Norfolk Lady Tales

[Mouldy]

It was another cracking start to the day on Thursday.  A little hazy perhaps, but dry and bright.  Deb took the dog for a walk and I went out with the drone, before we had our breakfast.

We’d booked a mooring at Oulton Broad, so we weren’t in a hurry to leave Beccles and eventually cast off at about 10:30.

The early morning haze had gone and it was a lovely, warm summers day - the sort of day that boating is made for.  We had a slow cruise back along The Waveney, noting that the same scruffy craft were still occupying Worlingham moorings.

Oulton Tea Garden moorings were completely empty as we passed.  I called the Yacht Station to make sure our mooring was available and it was, so we carried on, across the broad and moored at the end of the broad facing, stern on pontoon.  I was happy.

We plugged into the electric, noting the nearby hose for topping up our water and had lunch.  More boats arrived through the afternoon and I heard one of the harbourmasters comment that he’d had a couple of cancellations, as the bridge at Somerleyton was unsurprisingly unable to open.

We had a good afternoon, chatting to the crews of neighbouring craft and watching the goings on, on the broad as they prepared for the racing.  It was a little late starting, but by 18:30, there was some action.  We were moored quite close to the marker buoy at one end of the course.  NL was bobbing about in the wake of the passing boats, as was the pontoon, although to a lesser degree.

I took some (well lots) of photos and will post some up when I’ve sorted them out.  All I’m saying is that I’m glad it’s digital and not film!

The action stopped around 20:30 and Deb walked round to the chippy for our dinner, which we enjoyed.  After sufficient time to digest our food, it was time for bed.  It had been another good day and the forecast for Friday and Saturday was encouraging too!

[YnysMon]

Enjoying the tale and the photos Malcolm.

It’s a bit worrying how much space there is in Beccles Yacht Station these days. I know that it’s partly about a hire yard on the southern side closing, but even so. Are fewer craft doing the journey south nowadays? 

[grendel]

it will be nice and full of wooden boats in a couple of weeks time.

[Mouldy]

3 hours ago, YnysMon said:

It’s a bit worrying how much space there is in Beccles Yacht Station these days. I know that it’s partly about a hire yard on the southern side closing, but even so. Are fewer craft doing the journey south nowadays? 

There were quite a few boats from northern yards out and about, as well as a representation from Pacific, Broom and NYA.  Oulton Broad was very busy.  I was talking to the harbourmaster at Beccles and he said that due to the wind the previous Thursday, the racing at Oulton Broad had been cancelled and Beccles had been almost full.

There were a lot of boats in Richo’s yard on both occasions that we were there, but both were changeover days, so wasn’t really representative of what was actually out.  Woods yard was rammed both times we were there too, but again, both times were on Mondays.

Heavy discounting by a couple of yards does point to a lot of spare capacity in some fleets though, something that has been debated at great length of FB with regard to the cost of boating holidays.

[Broads01]

8 hours ago, Mouldy said:

There were a couple of craft moored at North Cove, but Worlingham. was seemingly occupied by the same scruffy yachts that were there at Easter.  With so few moorings between Somerleyton and Beccles, it would be useful if overstayers were moved on.

Wouldn't it be useful. What's the point of having a 24 hour restriction if it's not enforced?

The Thames is absolutely littered with over-stayers to the point it restricts the ability to moor in many places. I really hope the Broads isn't going the same way.

[grendel]

I have noticed that often those craft swap between the two moorings on a regular basis, and on occasion use the wild mooring nearer the waveney river centre, but if you dont visit on successive days or at the wrong time before they move, you might get the impression that they never move, I have also seen them on the section below beccles bridge. so maybe they do overstay- maybe they dont. one scruffy yacht looks much the same as any other.

[Mouldy]

So after a somewhat hectic weekend, I’ll endeavour to finish my tale of our two week holiday on Norfolk Lady over the next couple of days.  I mentioned previously that I’d post a few photos of the powerboats in action, so here goes, along with a couple of the sunset that followed.

[Mouldy]

Friday morning was a little hazy when we woke.  There was no great rush to leave, so having first taken the drone into the park to take off from and get a few shots, we took full advantage of the electric for the immersion heater and showered before breakfast.

