at the mooring for the Church (whose name escapes me) but suffice to say I was the only boat there and had a nice chilled time having something to eat - by now the sun was out and the temperature was getting ever higher. Lovely. Then a boat arrived and squeezed on the mooring - hmm this would mean my departure would be more tricky than I had hoped and when I came to leave kicking the stern out and then reversing away was the order of the day. I am surprised how surprised many people are when you leave a mooring backwards - but often (and especially when I am single handed) it takes any risk of the stern catching the boat in front away and is easier since I cannot of course 'fend off' ad maneuver the boat. My next point of call was St. Benets - here I could give away my last slices of bread to the Swans and found Sea Gulls like Bacon. I then went for a walk passing something rather amazing, an aerial that had long been lost over the side of a boat had been pulled up and once could see how it had been colonized by muscles. The ruins were deserted and I took some time taking some photos and enjoying the peace of the place. By now I thought it would be a good idea to head to Acle where I could pack my things up and then head on over to the Bridge Inn for dinner. I arrived back at the boatyard around 3:45pm and was able to be fueled up and paper work done - also not needing to get off the boat first thing is going to be handy since it is not booked for next week. So after a chat with the staff at Horizon Craft time to pack up - not too bad going actually considering all the stuff that has been put and put in drawers etc. Through clean of the boat and time to head to the Bridge Inn - around 5:30pm. It was busy already but not packed and I thought I might as well be bad (far too much red meat in a week by they) and order the steak - well it was good, but the Swan in Horning still beats it and the Kings Arms on the steak, however I happened to be served by perhaps the most beautiful waitress in all of Norfolk - who perhaps because of my charm (who am I fooling - because I was alone and she took pitty on me) made sure I was well looked after, chatty and even going as far as giving me two sets of cutlery. It made the the slightly over cooked steak matter not. A couple or three Wherry's later and I now back on the boat - the wind has risen since I moored and I have figured out the banging noise is life ring moving about. It feels strange to think I began this adventure almost a fortnight ago - that 7 nights were spent with the company of others exploring the northern and southern rivers and pubs - then the last week to which I have shared with you all has been the complete opposite - far more sedate and for a change I have spent more time away from the boat walking to places and spending time moored up taking it easy. The figures are in as far as fuel: Week 1: 77 Litres £107.80 Week 2: 69 Litres £96.60 Total: 146 litres of fuel £204.40 in 14 nights. Now I have figured something out hearing three people return to the yard today and be fueled - they all used less than me in a week, but it seems most people usually will do short legs each day and example might be Wroxham to Ludham Bridge or Stalham to Ranworth and once they arrive moor up and that is that. Myself however might go Stalham Staithe to Wroxham, Wroxham to Womack Water then moor wild and a couple of times run the engine to power my laptop and/or heating - me being more paranoid about running batteries too low than anything. This all results in the situation where some will say 'ouch' that was a lot of fuel used, but then others may not see it like that. The time has been amazing and I know for sure to leave this quiet area and arrive back in London with all the rush and noise will be quite a shock - however it will be nice to have a proper mattress to sleep on. Until next time, thanks for following the adventure with me.

