A Spring Tale

[Guest]

19 minutes ago, NorfolkNog said:

Sound choice 

I aim to please mate, I'd say ask you know who but...nah, best not say it 

19 minutes ago, NorfolkNog said:

Looks like a Green Jack on the bar there 

Oh, and San Miguel 

[Guest]

I think the worst part about your work coming to an end, is when you are busy working away, cleaning up your boat and somebody comes along in theirs, with a bottle of beer in hand 

Of course nobody would have done that to me today really would they 

[ExSurveyor]

17 minutes ago, Jayfire said:

I think the worst part about your work coming to an end, is when you are busy working away, cleaning up your boat and somebody comes along in theirs, with a bottle of beer in hand 

Of course nobody would have done that to me today really would they 

You looked like you were doing a good job of cleaning

[ranworthbreeze]

3 hours ago, Jayfire said:

I have to admit I am the same Alan and seem to neglect it as it is so close to our home mooring.

It is a very nice spot on a sunny afternoon though, I do enjoy the Yare too however. And the Ram. And the......well all of the pubs 

Hi Jay, 

And there is me thinking you could be tea total

Regards

Alan

[Gracie]

21 minutes ago, ranworthbreeze said:

Hi Jay, 

And there is me thinking you could be tea total

Regards

Alan

He loves cream teas too Alan and he'd happily sit in a pub with a lemonade...……...believe that and you'll believe anything  

Grace

 

 

[Guest]

37 minutes ago, ranworthbreeze said:

Hi Jay, 

And there is me thinking you could be tea total

Regards

Alan

I'm sure I could be Alan if I tried, I have no intention of finding out however 

[Guest]

13 minutes ago, Gracie said:

He loves cream teas too Alan and he'd happily sit in a pub with a lemonade...……...believe that and you'll believe anything  

Nobody was going to believe that darling 

How could I sit sipping lemonade whilst you quaff bottle after bottle of wine whilst talking at me 

[Guest]

Tuesday 28th May

Waking up to a grey and wet Potter Heigham, as usual I enjoyed a coffee listening to the rain hitting the roof, as everyone laid snoring away.

I took the dog for her morning walk in the rain, something which she seemed overjoyed about as she came back inside drenched and cold.

I was told that the kids wanted to head back South today  which was a great surprise to me as I had plans for cruising up the Ant, nevertheless I set off down the Thurne, and then along the Bure.

As we reached Acle, there was a pub mooring available just after the bridge and so another 180° turn into the mooring and we headed inside for a pint, as the kids ran off to the amusement area, and "won" pockets full of sweets.

We were enjoying the Bridge Inn so much that by the time we set off back down the Bure to Yarmouth it was 1345, slack water at Yarmouth that day was 1245.

Oh well 

So we travelled down the lower Bure fighting the tide as the sun began to appear, a welcome promise of the afternoon and evening which lay ahead as we contimued passing a number of boats as we went.

The yacht station was busy, but we were ok as we went through the bridges, which were showing plenty of clearance for us.

We travelled over Breydon and down the Waveney, the Fisherman's Inn was looking busy, and the old Burgh Castle moorings were being made use of but I continued to meander my way along the river.

There was space available as we passed through St Olaves, but again we continued under the bridge and onwards. The kids had pointed out we hadn't stayed at Somerleyton so far this week yet, and despite me making it clear that it wasn't a necessity, I was told we should try and visit tonight anyway.

As it turned out, there was no space on the moorings at all anyway, not helped by the BA boats taking a number of spaces along the moorings.

We passed under Somerleyton Bridge and along the river, passing a speedboat and water skier, which was fun to watch as they went by, and enjoyed riding the waves they had created.

As we reached the Oulton junction, I fancied taking a look at the refurbished Dutch Tea Garden moorings, so took the turning for the Dyke and although the moorings were fill, the pontoon was empty and so spun around into the space.

We set off for a walk from the moorings, along the footpath and roads to Oulton (yes again) passing the broad along the way.

Finally reaching the Commodore pub, we sat out in the garden enjoying the views in the evening sunshine.

It wasnt long before we moved on to the Wherry Hotel, and as I sat down to enjoy my pint, I was informed that nobody wanted to walk back to the boat, as it was too lovely sitting in the sunshine.

It appeared that muggins here was to leave the lady and the kids and make my way back to the boat alone, before bringing it to the hotel moorings again, for everyone else. So, off I set back to the boat, a journey that took around 40 minutes

When I got to the boat I began taking her down the Dyke

And over the broad, before mooring up stern on to the hotel mooring.

