Cruising The Broads................by Road!

[Cal]

We love the Norfolk Broads and as regulars will know we spent a lot of time there on our beloved Naughty-Cal as well as on a selection of different hire boats over the years. 

This evening we head off out on our first trip there by road in Milo, our little motorhome.

Now we don't expect to be trying out Milo's floating capabilities but we do expect to be spending plenty of time by the water and some time on it, and no doubt Sydney the dog will be in it.

So first obstacle out of the way. I managed to get Milo out of the tight driveway and onto the road without damaging it 🤣🤣🤣

Liam should be home from work any minute and then we will be hitting the road.

[johnash]

Enjoy your trip. This will be of particular interest to us because, for the first time, we'll be staying on the Braods but not on a cruiser. Due to my fragile spine, we are only renting a cottage (Broadlands at Herbert Woods) and a day boat for most of the week we'll be there. As we won't be able to get very far in the day boat, we plan on visiting many of our favourite spots by car. So we look forward to reading about your trip!

[Wussername]

Many of us forum members are of an age.

I love the Broads. However many factors, age is one, boat design is another. The latter needs to be addressed. 

The Broads it has to be said is not very accessible for those who are land bound.

And ignored.

 

[Cal]

First stop of the trip is Fosdyke Bridge on the River Welland and we have some stereotypically British weather to start the holiday.

I suspect the heating will be going on later although it's warm enough for now.

Got a homemade Shepherds pie to stick in the oven for dinner later.

[YnysMon]

We’ve had rain here in Horning, but it’s still pretty warm. I’m still wearing shorts anyway!

[Cal]

7 hours ago, YnysMon said:

We’ve had rain here in Horning, but it’s still pretty warm. I’m still wearing shorts anyway!

There was a real chill in the air with the rain here last night. 

We didn't put the heating on in the end. The heat from cooking the Shepherds pie was enough to take the chill off.

 

[Cal]

Caught up with an old friend this morning. 

[Cal]

After a visit to Horning we have headed to our destination for tonight, Fur and Feather at Woodbastwick.

Spent many an hour in here previously. 

We had a wander down to Salhouse Broad and were surprised just how quiet it was.

As we were leaving a couple of Wherries entered the Broad. Didn't catch their names though unfortunately. 

Now back at the pub for a couple of beers. Looking forward to dinner later. The food coming out looks good today.

 

[Cal]

The food certainly didn't disappoint last night.

Top notch 👌 

[SwanR]

That’s good to know. I haven’t been up there for a while. I’m very interested to file your tale and see where your road trip takes you. Have a lovely day, beautiful blue skies and sunshine at the moment. 

[Cal]

One thing we have discovered today is we don't need to travel by boat distance. Road distance is much quicker 🤣🤣🤣

It's been a busy day. We stopped off at Ranworth for a spot of breakfast. 

Then it was onto St Bennetts Abbey. 

We still had time to kill so we called in at Potter Heigham. 

Before heading to tonight's stopover at Reedham Ferry campsite. Its a nice walk into Reedham from here.

 

[johnash]

Loving your 'blog'. And good to see the picture from Potter Heigham bridge area, downriver, showing the cottage we'll be renting for a week in September, 'Broadlands'! (The building that looks like a large shed with a red roof, in H. Woods' boatyard).

[Cal]

Our day today started with a short ferry ride across the Yare.

Then it was onto Beccles to stock up on a few essentials from the supermarket. 

And then finally onto our destination Southwold. We have a couple of days off driving now. 

Our pitch here is huge. Just a shame the weather isn't suitable to sit outside. It's very blustery with thunderstorms on their way.

The dog is absolutely shattered. I think he will appreciate a quiet afternoon on the van this afternoon while we sit out the rain.

We have a couple of days here now before heading back onto the Broads.

[Chelsea14Ian]

Next few days appears to be s bit cooler,with some rain.Weekend could be much warmer.

[Cal]

Glad we packed clothes for everyone eventually 🤣🤣🤣

[Cal]

It was a morning walk on the beach with the dog.

Before walking into town to do a bit of shopping. 

Then with the shopping decanted back on the van we had a walk along the harbour and to Walberswick. 

The Bell Inn beckoned for a quick couple of pints and then the short ferry ride back to Southwold Quay and the campsite.

Now back on the van watching the storms roll in again. Weather forecast is terrible for this afternoon and overnight but should clear up again in the morning. 

Tonight we have some smoked fish from the shack on the harbour front for dinner. Vans going to stink 🤣🤣🤣

[Smoggy]

Hope to be there next week as long as the wind plays fair, got 2 weeks bobbing time and 2 full tanks of diesel to burn, fancy getting down to burnham on crouch via woodbridge if weather allows.

Hows the harbour looking since the chip shop burnt down?

[Cal]

10 minutes ago, Smoggy said:

Hope to be there next week as long as the wind plays fair, got 2 weeks bobbing time and 2 full tanks of diesel to burn, fancy getting down to burnham on crouch via woodbridge if weather allows.

Hows the harbour looking since the chip shop burnt down?

It's fine. Surprised thet haven't set up temporary premises to be honest!

[addicted]

We had every intention  of heading to the boat today. Tony was due to have a routine check-up  at the doctor's this afternoon and we were going to load up the car and drive to Horning straight from the surgery. Best laid plans of mice and men etc. Surgery texted cancelling the appointment due to staff sickness and rescheduled it for tomorrow, so now we go tomorrow morning  instead. It's not going to be a long stay,  only till  Monday due to commitments at home next week so losing a day is a real nuisance.

 

Carole

[Cal]

What a night that turned out to be. We had heavy rain and strong winds from 8pm until about 6am this morning. Sadly several pitches and their occupants were under water this morning. 

Our pitch is on a bit of a mound which kept us dry.

This morning we had a wander into town and a walk on the pier.

Did a spot of shopping and then back to the Harbour Inn for a couple of drinks. The weather dictated it was 3 drinks instead of 2.

Hope tonight's surf and turf is worth it. Had we not stopped at the shack for prawns we would have probably made it back dry. As it happens we got soaked. 

It is our last night here tonight. We move on tomorrow. A slight change of plans for tomorrow as the site we should be on is under water. So it is another night in Suffolk unexpectedly. Different town though.

Despite the weather we have really enjoyed our few days in Southwold but we are looking forward to being on the road again.

[Cal]

Surf and turf was worth the soaking 🤣🤣🤣

[Cal]

Another night in Suffolk tonight. We have found a nice spot in Aldeburgh for the night.

The weather is loads better today. Fish and chips weather sat on the beach better.

There has been plenty of walking involved again. The dog is shattered and fast asleep while we are grabbing a half hour chill out on the van.

Back to Norfolk tomorrow. 

[Cal]

Back into Norfolk today and our destination of Wroxham. 

 

We hired a day boat for a few hours and boiled ourselves and poor Syd!

Now we are on our mooring at Landamores motorhome aire. Can't get much closer to the water. Loving watching the world go by with a few beers.

If I'm honest thought we would have enjoyed being on the water more than we did. As it was we both found it overly expensive for what it was. Probably won't bother next time!

[SwanR]

I heard that it was like the M25 on the Bure today. The sunshine has probably brought out all the day trippers. 

[Cal]

10 minutes ago, SwanR said:

I heard that it was like the M25 on the Bure today. The sunshine has probably brought out all the day trippers. 

It was busy. Glad we hired a bit earlier because it was red hot with no breeze. We hired from 10am to 1pm. Don't envy those who were setting out we got back!

Not been much air height under the bridge today so not seen much other than day boats passing under the bridge part the site.