A Weekend On Bootlegger

[Polly]

Friday was (hoooray) hairdressers and Jessica for her jab and then we, David, Jessica and I set off.
The forecast was pretty dire and indeed, we got  to Eastwood Whelpton to  find the fleet confined to the yard for the night. Ohhh dear!! We had to go to the pub! Shame that. The White Horse at Upton  was a treat, the meal provided was delicious and being back in this local pub most enjoyable. 
The weather was so bad we actually took the car  instead of walking the short distance between yard and pub.

Bootlegger is a classic Broads Sailing Cruiser four berth and gaff rigged, so suitable for experienced sailors. She is well turned out and sails beautifully.

We were welcomed to the yard with a hot coffee and chocolate marshmallows, the on board gift bag contained local produce and small treats. 

[YnysMon]

Hope the weather improved for the rest of your trip. Hunkering down the first evening in The White Horse sounds like a good plan. We love that pub.

[Polly]

Saturday was a bit less stormy so we layered up, Dave and Jess were glad of their offshore fancy pants gear. 
We had a talk about the boat by Frosty, who I believe skippers Albion, it was a pleasure to meet and talk and then we were off. 
Sailing where we could and motoring against the wind and tide ‘hossing’  down the Bure when it made more sense. We visited South Walsham Broad passing by St Bennett’s Abbey.

The stormy skies were quite a feature of the weekend!

The river was quite busy with hire craft.

[Polly]

We headed up to Wroxham and moored for the night at Barnes Brinkcraft. I have to say that the whole thing about being in a hirecraft as opposed to Brilliant made Wroxham mooring oh so easy. 
This was to be our limit of navigation for the weekend. Originally we had planned on Coltishall with a first overnight booked at The New Inn Horning but the weather had limited our plan already. 
After discussion we went for a second night dinner booking at the Hotel Wroxham. I tried to book a mooring there too but they have changed to a ‘first come first served’ setup and said it might be double mooring.

We decided against that because the likelihood of a larger craft moored outside wasn’t a good option. Bootlegger is wooden and low,the weight of a big cruiser could be detrimental to her hull; also -and more importantly, we have had exhaust from higher craft coming into Brilliant as the whole engine running on the mooring thing has become commonplace. It is a carbon monoxide risk to the traditional sailing craft that most people would not factor in. I wish the boatyards would factor it into the advice they give. 
 

Anyway, rant over😘. The meal was good, I will add photos. We were in no hurry and they were really busy, so the slower pace of service was not a problem. 

[Polly]

The next morning Jessica and I pottered around the Village a bit. There is a very nice cafe and cake shop just down from the bridge. I think it is called Number 14, we got sausage rolls and brownies for later. Both items were well above average for quality, a bit like Horning Deli.

Sailing  back was again a double reef experience. Bootlegger sails well and responsively. We dropped the sails on the approach to The Ferry as there were a few boats going in. It was good to see Gus on duty there, so we had a brief shouted conversation as we passed by. 
 

[Polly]

We saw lots of swans, herons and marsh harriers. There were a few ducks and geese, but most of the wildlife was sheltering in the reeds.
The rain was like icicles belting down at times and the wind was fierce enough for two reefs, three was an option we didn’t need. With apologies to the many that know already, that’s a way of making the giant sail driving the boat into a more manageable size when the wind kicks up.

We had a great sail down the Bure, I was surprised that Thurne Mouth didn’t prove a bit too exciting, the wind there being usually ‘interesting’. 
 

Back at the boatyard by about 7.30 we made a late foray up to The Bridge at Acle; it is always a pleasure to eat at this busy pub.

Coming out, it was unbelievably cold! I think the three layers of clothing needed all weekend almost failed at that point!!

Monday morning, packing up time, and everyone boating seemed to have had a good time in spite of the weather. I did hear that the owners of the camper vans on the site there had been in some anxiety about bogging down, but I think they were ok actually. 
 

[Polly]

I took the opportunity to check out The Whimp before heading home. I wanted to give her a clean with Polytrol and get some Deks Olje on the wood but the chandlery was shut when we were in Wroxham so the time was not right. 
Reluctantly and in the first sunshine of the weekend we packed the car and headed home. 

[Polly]

I agree Helen, The White Horse is a very good pub. 

[vanessan]

1 hour ago, Polly said:

There is a very nice cafe and cake shop just down from the bridge. I think it is called Number 14, we got sausage rolls and brownies for later

I can second that recommendation having visited back in 2019. Good to hear they are still on top form. 
Enjoyed your weekend tale. Interesting that the Hotel Wroxham might ‘insist’ people double moor. The BA have quite specific guidelines on double mooring which, I believe, includes the guidance that the outside boat should be smaller. I wonder what stance the Hotel would take if you pointed out the difficulties of double mooring a low wooden yacht with a big cruiser. 🤔

[DAVIDH]

2 hours ago, Polly said:

The rain was like icicles belting down at times and the wind was fierce enough for two reefs, three was an option we didn’t need. With apologies to the many that know already, that’s a way of making the giant sail driving the boat into a more manageable size when the wind kicks up.

Don't apologise. As a non wind-powered sailor, it's great that some  of these terms are explained.

[YnysMon]

Sounds like you had a great weekend despite the weather. Thanks for posting the lovely photos.