Broads01

The last holiday I had with my late father was hiring from Horizon Craft. I hired from Horizon on 3 other occasions with my children and then my first hire from Bridgecraft was with my daughter 2 years ago. Rainy to begin with today. We were planning to finish at Great Yarmouth but first of all had a run to Loddon. The Chet has encroachment of reeds into the channel in a few too many places for my liking. Moored at the staithe for water and a short walk then back down the Chet and to Reedham Ferry. Left there about 2-45 with low water at Great Yarmouth being 5-15. We bowled along at low revs on the tide, doing about 9mph on Breydon. Nice to stop overnight at Great Yarmouth after all these years - I've never done so before.

It came in for the 2022 season and makes the boats look drab and anonymous in my view. Those familiar with Broads hire fleets know what the R on the bows means but the uninitiated would have no idea where the boat is hired from or even if it's hired at all. That makes no business sense to me.

To cut a long story short, the service at The Ship was so poor we ended up walking out without eating and we ate at The Nelson instead. More detail when I'm home.

A boat that retains heat? That's a first! I'm aboard this week and woke up at 6-20 this morning very very cold, so if yours didn't feel too bad you're winning. Ludham Bridge to Stracey to Wroxham is a big cruise - fair play for getting the miles in.

Another sunny, peaceful day. Left Beccles and headed for Oulton. Had a very relaxing lunchtime stop at OBYS. By coincidence, Lightning was booked on the space next to us and who should arrive but vlogger Dave Whitworth and his wife, Christine. I'm an avid follower of Dave's videos so it was great to meet them both. We continued on our way, Reedham-bound. Eating at The Ship this evening.

Not any more, unfortunately and I used to like that mooring. It's now reserved for the "Big Dog Ferry" and the Canoe Man business. There are the BA moorings upstream of the Yacht Station but they're few and the traffic noise from the dual carriageway is off-putting.

Having just passed WRC yesterday and today, there are no obvious visitor moorings available so I'm grateful to read above that they are. The space on the front looks like a short-stop water and pump out place like it always was. There is nothing whatsoever to motivate boaters to stop overnight. I think the fact the marina is full of brokerage boats and private moorings contributed to my impression.

Having hired Contessa I agree stern access isn't it's strongest point but no issues for side-on moorings. It's still a great boat.

Left North Cove after a decent break and continued to Beccles. Made a brief water stop at the Yacht Station as we weren't sure where we were finishing up. Continued through the bridge and enjoyed one of my favourite stretches to Geldeston Lock. Paused for a short dog walk then back to the Yacht Station tonight. Snooker at the Snooker Centre this evening.

I think it's an excellent all-rounder, John. It's a very easy boat to live with, having the forward drive-style dual sliding roofs but with a central cockpit-saloon. Both cabins are spacious and both are ensure. Conway is a basic boat from a modern perspective (no hook-up, no microwave, no carpets) but very comfortable and very good value for money.

Very chilly night and frosty start. Managed to stay warm in bed, it's just the getting up bit I don't like. Left Burgh just before 9 having seen no boats pass since our arrival. Lovely relaxed, sunny cruise with the tide up the Waveney, didn't see a boat for the first half hour. Now at North Cove.

Headed back down the Ant this morning, Great Yarmouth - bound. It was very very quiet with just two boats moored at How Hill, one at Ludham Bridge and very few on the move. We didn't stop until Acle and our home boatyard. We needed water, a replacement fender and batteries for the TV remote, all of which cheerfully provided. We moved over to the free moorings for a dog walk and a break then set off south. The weather has been bright but cold. We saw virtually nobody on the lower Bure and only 10 boats moored at Great Yarmouth Yacht Station. Breezed across Breydon and stopped tonight at Burgh Castle. We have it all to ourselves.

We had a chug to Neatishead at lunchtime. You can't really tell from the photo but the work looks less than half complete.

The pressure in the water hose on the taxi rank side was so poor I gave up. The ranger wanted me to visit the information office and pay £3 which I didn't.

Now at Sutton. Arrived 15-45 and only just got in thanks to several overstayers (not just on the green) and the usual people taking more than their share of space.

Sunny today, thank goodness. Today we're marking 10 years since my late father accompanied me boating for the final time by retracing the same route we did together on his 70th birthday in April 2013. He passed away late May 2013. The route from Cockshoot is to Ranworth, then Neatishead (although it's Gayes because the moorings are closed) then Sutton tonight with a meal at the hotel. Chatted with two forumites so far, being Davydine (David) at Ranworth and Cambridge Cabby (Simon) here at a peaceful Gayes.

Did a ranger collect the fee or did you volunteer to pay at the Information Centre?

Started my first trip of the year today aboard Conway Bridge 1 from Bridgecraft, aboard for a week with my daughter Keira. I'm going to do my blot a bit differently this time around, being briefer whilst aboard and then more detail when I get back. Time aboard is precious, there always seems a lot to pack in, so it makes sense to enjoy the time rather than spend a lot of time writing about it. Today was an 0430 alarm call for travelling, arrival at Sainsburys Thorpe at 11, picked Keira up from Acle station at 1330 then boat takeover. Bridgecraft people were brilliant as before, away at 15-10 for relaxed chug to Cockshoot tonight. Absolutely hammered with rain and cold miserable wind but much better forecast for the rest of the week. Special plans tomorrow, all will become clear.

I believe Alan passed away whilst at Potter Heigham. Presumably it must have fallen to one of the syndicate members to take the boat back to Horning. That must have been a very sad experience.

I take a dim view of requests to visit somewhere to pay a mooring fee. Why would you bother, especially as they shouldn't be charging the fee anyway? The whole "parishiners" issue I find bizarre. If it's about where you live, then make it about proof of address, don't assume everybody goes to church. If it's about where you go to church (I don't), what's that got to do with anything?

Acle Station is only a short taxi ride from Acle Bridge.

Fascinating page https://www.brundallvillagehistory.org.uk/river-yare.html, thanks for the info, Vaughan.

Very informative, Malcom, thank you. I've no problem paying £20 to moor if it's redeemable.