April On Fair Executive

[RS2021]

Elsewhere on this Forum there is a debate about more Broads content, so I thought I’d contribute with our holiday tale. We booked Fair Executive 2 in 2019 for April 2020, but it got postponed by Covid19 to April this year. I did share our virtual cruise last year, so this is how it turned out for real.

We were going a couple of weeks after boating had re-opened to single households, but hospitality was still only outdoors. However, all the information was that booking levels were very high so expect the Broads to be busy. The original plan was to stay North as tide times were poor to attempt going South and get back in a week, but given the predictions I’d taken the precaution of phoning Yarmouth YS to seek their advice and see if it was feasible. Based on what they said we could do it – we’d have to decide on Monday at the latest.

The weather was set to be fair and sunny, but cold. So off we set.

 

Day 1 – Saturday 24 April

We were given a slightly later pick up time than usual for the boat due to Covid19. Arriving at NBD, the car unloaded we were soon underway. A boat we’ve had twice before and pre holiday videos, so only a minimal handover needed. On our first night we don’t usually go far – a gentle cruise to Salhouse.  The main moorings looked busy and the best spots on the island were taken so we opted for the Spit. The added benefit was that this gets the sun well into the evening, when the main moorings are in the shade. (I think we’d have done the opposite with the weather we’ve had during the last week!). Very quiet with only another couple of boats.

[RS2021]

Day 2 – Sunday 25 April

We like to stop in Horning and check out the village, especially the Deli. Probably won’t be possible if the rivers are busy. Oh wait, only one boat on the Staithe. So we can visit Horning and pick up some delicious food for lunch. We also introduce ourselves to fellow forum members onboard Jemaki.

Lunch was at St Benet’s which was a challenge to moor with a strong wind trying to blow us off the bank and we also helped some first time hirers struggling with the wind to moor. Again plenty of moorings, despite a few being closed for repairs. Afternoon we decided to head down Fleet Dyke towards South Walsham. The moorings at the South end of Fleet Dyke only had about three boats on, so we decided to go for a gentle cruise round the two broads before tying up, only to find the access to the Inner broad blocked. Oh well back to the moorings for a very pleasant evening.

 

[SwanR]

Thank you for sharing this. Always interesting to read the itinerary other folk have followed and the places they enjoyed. Lovely to see your photos too. 

[YnysMon]

Ooh, lovely, another holiday blogger!

Loving your account, weren’t you lucky at Horning! Fleet Dyke moorings didn’t look that busy either.

More please!

(And thanks!)

[RS2021]

Day 3 – Monday 26 April

Decision day – do we go South in search of dragons. Well despite the high booking volumes, the rivers and more importantly the moorings were all very quiet, so we decided to stay North. The dragons will have to wait another year.

I always like to walk and explore the rhond and beyond when we are moored. This morning I took the short walk along Fleet Dyke back to the Bure to enjoy the view of St Benet’s on the opposite bank. Very peaceful in the early morning. Today we would head up the Ant.  The tides were predicted to be higher later in the week, so to get under Ludham earlier in the week would be best. But first lunch at Ranworth. Again very quiet with lots of space on the Staithe. We did consider lunch at the Maltsters Pub, but felt it really was too cold to eat outside. The walkway to NWT on Ranworth Broad was open, so that was my destination to view the wildlife.

After lunch we headed to the Ant. Ludham as predicted was no problem and we planned to stop at How Hill – a favourite mooring of ours for the night with great walks both round How Hill and back towards Ludham Bridge. However, when we got there it was practically deserted and we thought if it’s this quiet here, what if... So we carried on and yes there was a space at Irstead Staithe. I can appreciate why this mooring is so highly thought of. Very quiet, very peaceful. It is also a great spot to wander through the lanes to the Barton Broad Boardwalk. If you have never had the chance to do this from either Irstead, Gayes, or Neatishead Staithes I can thoroughly recommend it. You get chance to walk through an area rich in wildlife that would be impassable without the boardwalk. Then back to Istead and a quiet evening on the boat.

