A Winters Tale

[grendel]

ah but I think it has an innuendo filter.

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, grendel said:

ah but I think it has an innuendo filter.

I wouldn't know what innuendo is G

[Hylander]

I wouldn't know what innuendo is G

It is an Italian suppository.



Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

[CambridgeCabby]

And a suppository is a politicians’ (or BA officials) throat lozenge

[Guest]

Yes people, keep the nonsense going in my thread 

Forget the mundane

#nonsenserules 

[Guest]

Thursday 3rd January

After a "busy" day on Wednesday, and a late night in the bar everyone seemed happy for a bit of a lie in this morning.

I woke fairly early, before everyone else as always, but had a relaxing morning laid on the settee with a coffee, looking over the forum whilst every one was in bed.

It ended up being extremely late by the time I eventually got myself into gear and at around 0930 I set out for a walk with the dog.

Once again the morning was lovely for the time of year, cool with the occasional splatter of raindrops, but the sun was around when the clouds felt the need to make way every now and again.

After the dog and I had made it back to the boat, having also disposed of our rubbish at the facilities, everyone had finally risen and we sat enjoying the leisurely morning with breakfast sandwiches and coffee whilst the kids told me where they had decided we were heading today.

Unusually for me, and something that would never happen if I was alone, we eventually set off, after 1200 through Somerleyton bridge, once again with the hindrance of the tide.

The sky had clouded over but it was an enjoyable little cruise as ever down the Waveney River with music in the background. 

Grace had told me earlier that she knew where I would be heading off to from Somerleyton, apparently Oulton Broad was the destination, so I took great pleasure in passing the turning at Oulton Dyke and continuing down the Waveney.

She was also incorrect when she changed her prediction to Beccles, no North Cove, no Aldeby.... Geldeston she meant, oh how I chuckled to myself pulling into the Waveney Centre at 1330, and stern mooring on the electric side ready for a short walk and refreshments after such a busy day inside the Waveney Inn.

Slightly after the 1500 free mooring slot, we returned to the boat at approx 1515 and set off back up the Waveney River with the assistance of the still ebbing tide, before turning right down Oulton Dyke towards Oulton Broad.

Once again the light was fading, and we had a lovely slowly setting sun to watch as we progressed along the river, and onto the broad.

By the time we had crossed the expanse of water and reached the yacht station it was just after 1600.

Once moored up, everyone decided it was time to shower up and prepare themselves for an evening..........in the pub.

We had a relax and chat on the boat with a beer or two before setting off into the village at around 1830.

As it turned out we went straight to The Waveney, somewhere that despite having been refurbished on my last visit we didn't actually pop into. So we went in for a beer and, seeing as they had the football on, we stayed in all night.

Slightly the worse for wear, we headed back to the boat at around 2330

And after making sure the dog was fully exercised, we all headed off to bed for the night.

[Maxwellian]

WRC .... that token gesture of defiance didn’t fool anyone.

[SwanR]

Lovely photos again, especially the evening shots at Oulton Broad. We've ventured down Oulton Dyke a few times but never gone right across the Broad. What slightly scares me is exactly where to go once I get that far. Are there any rules, especially when the sailies are out?!

Last time we were down that end of the Waveney on holiday it felt a waste of the slog through Reedham, down the New Cut and the Somerleyton area where the currents are stronger, to just go down to Beccles and back. So we moored at North Cove for one night, then the next day went back to Oulton Broad then back down to Beccles for a second night.

I just need that new river to be dug out from Loddon to Geldeston ... then we'll be fine. :)

[Regulo]

58 minutes ago, SwanR said:

 What slightly scares me is exactly where to go once I get that far. Are there any rules, especially when the sailies are out?!

Just follow roughly the right hand bank, and you'll come to the Yacht Station, with the Waveney Hotel directly ahead of you. Keep following the bank, and there's the Commodore moorings. As for sailies, treat them as you usually would on any other broad - ignore 'em! 

[NorfolkNog]

That's right Jean, nothing to fear. Just head across the Broad, there is a slight dog leg to the right and look out for the Wherry Hotel in front of you. Just head straight for it and you can't go wrong. Yacht Station is on the right at the head of the Broad. Well worth a visit and a quick train ride to Lowestoft or Beccles as well. 

[MauriceMynah]

11 hours ago, grendel said:

ah but I think it has an innuendo filter.

I've got three of those. Would you like me to give you one?

[Guest]

2 hours ago, SwanR said:

Lovely photos again, especially the evening shots at Oulton Broad.

Thanks Jean

2 hours ago, SwanR said:

We've ventured down Oulton Dyke a few times but never gone right across the Broad. What slightly scares me is exactly where to go once I get that far. Are there any rules, especially when the sailies are out?!

As mentioned already, just wing your way across the broad heading towards the Wherry Hotel avoiding the bouys dotted around.

If there are loads of the sailies, I just keep over towards the edge where I can and then treat them as normal.

Nothing to be scared of 

[vanessan]

Oulton Broad is always worth a potter around, you can stay fairly close to the sides of the Broad much of the way. If you’re not bothered about the yacht station to stop at, I reckon the Dutch Tea Garden moorings in Oulton Dyke are much nicer anyway. I think the meander right into Beccles is lovely, whether you stop at the yacht station, the Lido moorings or go right on up to Geldeston. I love wandering through Beccles itself, it’s a great little market town. 

[SwanR]

Agreed Vanessan. Beccles is another of our favourite trips out when we’re at the caravan. 

[Guest]

Friday 4th January

Waking up to a grey morning at Oulton, it was yet another relaxed morning as every one continued to knock out the zzzzzzzzzzz's as yours truly was up and about making himself a coffee.

