Broads01

Sunday 2nd September We left Ranworth Island around 9am and made the short journey to the Staithe where there was a few spaces. We decided on a walk to the Conservation Centre. The staff there are very friendly and it's a lovely spot. On returning to the boat we set off in the sunshine and headed in Wroxham direction. Horning was it's usual buzzing self but Hoveton Little Broad had a certain calmness about it I've never thought about before. It struck me how different it feels to Salhouse which although lovely can have a buzzing touristy feel sometimes. It's funny that even after coming for so many years you can still notice different things. It was a beautiful warm day so we opted for a mudweight stop on Salhouse and sat eating on Contessa's generous outside deck. A while later we made the short chug to Wroxham and pulled in at Barnes for water. We didn't fancy doing anything else in Wroxham and Contessa can't pass through the bridge so it was back the way we'd come. We opted to overnight at Cockshoot and just after 4pm just managed to squeeze in thanks to kind people who pulled up their boats to make a big enough gap. It was a peaceful evening, punctuated by the sound of an owl not long after dark.

Enjoy the voyage, Robin, Charlie and crew.

I'm a lucky, lucky man. For the first time in my life I'm enjoying a third Broads holiday in the same year. 'Regular readers' may recall that when I was on my first trip in April I lost a dear friend in a motorcyle accident. Since then enjoying life has seemed more valuable than ever and I feel lucky and priveleged to enjoy the Broads once again. I also feel lucky to have a full week afloat, the first time for 3 years following a succession of short breaks. This time I'm on Contessa from Richardsons with my Mum and daughter Natalia who's 18 now and about to go off to university. Saturday1 September I said goodbye to my wife Mel around 6-45am and hit the road from home in South Wales. I picked Mum up at a station en route (Natalia is joining us Monday evening). It was a straight forward run, save for the fact I made the mistake of staying on the A47 all the way to Acle and we got stuck for ages in a lengthy queue at the roundabout where the Travelodge is. We arrived in Stalham around 1pm, grabbed some food at Richardsons and then following a Tesco visit checked in at 2-30pm. Soon after we were boarding, and our guy for the handover appeared even before I'd finished unloading the car. I had no need for a trial run so he quickly showed me what's what, we finished unpacking then we set off at 3-45. It was beautiful, warm weather and time to put shorts and sun cream on. The Ant was busy but not too much so and I was surprised as we passed How Hill how many mooring spaces were available. Ludham Bridge was different though with just one spot on the Hall Farm moorings free. Contessa officially needs 8 foot 4 at bridges and the gauge at Ludham read 8 foot 5 so how much room to spare do you think we had? Around a foot as it turned out! We opted for St Benets for the night but it was 5-45 by now and no spaces at all so we headed for Ranworth Island instead. There it was busy but a few spots available and we were very happy with our spot. Unfortunately we were askee for £10 to moor there which is on the steep side considering all you get for your money is a patch of grass with no water or any other facilities. Still it does put you in easy striking distance of Ranworth Staithe ready for when the overnighters there leave in the morning....

I remember seeing that diagram years ago in some manual or other and it makes sense - but only in the event you moor next to an upward sloping bank. What if the bank is flat or sloping the other way? I'll admit when needing rhond anchors I tend to wonder whether I've placed them correctly.

I'll be sad to see Crown Gem 3 611F go as it's one of 'my' boats having been my first solo hire in 2011. Ah, the days when I could hire solo from Richardsons before they shot themselves in the foot! My late dad came aboard for the day so extra happy memories. It looks like Crown 1 and 2 might be staying though? My one dislike about that class was the one piece canopy (I would have liked to detach the sides). With the canopy up it felt claustrophobic.

I feel for you Neil, in your position I would also have been upset, I really struggle with people like that. I've never thought to save the BA number to my phone but your tale has convinced me to do so for my upcoming trip. Thanks very much for a very well written tale and great photos.

Yes it does go under Wroxham given the right conditions. As always though, no guarantees.

That's true, the seating area is smaller than on their centre cockpit sisters but its ok I think and the seating area up top is fabulous.

I've looked aboard Commander's sister ship, Commodore. It's a beautiful boat and I love both the cabins and the luxury top deck. The only thing I didn't like was the galley because it was miles too small. I take your point about mooring on the left except where tides are strong you should always moor against the tide, regardless of whether that's right or left. If you try to moor with the tide you'll tend to get spun around.

Fair enough Tim, you've seen Rangers with your own eyes so you've convinced me not to remove any tape any time soon. I still think they should add signage though.

If it really was the Rangers I'd agree with you (although I still think it would be a rubbish method of closing a mooring) but I'm still to be convinced.

Sorry Marshman, I'm with Breydon on this one. If it really is the BA using the tape then I agree with Heron above, they need to make it a whole lot clearer why the mooring is closed, definitely including signage. I would have no hesitation in removing the tape.

Interesting about your Great Yarmouth experience, Neil. So how long before slack water were you, do you think? I'm interested because the last time I tried going north well before slack the boat was hardly moving and I didn't enjoy the experience. Your tale, however, suggests otherwise. I'm thinking, perhaps, it depends on the boat and the power you have at your disposal.

There's been a new addition at Freedom Cruisers, a 37 foot Aquafibre Crystal dual steer. Once upon a time it was Poole Harbour at Harbour Cruisers and it looks very tidy on the exterior. Coincedentally I have sister ship Contessa from Richardsons a week on Saturday but I'll certainly consider this one for the future.

I really like Surlingham Ferry too having stopped there in April. From the photo it looks like there was plenty of space to moor there?

I'm with you on the long cruises thing Neil and I like to go south if I'm out for a full week. With the Great Yarmouth times it's luck of the draw as to when slack water falls when you're hiring. Sometimes slack water can be late in the day at the start of the week but I get why you took advantage of the morning slack.

Hi Neil, I remember your previous tale too. I'm enjoying this one so far. Why do you hire north and then go immediately south?

I spent a happy week on one of Hippersons houseboats back in 2000 when my children were young. Whilst it was a lovely spot and I enjoyed watching boats go by I did keep wishing I was aboard one of them.

I'm completely with you on that one. Is it worth reporting to the BA?

Exactly what I said in my earlier post. It's a nonsense article that should be disregarded.

There are two reasons why I would take this article with a pinch of salt. Firstly, the page dates from 2007 and if the law actually changed since I think we would know about it. Secondly, it's the Daily Mail - enough said.

There's a share now available for £2000 according to the BCBM website http://www.bcbm.co.uk/boats/broads-cruisers.html The annual budget figures published date from 2015-16 - are these still at similar level?