The UPs and DOWNs of a Mods holiday!

[BroadScot]

Sunday 3rd May.

 

Well folks,

 

987 miles later, my holiday is over for this year. It started off on a very wet and windy Sunday morning here in Troon at 8.15am. The car was packed with "Scoot" and still plenty of room for what my sister in law brings with her. The drive over as usual was quiet, they sleep long in Glasgow on a Sunday morning, the M77...M8 and M80 very quiet indeed. I arrived at Linlithgow at 9.30am and the rest of the packing up was done. 

 

I decided to go the coastal route over the border which meant the dreaded Edinburgh City Bypass, thankfully being a Sunday, it was pretty quiet, (that makes a change!)

 

At this point the naff weather I left in Troon had caught up with us, and driving was not a pleasure at all. The A1 sure keeps my Sat Nav speed cam busy! At this point someone on here said the A1 was OK, hmm Deebee, nope, nose to tail through all the roadworks in the Newcastle area. 

 

Anyway, arrived at Scotch Corner for a break, and do what is required at such places. There are a lot of upgrading going on the A1 just now so progress is a tad slow in some places. However Griff must have sorted out his area as it goes three lane and whoosh away we goooo! The least said about the A17 the better it is for you nice folks. I have many words to describe it, but not printable on here. We arrived at the Premier Inn, West Lynn, at 4.30pm ish. I went to bed for a rest. 

 

Monday 4th May.

 

After breakfast at Sainsburys, some shopping for essentials, and refill the car with diesel (£47), it was time for our holiday to begin.

 

Being Bank Holiday Monday, I took the advice of Mike (Chameleon) and drove across North Norfolk to Coltishall, going through some lovely villages, including Melton Constable. Finally arriving at Richardsons just after mid day.

 

Went to Reception, and was informed that Broadway 2 was ready for us. Great start!

 

More to follow......

 

[deebee29]

Sorry Iain

We joined the A1 at just after 7am which is probably how we did so well.....coming home was a different story..... Which you'll see If you get a chance to catch up with my tale

[BroadScot]

Hi David,

 

Yup you got it just like myself, hey ho the joys of motor travel.

 

Iain.

[BroadScot]

Monday 4th May

 

After the usual signing your life away boaty forms, we were shown all the toys that Broadway has to offer. However, during the look sees, when SWMBO attempted to open the fridge door, it would not budge. Engineer who sorts fridges called for! He moved the door hinged tother side. All ok now.

 

My first impressions of the boat are very good, with one minor problem if you are 6ft tall, the stern entry ceiling aint 6ft. Good old fashioned head ducking would be required methinks. Anyway, it was time to move from the corner mooring at Swan Quay. A bit of a wind blowing down the quay, but a quick burst of the bow n stern thrusters and some forward throttle we were off on yet another Broads holiday. Destination, Paddy's Lane, not far, but its such a nice mooring there, and proved the right choice, given the weather the following morning. On our way out of Richos, we had passed Broad Ambition in all her glory (Big waves  exchanged) think Griffs brother?

 

Moored at Paddy's Lane for the night and watched a bit of TV before an early bed.

 

 

 Iain.

[BroadScot]

Tuesday 5th May.

 

Awoke to a very dull sky and a fair wind blowing. As it was after 8am and the boat next to me already had his engines running, I did likewise. I know there was another thread going about charge engines, but I really do think this is part of the reason you are hearing engines at silly o'clock! It says on the dashboard when the lights turn just to Amber...Run Engines. Now IF you are a first timer and don't know differently, I think you would start the engines. It does say though on the ignition key float not before of after 8am/pm please.

 

After breakfast it was time to cross Barton Broad and head for Ludham Bridge, it was very choppy on Barton with a strong cross wind. A little shelter respite as we passed Irstead, before catching the full brunt of this "Wind" as we attempted to moor at Ludham Bridge on the starboard side. The ladies were struggling to tie the boat up, but thankfully, Colin and Phillipa (V8 Vogue) lended a hand and job done. Sadly now, I cannot run out and do all the rope business, wish I could. So thank you once again C&P.

