Broads01

Yep I kept to mid channel because there's little danger of a boat coming the other way!

Some pictures from today

Today has worked out beautifully well. In common with a few of our neighbours, we made the short run over to Ranworth Staithe to make use of spaces left by overnight boats departing. The view from the top of the church tower is one of my favourite views anywhere, not just the Broads and I enjoyed climbing up there as much as ever. Soon after returning to the boat we were off again, Wroxham bound. The weather was starting to warm and there were plenty of boats around of course. As we reached the end of Ranworth Dam we had to pause a minute or two for a gap in the steady Bure traffic. Is it me or does the Horning Ferry pub look increasingly tatty and uninviting on the outside? They now have a huge 'TF' sign outside which seems unnecessary and incongruous. In Wroxham, we'd arranged to meet with Vaughan and Susie who are currently renting one of the cottages opposite the Wroxham Hotel. They kindly provided us with our own private mooring outside their cottage! We spent a very pleasant couple of hours with them sat outside drinking some of their lovely French wine. Also visiting were Jill (of Barnes Brinkcraft fame) and her husband Pete, an old school friend of Vaughan's. I first met Vaughan and Susie at the meet last year and it was great to see them again. Jill and Pete were great company also. We said goodbye to all the folks and took the boat over to the pilot moorings. We soon had the pilot aboard and taking us straight through. The height gauge was showing something less than 7 foot so I asked the pilot how much clearance the boat actually needed (as opposed to what Richardsons tell you it needs). "About 6 foot 4, they'll go through all day long" was his surprising reply. We had a lovely sunny chug up to Coltishall. It was nose to tail on Coltishall Common with no space at all but fortunately we were headed for Coltishall Lock. We're there now and we're the only boat. The pubs at Coltishall, being on the bend as they are with the narrow river after give the illusion of being at the limit of navigation. I'm sure many hirers think that's as far as you can go (for many years I thought you could only go a few hundred yards beyond the Rising Sun). It makes the Lock mooring one of the quietest anywhere I think.

Some pics from yesterday

Even though the weather is warm it was windy yesterday evening and I noticed how air tight the saloon seems to be. The sliding canopies have thick draft excluding brushes all the way around and they're fitted so well you feel like you're in a saloon with a fixed roof. It's a huge contrast to the older sliding roof boats where you can feel the wind if you put your hands near the rails and at the top.

"Ooh, If you book something like this, I'll come again". That was Mel's reaction as we boarded Swan Roamer this afternoon. What a boat it is. By a country mile, it's the nicest boat I've ever had. It just oozes quality in the fit out and the attention to detail. I'll do a boat write up after the trip. We arrived at Richardsons just before 1 and the boat was soon ready. As per usual I couldn't wait to get away. It was a relaxed handover, a quick unpack and we were away about 2-15. The weather was cooler than yesterday but still lovely and Mel was enjoying herself too, feet up on the luxury sofa. We made relaxed progress down a busy Ant. How Hill was almost full as we passed but Ludham Bridge moorings much less so for some reason. We turned right at the bottom of the Ant and opted for Ranworth Island for the night (the lunch time crowd were no doubt filling the Staithe). We had food to cook on the boat tonight so it was ideal. By around 6pm it had filled up here too, just the one gap I think. I'll post some photos at some point when I get a decent signal.

Indeed Vaughan, Prince of Wales Road is particularly shabby, being a mixture of long-closed shop units and night clubs. We had a short walk yesterday evening though to a nicer area towards where The Lanes is. We had a good meal in Prezzo followed by a drink in All Bar One. Norwich seems relaxed and crowd-free for a city on a sunny Bank Holiday in comparison to the cities I'm more used to.

Ah Pyes Mill, one of the south Broads many pleasures and always my preference for a night mooring rather than the Staithe. Incidentally where is, or was, the mill exactly?

Me too Jean. It's like going back in time over 30 years for me as I did exactly the same here as a teenager.

It's been lovely weather in Norwich today. We spent most of the day just mooching about, taking in the shopping centre, the market (although most of it was closed), The Lanes and Elm Hill. The Yacht Station is significantly busier this evening with hire boats that have now had time to reach here after a Friday or Saturday start. There's only 3 or 4 spaces left.

