Booked On Pacific Spirit 😀

[Wonderwall]

Well, the excitement is building, the maps have been looked at, the tides checked out, an update on what pubs are still open on the South, my liver has been warned 🫣.

And I’ve still got over 5 months to wait 😳

Ive booked pacific spirit for a week early September, with the fantastic pacific cruisers , who I have hired from 3 time’s previously. Unusually, it’s just me and my mate, who me and swmbo, took him and his gaffer to the broads a couple of years ago, for their first boating experience. My mate loved it that much, he is prepared to return with just me 😎, for a week of “ culture” 

So, if anybody has hired this boat, or even better has pictures , I would love to hear and see them. Obviously, I have seen the pics online , but I’m especially keen to see the front of the boat.

Also, as well as liking a nice meal, myself and my mate like a game of darts and pool ( and fishing of course) so if anybody knows pubs which have these activities , please tell. Of course Beccles , Norwich and OB will do , but I’m not sure about Cantley, Beauchamp, Reedham, Rockland , Somerleyton etc.

So, to help my excitement, add to thread any knowledge you have on my queries.

Also, if anybody is about the South from the 6/9 , for a week, keep me posted . I will let you buy me a beer 🍺😉

I will update this as the weeks fly by, thanks in advance for any info 👍

[Hylander]

Looking forward and planning your holiday is half the fun of going on holiday.         Have a fantastic time and catch plenty of fish.

[Gracie]

I've never hired her but she is a lovely boat, you'll be arguing who has the aft en-suite 

Knowing you it will be beer....fishing.... repeat  You have the best time, you deserve it

Grace x

[Happy]

We had a 'Jolly Boys' four days a couple of years ago from Freedom when they were operating, on Absolute Freedom.  Rockland was an overnight stop with a lot of darts and drinking - we were treated like locals.  In fact the then landlord (now left unfortunately) gave us all one of their beer fest tea shirts.  A great night.  Lets hope it re opens with a like minded landlord 

[Smoggy]

8 hours ago, Wonderwall said:

but I’m especially keen to see the front of the boat.

It's the same colour as the back but pointier.  (Does that help?)

Cantley reedcutter has darts and pool as does fishermans at burgh castle,  I think the queen's head at burgh castle does too and a cracking Sunday carvery. 

[Mouldy]

Fairly certain that The White Heron at Brundall has pool and darts in their ‘sports bar.’  If you go there, remember that it’s cashless, so payment by card only.

[Gracie]

14 minutes ago, Smoggy said:

It's the same colour as the back but pointier.  (Does that help?)

 

I don't think it will help Smogs. After a few beers in the pub Neil won't know or care which end of the boat is which 

Grace x

[Wonderwall]

9 hours ago, Happy said:

We had a 'Jolly Boys' four days a couple of years ago from Freedom when they were operating, on Absolute Freedom.  Rockland was an overnight stop with a lot of darts and drinking - we were treated like locals.  In fact the then landlord (now left unfortunately) gave us all one of their beer fest tea shirts.  A great night.  Lets hope it re opens with a like minded landlord 

I have a few great memories at rockland, both the pub and the moorings.

Is the pub definitely reopening? I wasn’t aware it was closed, but not surprised as it’s happening all over, more so on the broads.

About 10 years ago, I played my young lad at pool the whole week, stopping at every available pub, and if they had a table we stayed for a game or two ( and pass over some beer vouchers of course 🤭)

The final score over the 14 days was 34-37 , so as you can see, we found a few tables 😆😆😆

[CambridgeCabby]

Last time I was in The New Inn , I got back to the boat at 03:45 , and Katie was awake ……… ooops 

 

we too would be very interested  if it’s still open or due to reopen 

[NorfolkNog]

40 minutes ago, CambridgeCabby said:

we too would be very interested  if it’s still open or due to reopen

Ditto 

We were in a while ago and the landlord was brilliant, far from trying to boot us out early he positively encouraged us to stay, not quite that late but late enough. Green Jack beers were often on too 

[MargeandParge]

If Bootsie is still there The Kings Head at Loddon should give you a shindig. 

Kindest Regards Marge and Parge 

[Wonderwall]

11 hours ago, Happy said:

We had a 'Jolly Boys' four days a couple of years ago from Freedom when they were operating, on Absolute Freedom.  Rockland was an overnight stop with a lot of darts and drinking - we were treated like locals.  In fact the then landlord (now left unfortunately) gave us all one of their beer fest tea shirts.  A great night.  Lets hope it re opens with a like minded landlord 

I have a few great memories at rockland, both the pub and the moorings.

Is the pub definitely reopening? I wasn’t aware it was closed, but not surprised as it’s happening all over, more so on the broads.

About 10 years ago, I played my young lad at pool the whole week, stopping at every available pub, and if they had a table we stayed for a game or two ( and pass over some beer vouchers of course 🤭)

The final score over the 14 days was 34-37 , so as you can see, we found a few tables 😆😆😆

and proof that I’ve been to the pub at rockland before 😆. 2016, I posted it on here . Oh how time flies 🫣

[Wonderwall]

So 4 months in from my first post, and around 6 weeks to go , time flies 😃😃😃

I have all my fishing stuff, and everything else I need, I could pack in 15 mins and be away , but patient I must be for the 1 st week in Sept. 😃

iv still not got a plan , as the weather ( and tide to a lesser extent) will dictate which direction we go on the first night, but I think  Cantley or Rockland could be 1st night. Or maybe St Olaves or Somerleyton . As I said it depends on weather and what time we get to pick up the boat.