Don't get your rivers confuded Paul, its the Bure not the Thune that your be slogging up agaisnt the tide

...Catching up from Wednesday evening... Having moored outside the Ferry Inn in Horning I popped in for a pint but decided not to stay for a meal - instead walk into Horning and go to The Swan. Upon arriving I met a gentleman at the bar who after introducing himself said I had been on his boat...and had a drink..I have not been on too many peoples boats for drinks but for the life of me I had no idea what boat and where said drink was had. Then it came to me, at Southwold when I had visited as a guest on Broad Ambition. It was nice to talk boats and I after we had said out goodbyes I settled in the restaurant and order a Chicken Liver Paté on walnut toast for a starter and a Rump Steak for the main. Perfectly cooked, wonderful atmosphere and I maintain this is some of the highest quality food and presentation I've yet to find in a pub on the Broads. So it was a long walk back in the dark to the boat and then I remembered why it is not a great place to over night. First just after midnight I was woken with a lot of shouting and singing - well if that is what one could call it, then again after 2:00am with more raised voices and cars going. It seemed after the pub closed there was some kind of party upstairs. Thursday 24th October: I was up early and once demisted windows was away. I left Horning and without another boat about the water was mirror like and one sees what a good time of the day this is to be cruising along. I was making for Ludham Bridge because slowly over the last 10 days the steering has been leaking hydraulic fluid and it was now doing it rather a lot more than it had been previously and so planned that once I had got to Ludham the water would be piping hot, I could get ready and then the boatyard could get to me with ease to top up the level and see if a fix could be made. To cut a long story short I called explained the situation and 'engineer Bob' was duly on his way. Now let me tell you this chap is a real old school Broadsman. He used t pilot boats through Potter Heigham and what he does not know about boats is not worth knowing. He is an asset to the company and the sort of the person you could sit and listen to tales of holidays makers and incidents on boats all day. The cause of the leak is the gasket and bushes on the steering head have gone, but it seems one has to buy a whole new head unit not just the bushes. So all that can be done is keep topping up the fluid and wiping the leak with a rag. I also learnt the super smooth ball bearing track for the roof was something Horizon Craft fitted and this alone was over £400.00 - small things in the marine world cost a lot. My confidence restored in steering it was off over the Bridge and into the the Café that stands next to Ludham Bridge Stores. It was okay, shame the sausages were pre-cooked then heated in the microwave and the beans were a little over 'stewed' but it fitted the bill and was a good start to the day - and what a day it was set to be, clear blue skies and warm! I suddenly had a feeling of today being the penultimate day of the holiday, and then followed by wondering 'where to go now'. Wayford was my answer and so a slow amble up the River Ant until Barton Broad where I dropped the mud weight made a coffee and had a sit down swinging left and right as the breeze changed in the bright morning sunshine. Then I got carried away and cleaned all the windows and decks and the last residues of mud from all the wet rainy weather of last week was gone. Time to pull 'anchor' and continue on my journey. First stop was Barton Turf for water, but a privateer in a Hampton beat me to it and I did not want to risk trying to squeeze in for if anything went wrong my bow would hit his stern. Water could wait anyway. Now as you know the River Ant is beautiful, but the point where it flows up to Wayford is truly lovely. It almost has a different 'feel' to the rest of the river and just taking things slowly at tick over taking in the scenes as they unfolded before me felt special - certainly made all the better for the sunshine and warmth. Of course Mystic Horizon won't pass under Wayford Bridge so this was the end of the line for me and so turned around and came back the way I had come. By now it was just after 2:00pm and I wanted to moor someone 'wild' but where I could get to a pub. Womack Water fitted the bill and the Kings Arms. After working my way down the Ant, under Ludham Bridge where the tide was clearly in as even less headroom but made it none the less, then the Bure and past St. Benet's and left onto the Thurne. I then encountered craft after craft some with young children some with teens on all from Herbert Woods turning down towards Womack Water - I think there must be 7 or 8 boats! All diligently wearing their life jackets and hopefully the adventure they have had will prove they will be back to the Broads when they older. I have moored however at what I am calling 'watch your stern bend'. Annoyingly the Broads Authority have tapped on a lot of the formal moorings on the dyke, and the staithe is full with the kids boats my usual wild mooring is taken (and anyway is on wrong side of the river to get to the pub) so it leaves the rather exposed mooring on the left bank shortly after you turn into the dyke off the Thurne. The ground here is very soft and while I was putting in the Rhonde Anchors one worth loose so I have had to try and find firmer ground (and deployed the trusty Mud Weight as security). All done I then sat watching boat after boat turn too soon and sharply missing me by inches. Not a good mooring this but I was out of other options...Still, no one can come ad moor behind or in front of me, can they? Well I'm back from the pub where I had the steak, more expensive than the Swan in Horning, not quite cooked as well (as a tad over done) but tasty, juicy and fresh proper chips, a good side salad and home made onion rings went down well - so did the Wherry. The walk back seemed twice as long as walking there, and to my amazement someone has moored in front of me. They could not be closer to my bow if they tried and frankly I am surprised they did not use my Rhone Anchor lol. There is also a privateer opposite us - this making the already narrow dyke even more narrow and people returning boats to Herbert Woods tomorrow will be in for a treat. I feel I will need to be up early because I really don't want to be in bed and get clouted. Well that's it for another day - tomorrow is my last full day and I will be spending tomorrow evening in the yard at Horizon Craft or close by, and taking it easy - but its been a great adventure and I have learnt something different?: If you can go away for more than a week, do so because the added time makes a world of difference to see lots of things or go over the same ground and notice something you missed the first time around.

