The Good Old Days

[WasJono]

As suggested I thought a trip down memory lane may amuse some people 

I first heard about the Broads in 1964 during a free art lesson at Sir John Deanes Grammar School. A chap named Kenny Roe was picked out to tell where he had been on holiday and I was swept away by the thought of captaining my own boat for a week. I don't remember many other names in the class but his sticks with me for that reason.

I wrote to Blakes at 47 Albemarle Street London and obtained one of their catalogues ASAP.

Following weeks of "umming and arring" we made a list of boats to take 3 people, myself, my sister and my then girl friend Val, yes we got married eventually, and sent our list of six preferred boats off for the following year. Being almost a year in advance I was convinced LochTarbert was ours.

A couple of weeks later we got our booking for Broadwave 3 from Clifford E Allan's at Coltishall. As many of you know the yard is long gone and houses replace it but Broadwave is still afloat and the attached picture shows her for sale at Ludham Bridge Boatyard in 2016. She was still there, but on a hard standing, in 2017.

The boat had a petrol engine, a Vedette me thinks?, and 3 single berths. There was 1 in the bow cabin and 2 in the lounge. The toilet and wash basin were also in the bow cabin but had no door as per the boat plan, just a curtain. The gas stove and a sink were in the stern cabin and there was no fridge just an ice box. Fresh ice blocks were obtained from the many boatyards that were about back then.

Knowing the dates we booked a Robinson's Coach from just outside Manchester Victoria station to Wroxham and then we waited and planned. I read the print off the Blakes Pocket Pilot and Holiday Log book. By the time we set off I almost new it verbatim.

We caught the late train to Manchester and walked around to the coach office with our suitcases. The coach left around midnight stopping around Manchester for a few more pick ups and then stopping for a break at a Farm Cafe on the A47 arriving at Wroxham about 05.30. We hadn't bargained for that. What to do Know. We waited some time by the river and eventually got a cup of coffee when a cafe opened and called a taxi to take us to Coltishall.

The boatyard were a little surprised to see us so early but found us somewhere to sit in the boat shed and we waited and waited. They gave us a cup of tea mid morning but it was the longest wait of my life. The WC consisted of a little wooden shed with a hole in the ground and a plank. All mod cons.

Eventually we were shown to the boat and taken for the test drive. There was a wheel, a long gear lever that stuck out of the deck of the centre cockpit, and a thumb lever for a throttle. On the dash was the choke, the ignition switch and a couple of gauges for oil pressure and temperature. Piece of cake to a 17 year old who had driven a dodgem car or two.

Shortly we were set loose on our first grand voyage. We were headed for Wroxham and out in the lovely countryside so I thought a good place to practice mooring. Didn't want to look a complete plonker in Wroxham! First try we bounced of the bank. Approach too fast. The next try we ran aground. Great!! been on board an hour and I am in the river pushing the boat off the bottom.

After that the holiday became a blur of absolute enjoyment. We three loved it so much we got home and booked again and again and again.

I suppose I was a very fortunate person back then as I had a job working away from home, Dundee to be precise, fitting pipework and learning to weld and the overtime and lodging allowance paid for that first holiday which I suppose changed our lives. We have had breaks from the Broads when I discovered motorbikes and toured Europe every chance we got. We then went camping going from a Goldwing with trailer tent to a touring caravan, even tried a motorhome for 6 months. Big mistake! Stereo Tinnitus and motor homes don't work. During these times we still had the occasional Broads holiday because it is a holiday and now we rarely do anything else. 

When it comes to the boats over the years I have my favourites:

Broadwave we will never forget

Connoisseur GL2 and the others we had were superb

Magnifique (The gin palace as the owner called it) was big and a great boat for 7

The Aft Deck Penichette in Ireland is one of my absolute favourites as a boat design. Loved the stern verandah and just the overall design. Old but good.

Worst boats: Swan Renown was a let down, fabulous boatyard (sorry it to has gone) with great boats just didn't like all the steps inside and the tiny galley.

Absolute worst: Romantique from Alpha Craft! I will not swear but this floating shed was rented to us instead of being burned and the staff were the worst I ever met. One of the sons received my list of complaints and then showed me his dads boat with the marble work tops and all the luxuries. Brain of a rocking horse!!!!

Well thats me for now.

Take care and stay afloat.

John

 

Broadwave receipt.pdf

[Vaughan]

What a lovely story, thank you very much for sharing it.

You must be about a year older than me, by the sound of it. 