[RS2021]

Day 4 – Tuesday 27 April

One of the advantages of not starting your holiday in Stalham is that the Upper Ant becomes a destination, rather than somewhere to pass through quickly, so today we pottered around the Ant. A gentle cruise across Barton Broad, go slowly round Barton Turf and head for Wayford Bridge. Sadly our boat couldn’t pass and go to Dilham, but we do find the stretch of river to Wayford Bridge delightful. A quick cruise up to Stalham to see how many boats were actually still in the yard and then lunch at Sutton Staithe. Sutton Broad, whilst not looking much like a Broad is very beautiful. The afternoon took us back across Barton Broad to Neatishead, where much to our surprise we found only one other boat. Careful framing of a photo made it appear we were the only boat there!

We have enjoyed the White Horse Pub before for meals so decided to head there. At the time it was outside service only with no food being served. We had a drink and whilst the beer was as good as ever, it really was too cold to linger, so just one drink and then back to the boat. When we got back to the Staithe there were more boats and unfortunately a couple of boats thought it was OK to run engines well into the evening – Grrr.

[RS2021]

Day 5 – Wednesday 28 April

No water at Neatishead so we moved to Gaye’s Staithe to top up the tanks. We’ve always headed for Neatishead when in the area, but I have to say Gaye’s Staithe is delightful and I think next time it may become our destination. Not much further to walk to the White Horse and closer to Barton Broad Boardwalk. After that it was How Hill for lunch.  As well as walking the nature trail and visiting the secret garden, the main house gardens were also open as the house wasn’t being used for courses, so we were able to enjoy them for the first time.

Leaving How Hill we headed for Ludham Bridge. Looking at the tide times I thought we may have left it a little late for passage, but we got through OK. The forecast was for high winds so I thought we would head for somewhere more sheltered.  Upton Dyke is always nice. So we headed there and found a mooring on the end of the staithe. A friendly gentleman from Eastwood’s suggested we should move further up the staithe as it was more sheltered beyond the tree line. I ignored this at first as I thought it would be more difficult to get out, but after half an hour listening to the wind decided it was advice well worth following and moved. Memo to self for future – hire bases specialising in yachts are usually based where it is windy nearby! Whilst we were tied up Eastwoods were launching boats freshly out of winter maintenance, fascinating to watch, but gradually reducing the space we had to be able to turn the boat! I did notice they left one boat in the crane harness for some time and threw dust in the water. I’ve come across this on the canals with leaky lock gates where ash from boat stoves is used to seal them, but not for wooden boats. What is used? Ash or saw dust?

[grendel]

generally its sawdust, as the water rushes into the boat it picks up the sawdust, which bungs up the hole, as the planks take up, this will naturally squeeze back out

[YnysMon]

I wonder if the water at Neatishead has been reconnected yet?  We were a bit disgusted the first week of May to find it was still cut off.

How long was your boat? I’ve been wondering if we could turn Moonlight Shadow at the end of Upton Dyke. We like it there, having been down there on Turqoise Emblem and one of the Hunter’s sailies. Did you make it as far as The White Horse pub?

[BrundallNavy]

29 minutes ago, YnysMon said:

I wonder if the water at Neatishead has been reconnected yet?  We were a bit disgusted the first week of May to find it was still cut off.

How long was your boat? I’ve been wondering if we could turn Moonlight Shadow at the end of Upton Dyke. We like it there, having been down there on Turqoise Emblem and one of the Hunter’s sailies. Did you make it as far as The White Horse pub?

Yes water available at both sides. 

[RS2021]

45 minutes ago, YnysMon said:

How long was your boat?

36 foot. We've been up three times in that boat. On the first occasion the staithe and boatyard were very congested so we had to reverse a 100yds or so and turn in a space created by a vacant mooring - bow thrusters can be very useful! Second time all the Eastwood's fleet were out and you could have turned a 46 footer easily. This time turning the boat on the afternoon we arrived would have been a challenge due to the strong winds and the proximity of the Eastwood's boats. I was hoping the wind would drop overnight to make it easier!

45 minutes ago, YnysMon said:

Did you make it as far as The White Horse pub?

Sadly The White Horse was on reduced opening due to Covid19 and was not open the day we were there. I have had the pleasure of drinking there on pervious visits though and can highly recommend it.

