An Autumnal Tale

[MauriceMynah]

10 hours ago, Deboarchairyee said:

and also avoid the possibility of falling over low level walls along dark unlit pathways on the way back to the boat 

Ruddy amateur !! I don't need "low level walls" and lighting is for sissies. Light or dark, wall or no wall, Man-up and just fall over like us proper alchies

[Guest]

Tuesday 29th October

It was a bit of a lazy day today, once the dog had been exercised we sat at The Bell Inn moorings just relaxing and chatting

At around 1000 and then I set off for the very short trip down river to Somerleyton.

We arrived at the moorings before 1030 and was unable to get underneath the bridge at that time but we were planning on stopping for a while at Somerleyton anyway.

Once secured we resumed the relaxation aboard for another hour or so until 1200 came around, when we had a wander up to The Duke's Head for a bit of refreshment.

The bright sunshine was interrupted by a brief light drizzle as we enjoyed the pub's hospitality but by the time we left it had disappeared once again to be replaced by more sunshine and sunny intervals between light cloud cover.

We were underway by 1430 once again, the water levels had dropped enough by now to allow unhindered passage beneath Somerleyton swing bridge and onwards down the Waveney in the sunshine.

The rivers were definitely much quieter now after the weekend although we did see the odd boat coming the other way but by 1525 we had reached Oulton Dyke and beared left to reach Oulton Broad

We crossed in order to moor up at a deserted Wherry Hotel which I prefer purely for the view over the broad whilst moored up.

We had another sit on the boat chatting for a while once all secured, paid and filled up with water all whilst under the watchful eye of the webcam

At around 1800 when we ventured out to The Waveney Inn for a drink

And then onwards to The Flying Dutchman where we spent most of the evening having a good natter before heading back to the boat.

We picked up a late tea on the way for the kids and then settled down to bring an end to another enjoyable day on the broads.

[Guest]

Wednesday 30th October

Up and about on the Wednesday morning, the dog and I had a walk over to and around the park in the late October sunshine before setting off back over the broad and along Oulton Dyke around 1000.

The kids wanted to have a look around the shops in Beccles, obviously sweets were on their minds and so we took a left turn when we reached the main river and passed the River Centre in beautiful sunshine to continue along the lower Waveney

The BA moorings were empty with the exception of a fisherman and as we didn't need electric nor water, and wasn't staying for long I turned around and moored up beside the bridge just before midday.

We then collected our things and walked along the footpath into Beccles

Whilst the remainder of the crew went shopping in Beccles, I took the dog for a walk around and happened to fall into The Bear And Bells pub, best have a pint then 

At 1330 we had returned via the yacht station to our mooring and was soon making the return trip back up the river, the weather still glorious for an October afternoon 

By 1530 we had reached Somerleyton bridge, and passed beneath and past the moorings to reach the New Cut, which I took.

I waited outside St Olaves Marina for a Richardson's boat that was coming against the tide the other way to pass beneath the narrower passage of the bridge, and then travelled along the cut

To reach Reedham...

The moorings were quiet with just 3 or so boats and so I moored us up and secured the boat with its lines before we headed out to an extremely quiet Lord Nelson pub

We soon walked back to the boat for another evening of games and chat

Before I took the dog for a final walk and then returned back to the boat to head off to bed

[Guest]

Thursday 31st October 

On Halloween morning the dog and I were out and about walking around Reedham village, enjoying once more a fine October morning

By 0900 we were back at the boat and after topping up my caffeine levels I set off around 1000 from Reedham and cruised along the Yare towards Norwich, passing all the usual landmarks

Once we reached Cantley it was just after 1030, I turned and moored up and began to give the boat exterior a good scrub to get rid of the accumulated dirt along the outside from muddy feet

Once complete it was after 1100 and I thought I deserved a bit of refreshment, so into The Reedcutters we went. We didn't stay long however and was soon continuing our progress up the River Yare

There were a number of flappy things sing the way, and a few boats too

1215 and we had arrived at our next planned stop, The Ferry House.

We popped inside and found it was very busy and had all tables reserved for early afternoon visitors, but we had time to sit and enjoy it's welcoming ambience before the pre booked arrivals were due.

Once again we set off shortly afterwards...around 1330 and made a return trip the way we had come...

And by around 1530 we were taking the right turn to begin to travel along the River Chet, a beautiful river made more special by the setting sun

We arrived at the staithe by 1615 and got ourselves cleaned up and sorted for an evening in Loddon

The King's Head had a Halloween disco for the kid's on, which was fun but after a while we went to the Swan, which was also full but of a more mature (at least in physical age) clientele 

We returned to the boat after grabbing some tea for the kids, and it wasn't long before we were all tucked up once more, more and comfortable

[Guest]

Friday 1st November

Well, it finally happened. The rain moved in through the night and continued into the morning as I woke up to a grey, wet and dull morning.

As always the dog and I ventured out for a walk and when I returned I found "the boy" was busy having a shower.

I used the water supply at the staithe to fill our tank up and with coffee in hand, i set off from our mooring to head back up the winding River Chet.

By 1130 we were leaving the Chet and bearing left on the River Yare back towards Norwich.

By 1220 I had reached Cantley...

...yes I did call in once again 

Then it was back off up the Yare once more, back to Brundall.

I moored us back on our own mooring by 1530 so we could drop some things from the boat into the car, to make the following morning a little quicker and easier.

We also called into The Yare pub, you know because.....erm.... 

Returning from the pub I started the boat up once again and left our mooring for a short evening trip over to Coldham Hall, where I used their stern on moorings in order to access both side of the boat and allow me to begin to clean her over ready for the morning.

There was a fantastic light display whilst I worked, and the evening sky made it a pleasant time to be cleaning the boat up a little

Once I had finished for the evening, we walked over to the pub which was decked up nicely for Halloween...

And that pumpkin...

We sat having a drink, chatting and playing exploding kittens. Again 

And then we continued our game later on back on the boat as the rain started to fall once more

As the night wore on, it was time to take the dog for another walk around the now closed pub, before returning to the boat and heading off for a final sleep on the boat for this visit

[Guest]

Saturday 2nd November

And finally, I woke early on Saturday morning. It was time for another quick trip back across the river to our mooring at Brooms 

I had secured the boat up by 0750, and set about making sure our belongings were removed, the boat was cleaned thouroughly inside and out, fuelled up, pumped out and the water was filled up in beautiful morning sunshine

It turned out we had made the right decision to stay over at Coldham Hall, as I was told one of our neighbours boats alarm had been going off all night, keeping everyone awake.

Just before 1000 I was finally finished and our week on Shadow had come to an end once again.

Until December 

[NorfolkNog]

On 03/11/2019 at 08:13, MauriceMynah said:

 

Ignore thar bit, can't delete it

 

Great holiday tale and excellent photos JF 

Very pleased that you've been supporting the local hostelries too  

[Guest]

16 hours ago, NorfolkNog said:

Ignore thar bit, can't delete it

Arrr, ok me hearty. I'll be sure to ignore thar bit Mr Nog... oops 

16 hours ago, NorfolkNog said:

Great holiday tale and excellent photos JF 

Very pleased that you've been supporting the local hostelries too  

Thank you Sir, always will be supporting them as best I can