Wednesday 23rd October: I was pleased I had decided to moor at 'Horning Marshes' (Ludham Bridge moorings) last night. Not only did it mean I could walk to the Dog Inn for a lovely meal and local Ale, it also meant when the strong winds arrived I was nice and secure at a formal mooring. Today arrived and I had planned on doing some more 'firsts' but for the time being it would be a trip to Richardon's boatyard at Stalham to look in on the Launderette (very reasonable prices and spotlessly clean) alas all the dryers were in use and I did not really need to make use of the facility but thought it would save time when I got back home with washing. Interesting the contrast of how many boats where out on hire - the gaps along Swan Quay compared to the likes of Barnes Brinkcraft whose yard looks pretty much full. Made some notes about what boats looked nice and which number in the class seemed the nicer for example Trinidad II has a new engine compared to Trinidad I. A top up of water and then it was time to depart. I popped around to the Staithe but it was full so a quick turn around and noted a beautiful Ocean 30 'Alanta' goes to show what dedication and hard work can make a boat look so good. On the River Ant now and it was not long before I was approaching Barton Broad where I spotted my first Kingfisher I had seen in the flesh. I wanted to get a photo of it but it had fluttered away before I had the chance. On Barton Broad which had a nice swell and headed for Gays Staithe. Sadly I could not moor here since there where three boats all moored 'side on' and on the other side a private yacht and a fisherman had taken up the space. So it was off to Nettishead. The reason I had come here you see was I wanted to walk to and see the Broadwalk that takes you to a viewing platform over looking Barton Broad. I am pleased I could not get in at Gays Staithe now since the walk from Nettishead is magical. No really I mean it is (to me) the perfect Norfolk countryside the quite narrow road, the broad skies and land that stretches on even down to the house giving a way free apples and pears. Sure it is a shorter walk from Gays Staithe but I cannot recommend enough that if you can moor at either location, walk to the road then turn left and keep going until you reach the entrance to the Broadwalk. It is a real oasis of different sounds, plants and wildlife and I was alone and really took my time. In fact I recon it is a good time to visit as the season begins to change into Autumn everything is winding down the leaves falling and a general moist earthy scent fills the air. Before long you reach the viewing platform, it looks out roughly from Turkey Broad over the expanse of Barton Broad. A long distance from the main boat channels means you can see them slowly moving over the water but you cannot hear them. Swans and Geese do their thing as well as Cormorants drying their winds in the sunshine looking a touch menacing in so doing. The silence and moment was soon broken when a party of people arrived and so I departed. On the walk back to the boat I stopped from some apples and pears and then back at boat some followers of my Blogs introduced themselves - it makes me smile to think all this way from anywhere and often exploring alone I am never far from meeting people who know me and have a good chat. It was time to depart and think of an over night destination. I've got plenty of provisions on the boat but I am getting a touch used to spoiling myself and letting someone else do the cooking and washing up so, where could I go where I could get a nice meal tonight...? Well Horning (I am currently moored outside the Ferry Inn) but am undecided whether to eat here or move on down to the Swan. Choices! It has been a lovely day again and because I have had this extended break you really do find yourself taking time out away from the boat and exploring things and places you otherwise might not. Goodness knows where tomorrow will take me for now its time to decide on what to eat.

