DAVIDH

Yes, Chris, the images do support the finding that the place has been given a 1 star rating. In the screenprint from Facebook, the owner is denying this, saying he has a four star rating, and will be on to the appropriate authorities. I suppose we will know soon enough which is correct.

Thought it important to get this out there, bearing in mind, we all know which pub has been listed with the surprising rating.

Rockland Broad is such a beautiful place. It reminds me of Marham Broad, untouched and unspoilt. You could forgive yourself thinking you were cruising in the 1930s. I envy you on your kayak. Now that certainly would be a way of getting back to nature.

Jean, I've had Silver Harmony and Silver Symphony. Both really well turned out boats, with island beds. I've read reviews that sometimes refer to a lack of warmth from the owners, but it's not what we experienced. In fact, they were especially nice when I returned for the first time following the death of my wife. I would have no hesitation in going back. As an aside, Silver Harmony is not as good as Silver Symphony, in that the steering position is underneath the fixed part of the forward canopy. With the sides rolled back, you're just too far forward to get the open view. (That's hard to explain!)

I think the difference here is that Griff probably installed all the heating components on his boat, and knows it's weaknesses. On a hire boat, you're in someone elses hands.

Me too Simon. Having started out hiring with them in 1973, I will be sorry to see the site being redeveloped.

What we already know, confirmed by the BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58069855

I thought that's what I said Andy. To clarify: They were available to book last year, right through to early December. All my November bookings (through Hoseasons) were subsequently cancelled, yes as a result of the lockdowns. It doesn't look like they are offering them again, or they would be available to book through Hoseasons or Richardsons. Just as last year, you can probably book November through Herbert Woods, Bridgecraft, Ferry Marina and maybe Faircraft direct.

As a syndicate boat owner, we would use a oil filled storage heater to leave on all night - hooked up to the electric post. The thing about late autumn cruising, is that the moorings are very quiet, and as such you can be 99% sure you will be able to get an electric hook-up.

I should say not Andrew. Hoseasons (and Richardsons) show no availability for November, except for Broom and NYC boats. They tried to extend the season last year, but it didn't work and was abandoned. Having said that, certain yards will hire out of season if approached direct, eg, Bridgecraft, Ferry Marina and Herbert Woods and maybe Faircraft.

You actually had me looking too!

Not currently on the Broads. Any cancellations mostly resell in a matter of hours, so there's no need for them to discount.

There's instant returns to be had if you can get the boat out on hire this year. I suppose that's the reason they're looking for finished craft. They can make their money then still sell them at the close of the season.

Tranquilla has now been designated as a 2 berth boat! https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/tranquilla-bh2702

All the boats are out, pinged or not. I would see the cancellations come back on sale, and indeed was expecting some, but they have been few and far between. Less so than in a normal week in fact. If people are getting pinged, it appears they are ignoring it! I can't fathom why you're not seeing the boats in certain places though. I'm wondering if more people have booked short breaks rather than full weeks (3 and 4 nights), and that has had an effect on where the boats are. You can't go far if you're doing Monday to Friday or Friday to Monday.

I drew 20th November, and that's supposed to be an Autumn week! I've been around that time before, and once in early December, and the weather has been crisp but sunny, so hoping for the same again. All the pubs were open, though with hardly anyone in. It also gives me the chance to visit the Maltsters in Ranworth, somewhere I never consider in the summer. However, the fly in the ointment could be what happens as a result of Covid.

I think Tranquilla is expensive for such a "short" six berth cruiser. It's just 31ft in length, which means it's going to be crowded on there with six people. it's actually a glammed up version of this boat, but nearly twice the cost - though Fair Ambassador is marketed for four people.

Saturday 10th July. Not that much to say, other than I was up at 7am grafting! By 8.30am, I was out of the moorings and making my way to Boulters for the pump out and refuel. I kinda like that as it gives that last bit of intricate navigating before i have to leave Goosander behind until November. Back in her home mooring, I finished the inside and outside cleans, loaded the car, and had vacated by 11am. My final meal on the Broads, is always at the Yare, in Brundall, and I was in their car park by 11.45am. The meal disn't disappoint. I had the battered chicken with sweet and sour sauce. All too soon it was time to be on my way home. Just to say, if anyone is wondering how busy the Southern rivers are at a time when all the hire boats are out, my experience was that it's a world away from the north. I was passing very few craft. I had no difficulty finding a mooring, and though I was usually tied up by 3pm, I'm sure you could have cruised through to 6pm and still had no trouble. Well worth the detour. Just a few final images, which I managed to miss out from earlier. The new stretch of moorings at Burgh Castle. Anybody know where this is? This was from my drive down to Norfolk. I passed Norwich Airport and was surprised to see so many aircraft mothballed there. The dashcam only picked up a few of them, but there were also British Airways, Easyjet and other aircraft just sitting there. I would guess around 30 to 40 just parked on the apron.