Anyway, … does anybody know if the fishing tackle shop in Loddon is still on the go ? Really just maggots and worms we would require 1st day, but would probably buy a fair bit from a local independent if they were still trading. 
Any info would be appreciated, and look forward to saying hello to one or two of you in Sept.

cheers

Neil

[Jbx5]

Hi Neil  to sure about the fishing tackle shops but the New Inn Rockland wasn’t open Friday when we were moored there.

John 

[oceandawn]

Hi Yes the fishing tackle shop is still open.Not that good though the quality of the maggots poor.

[webntweb]

3 hours ago, oceandawn said:

Hi Yes the fishing tackle shop is still open.Not that good though the quality of the maggots poor.

It's a bit since I've bought maggots there but possibly doesn't have a large turnover, so I suppose its pot luck if they've got fresh(ish) stock when you visit.

[FairTmiddlin]

40 minutes ago, webntweb said:

 so I suppose its pot luck if they've got fresh(ish) stock when you visit.

You might have to try Fly fishing.

[Wonderwall]

Hello , me again.

Well time flies and it’s only 3 weeks on Friday I pick up my boat and inhabit heaven for a week 😍

The excitement builds and I’ve started a plan A B and C for our week 😀

So I have a couple of questions , ( though I’m sure I will have more 😅) 

first one , Is the pub at Rockland open ?
and 

my first night might be at Somerleyton, after stopping for a meal at St Olaves , a nights fishing would just set me up fine for the week . Is the water a bit too salty and fast flowing there , or do others have good experience of fishing there ? And if so , what’s the desired tactics?

I seem to remember fishing there before and not having much action, but I usually moor for the night at the further reaches of the broads where the water tends to be calmer .

Any advice is much appreciated, and look forward to maybe bumping into 🫣 one or two of you fine folks when I’m down 🤪

[Mouldy]

 Any answer any questions on fishing as my knowledge on that subject is very limited.  The pub at Rockland is still closed though.

[Wonderwall]

So , time flies ( as will my week on the cruiser 😩) and I head off this coming Thursday for an overnight stay in Norwich , so me and my good friend are all nice and fresh for our boat pick up on Friday . I am going to contact the boatyard and request that if they are looking to unload a boat early , then I will be there around 1200 hours 😃. One can only try. 
The plan so far is to drive to Wroxham on Friday morning as we won’t be going North on the boat, get some provisions in Roy’s , visit the very good fishing tackle shop, have a stroll about , feed some ducks then head off to Loddon. 
IF we get the boat early, and the weather is kind I plan a quick stop at Reedham for a beer and game of pool , a pit stop at st olaves for food, then onto either Somerleyton or Oulton Dyke for a night of fishing , beer and chat .

If the weather is not great and we don’t get the boat early, it will be Cantley for food,  beer , pool and darts with some fishing if weather allows. 
Or plan C , which hasn’t been made yet 🤪. That is the beauty of the broads. Take every day as it comes , and let the days evolve as your mood takes you . It’s not like I am going to end up somewhere I don’t like 😄😄😄.

Fishing stuff will be packed tomorrow, and probably most of my essentials . I have a holiday haircut booked for the Thursday morning , the rest of the day will be a garden tidy, packing the rest of my list ( which I will also make tomorrow 😊) and the plan is to head off about 2pm, pick up my mate , and be on the road for 3pm, for what will probably be about a nine hour journey with a couple of stops . 
As you can probably tell, I’m a tad excited .Ive been coming to the broads for over 50 years 😧, and the lure of the place just gets stronger. It’s a shame it’s 500 miles away , but hey ho, that’s the way it is. I’ve thought about moving closer the last ten years or so, but it’s not really practical , or probably sensible. 
The friend I am going with , went to the broads with his wife and mine for the first time 2 years ago . The weather was “ Spanish “ like , which helped but they both enjoyed it so much , it was him who suggested that me and him should go next week . I told them both, after the holiday , when they said it was the best holiday they had ever had, to tell other people it was pure rubbish 😄, so as not to get our broads too busy . Enough people already know it’s charm 😜. 
Sorry for the long post , but if anybody knows something happening on the South , from the 6/9 to the 12/9 , give me a heads up . 
And beware , some incoming tales and pics from my travels.

Ahh the best everyone 🥰

[YnysMon]

Looking forward to reading how your week goes. Hope the weather is kind.

[bucket]

Have a wonderful time Wonderwall!

[Gracie]

Hi Neil

Have a great time my friend. Looking forward to the holiday tale even though it will be beer, fish and repeat 

Take care and safe travels 

Grace x

[kpnut]

Have a wonderful time Neil, wherever you end up. 500 miles? gulp. 

[Norfolkangler]

On 14/08/2024 at 18:04, Wonderwall said:

 

my first night might be at Somerleyton, after stopping for a meal at St Olaves , a nights fishing would just set me up fine for the week . Is the water a bit too salty and fast flowing there , or do others have good experience of fishing there ? And if so , what’s the desired tactics?

 

You will be fine there this time of year. Its normally the big winter tides that push the salt up. That said, I haven't fished it for years during the summer months as it is usually full of boats. (I am an angler not a boater. Would love a boat though) I do know that the Haddiscoe cut is fishing well this year for decent roach and skimmers during the day as I often see a chap there during the week if I am out with my dogs. The water does tend to push through there Somerleyton) so you will need upwards of 30gm feeders. Don't be tempted to chuck out to the other side, imagine you are a fish, you ain't going to be sitting out in full flow are you? A couple of rod lengths out will do you. Forget your tiny hooks, a 12 or 10 is what you need. 2 or 3 grains of corn with a bit of bread wrapped round will get them interested. Worm if you don't mind the odd eel. As with all rivers, it will be quiet at slack water.

That said, the bream have been a little elusive after dark so far this season. Give it a go and let us know how it goes. I will be fishing there when the boats die down after half term so around end of September/early Oct. Good luck.