@Loribear: Previous week on Mystic Horizon was just over £96.00 then £107.80 for the week with 'Lads Week' of which a lot of our journeys were agaisnt the tide - indeed our crossing back north was made over 3 hours before low water which meant a long slog up the Bure and all this takes its tole. I also prefer wild moorings so I am able to run the engine early in morning to heat water or for power and not distube anyone else. It is also why I go for the moorings at the very end of public ones, with my exhaust facing away from other boats such as now - as I only run the laptop when it is being charged with engine running. As long as it comes in under the deposit, I am a happy bunny. Since this is a two week break I've budgented though for an extra £100.00 over and above just in case...

Tuesday 22nd October: The night proved a touch tense at times when the wind got up with me hoping all would be ok with regard to the Rhonde Anchors holding the boat in the stiff winds blowing it off the bank. Morning came and I was still where I was before I slept, furthermore the Rhonde Anchors were just as firm in the ground as they had been when I set them. I took my time and it was not until after 10:00 I was underway, just the short journey to Womack Water where I topped up with water and got rid of some rubbish. I noted the toilets had plumbers working on them, they certainly are well maintained facilities. I had decided that I would go to Wroxham today and knew it would be a fair trip but the wind was making getting there interesting especially along the Thurne where it was 'beam on' and not until I was on the Bure did it stop trying to shift me off course and was coming head on. It seemed to take forever to get to the mouth of the Ant but once that was past the rest of the journey seemed to go without feeling dragging. I arrived in Wroxham finding it full and Barnes Brinkcraft had so many boats in the yard and indeed over the way on previously occupied private moorings it looked for all the world they had closed for the season. I opted to pop into the stern on mooring at MC Marine. Water levels are still high but seem just a tad less than last week 6ft 7" was showing at Wroxham Bridge. I had Fish & Chips for lunch and then the rain began to fall. I thought it would not make much sense walking around getting wet and instead could get back on the boat and head on to...Somewhere. I paid for the moorings and shortly after departing the rain really came down - it is fortunate this boat has a windscreen wiper even better now it has a new 15" wiper blade thanks to me on it. Wroxham Broad came and went then it was the turn of Salhouse and the rain got even harder. It was not until past Horning (which was packed with boats at the Staithe but only one at the New Inn) did the rain begin to ease. I took time out to pop into Le Boat at Horning, all the boats are in and tied up some bow in others stern on it has the feeling something is up even if you did not know this was the end of the site as far as a hire yard went. I took a lot of photos and thought of the times I had moored here when it was 'in full swing' together with the times I had holidays begin when Horning Pleasurecraft. Leaving Le Baot behind I thought about heading up to How Hill to overnight, but upon coming through Ludham Bridge found the moorings here mainly free so change of plan an it is here where I am writing from and shall be spending the night. As I write Calypso has just arrived with the most spectacular way to mooring I have witnessed. Approach slowly and a lady gets off at the bow with the bow rope. She then makes this fast around a post. Next the chap then engages full astern and leaves the controls and comes to the stern - at which point the knot gives way and the boat now comes rapidly towards my bow. She shouting 'its free its got free' and he rushed through and stops puts it in neutral. She then pulls the bow back in and makes sure this is tied fast. He then once again engaged full astern and comes to the stern leaps to the bank with the rope and they both heave the boat in! After making sure the boat is not going anywhere he gets on the boat and turns off the engine. Excitement over it is a wonderful end to the day, the sun gently setting over the marshes and everything seems just right in the world - a glass of red just adds to this (Boddingtons on hold for the time being)...