 

Papers bought etc, time to head for Wroxham, leaving was much easier than mooring up the wind took us out very quickly. A private boat came out in front of me "Mischief" and I followed it through the bridge without any problems thankfully.

 

Once on the Bure the waves were getting bigger by the minute, and the journey to Horning was interesting indeed. However, at the Swan Inn end the waves were crashing over the quayside at a fair lick. I was now heading straight into this "wind" and progress was somewhat slow, so more revs required. Not having Barnes Brinkcraft web cam to see what height Wroxham Bridge was, I kept an eye open for the first height gauge as you enter Wroxham. Broadway 2 is 6ft7" air draft and the bridge was showing 6ft9". The pilot took me through which of course you sign for, and the pleasure of parting with £12.00p. Still rankles me that for over 30 years I did it myself, without a scrape, and now I cannot. Anyway, we were the only boat in the public staithe, and took the corner mooring to avoid mudweighting in the now Gale!

 

More to come .....

 

 

 

 

Iain.

 

 

[BroadScot]

Wednesday 6th May.

 

As many skippers will agree, we allow our ladies time for the mandatory excursion into Roys, however, it was still very wild out so I stayed on board, and prayed the plastic card did not melt.

 

Two happy ladies returned with purchases, and we discussed what was best to do in these very windy conditions. It is May after all, although you would never have guessed it! After some discussion it was decided take the shelter of the upper Bure to Coltishall and see if the weather improves at all.

 

On arrival at Coltishall after a delightful cruise through Belaugh, it was once again time to batten down the hatches, as the heavens opened and the weather turned really nasty. Decision made, we aint moving! I got on my lappy and read about the wind etc. A pretty wild day it turned out to be, glad we stayed put.

 

 

 

Iain

[BroadScot]

Thursday 7th May.

 

D-day!

 

We awoke to a beautiful morning, this is more like MAY! My lovely wife offered to make me Bacon n eggs. A treat on holiday. All was well as I passed her carefully at the cooker me facing her back so not to disturb the makings of my breakie. Suddenly I had an argument with the Fire Extinguisher attached at shoulder height on the wall where it narrows before the saloon, well it was a case of nothing to grab hold of as I "skited" (slipped) and lost my balance and crashed onto the unforgiving holy and teak floor!

 

I am a chronic psoriasis sufferer and with age its arthritis also, so not the best surface to land on for the likes of me. I gouged my left elbow taking a large piece of skin off - very graphic I know - and was on all fours. Getting my bulk back off the floor was no easy task, it took "the Girls" about fifteen minutes to get me onto the seat again. I had slightly hit my head on the table, thankfully that would only improve my features! Once upright damage control was an ice pack on a huge lump on my lower left leg and arnica gel applied to various bruises. The left elbow bandaged also. The rubbery egg and very crisp bacon was confined to the bin!  Not a good start to the day. I don't mind admitting I felt very shaken up, but grateful that it was a lot worse with say, broken bones.

 

IMHO the FE is sited in the wrong place. More on this later.

 

When we had all recovered a little, it was time to make up a day bed in the saloon, this proved to be my bed for the rest of the holiday. SWMBO then steered the boat back down to the railway bridge, I stern moored the boat awaiting the Pilot.

 

A charming young man took us all the way into Faircraft yard and we took on water. The left leg was now gouping sair extremely painful, well I canny type sweary words!!!

 

By now the girls were doing all the boat work, as we headed back down the Bure in the hope of finding a mooring at one of our favourite spots / places, Ranworth. As it happened a boat came out from the side and I took it in. The girls did the rest. Pressed the button, down went the mud weight!

 

The end of a not so perfect Broads boating day.

 

 

 

[riyadhcrew]

Iain,

 

I can feel it here and I'm 4,000 mies away. OOOOOuUUUCCCHHHH.

