Broads01

I finished up eating at The King's Head which, for a chain pub was pretty reasonable. I had lamb shank with mash which was enjoyable.

Final full day aboard today. It was windier and chillier than I expected first thing- anyone would think it was October. I took Suzie up the road to the Staithe. The stand-out house on that road has to be "Little Holland", it seems to belong in a different world. We were soon unhooking and on our way. I pootled around to the island and up to the Staithe, not to stop there but just for the scenery. First destination today was St Benets. Is the "Livestock - Digs must be on a lead" sign new there? I have happy memories of our late dog Rollie running with freedom there but Suzie had to be content with zipping about on her long lead (and there wasn't a cow or a sheep in sight). We moved on layer, destination unknown until I spotted a tempting-looking wild mooring on the left as we approached Horning. I didn't even need rhond anchors as there was a choice of trees. A short time later, Broad Ambition passed, Wroxham-bound and we exchanged waves. It was warmer and sunny by this time and final destination tonight was Barnes marina. En-route I turned into Wroxham Broad and mudweighted for a short time, just enjoying the peace and the view. As we arrived at Barnes, BA was there and trial runs were in progress for lads week whilst I had a good chat with Grendel. Later, I took Suzie with me to the Hotel Wroxham for a drink. Eating is still undecided so to be continued...

Sorry I didn't get to say hello today, Helen. I was passing through Horning around 2pm so I figured it would be too early for you to be on board.

Grendel, good to chat with you at Barnes Brinkcraft earlier. Trial runs were afoot on the Symphonies as I arrived and there was a very good looking wooden craft in Barnes' marina.

The lads are on their way. Taken just now between Ranworth and Horning. 20231006_130121.mp4

It's a long time since I've moored here for the night (mainly because I'm usually tempted by The Lion!). It's nice though because it has a wild feel but it's also an easy walk to the village.

Today I decided to head for Womack as my overnight destination but to go via an indirect route. Once again the weather was calm and dry and I fancied a spot of mudweighting on Barton Broad (see above photo!). On one of my trips last year I was dogless and so attempted a night mooring on Barton on that occasion but chickened out after 10 minutes because it was too windy. This year I decided it was time to take advantage of a calm day. I needed water so first destination was Southgates in Horning. I received unexpectedly personal service there, the guy taking the hose and filling the boat up without me doing anything as if I was in an old-fashioned petrol station. He even untied my ropes for me to leave and it was all quite a pleasant change. We continued, next stop How Hill so both Suzie and I could both stretch our legs before mudweighting. Suzie loves the grassy slope below the house and this time we also visited the woods a little further up the track. We continued then to Barton and dropped the mudweight just outside the channel and not far from the entrance to Woods End Staithe. After a couple of hours we set off back down the Ant. There were a couple of boaters pootling along at 2mph this afternoon but thankfully both pulled aside to enable a safe overtake. On reaching the Bure, I briefly pulled in at St Benets for us both to have a comfort break before continuing to Womack. As we approached the BA moorings on the Dyke they looked full but there turned out to be a space on the far end for which I was grateful. It's our penultimate night already, I'm not sure where the week's gone.

I disagree, Vaughan, at least in part. I accept wild moorings may be fewer but nevertheless they are still available on the north Broads. Long may that continue.

I get that. Again this week, I arrived during the morning and there was plenty of space because overnight moorers are kicked off at 10 unless they want to pay another £5. Also, I think people who aren't sure about whether to stay the night or not pay the £5 fee and go whereas previously they might have eventually decided to stay.

My current view.

Suzie really enjoyed her romp off the lead along the Dyke this morning. I enjoyed it too - we walked to the river end on the upstream side and it made me realise the moorings at that end are just as nice. On return to the boat we set off and back upstream, initial destination Ranworth. We arrived there just before 11 and had a few spaces to choose from, albeit that space for two boats on the front is still roped off. I wish the BA would get on and fix mooring availabilty issues such as this quickly. We chose a spot on the far end of the smaller quay by the boat dyke, the lady ranger assisting me to moor. As Suzie is fine being left on the boat for short periods, I decided to go and climb the church tower for the first time in a few years. When I reached the top I was reminded just how breathtaking the view is. Not only is it the best view on the Broads in my view, it has to be up there with the best in the country. It was a clear day and I was reminded just how much you can see, like Thurne Mill, Fleet Dyke, St Benets and various lengths of the Bure. I returned to the boat and relaxed aboard for a while longer (having paid my daytime £5) before setting off again. The moorings were full by then of course and as I pulled away a dayboat headed for my space, just as one had been occupying the taxi rank earlier (even though there was space in the dayboat dyke). Dayboat hirers aren't to know though because I don't think signage is clear enough and a ranger can't always be on hand to direct them. In the mean time, it makes spaces for the rest of us harder to come by. Final destination today was to be Salhouse. The weather warmed and brightened this afternoon and it was a peaceful cruise. I could even have stopped at Horning Staithe as there was space for about 3 boats there but chose instead to mudweight on Hoveton Little Broad for a short time. We had the Broad to ourselves. A little while later and I found a beautiful night mooring once again, this time on the island at Salhouse close to the upstream entrance.

