Broads01

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.

I took this picture in May and if you compare to Coryton's picture you can see how much it's deteriorated. I was going to ask when I took it, what was the building used for originally. It has the look of air traffic control about it.

Having been Sand Beam, the boat at Freedom was neglected as a liveaboard for a number of years before Freedom acquired it and renovated it. I'm disappointed it won't go on hire but its understandable given bookings are down and Andy wants to get best price before hirers potentially mistreat it.

Short breaks tend to be 70% of the week price now Vaughan, effectively more than that when you consider you pay the same damage waiver on top. I have been on a 3 night break a couple of times a few years back but never again as they're just too short in mind and particularly poor value for money.

I've hired Contessa from Richardsons which is an almost identical layout and yes the master cabin is small by modern standards but it is a 1980s boat after all and at a budget price. I'm really pleased to see Commanding on hire at last and will certainly hire it if ever I can persuade a big enough crew to accompany me. It's a great design being more spacious than it's more common 32 foot cousins. A down side of it is the high stern deck makes stern moorings awkward for getting on and off so it's not a boat for anyone with even mild mobility issues.

I never saw the point of those "x rpm = y mph" instructions. They're meaningless and bear no resemblance to the reality of tide and conditions. They may have a negative effect by giving a false impression. Who thought they were a good idea?

Good to see Merlin being enjoyed. I didn't hire from Maffetts myself but my late father did in 2009 so I have happy associations with it.

When Breydon is closed, how is it enforced? In practice, are boats able to cross, either in defiance or ignorance?

Whatever the time of year, there always seems to be someone still on the move at dusk when they could have safely moored hours ago.

Great tip, Ray, thanks. I've not moored there but I've often seen boats who have so I'll give it a try.

This thread might as well be in a foreign language. Very frustrating.

I remember when Buckenham Ferry looked like that, quite a decent mooring spot. The current excuse for a pub is such a wasted opportunity.