It was probably about 10:45 when we eventually cast off.  To be honest, I had no idea where we were going to head for, other than back under Somerleyton Bridge.  It was getting hotter and I had no doubt that the bridge would already be unable to open.  As we approached it, I was initially a little dismayed, as the temporary moorings for craft waiting for the bridge to open, were full and all were hire craft.  There were also a couple that were nosed into the reeds.

I was relieved when I caught sight of the advanced height marker to see that there was a little over 8’9” showing, so asked the wife to take the helm, whilst I took down our burgee and folded the nav light, before negotiating the bridge.  Once through, we headed towards St Olaves and through the New Cut.  We’d been cruising with the help of a falling tide, but had to add a considerable amount of throttle as we punched the tide up The Yare.

The moorings at Reedham were full.  I did think about Langley Dyke, but was aware that there were a few raves planned at The Beauchamp Arms, and really didn’t fancy listening to the noise of drum and bass drifting across the marshes.  We almost moored at Coldham Hall, but it was a bit too close to our home mooring, so instead stopped at The Ferry House for a refreshing libation to mull over our options.

We decided to try our luck at Bramerton, but being a Friday, the navy was out and it was packed, so headed round to the Commissioners Cut.  There were a couple of fairly scruffy craft already moored, but we decided to moor anyway.  One of the left shortly after, in a cloud of oily smoke pouring from a very loud exhaust.  Three more craft came in to moor before the sun set.

Our dinner was a relatively simple one, of minted lamb burgers (from the butchers in Beccles) in brioche buns, with some salad.  They were very tasty too!

I took a few photos of the setting sun, before settling down to watch a little TV and going to bed.  It had been a glorious day and I wondered how much longer the spell of good weather would last.

[Mouldy]

We had a very disturbed night.  Harley woke us several times.  She didn’t want to go out, but just seemed to need some attention.  Deb had eventually given in at about 04:00 and had stayed up with the dog, who then fell asleep!  When we opened the curtains, two of the boats that had arrived late the previous evening, had already left and another had moored so close to our stern, I could easily have stepped aboard from our transom.  I did wonder if these movements had been the cause of Harley’s restlessness, but since arriving home, she has been waking us through the night here too.  I think her dementia is sadly taking a toll.

We didn’t hang around.  I wasn’t particularly impressed with what had been happening overnight, so we cast off and slowly cruised towards Bramerton, hopeful that one of the navy had left.  It was a lovely morning.  Cruising into the rising sun through Thorpe,  was quite stunning.  I spotted a heron, wading in quite deep water, doing a spot of fishing.  Can’t blame him - I was hungry too, but would have to wait for my breakfast.

As we arrived at Bramerton, I spotted a suitable gap, right next to an electric post.  How convenient?  We moored to find only 22p credit still on it, but better than nothing.  I topped it up with a pound and we turned on the immersion.  While Deb went for a shower, I flew the drone to get a few pictures.  Not long after several rowers came past, taking up almost the entire width of the river in all types of craft - from solo kayaks to coxless fours.  I did grab a few photos and have included one below.  It was quite an impressive sight and their wash made Norfolk Lady rock quite a bit.  They came back a few minutes later at a much more sedate, less impressive pace.

After I’d showered, I made brunch, which we enjoyed.  Deb sat out on the green, with Harley, who was enjoying the shade, under a tree.  It had developed into quite a warm day, but as the afternoon drew on, it became more sultry and we had a brief downpour around 16:30.

Dinner was a steak (from Beccles), with mushrooms, tomatoes and some fried potatoes.  For a piece of rump, it was very tender and was a welcome treat.  As the evening drew on, the clouds cleared, leaving another sunset.  I had to go out and get a few photos, braving the midges that were swarming outside.

It was soon time to retire for the final time on our holiday.  We’d both enjoyed it, despite the weather during the first week.  A few sunny, warm days had certainly brightened our moods during the second week.

 

[Mouldy]

We woke on Sunday, had some breakfast and cast off for the short journey back to Brundall and the marina.  Just as we manoeuvred to moor, our friends, Jean and Mike were arriving in their car, to begin a three week holiday on their recently acquired boat.  We packed our things, tidied Norfolk Lady and loaded the car, before heading to The White Heron for a Sunday roast with Jean and Mike before going home.