I knew Clifford Allen, in the days when he was retiring, and selling the yard, in around 1975. A lovely man and a great, traditional boatyard which also built wherries.

I also remember Blakes offices, in London, W 1. A very prestigious address!

I agree with you about the Penichette as well. A classic design.

Please tell us more!

[vanessan]

I don’t recall enjoying a holiday tale (plus associated bits and pieces) as much as yours Jono. I suppose because it goes back to a good era, you and I are very similar in age but now please forget I told you that! It always seems to me that things were more simple then, probably mainly to do with the lack of technology. We got a tremendous kick out of trying new things in those days didn’t we? As Vaughan said, ‘please tell us more’!

[Polly]

 I vaguely think Broadwave belongs to the householder next to LBBY (who also owns that grassy area), nice guy but name has eluded me.

Hows that for a definite post? 

Loving this thread, thank you!

[BrundallNavy]

It was owned by a very good friend of mine and after he sold it it underwent a major restoration with if I remember most of the inside rebuilt I think it also had a new engine.  We looked at this boat before deciding on Nipper which has a very similar layout.

[unclemike]

polly the guy next door owns broadland askari. broadwave was done up by jasons lads and they had/have it up for sale

[WasJono]

How fantastic that you know about Broadwave and some of its recent history.

Many thanks for the comments and I will share other experiences as long as I think I can keep them interesting with a touch of humour.

The above was easy as it was one of the times of my life.

I don't know if it is age but I find many of the holiday boaters on recent holidays extremely selfish and uncaring. Having said that we also meet a lot of lovely people. Some strange, but lovely. I suppose my outlook on life is very strange to some though so I will shut up.

J

[Aboattime]

Great story,Magnifique is moored at our boatyard and was recently sold into private ownership.Still a great looking imposing boat .

[boycee]

Hi Jono

Having just read of your first visit to the Broads in 1964 on Broadwave, I cannot believe the parallels to my first visit to the Broads in May 1964. I lived in Blackpool at the time and together with 2 friends we caught the bus to Lower Moseley St  bus station in Manchester and like you took the overnight Robinsons coach to Wroxham arriving at circa 6am. We couldnt afford a taxi so we walked to Coltishall suitcases and all. As we arrived a man dressed in nautical gear together with hat and pipe was walking down the road. We asked the way to Clfford E Allen's boatyard and he replied I'm Cliff Allen follow me.When we arrived he asked which boat we had hired,we replied Broadwave 1, That should be ready as it was not hired last week, Cliff said so after our instuction and do,s and dont,s we set off on our first Broads adventure- The time was 8.15 am and all we had to eat was what we had brought-tinned salmon & peaches and cream, sat on the deck and cruising down what in my opinion is still the most beautiful stretch of river on the Broads. I vowed then if I could ever afford it I would buy a boat and in 1995 I was lucky enough to purchase a 4 year old Alpha 35 centre cockpit cruiser I named Sandpiper which I still have 23 years later. I have watched Broadwave's restoration over the years but will never forget that first Broads holiday on her which lead to my love of the Broads

Boycee

 

[BroadAmbition]

Broadland Askari is not owned by the chap that resides next to LBBy. It owned by another gentleman (Steve) unless he has sold it recently. Both of them friends of mine

Griff

[Broads01]

I enjoyed reading your tale, John, thanks for sharing. My first visit to the Broads as a child was some 17 years after your first and it's always good to read about earlier times. I was aware of the Clifford Allen boatyard and I always think of it when I cruise past its one time location. 

[WasJono]

Boycee that is uncanny and how lucky were you after the trek from Wroxham to bump into Cliff?

Several years later, possibly 10, we hired a boat named Sandpiper from Sanderson Marine at Reedham!!! Spent a week sleeping on the wood under the mattress as the sections slid apart as soon as you lay on them.

We never had the hankering to own a boat, all be it may have been cheaper after all the hiring we have done. I love the different boats,and the fun of getting to know them if you know what I mean. We also nearly moved to Norfolk way back but thought "where would we holiday?"

Still wish we lived closer though.

[WasJono]

Griff

Being subscribed to Robins Bloggs is the reason we booked Brinks Serenade for next year.

 

John

[WasJono]

Hi Aboattime

I don't think we have seen it recently in fact struggle to remember seeing it in the last 15 or so years.

Which yard do you have?

