Broads01

Thank you for a very enjoyable write-up and photos David. I saw Goosander at Sutton yesterday and it looked in lovely condition. I'm struggling with your photo quiz. Is the first one the Dukes Head at Somerleyton?

It did look amazing, obviously lovingly cared for.

Here's a rarity I spotted today on Limekiln dyke - an early Broom 30 with a mahogany superstructure. I didn't know they existed.

It's been a fabulous day today, with the bonus of sun almost all day and a few degrees warmer also. I reversed out of Thurne Dyke around 9am. If I'm near the mill I find it far less faff to reverse out rather than turn around in the tight spot at the bottom of the dyke. The wind still blew me back towards the bank though and I found the bow thrusters weren't very powerful so it was one of those situations where the old-fashioned rudder hard over and quick burst of forward throttle was the way to go. I decided to head for the Ant today and first stop was Ludham Bridge. The clearance on the height marker was 7 foot 11 on the first board so I dropped the screens once again to be sure. The marker nearest the bridge said 8 foot 1 - wow I didn't know the tide dropped that quickly! There was enough boating activity going on to give the river just upstream of the bridge a typically chaotic feel. After a brief stop for a visit to the shop I continued and was surprised to see the How Hill moorings full at 11am. I could have moored at Instead though if I'd wanted and there wasn't a huge amount of river traffic. I decided to head for Gayes Staithe where I haven't stopped for a while and take a walk to the Barton Broad boardwalk. I had the stern-on section at Gayes to myself initially and enjoyed the 15 minute walk to the boardwalk. It's well worth a visit, I think because it lets you see a see a section of the Broad which you can't see by boat. Walking along the single track road to reach the boardwalk was like going back in time because there were no cars for minutes at a time. Aptly, a beautiful 1960s classic mini came along and passed me as it could have done over 50 years ago. Where to cruise next? What a delicious choice I had. I chose to head for Sutton as I haven't been there in a while. There I pondered the idea of having a drink in the sun but decided against it because I wasn't finished for the day yet. I wanted to make the most of being temporarily dog-free and do something you can't do when you have a dog with you - moor on the mudweight overnight. I headed back to Barton and dropped the mudweight in "Rascal Bay". I didn't stay long though because I wasn't 100% comfortable. I just felt too exposed to the wind although in reality it was probably anxiety getting the better of me. Instead, I headed to a lovely wild spot just north of the Broad, on the corner of the Barton Turf "triangle".

I could be wrong but I don't remember Berney Arms Mill having its sails for a long time? They were there today though.

Last night was wintry cold and I kicked myself for not having asked Silverline for an extra duvet. All boatyards seem to make the same mistake of offering only a summer-weight duvet which doesn't cut the mustard in the cold. I was tired enough to sleep well regardless and by 8-45 I was untying and looking forward to a sunny Breydon crossing. I was with the tide today and I zinged along without the engine breaking sweat. At Great Yarmouth it wasn't long after low water so I was surprised to find there was only about 8 foot 6 showing at the first bridge. I had to lower my screen pretty sharpish just to be on the safe side. I'd counted only 4 boats passing since I left Reedham and the Yacht Station had much more empty space than boats. I had pondered the idea of taking a short stop at Great Yarmouth instead of doing my usual thing of passing straight through but ultimately I wasn't really motivated to stop there. Instead I decided to continue. I found myself waiting to overtake a boat doing all of 2.5 mph. I've got nothing against people taking their time but I do object when they combine it with positioning themselves on the wrong side of the river. Eventually they moved over and there was the odd boat heading downstream after that but far fewer than I expected. Eventually I reached Stacey Arms and pulled in for a break and some food. Some of you will have read my thread about our dog, Rollie, passing away in February. Last July Stracey was our first night mooring and as I walked along the bank alone today it felt so strange to be without him. I decided to head for Thurne for tonight where I arrived around 3pm. The wind was quite challenging as I moored because it was pushing the boat strongly away from the bank. I'm on the left side of the dyke and I noticed how few and far between the mooring rings have become. I was lucky to have two of them but after I arrived I kept hearing the sound of rhond anchors being hammered in. As I write I'm enjoying the rarity of gluten-free draught beer in the shape of "Redwell Steam", a drink I've enjoyed here time and time again.

