Broads01

Having looked through the interior photos of all 3 boats listed I'm struck by the originality of the interiors. If these were classic cars rather than classic boats buyers would pay a premium for such unmolested patina. They're very much a blast from the hiring past but strangely endearing for that.

I'm blessed that both my children first accompanied me boating when they were babies and continued to do so throughout childhood and I have lovely memories of those times. I'm similarly blessed that both now in their 20s they still want to come with me (albeit alas not every visit!). I think it's easier when your children are brought up with coming to the Broads than it is if children are introduced at a later age.

Those are about right for August prices. Easter or October half-term are considerably less of course. A Richardsons Pearl 38 this time next year is about £1000 including fuel.

Ouch, that's a pretty long list. Having hired on the Great Glen in Scotland, it would be a lovely boat there. The canal sections and locks are wide enough for hotel boats.

I didn't realise Rockland and Surlingham would be an issue. I don't think it would be for me after all.

What were the hidden costs, Jean? That's a fair point. Evita is 42 foot long so not out of the ordinary on that respect but it's beam puts more pressure on stern moorings. Imagine it moored at Ranworth, it would limit the width available for its next door neighbours.

One of NYA's super luxury offerings is Evita: https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/nya-private-charter-nyap/evita-bh2740 It caught my eye on the latest series on the "2 Men on a Boat" channel because the interior and too deck are sumptuous to say the least. Trouble is, being 13 ft 9 wide the and almost 10 ft tall the Ant and Chet are out of bounds. Despite that, if money were no object I'd love to hire it (only £3600 + per week in August next year, mere pennies ahem). What do you think?

Have they fitted them to all of their older craft? If so that's a bad omission given the benefits of a thruster. I did look at Bronze Emblem for next year which I like as a boat as 2 berth compact centre cockpits are in short supply. I might have been prepared to pay the premium price but was put off because I thought it didn't have a thruster.

I think it's more complicated than who might have the best reviews online. I do read reviews but I have to filter out a lot of nonsense from people who moan about next to nothing. I've had nothing but good experiences from Barnes whereas with NBD their handover day was sloppy and slow and the boat was over-priced for what it was.

Of all the boatyards when I visited earlier this month, Ferry had by far the most boats left unhired. Not only was there not a single space to be had on their main frontage, they also had boats on both sides and more filling up the mooring opposite the Ferry Inn. I've long said their prices are set too high and I can't understand why they leave them that way.

I would say the cars could also be 1960s if that's a Rover P5 in front of the pub and a Ford Zephyr/Zodiac to the left.

I was intrigued by this picture which hangs on the wall at The White Horse in Neatishead. I didn't realise that the river once flowed so close to the building. Can anybody date this?

Thanks for the write up and photos Helen, an enjoyable read as always. I really like the photo you took at Dutch Tea Gardens of Graham relaxing against the sunset in the background, it tells the story.

Nice short series about a 3 night break on Tumblehome from Martham's. They went south which is unusual for a short break but why not?

Is that the Liana? When I was there last week it was at the head of the dyke and was a nuisance as far as dayboats mooring there was concerned. I was moored for around 3 hours during the day and it never moved which irked me somewhat as it seemed an unnecessary blockage.

Well you can't get the staff, it's just not good enough . Thanks for sharing as always 🙂.

Sounds like you all had a good time and everything went to plan? What did you think of the Symphonies?

You mad bu***rs.

Can I ask where exactly that is?

Sounds like an amazing day, Helen, makes me wish I was still there.

The tap room sounds good, I'll try that. I used to love Redwell Steam (gluten-free beer) at The Lion but they stopped selling it there unfortunately.

I've received my fuel refund of £56 which is better than I expected. The deposit was £130 so £74 worth of fuel used.

I thought that when I saw the photos! Hopefully you enjoyed the fun of "giving it the beans" on Breydon 🙂.

Straightforward boat handover this morning. Being moored on the pontoons away from the fuel pumps I thought the boat would need moving before my departure. However when I checked in reception their preference was to leave it where it was and they'd work out a fuel refund later. That suited me fine because my car was unmoved from last Saturday not far from the boat. We were packed up and on our way by 9 and it was a straightforward journey home. I couldn't have wished for anything to have gone differently this week, I had a fabulous time. As I've said to my family, I'd always rather go boating with someone I care about than go solo but I'd much rather go solo than not go at all. That makes it sound like I'm not happy on my own whereas I completely am and when I'm boating I am myself more than when I'm doing anything else. I really felt that this week. Next trip for me is late March 2024 when I'll be trying out Brinks Encore Plus.