[deebee29]

I've pressed the like button but not because I like what happened.

Sounds like you took quite a tumble Iain.

Looks like your good lady and sister took good care of you

Liking the photos

[BroadScot]

Friday 8th May.

 

Awoke early feeling as if I had gone ten rounds with Henry Cooper and lost badly! Everything ached, even my eyes. It was however a blissful Broads morning, just like the ones in the excellent Richos book that you get when you take over the boat. Breakfast with the electric roofs back, just as well they were electric, as I could not have opened the other type.

 

A restful morning taking on water etc. and deciding where next to go.  The original plan was long gone after the "wind" and gales. At this point I tried to bring the electric mudweight up, ziltch nothing, no workie. A phone call to Richos and a lad was out in half an hour, some pin was dislodged.

On his entry through the boat, he being tall gave the FE a whack and he said that should be reported when I get back to the yard.

 

We were however booked to moor up at the New Inn in Horning, Friday afternoon. We decided upon a wee trip to Womack Water, stopping for lunch, and noticing a liveaboard was moored at one of Robin's favourite wild moorings (Pic attached) I had intended to go to the staithe shop and say hello, but my legs said otherwise.

 

The staithe was empty when we arrived, I have never seen it like that before. A Summercraft boat moored just as we departed after lunch. A nice cruise with the roof back till Thurne mouth, then the weather changed again. Wind up again, well a strong breeze and a few flappy things zig zagging too. We headed back to Horning, where Gus was there to assist me in to the Dyke. I cannot thank Kim and Mark enough for all their help and kindnesses during our stay there.

After our meal, Mark kindly helped me back down to the boat, much appreciated, I can tell you.

 

 

[ranworthbreeze]

Hi Iain,

 

The only time I have seen Womak Staithe empty like that is in late November & December.

 

Through the pain I bet you were kicking yourself for having the accident on Thursday, the trouble is when we bang something these days it seems ages to get better, cuts to heal etc.

 

It sound as if everyone looked after you including the pubs.

 

Regards

Alan

[BroadScot]

Saturday 9th May.

 

On the Friday morning, my moby sparked into life, it was none other than the NBN Admiral. John, wondering where we would be Sunday. I had hoped for Acle, Saturday night to catch early slack water Sunday. Back to Saturday morning, the heating kept cutting out so another call using BTs finest Public call box and £1.20 later, an engineer arrived,and he hit the FE also and said report when we get back. He reset the programmer and all was well in the heating department again. My sis in laws TV was playing up also, so the engineer said if we get to Acle he would fit a new TV there.

 

After an uneventful trip down to the Bridge Inn at Acle, a quick call to Richos, and said TV arrived and fitted. All set for the drag down to GY in the morning. By now I am getting used to spending a lot of time on my back in the made up bed forward. 

 

 

 

Iain

[JawsOrca]

Ohh Iain.. I can feel your pain here mate.. I hope that poxy fire extinguisher met its fate and is now swimming with the fishes?.. please tell us some good news and you was running around the boat feeling all fit?

[BroadScot]

Ohh Iain.. I can feel your pain here mate.. I hope that poxy fire extinguisher met its fate and is now swimming with the fishes?.. please tell us some good news and you was running around the boat feeling all fit?

It was still there Friday morning when we left Alan.

 

 

Iain

[JawsOrca]

It was still there Friday morning when we left Alan.

 

 

Iain

 

Lets hope Clive's team manage to get it moved Iain. It's a huge shame its spoiled your holiday like this and it would be sad if it ruins anymore.

 

Hope you are feeling better though and get back down soon

[C.Ricko]

Hi Iain,

We have to put them somewhere, I will look for a better position but it was probably me that put the big red thing there in the first place..  

it was probably deemed safe if the handle was not sticking out but may have been twisted round.. I will check. 

Sorry to hear it had a detrimental effect on your break, Hope you are feeling better now... 

[Polly]

Ouch! So sorry you had a difficult time.

