Broads01

Ah. I was wondering if he's part-Lhasa Apso as he reminds me of our dog Rollie.

Great pic. What breed is Sydney?

Enjoy Andy. For my trip last week I ended up on Benmore 2 because I had my Mum with me, but I do fancy one if the Velvets for the future. Bearing in mind the time of year and having hired with Barnes twice this year, I'm happy to say they're doing something right with their batteries. On both boats I could switch the heating on whenever and even the microwave and the voltage always held up without ever needing to start the engine. Very impressive.

Some images from the week.

Cheers for that. Bentley and Rollie look quite alike. Here's Rollie enjoying St Benets.

Saturday 28th September It was an early start and a sunny, if cold cruise back to Wroxham. I remember from my hire in May how frantic the boatyard seemed on changeover day and it was even more so this time. We were beckoned to moor along the river front at which point the staff rapidly turned the boat around, refuelled, pumped out and then moved us away around the back of the holiday flats. The boatyard has limited refuelling points and we were told they were expecting 45 boats back and 30 going back out. The holiday flats mooring meant I couldn't drive the car right to the boat but we managed OK. We used £65 worth of fuel which I thought was pretty reasonable given the mileage we'd covered. Overall we had a fabulous week and we were really pleased. When hiring for a week I tend to go south for part of the time but staying north this time and covering shorter distances was a welcome and relaxing change. The weather was a mixed bag but probably more dry than wet overall. I really liked Benmore 2 overall - I'll do a review in the hire boat section. I'll post some photos, probably later today.

Friday 27th September Our last full day. We made the most of a bright morning as we continued upstream, back through Horning and initially as far as St Benets. This is a particularly good dog exercising spot, especially if you have a dog like Rollie who knows his own mind as to whether he feels like coming back to you when he's off the lead. In spite of Rollie's interest in some fishermen sat the other side of the fence he'd wandered towards, I caught up with him and moved him on under sufferance. With or without dog at St Benets I always enjoy walking across to the Cross on the mound because you get a great vista of the surrounding rivers, including Womack and Thurne in the distance. We returned to the boat and continued back to the Thurne. I like stopping at Womack Island but with availability rare there we were pleasantly surprised to see it empty. Despite sunshine all morning a rain deluge arrived seemingly from nowhere not long after we'd stopped. By the time we set off after some food however the sun was shining again. We chugged up to Womack Staithe and made use of an empty space by the water hose. The water tap there is possibly the slowest anywhere on the Broads but we were away soon enough and retraced our path back to a last night destination. We wanted to eat out and it was a toss up between Horning Ferry of there was space to moor or otherwise continue to Wroxham. I'm an avid follower of "Admiral" Russell Thomson's videos and coincentally he was also hiring from Barnes this week. Having been corresponding with him I knew he'd be at Horning somewhere and I was delighted to see his boat at the Ferry Inn and still a single mooring space remaining. Russell and I had never met face to face, save for waving in passing on Breydon a year ago but this time when I knocked on his window he was pleased to come and shake my hand and chat. Unfortunately our meal in the Ferry was poor. We opted for the carvery but wished we hadn't - it wasn't hot enough and the potatoes were very hard having clearly sat out too long. We complained and at least they dealt with that well and offered us free drinks. After eating we joined Russell for a drink and enjoyed talking all things boating and more besides.

Thursday 26th September continued I approached the bridge slowly, concentrating hard to make our passage as central and perpendicular as I possibly could. I didn't dare throttle up to anything like the pace the pilots use but I was also conscious not to be over tentative and maintain enough momentum to steer effectively. As we approached, I could see we easily had enough clearance. I continued, straight as a die although I do say it myself, with absolutely acres of space. Before we passed through I had visions of being turned down again the following day and making do with a repeat visit to Coltishall so it felt really good to be through. We continued in the sunshine before stopping for the night at Salhouse Spit. It was a peaceful spot, us being one of only three boats on the long length of mooring opposite Hoveton Great Broad.