Once complete we headed off out for a beer in the Waveney, before returning to the boat for something to eat and then, after walking the dog, it was time to go to bed once more and get our heads down.

[NorfolkNog]

Great pictures as always JF 

However I am confused (no change there then) why does it take 40 minutes to get from the Wherry Hotel to the Commodore? 

[wombat nee blownup]

Great pictures as always JF 
However I am confused (no change there then) why does it take 40 minutes to get from the Wherry Hotel to the Commodore? 

Keep up noggin. He was moored at oulton dyke. ‍♂️


Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

[wombat nee blownup]

Keep up noggin. He was moored at oulton dyke. ‍♂️


Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Dutch tea.


Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

[NorfolkNog]

I see it now 

Need to scroll back a bit! 

[SwanR]

Another long cruise there Jay. I've never moored at Somerleyton and am wondering what makes it clearly one of the favourite places for your tribe.

[DAVIDH]

The railway line heading into the sun and the Oulton Broad night images are outstanding.

[Gracie]

He truly does take a beautiful photo, I keep on at him about putting some through for the calendar competition, I hope he does this year

Oulton Broad was outstanding that night too, it really was

14 hours ago, Jayfire said:

Nobody was going to believe that darling 

How could I sit sipping lemonade whilst you quaff bottle after bottle of wine whilst talking at me 

This is very true darling

Oi you cheeky beggar, I don't talk at you, I talk with you thank you very much, the way you carry on anyone would think I was a nag (don't answer that) 

Grace 

[Guest]

4 hours ago, SwanR said:

Another long cruise there Jay. I've never moored at Somerleyton and am wondering what makes it clearly one of the favourite places for your tribe.

On the face of it Jean, I'm not quite sure.

It's a nice mooring, with a little walk or two, a grass area to sit out on and also has a pub which is nice but there isn't anything really outstanding about it in a way.

Nevertheless, its somewhere we always seem to end up and love the quiet secluded atmosphere. I really can't explain it, but it is lovely.

[Guest]

3 hours ago, DAVIDH said:

The railway line heading into the sun and the Oulton Broad night images are outstanding.

Thank you David, you're very kind

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Gracie said:

He truly does take a beautiful photo

Thank you my gorgeous 

2 hours ago, Gracie said:

I keep on at him

I thought you could have just stopped typing at this point Grace. It is so very true 

2 hours ago, Gracie said:

Oulton Broad was outstanding that night too, it really was

Jay - Its just a little walk down a footpath and the roads

Grace - You know I can't walk far in heels

 

Then why wear ruddy heels for a walk then Grace 

2 hours ago, Gracie said:

Oi you cheeky beggar, I don't talk at you, I talk with you thank you very much

It might seem that way to you Grace, I've given up trying to join in with one of your conversations, you just tell me what I think about it without me saying a word anyway 

2 hours ago, Gracie said:

the way you carry on anyone would think I was a nag (don't answer that) 

Grace 

Well......no no I better not 

xxx

[Guest]

Wednesday 29th May

It was yet another beautiful morning on Oulton Broad, so with the roof down, I, yes you guessed it, sat having a coffee or two, and waiting for everybody to rouse themselves from their sleep and notice that I was there waiting for them 

I took the dog for a little stroll over the bridge before returning to top up with water and finally, at around 1000 I set off, leaving the Wherry Hotel behind for a little while and headed back to the Waveney.

My eldest has asked if he could go to Beccles to look around the ships for a while, to which everyone but I thought was a good idea. Muggins here once again had his idea's ignored and so as we reached the river, I made a sharp left and headed down to Beccles, fighting the ebbing tide as I went along.

It was quite busy along the lower Waveney, although all the moorings along the way were free, I did spot a couple of the Waveney hire boats out, Andromeda I think was one, the other I can't remember.

Reaching Beccles I moored next to the park leaving the electric moorings free if needed by someone else, and was promptly approached by the harbour master for payment.

Once secured a ready we all set off up into Beccles, being the gentleman I am, I offered to take the dog and sit and wait in the pub for everyone to finish shopping, rather than someone having to stand around outside with her waiting.

I'm not sure if my offer was accepted in the manner I had mean't it, but I was free to avoid the shopping business and trouble myself getting a pint or two. It was a beautiful day and I was planning on sitting outside the Wetherspoons, dogs not being allowed inside or in the beer garden, but have always been allowed outside at the tables opposite Boots on Sheepgate.

Well....they used to be. Wetherspoons dog policy now means they arent allowed on the premises at all not even outside at the tables on a fudging high street. 