I'm about till Saturday and over nighted on Womack Dyke. It's 10:08am as I write this (yes lazy start in Broads terms) and off to Wroxham today. I know only too well how bad the Hotel Wroxham's quay is, why on earth they do not put down 'chicken mesh' on top to help or an annual jet wash to ge rid of the slime I have no idea. I hope Helen is ok now. I know you are off south soon so enjoy

Monday 21st October: Today began with more rain - though unlike yesterday, it was very fine and light which annoyed me as I like my rain to be proper and worth while or not at all. As it was I left my overnight mooring at Paddy's Lane and reversed to the Staithe at Barton Turf (just by Cox's Boatyard) and topped up with water. It was during this that I thought the first destination would be Barton Broad where I would drop the mud weight and have breakfast. I arrived to a deserted Barton Broad and while the wind had got up the rain had stopped. I must have spent about an hour with just the sound of the breeze and water slapping at the hull and looking out over the water. That certainly was a lovely way to have coffee and toast on a Monday morning! Back underway and the rain returned because it was so fine it made what appeared thousands of tiny droplets all over the screens, thus making visibility very much reduced - Mystic Horizon 1 does have a windscreen wiper but unlike many other boats of this type it is not a pantograph one and does not have a centre wiper which would certainly improve things in the wet. I had no plan where I would be going, and it as not once I had come through Ludham Bridge I decided to head towards Wroxham. The rain would come and go but the wind seemed to get more blustery and strong as the morning wore on. Once on the River Bure I thought I might as well stop off at Ranworth Staithe and after coming along Ranworth Dam could see there were only 3 or 4 boats at the staithe making mooring easy - it helped too that the wind would be coming 'down' the Broad towards the Staithe not across it so no pesky crosswinds to worry about. Once moored I went for a walk, initially I was going to go to the Church - St Helen's, but then opted for taking the road around towards the Wildlife Centre run by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. Funny, they once were called the Norfolk Naturalist Trust - I suspect they had to change the name so there was no confession to between naturists naturalists, though I suspect there are some who like to protect wildlife and be naked. It was walking along Broad Road I stumbled across a property that was for rent a few months back - one bedroom studio apartment but more like a flat with the bedroom upstairs and a lounge and kitchen open plan on the ground floor. All that with a view of the Broad and for less than the cost per month than a bedsit in London. It was snapped up within days of being advertised. What a lovely location and just around the corner was the start of the 'Broad Walk'. I've been on these before, such as the one at Cockshoot Broad - but this was spectacular! Honestly if you can pop along out of the season on a damp day you are in for a treat. I was alone and walking through the changing landscape from Carr Wood to Fen and then to the open Broad was amazing. You could stop and hear nothing else but the rustle of the reeds, a distant duck quacking and feel like you were a world away from anything. The actual information centre and look out area was closed which seemed odd as people were inside - it may not be half term or in the season, but a shame it is not something open year round. Still I captured some great photos and looked out over the Broad which of course is closed to boating. Back to the road now and a look at the time - 12:10pm - time for the pub. Now the Maltsters has indeed been refurbished some time back and yes the open log fire and new decor make for comfortable surroundings, I knew the Wherry was good from a few days back but I had not tried the food and at over £8.00 for a burger thought I would try it and it might be very good. I judge places food on their burgers - you see it is simple so should not be hard to get right, but you can also make the humble burger rather special with the type of meat used. For £14.95 (Pint of Wherry and Bacon Cheese Burger with Onion Rings) I was hoping for more than a humble Burger... It was nice but it was not special and the overall 'meal cost' was not worth £14.95. For a start the Burger came with onion rings, it is a shame I was not told this or else would not have ordered the extra portion. The onion rings were not freshly made like at the Bridge Inn at Acle, they were simple 'catering' type deep fried and very much all the same. The chips were 'steak chips' which always reminds me of Beefeaters in the 90's and the Burger was juicy and nice in flavour but was let down by the salad which was on top mainly shredded carrot and a quarter of one slice of tomato with a few leaves. It was a shame too the sauces were not branded but again just generic catering pack stuff. So my opinion is it is perfectly nice, but not what one might expect for the money or surroundings and if I was marking it would say 'could do better' and 'room for improvement'. Back onboard the boat I left the Staithe once again without a destination in mind and on once on the main river again turned towards Wroxham. A short time later I spotted the most perfect 'wild mooring'. I had often seen this taken with a boat usually private with people fishing from and yet today it was free. About turn and thought I