Thursday 26th September We had a fairly leisurely start to the day given that with low water at the bridge late in the day we wouldn't be able to pass through until afternoon. We set off just before 10 and chugged as far as Belaugh where we stopped at the church staithe. The sign there indicates "pilgrims path to the church" (not sure why it's called that) and we took a walk up the hill to the church and a little beyond. We set off again a short time later and arrived at the Hoveton moorings around lunch time. Clearance at the bridge at that point was only 6 foot 9 so we visited Roy's and relaxed on the boat for a while. By 3pm clearance was 6 foot 10 and this being close to what it had been when we passed through easily the day before I phoned Barnes and requested them to take us through. I was surprised at the response "I'm not sure you'll get through today, water levels have risen" and the confirmatory call back a short time later "can't get you through today, please phone in the morning". I was perplexed and to be honest, somewhat annoyed. The day before at 6 foot 11 we had been taken through very comfortably. Now it was 6 foot 10 and low water wasn't for another 3 hours and yet somehow now the bridge was impassable. I walked up to Barnes to politely communicate my confusion. They wouldn't budge: "If my guys say it won't go through I won't make them take you through." I pressed no further and walked away. Shortly before 5pm, I talked to the bridge pilot as he stepped off a boat he'd just brought through and asked him if water levels were higher today than yesterday. He replied that they were and I told him I was confused why Barnes were refusing. He said "It's 6 foot 11 now and I could take you through at 6 foot 9 but I'm not allowed to". We left the mooring to get water at the old Porter and Haylett yard across the river and whilst we filled up I made a decision - I would take us through myself. I had seen how much room we had to spare at 6 foot 11 yesterday, we had full water tanks and I had enough experience to get us up close to the bridge and abort if at all necessary. I could see exactly where the high point on the boat was and the shape of the screen in front of me and where it would conflict with the arch. Unlike other boatyards, Barnes don't insist you use a pilot service (and I would never go against the official pilot). To be continued....

Wednesday 25th September We rejoined the Bure turning right back towards Wroxham as our destination today wss Coltishall, Wroxham Bridge permitting. The weather was bright as we set off but by the time we reached Horning a heavy rain shower came our way and that proved to be the weather pattern for the day. We made a detour in to Hoveton Little Broad and had the place to ourselves as we mudweighted for a while. We continued to Salhouse to stretch our legs and there it was remarkably quiet also. We had a lovely spot on the extreme upstream end of the moorings, a beautiful lunchtime view. As we approached Wroxham later the bridge marker showed 6 foot 11 and I wasn't certain we'd be able to pass through. Barnes take their own boats through rather than subscribing to the bridge pilot. After water and pump out we were taken through the bridge with plenty of room to spare. The boat manual states 7 foot is needed for this boat but I think it's more like 6 foot 9 in reality. We enjoyed a very quiet cruise to Coltishall and we didn't see another boat at all until we were past Belaugh. At that point the helmsman coming downstream frantically shouted towards me "There's no spaces!" and gestured for me to turn around. I had no intention of doing so, so I just smiled and waved because I knew he was one of the many who believe the last mooring at Coltishall is at The Rising Sun. Well, no it isn't and whilst, sure enough, the moorings at the Common were full (save for a couple of the usual numptys who insist on occupying the centre of a double space) I knew Coltishall Lock would be OK which was our intended mooring all along. This time I had no issues with the rhond anchors. We had a peaceful walk and a peaceful evening.

Tuesday 24th September It felt like autumn had started with drizzle first thing turning to full-on rain by the time we reached Stalham. I last visited the Broads Museum 19 years ago and Mum had never been so it felt like an ideal rainy day option. It's improved a lot since I last visited and there's a lot to see spread across four buildings. We were able to camber inside a model of the living quarters of the wherry Albion, see hire industry memorabilia and see a complete timeline of Broads history. Having finished at the museum we made a visit to Tescos and then returned to our mooring at Richardsons. There were hardly any Richardsons boats on Swan Quay so I'm guessing they were almost fully booked this week. By the time we 'sailed' once more around 2pm the rain had cleared and we headed for Neatishead. The Ant and Barton Broad were very quiet so surely there would be a mooring at Neatishead early afternoon? Not a chance, ten boats in situ, looking like they'd been there for hours. We wanted to eat out and we opted for the Dog at Ludham Bridge. Fortunately there were spaces there arriving around 3-45. We managed to avoid rain all afternoon until after we'd stopped, (although we had a very wet walk back to the boat from the pub in the evening). Before we went out Rollie and I enjoyed a walk along the river bank down as far as the farm moorings below the bridge. We enjoyed the Dog and the gluten free options were really good.

I'd agree with you when daylight hours are short. If daylight permits, however, crossing Breydon and all that goes with it is fun and well worth it.

We're heading for Stalham to visit the Broads Museum and Tesco, then Neatishead or Gayes later.