***mini rant coming up***

Now I get that some people don't like having dogs around inside, even though the flea bags aren't causing them any trouble or bother whatsoever and most other pubs manage to keep everyone happy elsewhere, lets say for example......The Bridge Inn at Acle.

Anyway to a degree I get that, but outside who is being bothered by a dog, sat under my feet whilst I have a beer? It's in the fresh air, she is behaving and nobody is being troubled her.

It's perfectly alright to be sat outside having your lungs filled by carcinogens as some inconsiderate person blows their smoke into your face, it's ok to have a rabble of kids running around screaming and bumping into you, almost spilling your Stella, whilst their parent's are too busy talking to their friends to bother calming them down, it's fine that the local p***heads and druggies roam around shouting and swearing across the street to each other, or falling over themselves as they are too drunk to control themselves in public, but a poor little dog, sat under the table minding her own business is too much to deal with.

Well I didn't give them my money and won't be in future so I headed off to the much nicer Bear And Bells anyway.

***mini rant over***

I went and sat in the garden at the back of The Bear And Bells with a beer enjoying the sunshine and a brief period of peace and relaxation on the gorgeous Wednesday afternoon.

It didn't last long though as everyone returned with a bag full of bits and bobs, and ordered another round of drinks. So I thought I best have another one too. Just to be sociable of course.

(Having to have 2 beers, because ladies don't drink pints)

After our drinks we returned to the boat and as the kids ate a light dinner, I set off once again back up the river we had come down, heading for a refreshment break at Somerleyton and then onwards to Loddon.

Whilst the skies clouded over a little and the breeze picked up a tad (God that word ) it was still very warm, and the roof remained down without my crew moaning at me. Too much.

Reaching Somerleyton it was clear we wasnt going to be stopping for a drink this afternoon, as no space was available for a boat our size without requesting others to move along the mooring. 

We wasn't that bothered about stopping, so just continued onwards and along the New Cut to Reedham

Where I finally managed to gain the assistance of the tide past the chain ferry and onto the River Chet.

We meandered down to Loddon, passing a few boats coming the other way, I spotted Chedgrave Common was empty, just incase I needed to return back from the staithe and moor there.

Pye's Mill was full as we passed but upon reaching Loddon Staithe there were a number of moorings free, one of which was next door but one to Ranworth Breeze so I stern moored up there, dropped the mud weight and off we set into the village, unable to see the owners on RB, so did not disturb them.

It was some Mickey Mouse final that night, so we went into the Kings Head and took a settee seat beside the fireplace. I then became somewhat ignored for a while as some rubbish team happened to keep scoring against an even worse one 

Now as some people know, I like to have a bit of a joke (no comments please) and wind people up. I don't like to make fun of people when they are down however, like after being humiliated in a Mickey Mouse football final. So I was thoroughly supportive and understanding that evening, and most certainly did not go too far and get myself into trouble.... 

After a drink in the Swan we returned to the boat for yet another meal made by my youngest

Whilst sat watching the river go by in the night lights. Afterwards it was another walk for the dog, and then we all climbed into bed for a good sleep.

[Guest]

12 hours ago, NorfolkNog said:

Great pictures as always JF 

Sorry missed this one.

Thank you Mr Nog

12 hours ago, NorfolkNog said:

However I am confused (no change there then) why does it take 40 minutes to get from the Wherry Hotel to the Commodore? 

Well I believe this was cleared up for you.

Don't worry, I confuse myself so I'm not surprised I managed to confuse you too 

[ranworthbreeze]

On 31/05/2019 at 16:04, Jayfire said:

I have to admit I am the same Alan and seem to neglect it as it is so close to our home mooring.

It is a very nice spot on a sunny afternoon though, I do enjoy the Yare too however. And the Ram. And the......well all of the pubs 

Hi Jay, 

Ranworth Breeze is looking well, Andrew and Paula are aboard this week.

Regards

Alan

[Guest]

Thursday 30th May

It was a gorgeous morning at 0700 in Loddon when I sat with the roof down once more drinking coffee.

By 0900 hours everyone was up and so I took the dog out for her morning walk around the village and Chedgrave, some boats had already departed for the day

And by 1000 we was underway ourselves, leaving Loddon behind and making our way back up the Chet

The beautiful sunny morning was obviously far too much for some

And I continued along the Chet, until by around 1100 I rejoined the river Yare

Having joined the Yare I made a turn to port and began the journey up the river, in the direction of Norwich.

Not long after having joined the Yare, I passed Malanka coming the other way, and we exchanged a wave and quick greetings as we moved past each other, before I continued on my way up the river.

