DAVIDH

Congratulations Ian.

Wednesday 19th May. I had decided to stay north of Yarmouth this week, as I reasoned it would be manic up here come my next scheduled visit on the 3rd of July. Then i would head straight down south, in the hope of avoiding the masses, and not having to moor up at 8.30am for the following night's meal, (might be exaggerating a little). So after just the second fry up of the holiday, I departed around 9.45am. There was no struggle. The tide was still running out, and as not yet mastered how to be in two places at once, I asked the Yacht Station guys to help with casting off. Goosander swung around, I reversed out, and was soon on my way back up the Bure. That was fairly uneventful, and after an hour or so, I moored up at Stokesby, which by now was looking quite busy. I had booked a table for my first time visit to the Lion Inn, at Thurne, since it changed ownership. So after a short break for lunch, I was back out into the stream and making my way there with plenty of time, so as to be sure I could get onto the dyke. I think i arrived ultimately around 3pm. I noticed all the boats were moored head to tail down the right hand side of the dyke....and nobody was on the left hand side. I though that was strange, as I had always opted for the left hand bank. But wait, I could see the moorings at the head of the dyke, underneath the windmill, were vacant. What luck. I get a scenic mooring, and am still able to watch the boats on the Thurne going by. So I moored up and just sat about watching the world go by until it was time for the visit to the Lion. I'd visited the Lion a few times under it's previous owner, and had always enjoyed the nights there, which featured live music. Of course that is no more now, so I didn't know what to expect. The food was great, and I can only say that I would have had to have been ravenous, with a cavernous sized stomach, to get the whole meal down. I had chicken in a spicy batter, inside a sort of burger bun. No cheesecake today! The place was only around half full. Even the beer garden had just two tables occupied, yet the dyke was full. Evidence if it were needed, that food establishments do need to charge a mooring fee, as many boat occupants don't eat out. That's all for now as I have loads of images from today. First the food and the Lion. The terrific sunsets you get at Thurne The next morning Told you it was a good mooring! A little of order.

Haha, I was waiting for a certain fireman to respond. Unless there's more than one on here?

Am I correct in thinking the standout Freeman with the blue hull belongs to a certain fireman?

I really did catch it Monica

Tuesday 18th May The plan for today, was to cruise down to Yarmouth and spend the rest of the day there. Low water couldn't have been more perfectly timed at 9.30am. I decided to set sail at 9am, so as to make use of most of the outgoing tide. By 11am, I was passing the derelict Yarmouth Marina in slack water conditions. As usual, I called the guys at the Yacht Station, asking for assistance on arrival, as a sole sailor. And was asked to meet them outside their offices. That sounded good I thought. Might be able to make use of the electric hook-up again. Upon rounding the bend, I could see the sum total of just four boats moored at the station. I made my way towards the electric pillar, and pulled alongside. I remarked how quiet it was to one of the guys tieing the boat up, and he seemed equally puzzled. The only explanation we could come up with was that many people had started Monday or Tuesday, to coincide with the pubs opening indoors, and as such were on short breaks and would not make it down as far as Yarmouth. Yarmouth seafront was beckoning. For me, it had been 18 months since i last saw the watery stuff, so I set off for town. En-route, I stopped for the obligatory market stall chips (no gravy!) and then for a coffee at Macky D's before making my way to the seafront. The weather had been threatening all day, and as can see from one of the images, the storm clouds started to gather and I decided to head back to the boat as fast as possible. It was just starting to rain as I got back onboard. For the next two hours, a terrific thunderstorm swept across the town, with lashing rain. I may have mentioned I'm a Leeds United fan, and they were playing that evening at 6pm. Trying to find somewhere to watch the game, I discovered that The Kings Arms, a few minutes walk away, no longer offered Sky matches. However, they boast really good wifi. So I took a chance that my tablet computer might be able to pick up a strong enough signal to screen the match. As the image shows, it worked really well, with no glitches or delays, and we beat Southampton 2-0 away, so you can imagine how happy I was with the arrangement. The food, as always at the Kings Arms, was great, and a full £10 cheaper than I paid at the Bridge Inn last night, for comparable dishes. I'm so pleased I found this little gem of a pub a few years ago. After the match, I made my way back to Goosander. The rain had stopped, and only the glow of victory pervaded the air! Feew boats at Yarmouth Yacht Station when I arrived A few more when I arrived back Stormy Watching the match. Got to have cheesecake!

I found it Monica. It wasn't me gov, honest! It think it must have been this week, not last. I know it wasn't me as I always forget to put the flag out at the stern. Still, looking at the boat there, it's clear the previous occupant had given it a good clean and polish

Ooh that's interesting Monica. How do I find the clip on Youtube please?

Sorry Mouldy - that just looks anemic.

