Broads01

I think keeping the (I assume) original orange will be a nod to the boat's hire history. That would be my choice I think.

When I'm coming in to moor or leaving a mooring I always have my phone on the side by the helm. I couldn't bear the hassle of destroying it by falling in. That said, it's in my pocket when I go out to the pub or for a dog walk. Some risks you just have to live with I guess.

Just noticed Herbert Woods are planning to launch Aurora Light next August. Their description makes bold claims but it looks to me like a re-worked Alpha dual steer with extra berths squashed in. https://www.herbertwoods.co.uk/book/aurora-light/

Once upon time, well, until 2016 Royall's Boatyard was in Wroxham, their website said Wroxham and Hoseasons (they who always get things right of course) also said Wroxham. Just to confused us, some of their boats were labelled "Royaĺls Boatyard Hoveton".

I agree with that as I too am a lover of Broads history, which I find fascinating. All the same, perhaps we can accept that things change with "common usage" over the years? Is it Black Horse Broad or Hoveton Little, Surlingham Broad or Bargate, Roy's in Hoveton or Wroxham?

I remember that very well and long after the coasters were gone.

Thank you for the information, Paladin. The mooring has always been called Crowe's here so I've come to know it as that but I stand corrected.

Fascinating photo and insights, thank you. Coasters were before my time in the main but as I recall there was guidance about giving way to them (as they must have needed plenty of width)? Would it have been the 1980s when they ceased?

Thank you for sharing, Kate, I'm glad you did. I frequently hire solo but whether solo or not I always wear a life jacket for both mooring and unmooring, regardless of location and conditions. I was never more glad of that when I fell in at Gayes Staithe in 2017 after coming in to moor stern-on on the end quay. I stepped off safely with both stern ropes and then promptly proceeded to step too far to my left so my left foot went over the quay at right angles to where the boat was. It was a wet day so I was togged up with raincoat and my auto life jacket did it's job, albeit after a brief moment where I was scared it wasn't going to. Fortunately there was a couple on hand to haul me out as in the water I felt like I was covered in lead.

Glorious indeed and not just in the summer. https://photos.app.goo.gl/7j9n7EXJouKP8gJN9

I didn't know there used to be a sign saying that. So hire boats had to turn by the Rising Sun?

Yep, they maintain everything brilliantly so it all "just works" and makes the whole hire stress-free. In 2 hires we've had nothing go wrong bar a suspect tv aerial.

Lovely. Looks like all the sailing boat fleet are tucked up in bed for the winter.

For me the appeal of a good pub is good food and the taste of what's on draught. Needing gluten-free it's rare to find a pub with beer on draught I can have (though thankfully there are exceptions) but thankfully I like draught cider almost as much. Cans and bottles are never quite the same.

What a brilliant photo, thank you, it answers my question. I smiled at the orange forward-steer nose first into the staithe. My late dad used to do that because he hated reversing in to a space. Dom, forgive me if I've missed this in a previous post but what was your job in those days? Did you work for Faircraft as was?

I assume you moored at Salhouse earlier, Howard. Any other hire boats there?

It's fantastic to see the photo Vaughan. For some strange reason, I still remember having to fight my way through crowds of people in the bar to make it to the gents, which goes to show how busy it used to be on a Saturday night. My earliest memories of Ranworth are of mooring on the Broads Tours quay (opposite the public moorings and now private moorings) I had no idea there was a Broads Tours quay at Ranworth. Does anybody have any photos?

How times change, especially as I recall that was a particularly wet summer. Just look at the amount of clearance that Bounty had.

Booking ahead so the crowds ahead of you don't take up all the space 🙂?

Barnes Brinkcraft have reduced prices by 5% for bookings before 31st January. I recall they've done this in the past but this year they seem to have taken longer to offer the discount. https://www.barnesbrinkcraft.co.uk/norfolk-broads-boating-holidays/boat-hire/?start_date=2024-09-14&nights=7&guests=2 Slightly annoyed I already have two 2024 bookings with them and I've missed out.

Good to see you're back aboard, Howard. December wouldn't be the same without hearing from you.

I do hope so or else mooring at Rockland will never be the same.

Excellent write up and photos as always, Helen, thank you. I'm guessing as you have a largeish estate but you still need a trailer Pozzick and Seren need a fair bit of luggage. I always surprise myself by how much gubbins I need just for a small dog.

One hireboat this year, that's mind-blowing. What the hell has happened since the days it seemed everyone with a low enough air draft could pass through? The last time I managed passage through Potter was 2013. That seems a like a very distant memory.

Wow, the photos of Cockshoot are striking, Helen. I've been to the Co-Op at Acle but didn't like it much, to be honest. I found the prices too high.