Broads01

It's a lot more money and having seen Russell Thomson's video I was a bit underwhelmed by it, particularly the drafts he experienced through the gaps next to the sliding roof. It's true it's a much newer boat but not better in my view.

Matt, it's good to know additional costs have been minimal in your experience. The people on board for an extra week have certainly benefitted well because I'm aware you only pay for diesel and pump out if you're on board for a 'spare week'. Therein lies an important point I think because perhaps to get the best from syndicate ownership you need to be able to be as flexible as you can be with when you're aboard and be able to commit extra time when the opportunity arises.

Cheaper, yes Matt, undoubtedly by a mile assuming you'd be hiring a boat the same size. However with hiring you get perfect choice of what boat, from what base in what week you want. When I hire sometimes I'm solo, sometimes not and I can pick a boat that suits. I know I pay a premium for that in comparison to a syndicate but I also fix the cost when I book with no extra bills to worry about. All that said, I would never rule out switching to a syndicate in the future. For me, it would need the right combination of price, annual cost, boat style and week allocation system ( the lottery thing just doesn't cut it for me).

Yes the two boats ought to have different names really. The Alpha should be more spacious as its a foot longer and about 6 inches wider I think. I was still tempted by the Opal though having hired Hawaiian Goose 10 years ago and I do like the extra wide double doors to the fore deck. The Opal also has a small forward well unlike the Alpha.

Hi Howard, thanks. There are some good internal photos on Barnes website https://www.barnesbrinkcraft.co.uk/our-boats/detail/royall-velvet2/

Thanks for the replies. After much more dithering I finally made a decision and booked Velvet 2 today for a week in 12 months time. I'd have been very happy with either boat but I felt Velvet 2 had a marginally nicer interior plus it's Saturday start which I prefer. I ended up with a better deal than I was expecting. Not only did I get the £10 online discount I'd forgotten about, I got this year's price less 10% when the website is saying 5%. Whether that's a loyalty bonus I don't know but in any case I'll receive a posh food hamper as a returning customer (I have Brinks Jazz in May for the meet). It feels strange to have two trips with Barnes next year as my only previous hire with them was back in 1993. Both trips are likely to be solo so good on Barnes for keeping on allowing solo hirers.

I'm looking at Royal Velvet for next year and there's a choice of numbers 2 and 3. They're actually different designs though with 2 being an Alpha by the looks and 3 being a 28 foot x 11 - Aquafibre possibly? Number 2 has a bath and house-type sofa and island bed, number 3 has L shape sofa, no bath and side bed. I'd be interested to hear any feedback, particularly if there's any difference in air draft as I'd love to be in with a shout of Potter bridge if conditions allow.

Wow, that's a fascinating photo. It proves that reducing bridge clearance isn't just a Potter Heigham issue. 8 foot at Wroxham - those were the days! In recent years I've missed out on passing through Wroxham several times when clearance has been well under 7 foot.

Whilst Richardsons still aren't in my good books, their pricing policy is much more transparent than Barnes and others. They discount up front so whether you book a year in advance or a week in advance it's the same price.

It's a good offer but I agree not great for people who've already booked.

I've no idea Jean but I'm intrigued to find out.

Thanks David. Not the prettiest boat ever but I'm sure it would be lovely. At over £1800 for two people for a week in peak season it had better be good.

Saturday 8th September Today we set off just before 8am and returned to Stalham in good time. At the boatyard I mentioned the only two issues we'd had with the boat being an annoying whine from the propellor (between 1200 and 1600 rpm) and the grill on the cooker which didn't stay alight very well. I was pleasantly surprised with how much fuel we'd used for all the mileage - £90 worth which probably reflects well on the new engine and prop the boat has had recently (I'm told that could be causing the whine though). I'll do a boat review in the hire boat section. Overall a really fun week with mainly good weather and no mishaps. It was brilliant to have a full week aboard as opposed to a short break. Mum and Natalia really enjoyed also.

Friday 7th September Today as we set off on our last full day I had all my layers on as it felt like October all of a sudden. We made a brief stop at Acle as I'd realised we'd left the mallet behind after Monday night but there was no sign of it so we carried on, Potter Heigham bound. We pulled in at Herbert Woods for water and a quick visit to Lathams. Unfortunately I wasn't at all happy with the service received from Herbert Woods staff. Suffice to say at this point I was sufficiently incensed to send them an email and I await their response. We decided to eat out for lunch at the Lion at Thurne based on my strong recommendation after my last visit. Once again they didn't disappoint and I love the rare offering of draft gluten free beer (Redwell Steam which is lovely) and I love the gluten free battered haddock. It started to rain as we ate but I was undeterred from using the upper helm which gives a great view of all the decks and makes turning in tight spots like Thurne Dyke a breeze. It remained cold but the rain abated as we returned to the Ant. We opted for How Hill as a last night stop which this time around at 4-30pm was almost full. A couple of very noisy stag groups came past us having set off from Stalham - one of them had set up a disco on board, no exaggeration. Happily though and not unusually, all our neighbours were very quiet and we had a peaceful last evening.

On our walk from Reedham Ferry we could see water adjacent to the river which isn't obvious from a boat.