Monday 17th May It's hospitality inside opening day. I'd already booked a table at the Bridge Inn in Acle, so it that was to be my final destination for the day. Most of the returning Richardsons craft had left the moorings by 8am, after which a sense of calm descended on Sutton Staithe. I set off aiming for Ludham Bridge again, for my lunchtime stop. The Ant was very quiet, with hardly any craft about. As I said earlier, today seemed to be the day that most boats were to be squirted out of their hire boatyards. I reasoned that as long as I stayed an hour or so ahead of them, I should have no problem mooring. The moorings at Ludham were wide open, as i approached at 11am. The weather was still sunshine and showers, so i toddled off to the stores for an ice cream. Sure enough, by the time I got out of the shop, the rain was heavy again. The rest of the lunch break was just observing the odd boat coming and going. By 1.30pm, I was ready to be on my way. Acle is just 1.5 hours cruise away, so I set off with no great speed, keeping well below the 6mph that's marked on the Bure towards Acle. I was aware of the new electric posts on the BA moorings and looked to see if there was an appropriate place to tie up. It was very tight, especially since the boat in front had a dinghy swinging behind it, but i got in and was able to hook-up once again. I'd booked the table for 7pm, and to be honest, it was great to see people enjoying themselves again inside. As has already been highlighted on another thread, I had the steak pie, followed by "mandatory" cheesecake. I was there for about 2 hours, before retired back to Goosander, suitably stuffed! two from the walk to Stalham, the previous day Ludham Bridge and that peculiar monument to the second world war It looked much tighter than that!!!!! Who indeed ate all the pies How many forum members are here

Sunday 16th May It was great to be back onboard, and upon opening the curtains, I was surprised to see bright sunshine after the miserable weather yesterday. So first breakfast on the boat - had to be egg, bacon, sausage, mushrooms and beans. I wanted to cast off around 9.30am, so as to reach Ludham Bridge by 11am. I had no idea how busy the moorings would be. I'd noticed that the great boatyard flush out seemed to be designated for Monday. Clearly, many people wanted to wait until the pubs were open inside before starting their holiday. Anyway, I arrived at 11 on the nose, to find a choice of moorings, though my favourites, just after shooting the bridge, were occupied both sides. From midday, the moorings started to fill. One cruiser moored smack in the middle of the area reserved for yacht demasting (?), and was subsequently told to shift by a ranger who was walking the length assessing which mooring posts might need replacing. The skipper high-tailed it out of town. I witnessed one or two boats scraping their sterns on the moorings as they tried to depart against the breeze pushing them back onto the side. I left Ludham Bridge at 1.30pm, wanting to arrive at Sutton Staithe no later than 3pm, as I had a tabel booked (outside) at the Sutton Staithe Hotel. On approach, it was evident there was lots of room at the staithe. I fancied having the electric hook-up so I proceeded on down and managed to bag a Goosander sized space just after the little boat dyke. That was the only hook-up space available so I was fortunate there. My evening meal, outside the Hotel was good. They were still operating a reduced menu, which was a little disappointing. I plumped for, and was made plump by, the Burger and chips. That's all for today. (I only meant to write a few words to introduce the photos) Ludham Bridge above Next are following the walk from Sutton to Stalham. Richardsons Boatyard Still a lot of £££ tied up Ready, steady......... The outdoor meal at the Hotel. I don't smoke by the way. Someone pointed the ash tray out to me after I'd taken the photo.

I believe Boulters were hired to give it a spit and polish a week or so before we were all allowed back onboard.

Yes, it's moved from Boulters, one dyke further down - the Ferry Marina dyke. It followed instances of flooding at Boulters during winter, making it difficult to access the boat. Of course - now Boulters have raised the staging to avoid the wet feet.

Don't apologise. As a non wind-powered sailor, it's great that some of these terms are explained.

Saturday 15th May. Stayed at Home mooring in Horning. Well, it had been 18 months since i was last onboard. I'd almost forgotten what she looked like. Arriving at around 1.00pm, I quickly unloaded the car, then drove back to Wroxham, where I had booked a table (outside) at the Kings Head. On arrival, it was obvious this would have to be abandoned, as it was bucketing it down. I ended up having fish and chips on the terrace of Ken's, still overlooking the river, but undercover. That's where I saw the handsome heron in the image. Then, after a rummage through Roys, I made my way back to Horning and kicked back and relaxed for the rest of the evening. At around 9pm, I thought I would have a walk around to the Ferry Inn, to see how people were coping having to eat and drink under their awnings. There were just a few hardy people about. I had a pint of lager, while listening to the happy chat and observing the incessant rain. More tomorrow.

They're back! Sherz and Linz visit the Broads again May 2021. Always a treat watching these two enjoying the Broads.

The only thing that makes me think that, is that (and it's just a guess) Tideway suddenly appeared on sale for July onward dates, just last week. It seemed to have been taken off sale earlier. I wonder if it's taken a time to finish the refurb and that's delayed the start on Skyway.......or perhaps there's now more than one Tideway.

I suspect the first available date late August, reflects time required to refurbish the boat Dan. I certainly hadn't noticed it before today.

Food was good. I was there Friday evening when the storm was battering everyone. As such, the moorings were quiet, as was the inside of the pub.

Clive's latest boat Skyway, now on sale at Hoseasons https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/boat-holidays/skyway-bh2698

The Ferry at Horning now charges £20 for overnight, though it is deductible from your food and/or drinks bill. I paid it because I knew I would be spending more than that on food etc, but it would be excessive if you were only popping in for a couple of drinks.

It's not very nice here either. I'm tied up at Potter Heigham and the wind is blowing strong across the fields, and pushing Goosander away from the bank. Better than pushing onto the bank you might say, but the sound of the ropes groaning is quite something. Tomorrow it's forecasting 40+ mph winds. Not looking forward to that, or trying to get back to our mooring, which is much like backing into a garage, but with the added joy of gusts of up to 50mph.

Furlough is employer instigated. There's no way someone could refuse to return to work, in preference to remaining on furlough.

Yes, it bounced down until around 6pm. It eased up then but could have continued after that...I was in the pub watching the football, so was a little distracted.

The last but one image is fantastic. Really shows the place. Where did you launch the drone from?