[YnysMon]

That’s good, I’ve just checked and Moonlight Shadow is 38’. Upton Dyke here we come! Maybe high season though when the Eastwood Whelpton fleet are out.

[Broads01]

I must admit the longest boat I've taken down there is 31 foot so it's useful to know you managed OK.

[trambo]

Have taken Silver Cloud, which is 35' on many occasions without problem but always turn predominately with the ropes.

Fred

[CambridgeCabby]

Many years ago we took Grecian Girl (42ft) down Upton Dyke and was able to turn her on the ropes , it was tight though 

[YnysMon]

Thanks, that's reassuring. 

[RS2021]

Day 6 – Thursday 29 April

I started the day with a lovely circular walk. Head along the south side of Upton Dyke and then down the Bure, past the Northern Rivers Sailing Club and then back through fields and woods. Another great walk. Next task of the day, turn the boat. A very small gap and lots of sailing boats everywhere – so how did we turn this time?  Fortunately the wind had dropped which was a great help. In the end I decided to push the front of the boat out and use the bow thrusters to gently move it round whilst at the same time pulling the stern of the boat the opposite way along the bank with the ropes.  Boat turned with no problems so head to Womack Staithe. Fill up with water have a look round Ludham and then off to Fleet Dyke again for another night. Inner Broad again still blocked.

[SwanR]

Lovely write up. I agree that the board walk at Barton Broad is well worth a visit. And also agree with your comment about not starting at Stalham changing the upper Ant to a destination rather than somewhere to pass through as you start and finish. 

[Broads01]

1 hour ago, SwanR said:

Lovely write up. I agree that the board walk at Barton Broad is well worth a visit. And also agree with your comment about not starting at Stalham changing the upper Ant to a destination rather than somewhere to pass through as you start and finish. 

Funnily enough, my late father used to say exactly the same thing about the Ant and he preferred to avoid hiring from Richardsons for that reason. I used to not really follow but I get it completely now.

[SwanR]

I think it was last time we went that although we hired from Stalham for four nights we actually did spend one day just going up and down the Ant. Day Three we cruised up to Sutton Staithe, then the next day we cruised back down to Ranworth, lunch in the Maltsters, and then cruised back up to Paddy's Lane. That was a lovely day.

[RS2021]

Day 7 – Friday 30 April

Another beautiful morning walk along Fleet Dyke before setting off to Ranworth. Thought we’d have a quick cruise round South Walsham Broad and this time found the inner Broad open, so able to explore it. Decided not to stop at Ranworth, but could have and instead headed to Cockshoot Dyke for lunch. Had the first rain of the week. I’d never done the Cockshoot Broad Boardwalk before so decide to do that and it’s certainly well worth doing, getting beyond the rhond and experiencing the wildlife. Although I didn’t have to go far for that – I don’t know if it was bravery, or lock down causing a lack of people, but a pair of swans had nested just the other side of the dam at the Cockshoot Dyke moorings. We were able to get very close and I counted at least nine eggs. The swans seemed indifferent to humans, but did like to see off any ducks which came close! I hope as more boats and people came back to the rivers that they were able to successfully raise their young.

The afternoon saw us cruise gently back to Wroxham and spend the last night in the NBD yard. A look round Roy’s and fish and chips from Ken’s finished the holiday off.

Saturday morning and we hand the boat back and head for home.  We do like this boat and have already booked it for next year when we do plan to go in search of dragons – booked a week with better tide times for crossing Breydon.  Unfortunately for next year the price is considerably more expensive than we paid this year. I hope this is just a temporary thing and that prices do return to normal levels quickly. I also hope that it doesn’t put off many of the new customers trying the Broads for the first time.

[SwanR]

I think the boardwalk at Cockshoot was closed for some time because it was too narrow for passing at anything remotely close to socially distancing, and there didn't seem to be a way of putting a one way route in. Good to hear that it was open when you were there.

Nice to have found a boat you like that suits you. Prices have been mentioned a few times recently. I do wonder whether I am ever going to afford a summer boating holiday again. Then again, sometimes it's all about choices.