would moor up and have a nap for the food and drink had taken their toll and I was feeling rather sleepy. So once I had come in to moor, placed the Rhonde Anchors (not lost one to the river this time) I was very happy. I'd not 'wild moored' on the Bure for years, indeed perhaps the last time may have been with my parents. I went for an 'explore' and round the corner hidden in the Reeds found the usual mess - black bin bag full of rotting rubbish all pulled about and spread by the local wild life. I love how the cretins who dump this always try to hide it and out of sight is out of mind. I have no idea why people feel the need to do this but there we go. My real problem with the mooring was the noise on the boat. You see the hull on this boat is one of those 'low wash' numbers with some 'creases' in the shape of the bow ideal to trap small wavelets and create a lot of bow slap going on inside (splashing sound). Well I tried but I could not settle with this and thought it could well get worse later and how would I feel trying to sleep in the evening. So engine started, back through the rigmarole of pulling muddy Rhonde Anchors up I was back underway. Where could I go that would be quiet? The wind had got up a lot more than it had been earlier so the Bure was out perhaps then the River Ant would do - no I opted for the Thurne and Womack Dyke. So that is where I am now, moored at 'my favourite wild mooring'. I was a challenge when I arrived since the very stiff breeze was blowing the boat off the bank and took about 10 minutes to get the boat secure. The wind then got up even more and I was worried about how sensible this mooring may have been - would the Rhonde Anchors hold the boat? Back on the bank and moved them to some firmer ground and made sure they are in deep and good, I've also taken the added precaution of lowing the mud weight. It is a mild night, the wind has calmed a little but the boat will move every now and again when a stiff gust comes over the marshes. The rain has gone and along the way to the front of me I can see a line of boats moored at the formal 24 hour moorings including a Broom Captain (new hire boat) ablaze with external lighting looking very swanky indeed. Tomorrow I think will be much like today, only with more rain and I think Horning and Wroxham will be my destinations with perhaps Salhouse as a sheltered over night mooring.

Sunday 20th October: So I began the day later than I have of late and took a lazy start getting ready and making myself a nice breakfast that was most unhealthy - it even included a fried slice of bread! It was shortly after washing up that I was going to be just about as lucky as one can be with a boating mishap... Engine was running and it was time to depart the mooring - I noticed two dead fish - pretty large species unknown to me floating past which was sad, but the wind was blowing the boat onto the bank so took my time and pulled the forward Rhode Anchor up - it was especially thick with mud and so I put my finger through the ring and dangled it in the river to clean it off - worked a treat. I was then going to repeat this with the rear Rhonde Anchor but something happened, it was like my hand just stopped wanting to be controlled and as I dangled the heavy metal hook over the bank I just let it go 'splash' and it was gone. It took me a moment to come to terms with what I had just done - and then thoughts of having to return to Acle, red faced and explain I lost a Rhonde Anchor and could I have another..But then I thought it would be worth a try to use the boat hook and fish it out. It has been discussed what the point of boat hooks are - especially on hire boats - I have found out how valuable one can be, for I lowered it and could feel the bottom and slowly dragged it and 'clunk' felt the Rhonde Anchor on the river bed. I did not try to lift it but instead came in for another go from a different angle and low and behold felt the boat hook get heavier - yes unbelievably I had hooked it and got it up. The boat hook had hooked on the 'right angle' part of the Rhonde Anchor. Amazing luck I should get a Lotto ticket now! So knowing it would be better to have muddy Rhonde Anchors and have a pair than clean ones and risk only having one it was off to Potter Heigham. I moored in Herbert Woods basin and headed off to look around at boats and once more ponder over a couple for sale at Waterside Marine Sales before going into Lathams for some more batteries for my torch and ending up getting a few other bits too. Back to the boat and out on to the main river I decided to go back up the Ant destination Barton Turf. It was an uneventful cruise and I could not help once on Barton Broad playing with the waves the wind had got up so went up the top of the Broad, turned and came back down again enjoying the rocking and twisting they caused on the boat. It was then a short cruise to Barton Turf - well Paddy's Lane Moorings actually, and what lovely moorings these are! I am at the very end (closet to Cox's Boatyard end) and with the wind blowing and rain falling hard have put a spring line on and the boat is moving very little. Despite the wild start to the evening, it is quite only a Topliner in front of me for company. These moorings are another first for me and I arrived early, around 3:00pm today and spent time just feedings Swans, having a drink and enjoying the mild (and for a time earlier sunny) afternoon. Very nice moorings these - I have no idea where I will go tomorrow may well be a case of randomly pointing at the map and picking a place.