We should be back on board this weekend.  I’m hoping the weather might hold, but fear that our summer may not last that long!  We’ll have to see.

[SwanR]

Stunning photos Malcolm. You certainly have a great eye for those action shots and everything else that has featured so magnificently throughout this holiday tale. Very inspiring.

[Ray]

Another excellent telling of holidaying on the Broads Malcolm with brilliant photos as usual 👍

Give Harley a big fuss from me and Gill 🙂🐾

[KevinB]

Brilliant photos, especially the powerboats 👏🏻

[Broads01]

Thanks for sharing your latest tale and all the brilliant photos, Malcom.

So sorry to hear about Harley's problems. I hope you can find ways of getting peace at night for all 3 of you.

[bobrob18]

Wow, stunning photos! Can't wait until my long awaited return to the broads 3 decades ago this Saturday! 

[Bikertov]

4 hours ago, bobrob18 said:

Wow, stunning photos! Can't wait until my long awaited return to the broads 3 decades ago this Saturday! 

Be VERY careful when you return to the Broads after such a long time ...

I did a similar thing after a 40 year absence, just for a weekend, and only rented a day boat for the day.

Following that weekend, I joined this forum, and 4 years later, last October, ended up buying my own boat 

It can happen to anyone - don't say you weren't warned 

[bobrob18]

Well @Bikertov its my kids and partner first time... she has been reminded just before I met her, I was in process of buying a narrow boat!! 

 

This may convince her! Lmao!

 

I got home last week after 5 weeks away working and said, thats it I need a holiday without driving being involved (european lorry driver here) so I asked my boy, do you fancy going on a boat... he said yes... soo she couldn't back out! Book the boat within hours! As I know I wanted comfort.. Olympic light will do nicely! 

 

[kpnut]

On 23/07/2024 at 10:38, Mouldy said:

Ideal, but the footpath that runs alongside the dyke, which was badly overgrown, making it difficult for the wife to walk the dog.  Following Kate’s lead, I went onto the relevant website and reported it.

Update on fleet dyke footpath. Now cut and nice to walk along right up the dyke and round on the riverbank. 

[Mouldy]

5 minutes ago, kpnut said:

Update on fleet dyke footpath. Now cut and nice to walk along right up the dyke and round on the riverbank. 

Good to know that something works!  Thanks for the update, Kate.

[Troyboy]

Great photos Malcolm. Especially liking those of Beccles. 

We hired from Richardsons last week and I couldn't believe how many boats were sat idle. One of the men told me that it is quiet at the moment. This was evident on the northern broads. I couldn't believe how quiet it was. We had a night in HWs boat yard and they had a good few boats sat around. 

 

[ExSurveyor]

All bar three of Brooms boats were out this week.

[Mouldy]

34 minutes ago, Troyboy said:

We hired from Richardsons last week and I couldn't believe how many boats were sat idle. One of the men told me that it is quiet at the moment. This was evident on the northern broads. I couldn't believe how quiet it was. We had a night in HWs boat yard and they had a good few boats sat around. 

I don’t think The Broads are unique in still having availability.  I’m getting emails daily from Parkdean, Hoseasons and others offering me short notice breaks at their sites.  Several hire companies have been advertising substantial discounts on their boats on social media.  I do wonder whether offering such large, last minute discounts will impact future bookings, with a lot of cost conscious folk hanging on to see what deals are available in the future.

The financial climate has clearly had an impact, as has the weather, which up until a couple of weeks ago had been pretty dismal.

It will take a long time to recover.  One can only hope that businesses around The Broads can survive with reduced visitor numbers, or yet more will fold.

[OldBerkshireBoy]

Savvy people in a postion where they are able to will leave holiday bookings until the last moment and save a lot of money.

Seem to think that this topic comes up every year.

[Broads01]

Yep and I always ask the question, why don't the big discounters just charge less in the first place? It doesn't make sense to me to set prices so high it puts people off and the operator is put on the back foot and has to discount.

Fair play to Richardsons, their policy has always been not to discount but to set a fair price in the first place. They can't always set the price right but at least they try.

[BroadAmbition]

 this Saturday!

Might see you on t rivers then, we are onboard 'B.A' from Monday through to the 13th

Griff