Looks unchanged from its hire boat days except much grubbier.

I agree Ferry Marina boats are ugly, but Richardsons were spot on with the RC45 centre cockpit on my view. It's elegant and slightly retro and yet very modern all at the same time. The forward steer designs are a throw back to the days of the Caribbeans, Bountys and Horizons and there's nothing wrong with that in my view, proper Broads boats through and through.

We made the short walk to the Riverside area of bars and restaurants. We chose Wetherspoon for food which was probably a mistake in hindsight. All Wetherspoons are large but this one is absolutely huge and being very busy it ft like a school dining hall. The whole Riverside area was something of a disappointment being rather soleless and devoid of anything that makes the environment attractive. Strangely, restaurants tend to back on to the river rather than make use of the river frontage. We finished up in the Compleat Angler by the Yacht Station which is nothing special but was reasonably quiet and friendly.

Hi and welcome. My children are grown up now but both have been coming to the Broads since they were very young. They both enjoyed simply playing in open spaces next to moorings. There's been some good suggestions so far, to which I'd add the Waveney River Centre swimming pool if you do decide to venture south. I hired San Francisco 1 in 2014 with just myself and my wife aboard. It's a lovely boat. The aft cabin has a luxury feel to it and the centre cockpit area is comfortable and spacious. On that design I really like the side hatch next to the helmsman's seat which is great to have when the roof is closed. My only complaint was a minor one - the roof was winch-operated and is set up in such a way as you need many windings of the handle to make the roof inch along very slowly. This makes lowering and raising the roof a little more effort than it should be.

No Peter, it's the one immediately before the Yacht Station on the left, as you arrive by boat. By road, we came in past the football ground and station on our right and then turned left over the bridge (Prince of Wales Road).

Blimey, are the electric ones that power hungry?

It was hammering with rain when we left home in Cardiff this morning but it didn't last long and it was a straightforward journey. The Yacht Station is quieter than I expected given its a Bank Holiday weekend and the weather is quite nice. Our room overlooks the Wensum but I've seen zero boats pass since we arrived around 3-30.

I love reversing at Neatishead. It's a great place to do it because it's so sheltered so there's no wind or tidal flow to worry about. As you discovered, dead slow and tiny throttle bursts to correct yourself and its no problem at all.

Thanks for all the replies, I feel better informed now. Yes I was already aware of the fact they're just an aid and only use them when necessary. I wasn't sure about stern mooring but I'll feel OK about using them in that situation now. We shall be north Broads only for this break so unless its particularly windy I can't see myself needing them very much but we'll see.

In the morning my wife, Mel and I are driving to Norwich for a two night stay before we board Swan Roamer on Tuesday for four nights. It's Mel's first visit for four years and I'm so pleased she's with me this time. I'm hoping she enjoys it as to be honest boating has never been something she's passionate about but she is looking forward to it. We picked 2 nights in Norwich first because most of it is unexplored for both of us, save for the Yacht Station and immediate vicinity. We're staying right on the river at Premier Inn, Nelson Street. If you spot us on Swan Roamer from Tuesday onwards give us a wave and say hello.

Having been hiring for many years and well practiced at boat handling, for the first time in my life I'm out to hire a boat equipped with bow thrusters. I've no doubt they'll come in handy for coming alongside and leaving side-on moorings. However, I imagine myself sitting at the helm for the first time and thinking "What the heck do I do with these?". When should I use them and when should I not? Are they useful for stern moorings or for turning a boat around? How are they powered? Is there anything I need to be careful about?

Enjoyable video Griff.

Wow David, you've got the beginnings of a great write up there, I'm looking forward to the rest. No need to apologise and you can make your tale as long as you wish.

Great night spot. Would Indy fit down the New Cut? It could get interesting meeting a boat coming the other way.

Ah Tamar Bridge, still on hire until a couple of years ago. I get the goldfish bowl thing having hired Broadland Wave twice (Westward 31). Isn't that the case with most sedans though?