A Summer's Tale

[Meantime]

New Inn Rockland?

 

[NorfolkNog]

Well I've run through every pub on the Southern Broads in my mind and I can't place it. I'd rather not guess unless I'm pretty sure. I assume Mr Fire has included a place reasonably near the river. 

[Helian]

There is still Waterside at Bramerton and Lord Nelson and Kings Head Reedham! It's not Reedham Ferry I think

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[NorfolkNog]

1 hour ago, Helian said:

Waterside at Bramerton

Didn't dare mention that one    

[keifsmate]

Waterside at Bramerton stopped being a pub when it changed from the Woods End. IMHO

[NorfolkNog]

1 minute ago, keifsmate said:

Waterside at Bramerton stopped being a pub when it changed from the Woods End. IMHO

The only pub on the Broads I've ever been chucked out of before I even got in. I shan't rush back. 

[vanessan]

White Horse at Chedgrave?

[vanessan]

1 minute ago, NorfolkNog said:

The only pub on the Broads I've ever been chucked out of before I even got in. I shan't rush back. 

Dare we ask why?

[NorfolkNog]

18 minutes ago, vanessan said:

Dare we ask why?

Ha, ha I did report on this a while back Lady V. 

Basically we pulled up, owner comes rushing out, asked if it was a hire boat. Without thinking I said yes. Made in clear we weren't wanted and muttered something about not cooking on board. He's a prat. Later discovered he doesn't like hire boats, lowers the tone. Interesting to read the reviews on Trip Advisor. I mentioned this in a couple of other pubs and it seems the guy is known for his attitude. 

[vanessan]

2 minutes ago, NorfolkNog said:

Ha, ha I did report on this a while back Lady V. 

Basically we pulled up, owner comes rushing out, asked if it was a hire boat. Without thinking I said yes. Made in clear we weren't wanted and muttered something about not cooking on board. He's a prat. Later discovered he doesn't like hire boats, lowers the tone. Interesting to read the reviews on Trip Advisor. I mentioned this in a couple of other pubs and it seems the guy is known for his attitude. 

I thought I had read that on here at some point, and elsewhere too. What a stupid attitude! Pity hirers don’t boycott the place full stop. 🤬

[Lastdraft]

Have to say Im not a fan of the place, but I do have sympathies for the guy. I saw last season two large hire boats moored on his moorings that he has spent thousands on , plugged into his electric cooking and enjoying their own food and drink at his expense.

He does encourage private boats of the Brundall Navy type whose owners do not have problem with his extortionate prices. 

[Chelsea14Ian]

He is a bit of a Basil .Been a few years since I've been there.I do like the pub however.

[YnysMon]

How about The Duke's Head Somerlayton?

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[ranworthbreeze]

1 hour ago, keifsmate said:

Waterside at Bramerton stopped being a pub when it changed from the Woods End. IMHO

I rather like the Waters Edge and lets face it the Wood End was hardly ever open.

[Guest Jayfire]

35 minutes ago, YnysMon said:

How about The Duke's Head Somerlayton?

Ding ding ding Helen has won it 

[jeffbroadslover]

I wonder if there would be any legal repercussions if the boatyards were to put an entry in their "skippers handbook"  telling hirers they must not moor outside a certain establishment on the southern rivers.

They can tell you not to go through certain bridges without a pilot and to go round a yellow post at Gt. Yarmouth so why not "DO NOT MOOR HERE YOU ARE NOT WELCOME"   ??????

Jeff

[OldBerkshireBoy]

Because the first two are safety issues.

[YnysMon]

32 minutes ago, Jayfire said:

Ding ding ding Helen has won it 

I haven’t been in there for ages, but I remembered you mentioning in one of your tales that Somerlayton is a favourite mooring. See I do pay attention. (Sometimes.)

[Guest Jayfire]

55 minutes ago, YnysMon said:

I haven’t been in there for ages, but I remembered you mentioning in one of your tales that Somerlayton is a favourite mooring. See I do pay attention. (Sometimes.)

It sure is Helen, and I had a return trip to Brundall to make the next day so it seemed a wise choice.

Very good service and sensible distancing was in operation too 👍 

[NorfolkNog]

Ah, its in the posh bit   Me and Mrs Nog are always consigned to the peasants bar with the dogs 

[Guest Jayfire]

Saturday 25th July

I couldn't sleep on the Friday night, I had very much on my mind, both exciting and terrifying, but nevertheless I dragged myself from my bed at 0600 as it became apparant I was never going to return to the land of nod.

The next few hours were a blur of packing bags and throwing things in the car until it was bulging from every panel, a complete mystification of how so much could be shoved into one car boot, but by 0900 I was setting off along the well trodden path to Brundall.

