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Two Weeks On Swan Rapide


deebee29

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Day 7

Friday and we woke up to a lovely sunny morning, with clear blue skies.

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Today we were heading for Loddon.

The weather stayed fine & we stopped off at Cantley for lunch which was a bit bumpy wit boats racing past at a rate of knots.

Clouds were building as we left but it stayed dry until we turned into the Chet where the heavens opened again until we reached Loddon or I should say Pyes Mill where we got the very end spot, there was room in the basin but we prefer it here.

 

The evening turned out quite pleasant and I did a spot of fishing until it got too dark.

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Day 8

We were awake early on Saturday morning to be greeted by a stunning sun rise….. it doesn’t get any better than this.

 

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Now normally by this time in the holiday we would have the “End of Holiday Blues” but of course this time we had another week ahead so today we’d be heading to Oulton Broad.

 

We set off on a lovely sunny morning but of course it wasn’t long before the rain arrived …… can you see the pattern here?

 

The rain had stopped by the time we reached Oulton Broad and the yacht station was fairly quiet. we were able to spend some time in the park watching the sailing and then the squirrels ( no the squirrels weren’t sailing)

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Day 9

Sunday

We decided to head back to the crazy north today so would take a gentle cruise back to Stracey Arms again. calling at the River Centre for a pump out and then on to Hrringfleet for lunch and await the tide.

Today was very pleasant much warmer and no sign of the dreaded rain. The crossing was very flat today, a bit different to last week.

We do like mooring at Stracey, I know it costs £5.00 but it’s a lovely setting. Again we were treated to a nice sunset.

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day 10

Monday

Heading towards Wroxham with the hope of going up to Coltishall tomorrow but as yet hadn’t decided where to moor.

The weather again was nice and as we approached St Benedicts Church mooring we noticed it was empty, now we’ve never been able to moor here in the past so decided to go for it and what a lovely mooring it is.

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At 42’ our boat left very little room for anything else to moor there so we had it to ourselves, it was just like a wild mooring…… so peaceful!

 

After lunch we decided to take a walk along to horning, there’s a track from the mooring up through the churchyard and onto a pleasant lane that leads into Horning where we called at the butchers and the general store before calling in for a couple of pints (one each in the New Inn & the Swan) before returning to the boat ….. well it would have been rude not to!

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The walk is 2 mile each way along very quiet country lanes.

 

This is such a relaxing mooring

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Day 11

Tuesday

We had hoped to get up to Coltishall today but on calling the pilot were told that we wouldn’t get through today and probably not the next day, we were 7’ so change of plans.

We got a mooring in NBD to do a bit of shopping at Roy’s and had fish & chips for lunch before heading to Salhouse Broad and a lovely afternoon just chilling & fishing.

A walk up to the fur & feather and we sat outside before returning to the boat, we even got a tv signal here.

We did think that we were going to have an engine runner beside us but they turned it off before 8.

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Day 12

Wednesday

Another lovely sunny morning, I love the view of Salhouse from a shore on mornings like these

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We set off for Potter Higham where we would spend the night, I have to say that people have been very friendly this holiday with most boaters waving, both hire & private alike so the spirit of the Broads is alive & kicking in our eyes.

All the free moorings were taken at Potter but we got. Space in Herbert Woods Marina in the outer side  section beside the cottage with a good view.

We had our customary look around Latham’s to see what tat we could get that we didn’t need then had a walk along the riverside on the other side of the bridge then a walk up to the Falgate later on.

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Day 13

Thursday

No real plans for today other than we’d be eventually heading for Acle.

We set off, again in sunshine although the breeze had picked up a little but nice & sunny.

Headed down the Thurne and turned right and gently cruised the river taking it all in. We were starting to get that feeling today that our Broads experience for this year was coming to an end.

A tour around Malthouse Broad was on the cards, there were a couple of spaces but we decided not to stop but continued cruising.

We arrived at Acle and hardly got moored when a chap from the Broads Boating Company was on us for the mooring fee.

Now we will pay to moor where we want to stay, we are on holiday and prepare for these things…….. if we were touring by car would have to pay parking charges and if it keeps moorings open

It’s the way of the world these days, nothing is free.

 

We had a walk in the afternoon up to Acle village and back via Acle dyke and along the river to the Bridge……. Well you have to don’t you!

This was our most expensive pint of the whole 2 weeks, Humpty Dumpty Little Sharpie at £3.90 a pint.

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Did a bit of fishing and got some decent sized roach then finished off our wine.

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Day 14

Friday

The dreaded last day.

Awoke to a gorgeous sunny morning with clear blue skies, it’s always good to get nice weather for your last day.