Tesoro has now become Tranquilla.

Yes that's right. I have fond memories of it being Hoseasons. On only our second trip on the Broads in November of 1974 I think(on a leaky roofed, condensation forming Safari from Harvey Eastwoods in Brundall). We were moored at Oulton Broad Yacht station, and remember walking up to their offices to obtain one of the first issues of the new season's brochure. The receptionist, who was busy stuffing envelopes with them, diverted a copy from an envelope, to me.

Does anyone know the significance of this building to the Norfolk Broads? I'm sure Vaughan will know.

Yes it is. I though that would be tough, as not many people would stumble upon it while on holiday. Did the single track working give it away?

Images for Tesoro and Amore are now available on Hoseasons. Both start hire from September, though Amore seems to have had a number of prebookings. https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/hickling-stalham?adult=2&child=0&infant=0&nights=4&range=3&pets=0&start=14-09-2021

Friday 9th July Last full day on Goosander, and I need to get back to Horning this evening, so I was looking at at quite a journey. The timing of the tides wasn't that great so I just had to go with it or not get back in time. The tide was ebbing, having reached high water in Yarmouth around an hour before I set off. Goosander is a low, single level cruiser and will pass under the bridges at all but extreme states of the tide, and as we were close to "neaps", I wasn't that concerned. The current was ebbing slowly, so I didn't require the aid of the quay attendant to get underway. The sun was out and the top was back, and within 1 hour 45 mins, I was turning around the yellow post and hitting the current coming down the Bure, which was there but not over-strong. The bridges gauge read 10ft, so no problem there. Passing the Yacht Station, I was amazed to see just 5 (five) boats moored along the length of the moorings. That wasn't what I was expecting at a time all the hire boats were out. It illuminates that "probably" Sundays and Fridays (and probably Saturdays), are good days to stay over, as the hire-craft are too far from Yarmouth, most having come out on the previous Saturday. Further, if you can get there within a couple of hours of the 10am "throw out", you can almost choose your mooring spot. It would be interesting to know if that's other people's observation? Anyway, onwards to my mid-journey stop at Stokesby. I wondered if I would get in, arriving as I would, at around 2pm. On the way down the moorings were full when I passed mid-morning. I wasn't seeing many passing craft, and sure enough, on approaching the Ferry Inn at Stokesby, there was lots of room. I came alongside without any fuss, more or less in the last mooring before the pub gardens. I'm starting to think it's a bit of a science to hazzard a guess as to where the masses are likely to be on a given day. Those hiring on a Friday wouldn't even be out at that time. Those returning to their base for Saturday 9am, would most likely be much further up the system. After about an hour's lunch break, I was on my way again, noting that the Bridge Inn and BA moorings at Acle were mostly taken at 4pm. I think I arrived at the home mooring around 5.30pm. Just need to reverse in to the mooring and then start the job of cleaning the boat for the next owners. Definitely, the bit I dislike the most. I had intended to eat at the Clubhouse, which is a stones throw from the moorings, but they weren't serving food after 5pm, so I went instead, to the Ferry Inn. They don't take reservations so it was a case of chance it at 7pm. There was lots of space inside, and the Hunters Chicken was really nice. I've noticed that nearly all of the pubs I've visited, are operating much reduced menus, which was a little disappointing, and unexpected now that they had been opened up fully. For instance, I don't think I came across a single place which was offering steaks of one form or another, other than gammon. I got back to the boat around 9pm, and after doing some more "chores", I settled in for the evening. Skyway at Stokesby Deliberately out of sequence. Where is this Broads station? I took this on leaving Stokesby, as I remember this boat being green topside and cream hulled. They've repainted it and in my opinion, it now looks the business!

Welcome from me too. Swan Rapture is a great boat - good choice!