I arrived at Broom just before 1200 and after launching bag after bag into the boat (yes the kids were with me once again) and the chilled goods put into the fridge.....OK the beer, I admit.....we took a long walk around the corner to the Yare pub for a few chips for the kids and a few beers for the me 

As we sat in the pub, I was awash with messages and calls regarding Moonlight Shadow which turned a quick dinnertime visit into administrative chaos, but it was soon time to return to the boat, sort out the belongings and finally at around 1345 we were off down the river Yare beneath an overcast but warm and pleasant sky.

We passed through Brundall...

The rivers were back to being busy, busier than this makes it look...

Once again as we cryised along my phone became awash with messages and phone calls regarding Moonlight Shadow, business was taken care of as one of the kids took the helm for me and then we continued along the Yare passing the Beauchamp Arms which was open....or closed. No open, erm......closed.....I think it was open, but the boarded up window's told me to not bother...

And so we continued past Cantley as a fellow forum member gave very helpful advice for future choices (thank you)...

And then through all of Reedham...

After more phone calls as we trundled along the New Cut we were soon mooring up at Somerleyton at around 1715...

And by 1730 I was in the pub getting well earned refreshments 

We had a few beers and a good chat but was off back on the return leg to the boat just after 2000 as the sun was setting above the river...

And so we had a few more drinks onboard as we played those ruddy exploding kittens that won't just go away, before i took the dog out for a last walk a little after 2215, and then it was time to hit the sack and try and catch up a few hours of sleep I'd lost the night before

[Guest Jayfire]

5 minutes ago, NorfolkNog said:

Ah, its in the posh bit   Me and Mrs Nog are always consigned to the peasants bar with the dogs 

Mr Nog you know fine well I'm not allowed in the posh bit... there is always some.....unpleasantness 

I quickly took a random snap of something obscure to try and confuse you, but these Covid restrictions mean you end up in all sorts of areas of pubs you never are usually allowed to enter 

[SwanR]

Lovely photos Jay. It is noticeable that it’s getting dark a little earlier now. We were on the coast at the weekend and the weather was quite changeable. 

[Guest Jayfire]

Sunday 26th July

Another restless night with things on my mind resulted in me sitting with a coffee at 0400, but as the mini beast raised her head heavily to look at me i didn't have the heart to drag her outside for an early morning refreshment break and so we sat together in the saloon waiting for a more social hour.

By 0800 we had taken that walk and returned to the moorings...

And within 15 minutes I had sorted everything and removed my lines to begin the return leg of what I had done the day before...

By 0920 I was approaching the chain ferry at Reedham on my way...

It was a beautiful morning and the rivers were lively. There was even 1 or 80 flappy things about...

And they just kept coming...

I passed Helen along the way, we exchanged words as our paths crossed but I really feel the spoken words were much different to the ones I thought I heard 

But it wasn't too long before I approached Brundall, and our home mooring...

I had only just moored up and begun to refill the water on the boat when I had the pleasure of welcoming a lovely family to look around Moonlight Shadow. 

Slightly awkward due to the Covid circumstances but I left them to look around the boat undisturbed, and once we had spoken at distance a little and a river run I was delighted to accept an offer for my share of the boat, and to be honest despite my sadness to be losing my share in a boat I absolutely love, I couldn't imagine a more fitting family to be handing her over to (subject to contract of course), and I know they will absolutely love her too.

So there it was, my very last adventure on Moonlight Shadow before I began a new chapter.

I set off once again back down the river Yare, once more taking that journey for the 3rd time this weekend with mixed emotions. I was dawdling all the way and was soon passed by another boat or two...

And I took the long route to St Olaves. The moorings were full but just as I was passing by the end boat attempted to leave the mooring, bumping into the one in front as they did. 

I continued on through St Olaves bridge but kept an eye behind me, and was soon glad I did as the boat that had left the mooring was approaching further back.

Clearing the bridge I found the pub moorings full and so i did a 180° turn and returned to the moorings to take the newly vacated spot.

I had a chat with the owner of the boat that had been hit for a while, but by 1800 we were sat outside The Bell at St Olaves and enjoyed their own distanced hospitality...

It had been absolutely rammed all day by all accounts, but it cleared out a little as the evening wore on.

Eventually I got the kids a pizza from their new pizza hut and we made our way back to the boat for another drink and chat.

The kids went to bed fairly early that night, I took the dog for another walk...

Before finally retiring to bed, ready for a longer cruise planned for tomorrow

[DAVIDH]

Lovely Norfolk skies in your pictures Jay. I can't wait for my turn, having missed a week in May and in June. But wait I will have to as my next week is not until November. Wonder if it will be as warm then? So this new chapter. I wonder if the sale of your share will be the down payment on a boat of your own? (or have I missed something?)