Broads01

Glad you had a good week, Andy, thanks for sharing.

I agree, Helen. I'll keep posting mine. I have the Thames next month then back on the Broads late September.

I don't think you'll go far wrong with Chelsea Bridge, Andy, it looks very good value. I like the look of the set back helm positions on Chelsea and Humber. You may get a look at Chelsea when you return on Friday.

Ex-Maffett Cruisers for a short time. As I recall they did quite a bit of work on it.

I don't doubt they're nice but it's a shame they cost silly money to hire.

I thought you'd enjoy the customer service, Andy. I certainly did last year and I've booked a return to Bridgecraft in 2023. I used to enjoy Berney Arms but it is maybe a bit bleak nowadays with the pub and mill both long since closed.

Nice photo. Is that you in the yellow life jacket? Just looking at the sign on the stern. I didn't know Wroxham was part of Great Yarmouth back then, ha ha.

Enjoy yourselves, Andy as much as you can.

I didn't know that. Do you recall if there was any particular reason why it was the case?

The names do tend to be hard to read. They're not so bad when placed higher up but depending on the boat design that isn't always possible, so the sedans have the name on the stern part of the hull. Imagine hiring for the first time and struggling to find your boat in the boatyard because the name is low down below quay level. The other surprising and slightly daft thing is there's nothing to identify the boats as belonging to Richardson's other than the slightly cryptic R on the bow. So as a first time visitor who's never heard of Richardson's you'd be looking at their boats and wondering where they were from.

I do enjoy your write ups, Helen. Your Brundall - Horning run sounds like a fun day - except for the carpet cleaning! I love the IT Crowd - "Hello IT, have you tried turning it off and on again"!

Short Dyke is a lovely spot. Last summer we overnighted at Rockland Staithe and enjoyed a lovely early evening walk as far as the Short Dyke moorings. Lovely as the Staithe is, Short Dyke is more peaceful and yet still an easy walk to the pub if you want to.

I was wondering about the bridge practicalities for this boat. I know they can get the woodies through with less than 6 foot but I'd have thought this would need 6 foot 3 or thereabouts?

Thanks for that. It looks rather nice and an interesting departure from the woodies for Marthams. I've always thought the Elysian 27 to be an elegant classic, more so than the aft cockpit version for some reason. https://www.marthamboats.com/hire/motor-cruisers/73-broadland-minstral

Sending my condolences, Andy.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185418608807?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=fOrnArAXQMG&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=4b-5bJkbQHi&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Thanks for the Upton photos in particular, Malcom. You did well to turn ahead of that mooring.

So your cruise this week Helen will be quite unique, being a one-way trip from Brundall to Horning. I'm always amazed by how every trip is different and there's always something new to do. I guess this will be a first for you.

Just to clarify, I was referring to Silver Cloud, not Moonlight Shadow.

I can understand why the owners would choose Horning as a base and I don't doubt it made financial sense also. I know from Dave Whitworth's recent video that Silver Cloud has a Friday takeover with a 6pm takeover time. So in the autumn and winter you're taking over the boat in the dark - it wouldn't be my choice.

I have a close family member hoping to come aboard with me next year who's had issues in the past on hire boats with head bumping and needing to stoop due to poor headroom. She's a little over 6 feet tall. Can anybody recommend a boat design that's good for internal headroom or at least partly so?

I love Upton Dyke, Malcom but I must admit the longest boat I've ever taken down there was 31 foot. Is the Parish Staithe at the far end? Maybe you could get a photo in the morning of the boat in situ and show where you turned?

Good news about the Burgh Castle moorings also, glad they're open finally.

The Wayford-Dilham stretch is wonderful indeed, Malcom. Good to fit that one in whilst you're on a boat that fits under Wayford.

Latham's seems to be a love it or hate it, Marmite kind of place. I hate it myself. Going in there is like switching off magical Broads world and switching on everyday life.