The clouds had begun to cover the sky a little by 1130, but it was warm with a breeze nevertheless and by 1230 I had taken a trip down Short Dyke which leads to Rockland Broad, and moored up there ready for a walk down the footpath to The New Inn at Rockland.

The staithe was pretty popular, and I spotted one of our neighbour's in Loddon had also stopped off at Rockland this dinner time.

We sat on the front of the pub enjoying a few drinks, the kids deciding to head off to the shop for a look around and the sun really began to turn the heat up, as I began to feel myself burning in the afternoon sunshine, and so once the kids returned and had drunk up, we walked back the way we had come to the boat

Whilst the kids enjoyed their dinner, I headed over Rockland Broad and up Fleet Dyke to rejoin the River Yare, and continue in the direction of Norwich.

We passed through Brundall, and onwards past the Ferry House and Brammerton, both of which were busy with people enjoying the sunshine.

I cruised the remains of the Yare, and then headed along the River Wensum before reaching Norwich Yacht Station.

I moored and tied up the boat before paying the £13 for our overnight stay. We all then headed off to the Red Lion for a refreshment break whilst watching the river.

We had a walk up to the Cathedral which was closed off at the Bishopgate entrance so we took a right turn and just happened to take a seat outside the Adam and Eve, well it only seemed right to have a drink whilst we rested after such a long walk 

We saw the customers of the Ghost Walk start their tour before we headed off to continue our walk around the Cathedral perimeter, taking in another pit stop outside the Wig And Pen, seeing as it was such a lovely warm evening.

Our little wander then took us along the Quayside, bringing us to The Ribs Of Beef and it's empty moorings

We took a left turn and along the main road to head back towards the Yacht Station

The Thursday night was beginning to get into full swing with people out for a drink and more, but the Compleat Angler was quiet so we popped in for a final drink before completing the walk back to the boat.

The youngest didn't want to make any tea tonight, and so I set back out into the busy Norwich streets to pick them up a take away, not quite looking the part when surrounded by the skimpy dresses, and smart clothes everyone else was wearing in my shorts and t shirt 

I was soon back onboard however, and sat looking out at the water whilst everyone ate, until late into the night

After a final walk for the dog, we all got our heads down for a good sleep.

[Guest]

Friday 31st May

Once again, I was fortunate to have a beautiful start to the day in Norwich

And so with the roof down once more I sat and watched the world going by outside.

After filling up with water and taking the dog for a walk, I set off back down the Wensum through Norwich's bridges and rejoined the River Yare back towards Brundall.

The skies briefly clouded over but it remaind warm and the sun soon won the fight against the clouds and reappeared again to make a beautiful warm afternoon, which grew hotter as the day went on.

I wound my way back to Brundall, passing a certain Topliner along the way

Before I decided to pop over into the Coldham Hall stern moorings and we sat in the garden enjoying the sunshine and a drink, whilst the kids ate their dinner.

Once we had finished I set off once more and travelled through Bargate where a number of boats were mud weighted. Heading back out to the river, I took a right turn and moored back up on our mooring at Broom.

I spent the afternoon giving the boat a clean around outside whilst things were tidied and packed away busily inside, our own Psychicsurveyor passing by, as I slaved away busily, I didn't hold it against him too much and managed a friendly hello despite the beer he held in his hand 

Once the boat looked good (cleaning windows in hot bright sunshine ) once more, we had a walk up into the village, calling at the Coop for a few supplies and dropping into The Ram to give them our custom.

We were soon heading back however for a relaxing final night on board, sitting in the aft well whilst the sun was out and then finally settling down for the night.

The next morning was an early wake up and final packing was done, before the car was loaded up and we sadly waved goodbye to Shadow, until our next visit.

Jay

[SwanR]

Thanks for such a detailed account of your time afloat Jay, and the lovely photos. Since Swancraft stopped hiring a few years ago now, we haven't done a holiday on the southern Broads but continue to enjoy the northern side, out of the main season of course. Given that you have covered both sides fairly extensively on your recent trips, do you have a preference for where you like to be?

[Guest]

12 minutes ago, SwanR said:

Given that you have covered both sides fairly extensively on your recent trips, do you have a preference for where you like to be?

Not really Jean, I love both sides and generally will cover both on each visit, the more important thing for me is spending as long as possible on as many days cruising the waters, and just make up where I go as it happens.

With it being so busy up north at certain times I like to stay south more, but when its quieter up north I like to head up there for longer periods, although I can't travel for instance, from Acle to Potter Heigham and be happy to have finished cruising for the day though, I need longer journeys, which is easier down south with it's longer journeys between moorings generally.

That being said, when I have the kids it's generally left to them to choose where we go, and I just like it or lump it