So there are and 4 of them, including yours, are the Aston Concorde-style 30 footers. It seems quite fitting they've "stayed at home", so to speak.

Great drone shots as usual, David. From picture 3 it's hard to believe there was once a thriving Aston Boats base there.

A couple of boats have come in since I took that picture but the Yare was typically quiet this afternoon.

This afternoon I boarded Silver Mirage at Silverline, Brundall for my first trip of the year, a week aboard solo. The "Version 2.0" in the title is for two reasons, firstly I'm returning to the boat after a gap of nearly 18 years and secondly the boat feels very much a version 2.0 because it's been significantly updated since I hired it last time. I was really impressed today both with the welcome and service I received from Silverline and also what they've done with the boat. It had a complete refit in 2018 and everything has been updated, including the addition of electric hook up, bow thrusters, electric sliding roof and electric mudweight. The boat is around 33 years old now but you'd never know and it's in immaculate condition inside and out. Earlier, I'd had a remarkably hassle-free journey from South Wales to my first port of call - Sainsbury's near Thorpe. I had planned to top up with petrol there after shopping but thought better of it given the queue which had to be marshalled by staff as it trailed around the entire perimeter of the car park. It was a short drive then to Brundall where I arrived around 2pm and after a short but professional handover I was away at 3pm. Destination for tonight was Reedham as, very handily as I want to head north, slack water at Great Yarmouth is around 10-30 in the morning. It was a quiet and sunny, if chilly cruise down the Yare which, despite my punching the tide, only took an hour and a half at a steady 6mph. At Reedham Quay I was greeted by a helpful ranger who promptly helped me adjust the fenders and then set up a spring line for me. I'm now in the Ship for some food and really looking forward to my run north tomorrow.

Yes I remember in the early 1980s they looked super-modern for the time.

I'll enjoy reading your tale, David. I'm curious though, do you ever fancy cruising somewhere for your first night? I must admit I don't think I could ever have the patience to wait until the following day for my first cruise.

I'd go through at low water considering the air draft and the need to pass St Olaves.

I'm no business analyst but to mind setting prices beyond the top end of the market isn't a recipe for long-term customer loyalty.

No longer offer moorings to hire craft or no longer offer temporary moorings to anybody?

I was about to say the same, only the boat styles have changed. The shop has changed rather more, though.

I'm a dual steer man too, Andy and I think on the southern Broads in particular they really come in to their own. On the Thames, though, the vistas are invariably not so open as the Broads and reeds along the bank are far fewer, so I'd question if dual steer gave much of an advantage.

Thanks for your write-up and photos, Jean, enjoyable. I'll put the videos on the TV when I get the chance. I agree, a strange decision on the boat naming. I guess rewriting the boat names was overdue given previously they'd all been done at different times and sometimes done elsewhere so they were inconsistent. However, the only reason I can think of for restricting the name to the stern is to minimise costs - one name per boat instead of three.

I agree and that says a lot about Broads prices because I used to think Kris Cruisers prices seemed overly high. As it happens I'm booked with them for the first time this June.

And if you want it in August it'll set you back £2640 for 2 people. A bargain it is not.

Good to hear the Cockshoot boardwalk is open as it was closed when I was there last year.

Yes I can see how the channels on Barton could be confusing. With the island, my brain always wants to work out which side of it I should be but I know in reality there are channels both sides. It's a beautiful stretch of water though and the openness is nothing to worry about.

It must have felt fantastic to be back aboard your first hire, Jean. Thanks for writing up - one thing you wrote confused me though, why didn't you enjoy the Barton Broad crossing?

Do they still take bookings for overnight moorings?