We set off for our trip up the Ant, the day was really warming up…….perfect

First destination was to be Gaye’s Staithe for lunch, there was plenty of space at this time. We met a couple who we’d met at Salhouse earlier in the week and had a good catch up, then helped a couple of boats moor.

Before long it was time to set off across Barton Board then up to Watford Bridge before turning and heading back to Stalham.

We always head back to base for our last night as it would be too much of a rush for mum to travel back on the last morning, also we have a long journey ahead of us ( 5 hours on a good day)

Well that’s it for another year, another great holiday and another great boat.

 

Swan Rapide is a very comfortable and well looked after boat with a great living area which is perfect for us. Mum loves the views out of the front.

It has a great engine and handles like a dream with the added advantage of bow thrusters.

The 3 double cabins are on the small size but with just 3 of us wasn’t a problem.

The two toilets are the  Jabsco electric type and worked a treat.

The heating is excellent and only needed to be on for a couple of minutes to warm the boat up, the cabin vents even blow really warm

 

We thought after being out for 2 weeks and covering quite a distance that we would have additional money to pay for fuel but were delighted to get £53.50 back out of our deposit.

 

All in all this is a great boat although as I've said before, not to everyone’s taste was perfect for us (and many others it seems as it’s booked solid for next year)

Hope you’ve enjoyed this tale & that I’ve not bored you all to tears

 

Thanks for reading

David

This is the sight that greeted us as we prepared for home to on Saturday morning 

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Aw, loving the log and the pics really make it - good to see HD on at the Bridge - I do keep bending Phil's ear about having it on. It is pricey but knowing Phil it will have been top notch. Also the pub is leased from the 'orrible Enterprise (EI) the rent is eye watering. But what better location for a beer :default_icon_e_biggrin: 

Shame about Coltishall, we've done it in a cab a few times. 

Rapide still looking good! 

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5 hours ago, deebee29 said:

day 10

Monday

Heading towards Wroxham with the hope of going up to Coltishall tomorrow but as yet hadn’t decided where to moor.

The weather again was nice and as we approached St Benedicts Church mooring we noticed it was empty, now we’ve never been able to moor here in the past so decided to go for it and what a lovely mooring it is.

DSC00161.jpgDSC00162.jpg

At 42’ our boat left very little room for anything else to moor there so we had it to ourselves, it was just like a wild mooring…… so peaceful!

 

After lunch we decided to take a walk along to horning, there’s a track from the mooring up through the churchyard and onto a pleasant lane that leads into Horning where we called at the butchers and the general store before calling in for a couple of pints (one each in the New Inn & the Swan) before returning to the boat ….. well it would have been rude not to!

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The walk is 2 mile each way along very quiet country lanes.

 

This is such a relaxing mooring

So agree with you. we often come out of ferry marina, turn left then moor up on the church mooring if it is free, it is one of the most lovely mooring  spots on that particular river in my opinion.  Loving the pictures, they are superb and thanks for the write up to.

cheers

trev

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Can only agree with everyone else. Great write up, loved seeing all your photos ... and interesting little nugget there about the church mooring. Will look out for whether that is free next time we are along that way. :)

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Thank you all for all the likes & great comments. 

I often wonder when I write these things if people find what we do on  our holiday is really boring to them so it’s good to know that it’s worth doing.

Mind I always enjoy reading about everyone else’s adventures 

anyway it’s only 28 weeks until our next time (doesn’t seem long when I put it like that) 

:default_beerchug:

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Hi

new to the forum have been on northern broads quite a few times and only once on southern when we went straight over breydon

where exactly are the fleet dyke moorings is that on the way down to rockland staithe ?

will be hiring from broom next year and staying south need to get some ideas for mooring

thanks

susan

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Hello Susan,

Welcome to the forum.

The Southern Rivers are full of good locations and in my opinion the best pubs/restaurants on the Broads.

Why not moor at the Rockland St Mary staithe. Bramerton Green or outside the Waters Edge. The Ferry House Inn at Surlingham (now the moorings have been finished) is a very good location. Somerleyton 24 hour moorings (now with electric posts) and the Dukes Head up the lane offers good food. Beccles Yacht Station offers good moorings (it is a tidy walk into Beccles) but worth visiting this market town for provisions and its pubs. Visit Oulton Broad if only for the power boat racing (usually on Thursday evenings and bank holidays, see the fixtures list).

Please join in on the topics on the forum and ask for advice if necessary and let us know how you get on with your visit next season.

Regards

Alan

 

 

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Hi Susan & welcome to the forum.

sorry I got the Dyke name wrong it’s actually Short Dyke where the moorings are,  the second entrance to Rockland if you come from Brundall 

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It’s a lovely peaceful mooring & just recently refurbished 

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