Broads01

I received a call from Nicky at Freedom this afternoon. Because the boat isn't going back out tomorrow (well I'm the only one hiring it in November I suspect) I can return the boat any time until 3-30pm tomorrow. I've not prompted them at all and I was fully expecting to be back by 9am. That's fantastic service in my view and not something I'd get elsewhere.

OK so private moorings and lots of posts but no boats. It's not an issue this time of year but come next summer it could be a tight squeeze if the only 24 hour moorings are those on the town side. For as long as I can remember until the last time I visited in April 2018, moorings were available both sides.

From yesterday, what's going on with these posts? I couldn't work out whether they were to prevent mooring or assist it.

My favourite on the South too Malcom.

I've had a brilliant day's cruise today. The nasty wind was gone and I took advantage of the brightness to chug back down the Chet with roof lowered. Today is my last full day of a 5 night break so I turned left at the bottom of the Chet, destination the Ferry House for my last night. I stopped off at a deserted Langley Dyke to give Rollie a run and enjoy the scenery. Once again there were no boats moving at all. Not long after leaving Langley Dyke I saw a couple of walkers and realised they were the first people I'd seen since passing a couple of fishermen on the Chet. I carried on to Brundall and turned on to Surlingham/Bargate Broad (is calling it Surlingham Broad incorrect?) to drop the mud weight. Doing this always confuses Rollie because he associates my turning off the engine with him getting off for a walk. I think this Broad has an especially peaceful quality. Today was especially so except for the numpty who charged through so fast he caused a wash which rocked the boat noticeably. I set off later and very soon pulled in at Church Fen mooring, mainly to relieve Rollie's cabin fever. I had the roof open once again on a beautifully sunny afternoon and chugged back through the Broad and then up through Brundall, just for the enjoyment of it. I wss soon at the Ferry House and didn't feel like stopping for a bit so I carried on as far as Bramerton Common before returning to a side-on mooring outside the pub. I'm off to get a drink now and looking forward to food.

Thanks Jean, the boat in the foreground looks familiar .

I made it to Loddon fine. Who should already be there but Helen (Ynysmon) and husband Graham on Moonlight Shadow. Jean (SwanR) was also there visiting and it was really good to say hello and chat for a few minutes. I'm currently sat with Rollie in The White Horse which is very warm and welcoming. It's a good job they have WiFi because unusually I have no phone signal whatsoever on the boat or anywhere near it.

Hi there. I only stepped off for a few minutes with Rollie. The Nelson would have been warm but I'm not much of a lunch time drinker.

Rollie enjoyed a run off the lead near the Yacht Station and then we set off at 8-30am. It was bright but with a bitter cold wind so unusually for me I kept the roof up. My intended destination today is Loddon Staithe. At Somerleyton I was hoping not to have to lower the roof but it was around high water and there was only about 8 foot available. I lowered the roof and screens and felt the cold air briefly and then wrestled to close up again as quickly as possible. Once again, Rollie and I have the whole river to ourselves - yesterday I saw one moving boat all day and today only two so far (and one of those was a BA ranger). We're currently at Reedham where I was intending to try the Post Office Tea room only to discover it's closed on Tuesdays.

Until 1pm Howard. They charge the same as in the summer but lock up the toilet and shower facilities at 1pm when they leave - not great.

Rollie is obsessed with squirrels..

I could have done but having reached Geldeston I opted to carry on cruising a bit longer and finished up back at Beccles Yacht Station. The rain dried up this afternoon although there's still a wintery wind. The cruise to Geldeston and back was beautiful as always, albeit that many trees have lost all their leaves now. I'm currently sat in the Bear and Bells which feels very warm and welcoming and Rollie is with me because it's dog friendly.

It's wet and cold this morning. Rollie enjoyed Everitt Park once again first thing and then I pootled around to the water hose on the outside pontoon before setting off back across the Broad. Despite the rain it was a very enjoyable cruise to Beccles and I managed to see two otters. I'm currently at Beccles Yacht Station. High water here is around midday and when we arrived at 10-30 to go through the bridge was too tight to risk. I'm going to hang around until 2ish and see if we can get through then.

I enjoyed the football at The Waveney Inn which was very busy with a mostly young crowd. I came back to the boat for a bit and then went for the carvery at the Wherry Hotel. I enjoyed the food. They keep the carvery going until 10pm which is surprising given it seemed there were more staff there than there were customers. I left the heating on whilst I went out and its still whirring away now so all good as far as the batteries are concerned.

Not me, I passed the Ferry House about 2-30pm yesterday on my way to Rockland for last night. Not a sniff of rain where I was today. I think it's coming in the morning though.

Especially for Neil, here's Lightning at Oulton Broad. There've been more boats around than I expected although the only other hire boat I saw today was Pacific Sunshine. That doesn't really count though because I think it was Pacific owner Richard at the helm.

It's a good job I didn't really need water today. The tap at Reedham was working but there was no hose and I didn't follow Howard's tip of bringing my own (I wouldn't know what fitment to use). Sandersons was all locked up. There's a blue hose in evidence here at OBYS which I'll investigate in the morning.

Some pics from today.

Indeed he was Neil and his wife Nicky also. I do like the personal touch. Song may be the oldest boat I've ever hired and it has a very classic feel to it which I'm really enjoying.

I agree, that's where I am whilst the football's on.

Well I survived the night, albeit I woke up in the night cold but I just put my fleece on and then went back to sleep until the alarm went at 7. It's been lovely today, very bright once again and not quite as chilli as yesterday. The sliding roof has been open the whole time. Fabulous early morning walk with Rollie around to where Short Dyke meets the Broad. We've made it to OBYS via a short stop at Reedham. I'm off in a minute to watch Liverpool v Man City somewhere.

Some pics from today