[Gracie]

Hi Iain

 

Thank you for the holiday write up and photos they are lovely, I am so, so sorry you had that awful accident and really do hope you are recovering well, I hope it didn't spoil your enjoyment of being on the Broads too much, if you are going to have an argument with a fire extinguisher I suppose having it on the Broads is the best place as any lol

 

Grace 

[GeoffandWendy]

Enjoyed reading about your holiday Iain, but not about your argument with that fire extinguisher. Lying on your back is not what you want while on holiday either. But at least the ladies were taking good care of you. Hope that you all enjoyed your holiday, despite the mishaps. Now it's time to get back to reality and modding on here again.     

[BroadScot]

Hi Iain,

We have to put them somewhere, I will look for a better position but it was probably me that put the big red thing there in the first place..  

it was probably deemed safe if the handle was not sticking out but may have been twisted round.. I will check. 

Sorry to hear it had a detrimental effect on your break, Hope you are feeling better now... 

Hi Clive,

 

I looked and thought a better place would have been behind the helmsman seat, so did your engineers. I am knocked up as they say, but will be ok in the fullest of time. My dear wife has been looking after me since we returned home, these accidents can happen I suppose. Thank you for your concerns.

 

 

Iain

[BroadScot]

Sunday 10th May.

 

We awoke to a hazy dawn, the sun just making its way through cloud. Breakfast taken, and time for the trip down to Gt Yarmouth, destination, Rockland St Mary, to meet up with the Hockham Admiral, John. We arrived at slack ish water and caught a fair tide across Breydon. Broadway was bouncing along at 8.7mph. according to the GPS.

 

We arrived at Reedham to take on water and use the post office shop. Oh how that village needs a boost, maybe when the Lord Nelson is fully refurbished things may improve, only time will tell.

 

By now the sun was out and it was for the first time feeling warm. Sun roofs pressed back, I did like the electric roofs. and onwards to Rockland where the Admiral had kindly arranged a mooring on the left as we entered the staithe, ideal for me to get off!

 

John was waiting for us as we entered the moorings, and kindly tied us up. I do not drink now as you all know, however I did have a very nice pint of Black Sheep with John in the New Inn and a guid chin wag.

 

You could tell he had been abroad, as he was very brown. Later in the evening John came back to our boat to show us photos of his holidays. However when he got up to go and sit on the helmsman seat, thud, he whacked his head on the centre spar, blood drawn a dressing was applied to his bonce. I am 6ft tall and just graze it John being 2" taller had left his DNA on the ceiling, ouch! A Glenmorangie was called for to help him recover, and I felt it was only right I kept him company and had one also   He was then off to Friday Girl, for the early start in the morning.

 

 

 

Iain.

[BroadScot]

Monday 11th May.

 

Monday morning and what a morning it was, absolutely glorious, These are the days you remember on the Broads. We departed Rockland about 8.30am. I steered the boat out the narrow dyke, then the girls took over while I lay on my day bed. Sun roofs back, it was fabulous. I do like Rockland Broad. its not big but has that magical feeling about it. A little gem.

 

Out onto the Yare and heading for Norwich Y.S. the sun beating down, this made up for the first weeks unseasonal weather. We passed a few boats and two hours later were mooring up across from Pools Ferry. The BA lad, Christian? Tied up the ropes for us and told me to let go the mudweight....oops! Guess who got a bit damp  well he did say drop and it drops quickly! However, he recovered to help the girls off with all "Scoots" bits n pieces, very kind of him indeed.

 

Today was THE Day! Scoot gets to sample Norwich's pavements etc. This was great for me, they have a very good ramp at the BA office end so that I could access the pavement. We headed for Wetherspoons and have a lunchtime refreshment before tackling Morrisons for ships stores etc. It was great that I could take Scoot into and out to the riverside and watch the world go by, nice.