I forgot to say on the Yare we caught brief sight of an otter as he raised his head above the water before diving down again. That was a first ever experience. Thursday 6th September Thankfully the sun was shining as we left the Ferry House and set off back down the Yare to head back north. The tide was in our favour and after a water stop at Brooms it was non-stop to Reedham Ferry where there was time for a pleasant walk. From the ferry we walked in a downstream direction in front of the converted windmill. There was a sign on the gate to the effect that the path no longer leads to the village and sure enough when we reached the property further along it had a sign to the effect that the former right of way had been closed at the request of the BA. The gate where the path used to continue across the field was locked so the path we walked on (well maintained) does nothing but connect two properties - very strange. We set off by boat around 12-30 and made quick time to Breydon and across so we passed through GY half hour after low water. We proceeded to Stracey Arms, said hello to the donkeys and made the decision that was far enough for today. We saw remarkably few boats on the afternoon cruise, especially on the lower Bure where I spotted no more than two boats crossing in the opposite direction. It was as if nobody bothers to make the Great Yarmouth passage on a Thursday. I don't normally enjoy the long run back north much but I really enjoyed today. Steering from the upper helm position in the sunshine was a joy.

Rockland from the bird hide

Wednesday 5th September Today the weather started grey and rainy and didn't improve much unfortunately. I can't complain though given all the weather before. We chugged up to the Staithe first of all for water and a second visit to the Co-op before another short hop for a pump out at Pacific Cruisers. We received prompt and friendly service from owner Richard who happily chatted about his business. Bookings have been good this year with the weather although they were also very good last year. He also told me how much he's spent on Pacific Vista since acquiring it. "I had to change almost everything on that boat except the engine" he said. As we returned down the Chet, I relented in the rain and tried out the lower steering position for the first time. Its OK, apart from non-existent rear visibility, and limited leg and head room. We turned left uo the Yare towards Norwich. The usual dominant view of Cantley sugar factory was replaced with rain and mist. We headed for Rockland Broad and a very peaceful lunch stop at Rockland Staithe. We enjoyed a lovely walk as far as the bird hide which overlooks the Broad. Later we continued on the boat towards Brundall and a brief look at Surlingham Broad. We might have mudweighted there for a while but as it wasn't the weather for it we continued to our overnight stop at the Surlingham Ferry House where I'd booked a table. I knew what a lovely place it was having visited in April and this time Mum and Natalia were equally impressed. I need gluten-free food and they have an impressive range of gluten-free options from which I chose breaded scampi which is rarely offered as gluten-free. It was superb.

Tuesday 4th September Today we headed south and handily with slack water around 11-30 there was no need for a very early start. After a quick water stop at Broads Boating Company we were off. I'd been looking forward to this as I always enjoy the challenge of a run south (less so coming all the way back) and it was my first chance to do so for three years having been restricted to short breaks in between. The weather was cooler but still fine and no need to use the indoor steering yet. Just upstream of Stokesby, a hire boat had chosen a wild mooring and found himself high and dry as the tide dropped -we were still on the ebb so he would have had a few hours frustrating wait. We passed through GY at 11am 10 minutes after low water and with around 10 foot clearance at the bridges. Soon after we joined Breydon I spotted vlogger Russell Thomson on Royal Oak coming North and I shouted across his name and waved. He responded and we later exchanged messages - I'll enjoy the Great Broads Adventure 6 when I'm home. Breydon was surprisingly calm for a breezy day and we powerer across amongst light traffic. We pulled in at Berney Arms and took a break there. The mill is still looking sorry for itself with the sails in pieces and temporary fences surrounding it. I have happy memories of climbing it when my children were young. The pub also looks rather sad. There was a chap there laboriously cutting long grass with shears and with a tatty old lawnmower parked also. Quite what the situation is there at the moment I'm not sure. It was a peaceful spot with ours the only occupied boat. We proceeded towards Reedham, now zinging along on the flood. We pulled in at Reedham Quay for a short time. Alas the shop to the left of The Nelson is closing permanently on 30th September but signage suggested the Post Office is remaining. We opted to head for Loddon for the night and I was surprised to see how narrow the bottom end of the Chet seemed due to reed growth. I last visited in late April and it seems to have worsened since. The Chet was very quiet and we stopped for the night at Pyes Mill. We discovered that the short walking route to town across the meadow is closed. On the way there, we discovered the little bridge across the ditch near the marina has been damaged but we just managed to tiptoe across. There's building work going on immediately the other side and on our return we discovered the path is actually closed. When we queried with the builder how this wasn't clear from the opposite direction he just said "I've been told by the BA I'm not allowed to let people pass, we've been meaning to block it off". Thanks for your help mate. We were directed back up the hill to the church, through the church yard and then left downhill through the field. All with two heavy bags of shopping, such is life. Having finally made it back to the boat we had a peaceful and pleasant evening.

At Cockshoot Monday morning.

I chatted to a Broads Boating Company guy at Acle this week and he excitedly mentioned the new builds going on at Brundall, with two boats in construction. I asked him if they'd be ready for next season and he said "we hope so". Was Langford Jillings the man behind all Alpha designs? His influence was undoubtedly huge when I think of the number of Alphas that are around.

Monday 3rd September As we awoke at Cockshoot, there was thick mist hanging over the river which made for an atmospheric scene. By the time we set off the sun was starting to break through as we continued downstream. We enjoyed a brief stop off and walk at St Benets and then picked up water at Russell Marine, South Walsham which I always think is one of the most scenic water stops. We continuee downstream bound for Womack Staithe. The weather kept us guessing - cold and misty as we awoke (heating on), sunny and warmish for a while then cloudy and blowy. By the time we arrived at Womack the sun was out again and the saloon felt like a greenhouse. We switched to more summery clothes and ate outside once again. By the time we returned froma walk to the village we felt pretty hot. We knew we were finishing up at Acle today because that's where I'd arranged to meet my daughter Natalia who was due by train. We made the short cruise to Acle and stopped on the Pedro's moorings. Natalia duely arrived around 7pm and we opted to try eating at Pedro's for the first time. We really enjoyed it. They say "it's not Tapas" but it kind of is really except the dishes are larger and they were all tasty. We thought it was pretty good value and a pleasant change from pub food.