By the time 0900 rolled around, it was time to take the reluctant dog from her bed out for her walk around the park and then, after starting the water off to refill the tank from almost empty, walk over to pay our nights mooring fee.

I was inside the office for around 15 minutes with the very friendly harbourmaster, talking about the plans for Beccles Yacht Station, the Waveney River Centre, the old Topcraft yard and what it all could hopefully mean for Oulton and the yacht station.

Once I walked out of the office, I made up the water hose and after refilling my coffee mug, set off once again, under a grey sky at approx 1040.

The weather didn't really change all day, a cold and dark gloom over the rivers as I moved along the broad, to the dyke and then along the River Waveney through Somerleyton.

Passing along the New Cut before joining up with the River Yare, where I fought against the tide all the way back to Brundall. 

We were planning on getting fuelled up and pumped out at Brooms, and then heading across to Coldham Hall for the evening, but by the time we had reached our home mooring it was decided to just moor up and head off to The Yare pub instead and then walk through Brundall to The Ram.

We had a lovely relaxed evening out from around 1600 before returning back to the boat at about 2200. As we sat down for a last drink we heard a knocking outside. The kids were somewhat lost as to where it was coming from, however having heard it many a time previously on our mooring I took the kids out to the aft well, to point out the swans that frequent our boat regularly looking for food.

After feeding them for a while it was finally time to head off to bed, the following morning I had the task of getting the boat back up to standard and refilling the water tank, before the return journey home, and immediately back onto nights for the weekend.

What a great week it was once more, and I can't wait to be back again soon.

Cheers

Jay

[Cockatoo]

6 hours ago, Jayfire said:

 

After feeding them for a while it was finally time to head off to bed, the following morning I had the task of getting the boat back up to standard and refilling the water tank, before the return journey home, and immediately back onto nights for the weekend.

What a great week it was once more, and I can't wait to be back again soon.

Cheers

Jay

Those two are the gentlest swans I've met when taking food from your hand. They even got used to the dogs peering over the stern at them while they were being fed.

And they certainly have us lot well trained. Tap, tap tap "Got any bread?"

 

Steve

[SwanR]

It’s been great to enjoy your trip with you Jay. Lovely write up and photos as always. Hope your night shift on getting back passed off ok. 

[Guest]

13 hours ago, SteveDuk said:

Those two are the gentlest swans I've met when taking food from your hand. They even got used to the dogs peering over the stern at them while they were being fed.

And they certainly have us lot well trained. Tap, tap tap "Got any bread?"

They do seem very friendly, they don't like my dog but she is a bit of an idiot so it's expected.

They seem to come around at the same sort of time each day and tap on the boat, I think all of us must be feeding them, and at the same times too 

[Guest]

12 hours ago, SwanR said:

It’s been great to enjoy your trip with you Jay. Lovely write up and photos as always. Hope your night shift on getting back passed off ok. 

Thank you Jean, I've enjoyed and appreciated your input into my world of madness too.

My 3 nights over the weekend were a mixed bag, but nevertheless I've just been able to manage to grab another few days aboard mid January too, so everything is all good 

[vanessan]

9 minutes ago, Jayfire said:

Thank you Jean, I've enjoyed and appreciated your input into my world of madness too.

My 3 nights over the weekend were a mixed bag, but nevertheless I've just been able to manage to grab another few days aboard mid January too, so everything is all good 

Something tells me you have become addicted Captain P! It’s good that you can share it with us, gives me an idea of what winter cruising is like. Sounds like we don’t have too long to wait for the next trip. 

[Guest]

I've been addicted a long time Mrs V, it's just when I can get the chance to get back to the rivers. Fortunately for me, there was a week no one else could make and so I've been lucky enough to pick it up 

[SwanR]

30 minutes ago, Jayfire said:

I've just been able to manage to grab another few days aboard mid January too, so everything is all good 

Ah ... so you will get back there before me after all. At least you avoided all the flooding and high water levels of this week. I have seen some very impressive photos online of the waves coming over the sea wall at Lowestoft. Our van will likely need a very good clean down when we open up for the next season.

[NorfolkNog]

Another aspect of JF's blog has been to highlight just how magical the rivers are in winter. Its just so peaceful and the rivers are all yours. I do hope it might inspire others to venture out too. Not too many mind!

Apparently Herbert Woods had quite a few enquiries about December. I suggested to the very nice lady on reception that she might have a word with the powers that be. you never know, we might see a change of policy there!

 

[Guest]

42 minutes ago, SwanR said:

Ah ... so you will get back there before me after all. At least you avoided all the flooding and high water levels of this week. I have seen some very impressive photos online of the waves coming over the sea wall at Lowestoft. Our van will likely need a very good clean down when we open up for the next season.

Sorry Jean 

I've been watching the water levels too,  although the boat should be out of the water for part of her winter maintenance so I'm fairly hopeful she was ok with the high water levels 

[Guest]

17 minutes ago, NorfolkNog said:

Another aspect of JF's blog has been to highlight just how magical the rivers are in winter. Its just so peaceful and the rivers are all yours. I do hope it might inspire others to venture out too. Not too many mind!

Apparently Herbert Woods had quite a few enquiries about December. I suggested to the very nice lady on reception that she might have a word with the powers that be. you never know, we might see a change of policy there!

Thanks Mr Nog

Could I be honest and change the habit of a lifetime and be a little bit selfish for a moment. Whilst I love how people get to see the broads and maybe become addicted like I am, I'd be very pleased if the hire yards didn't hire out in the winter.

I know I know, completely selfish of me,  but it's just so calm and peaceful I wouldn't want it to be spoilt.