An ex-Saucy Gem. The heaters look original but it's had an engine replacement by the looks.

It was quiz night last night, I hadn't booked and I only just got a table for one. The food was superb actually. I had gluten-free haddock and chips and I loved it.

Well there weren't actually very many, Helen, being Gayes overnight, Jonny Crowe's and then Upton but I do feel privileged.

I think that was my advice about Ranworth, David, glad to be of assistance!

I enjoyed the White Horse, the food was lovely as I thought it would be and it was quiet (it was a Monday evening) but nice atmosphere. Today we set off and I chugged up to Neatishead and back just for the fun if it before returning on to Barton Broad and north towards Wayford Bridge. It began drizzling once again but I knew it was forecast to be dryer later so I wasn't too fussed. On Barton we were alone apart from one sail boat. With water levels high I wasn't sure whether Wayford Bridge would be passable or not. There was 6 foot 8 showing on the gauge (the boat's "official" air draft is 6 foot 10 but I know it's something less). I edged up to the bridge gingerly and passage was comfortableish (about 3 inches to spare) but as it was around low water time I wasn't comfortable staying above the bridge and I turned straight round. I decided to head back downriver and stop at a wild mooring for a while. Yesterday I noticed Jonny Crowe's Staithe was free so I decided to try there in the hope it would be once again. Much to my delight it was. Wild moorings when solo can be awkward, especially if rhond anchors are required because you're missing an extra pair of hands. I always try for somewhere where I can get at least one rope tied to a tree. Jonny Crowe's fits that criteria but nevertheless I had to work hard getting a rhond anchor organised and just about avoiding to slip on the muddy grass. All the effort was well worth it though because I love the mooring. The sun was out by now and I took Suzie along the track which leads away from the Staithe which made a pleasant walk through the trees. This evening's destination was Upton Dyke. The Ant was quiet all the time we were on it today and the Bure equally so. The advantage of having a boat only 29 foot long is it's easy to turn around and so I was able to head to the bottom of Upton Dyke confident I'd be able to turn without difficulty. As it happened, there were no boats at the staithe and so I turned and moored at the upstream end facing back up the dyke. I love the spot but this is the first time I've moored for the night here so I'm especially pleased. The strange thing is, last night I visited the White Horse for the first time. Tonight, I'm also in the White Horse for the first time.

I never thought of it like that but that's a very good point. My elder daughter has a particular aversion to "corridor cabins" as she calls them which is understandable.

I remember that Captain's Blog. The design is 30 years old now but still looks fresh I think. What tends to put me off is the side door which is blocked when the roof is back. I hired one of the original 37 foot designs some years ago and that aspect proved awkward at stern-on moorings in particular. The design does have something about it though so hopefully you'll have a great time.

Set off just after 9 this morning back upstream, first destination South Walsham. The weather was grey this morning but still warm. The Bure was pretty quiet and on arrival at South Walsham I headed directly to the Inner Broad which has to be one of my favourite spots. I chugged slowly down towards the far end, brought the boat to a stop and turned the engine off. I'm aware you can't mudweight there so we just drifted gently in the stillness for a few minutes, just really enjoying the peace. The Inner Broad always seems barely visited and many that do seem to have a quick nose and then turn around. have We barely moved from where I'd stopped but I didn't want to push my luck so I started up and went to the outer broad where we mudweighted for a while. With a dog, you're always on a time limit mudweighting unfortunately and so we moved on and headed for Ludham Bridge. I still don't think they've got the height gauges right there ad it was showing 7ft 7 and there was comfortably more than that available. Shortly after mooring up, I watched a centre cockpit cruiser with the screen up pass through very comfortably and there was several inches of the concrete showing at the side of the channel. Our stop enabled Suzie to have her second walk of the day and me to have some lunch aboard before we continued. It was a bit of a drizzly afternoon so what better destination than Gayes Staithe and a chance to visit The White Horse, where I've recently arrived. Somehow, although I've visited The Lion many times and really like it, I've never been in The White Horse until tonight. It's a thumbs up from me so far.

The photos online show the original, very traditional wooden wheel. It's been replaced with this one, however. I quite like it except if you're 6 foot tall like me then room is limited and you have to sit with legs astride.

I can see where the heater was where screw holes have been filled in.

I like the idea of wing mirrors on a forward drive cruiser. It's always a struggle to know where the stern starboard corner is so it would be great to have a mirror on that side. I guess if they were added to hire boats they'd get knocked about so a rear camera might be a more practical, if more expensive option.

Bridgecraft were hard at work on Conway Bridge 2 at 4pm this afternoon, I assume an urgent repair was needed. In the foreground I think that's the boat they're going to fit out and add to the fleet.

Does anybody know the history of this place?