Monday 23rd September Well we seem to have got away with another mostly sunny day, once the cloud first thing moved away. We took a walk to Ramblers gift shop first thing, friendly service and a nice choice of stuff, especially if you like artwork. Back at the boat we headed off downstream, bound for South Walsham. I like getting water at Russell's boatyard because of the scenic location. After a quick top up there I fancied mudweighting but it was a little too windy so we stopped on Fleet Dyke instead. It was sheltered enough there to enjoy coffee in the sunshine. It was on up the Ant next. We wanted a stop at How Hill as mum has never done the Electric Eel trip. On the approach to How Hill, I was hooted at by a guy on a steam boat because I'd drifted too far to the centre for him to speed past - what a lovely man. Shortly after mooring, a Richardsons boat sped past and brushed our rubbing strake as he did so. I shouted for him to slow down, not realising at that point the boat was being towed by a tug boat - another lovely man! Mum enjoyed the Electric Eel (it was just her and the ranger aboard) whilst I took Rollie for a romp on the large grassy area in front of the house. After returning to the boat, Malcom (Mouldy) passed us on Moonlight Shadow and we recognised each other and waved. We set off a little later and chugged all the way to Dilham where I write this. The whole cruise was in warm sunshine, absolutely fantastic. On the Wayford-Dilham stretch (which I particularly love), we spotted a kingfisher who was kind enough to wait in a tree long enough for us to appreciate seeing him. We had food on board but I was tempted by the Cross Keys which looked very nice inside and the menu looks good also- one for a future visit.

Hi, I really like the design having not had it before. Handling's not that great though - it could do with a bow thruster and it tends to drift when manoeuvring.

And indeed you did, Malcom, it was good to wave to you at How Hill. We passed you not long after where you were moored at Johnny Crowes Staithe.

Hi Malcom. Yes I spotted Moonlight Shadow moored but I didn't realise you were on it otherwise I'd have walked back to say hello. We're heading to South Walsham in the morning and then to the Ant so we may see you somewhere.

Sunday 22nd September We've been lucky to have another summery day when some of the rest of the country has had rain. We started the day with a doggy walk up to the church and just beyond. We left the mooring later and made the short chug to Ranworth. There were plenty of spaces at the Staithe and we made a short stop before continuing back to the Bure. We headed for Thurne because there was an open day at the Mill today. It was an enjoyable half hour or so listening to a volunteer talk about the workings of the mill and its history, including a demo of the sails turning. The mill works! After some lunch in the sunshine we set off again and went to Potter. There was space on the BA moorings where we stopped and went for ice cream. We decided to try Womack Dyke for a night mooring. The BA mooring was full so we opted for a wild spot on the rhond anchors. However, the ground was so hard it was like trying to push the anchors on to concrete so I had to give up and move on. We finished up back at Thurne. That means I shall have to sample some of their yummy gluten-free beer this evening but I'm sure I'll cope

Certainly, Jean, you can stay overnight as we did. There's only space for two boats but it's often empty. I'll post photos when I'm on WiFi.

Started my second trip of the year yesterday, this time on Benmore 2 from Barnes Brinkcraft. It's my mum and me aboard this time (along with Rollie our Lhasa Apso) and we've opted for a week staying North, hopefully getting up to Coltishall and Dilham. Saturday 21 September The long journey was a little slower than usual, so by the time we arrived in Hoveton and got our shopping done it was 3-30 before we arrived at the boatyard. No matter, the sun was well and truly shining and I swapped to short sleeves before we were away. The river was thronging with day boats enjoying the sun, including one who made my reversing manoeuvre out of Barnes' Marina awkward by flipping his direction of travel more than once. We headed off downstream for a sunny cruise, passing Wroxham Broad and Salhouse as we'll leave them for later in the week. Horning was busy of course and Cockshoot Dyke was also full. We finished up at a lovely peaceful spot I've only moored at once before - St Benedicts Church (between Horning and Ranworth if you don't know it).

When in Wroxham on recent visits, I've struggled a bit with eating choices. I used to enjoy the carvery at the Kings Head but when I wss there in May there was no carvery and the food was poor. The Wroxham Hotel seems to have gone upmarket and I did have a drink there but wasn't sure if the food was overpriced. Years ago I liked the Wherrymans but not so much last time I was there. Any recommendations?

I must admit I wasn't aware of that John. Are you saying the boat is warmer with the windows open?

Have a great time Neil. Don't use up all the good weather before I get there.

I'm reasonably familiar with cruising the Ant above Wayford and what a lovely stretch it is. Somehow though, I often find myself either chickening out of passing under the bridge or if I do pass under, I worry about whether clearance will be OK when I get back. Is the height gauge at Womack accurate (or is it another Ludham!)? How much is the tidal rise and fall (if anything, that far up river)? Did I read somewhere that clearance one side of the bridge is different to the other?

I've seen the boat as I work in Central Bristol. It's not been there long and at some point I'll walk up close to it and try and get some clues. As Neil said it's a Discovery 33. My parents hired one from Maidboats on the Thames in 1985 when I was a teenager. It's true there's no stern door so when the roof is closed access is via a pair of narrow and awkward side hatches. Maidboats had a few of them but they're rare in comparison to the Elysian 34. The only one I remember for hire on the Broads was at Mistral Craft in Loddon who finished after the 1986 season.