 

Refreshments taken I had the Becks Blue 0% Bier its good, pity the bottle is only 275ml though. Time to take in the joys of shopping with TWO ladies! I have to say, I was very disappointed with this Morrisons store, a very poor choice of low alcohol wines compared to my much smaller store here in Troon. As for the disabled toilet, an email has been sent to Morrisons HQ! It has to be the smallest I have ever come across since using such facilities.

 

Back to the boat over what can only be described as very bumpy pavements! The afternoon was relaxing in the sun, and meeting Colin and Phillipa again and their three lovely mutts. The girls were sitting out in the well and three lads walking by said is that a "Jacuzzi" you are sitting in! From there on in the well was known as the Jacuzzi.!!!

 

We went along to take some pics of the Cathedral etc in the evening, and then a meal in the Red Lion. Big portions, and not expensive. Back to the boat as the temp was dropping, it had been a beautiful day.

[BroadScot]

Tuesday 12th May.

 

We awoke to the sound of traffic going about their way to work etc. Much duller and cooler this morning. I reckon so far the heating has been on for about 40 hours or so, possibly more. It was decided a pump out was in order and Christian the BA laddie, dully did the deed all for the sum of £12. We were heading for a very long cruise today, destination, Beccles. We took it in turns steering, my limit was about 50 minutes then became to sore, we had the tide going out so that helped the MPG , and caught the incoming tide as we reached the bottom of the New Cut. My sis in  law had offered to do the New Cut stretch, damn decent of her I thought! The rivers were very quiet indeed, just the way I like them.

 

We stopped off at the WRC so they could go for a swim. A MUST stop place for them. Now this is where the thrusters came into there own. The spot I had chosen, one of the cleats was misssing, so a quick burst sideways motion and Broadway was 10ft further to the starboard side!  Job done!

 

What was surprising that ladies commented on was, there was know Lifeguard on duty. A good swim and the pool to themselves.

 

Time to head for Beccles, I so like this part of the Waveney with its twist and turns, just delightful. As we had time and tide on our side we went down to the Pool and back up to the Yacht Station. A long day, but a lovely cruise just the same.

 

 

[JawsOrca]

Good to hear you out and about and on scoot to lol! Also good to see you had a beer in Rockland! 

 

Brilliant pictures too.. looks like you had some really good weather! Keep them coming  

 

[BroadScot]

Wednesday 13th May.

 

Today was moving day back to the North side. Slack water was approx 1.30pm . Having the tide most of the way from Beccles, meant a lower tick over engine but not as low as I have done on other boats in the past. On crossing Breydon a strange object came towards me, yup its was that overpriced BA boat SOB. why in god name did they choose GREY for the upperstructure! Not the cheeriest colour IMO. Anyway I don't know if its me or is the space going through on the right of the bridge getting narrower? You can sure feel the pull of the tide, not an area for youngsters steering craft IMHO.

 

A very quiet trip up the Bure and moored up at Stokesby for the evening.

 

Thursday 14th May.

 

Time to head back to Stalham today, and do all the packing up, none of which I was able to lend a hand sadly. As the days passed the bruising became worse and I was becoming a right old stiffy. grrrrrr.  I took over the boat as we entered the Ant, and very busy it was too. As I passed LBBY I spotted the Welsh Flag and the boat, Chameleon, with Mike and Pat. Phone calls made, and arranged for Mike and Pat to call in when they were back at Richos Wet Shed.      

 

We had a nice chat, and Mike noticed, like I did throughout the holiday how slippy the holy and teak floor was. He had the finest of boating shoes on so I am wondering if the cleaners are using a sannatising agent that may be making the floors slippy over a period of time.                                                                                                                                     

I was now right off my grub, so sent the girls into Stalham for their last night meal out. They went to The Swan Inn and said the quality of the food was excellent, and would recommended it to all. 

 

That folks was/were the Ups and Downs of our Holiday on Broadway. Despite everything, the MAGIC is still there after forty years, and strange to say, we still enjoyed it all.

 

 

 Iain.