 

John

[Polly]

Ah yes now I remember Terry and Brian doing one up, that would be it. Thanks Mike

[boycee]

Jono that is quite uncanny. In 1966 I hired Sandpiper 6 N331 from Sandersons at Reedham when it was just 6 weeks old and my own boat I named Sandpiper after the Sanderson boat. Way back in 1996 I met Steve Sanderson who is still a friend today and one of the two brothers who took over the business when their father retired, after working for him at Sanderson Marine. Steve actally gave me the original letters and numbers from Sandpiper 6 which are mounted on polished wood and hang in the lounge of Sandpiper. Sandpiper 6 N331 is still on the river and has been modified and restored fully, I came across it twice on my recent visit to the Broads.Colin Sanderson, Steve's brother is now sole owner of Sanderson Marine,which still operates as a hire boat yard 

Boycee

[DemeraraBorn]

John
Many thanks for a really enjoyable, nostalgic post. Like you, we fell in love with the Broads during a first holiday full of incidents that became happy memories. We look forward to more of your tales.
Incidentally I live a few miles from you, in Hartford. If you show your models, I would love a chance for a viewing and a chat. All the best.
Aubrey

Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

[Kron]

A wonderful write up. Thank you for sharing. The receipt is brilliant! I thought we were bad keeping the one from Whispering Reeds when we hired from them 27 years ago!

[Beardshave]

As a newcomer to this site I really enjoyed this thread as back in the 70s I bought Broad Wave 2 from the Clifford Allen yard at Coltishall-my first venture into boat ownership- and kept her for five years at Turner's Yard at Horning. The boat was in fact in the auction at Coltishall (I remember the cold weather and the Turkey Curry at the Anchor pub!) but I had put a deposit down with the auctioneers so knew she was mine.

A few years back I saw a refurbished Broad Wave (1?) for sale at a big price but she looked magnificent. I suspect Broad Wave 2 has gone to that Great Boatyard in the Sky but so much fun. Great memories.

[charlesa]

What a fantastic read, thank you WasJono, Boycee and everyone else !

I must have missed this thread originally but delightful to come across it now.

My first trip would have been circa 1968 on a boat called Joytime, I think from Herbert Woods.

We travelled down in an ancient Morris Oxford, cross country from Cheshire via Macclesfield, Leek, Ashbourne, Derby, Nottingham, Grantham, Kings Lynn. My parents were heavy smokers at the time ! That combined with my 3 elder brothers and a dog called Shandy made for a wretched journey but I loved that holiday and have been hooked on the Broads ever since !

[WasJono]

Very glad to see people are still enjoying my trip down memory lane.

Great to hear from someone who went on to own a Broadwave. Did it remain as original when you bought it Beardshave?

Your route charlesa must have been the best as it is the route we used for years once we got motorised. A 150cc Lambretta was our first to pick up Sea Zephyr from Wards at Thorpe. The trip home was an experience as the seat got very hard with no adrenaline to make the trip exciting .

We still tend to take variations of it now. In a few weeks we will be going via Stoke onto Rutland Water for lunch and then Kings Lynn and onward. May try getting off the A47 at Kings Lynn and pick up the B1145 for a change.

Take care all

J

[Boatybaggy]

Hello Jono and Boycee! I thoroughly enjoyed two boating holidays on the Broads back in 1983 and 1986. The 1983 one was the best. My boyfriend and I hired Sandpiper from Sanderson Marine and we loved it. In 2013, after 30 years of holidaying away from the Broads, my husband and I had a week in a cottage on Reedham Riverside, very close to the Sanderson Marine boatyard. However, despite  recognising some of the older boats from my holiday in 1983 I was heartbroken not to see the Sandpiper that I knew and loved. Indeed, Sanderson Marine had (and still do) a much newer, much larger boat called Sandpiper that looks nothing like my favourite. My husband and I returned for holidays to Reedham in the same cottage until (and including) 2018 and I've been wondering what happened to the original Sandpiper that I knew. I'm intrigued that Boycee has said that it's been fully restored and is still out on the water. I haven't seen any boat that looks like it so, where have you seen it? I would love to go and take photos.   

[Ray]

Hi Boatybaggy and welcome.

It seems from the database that Sandpiper is in private hands and may well be still on the Broads. Link here http://www.broads.org.uk/wiki2018/index.php?title=Boat_Details&BoatId=5618&BoatHistory=9030

Sadly Boycee  has passed away since his post but his boat too lives on, under a new name and new custodian.

[BrundallNavy]

I’m sure there are at least a couple of that class still around.  

[WherryNice]

1 hour ago, BrundallNavy said:

I’m sure there are at least a couple of that class still around.  

I know of two of them, probably the same ones going by the database