Indulge me please!

Polly · June 17, 2015

I think they are magnetic, myself. At 1 am they exert a force field that drags you towards them. I didn't touch any but they sure tried to get me!

MauriceMynah · June 17, 2015

I agree with Polly. There's a gang of little young yellow ones on the starboard side not long after you come into the broad. Little huddle of them near some reeds. I'm sure they're up to no good. I blame the parents.

charlesa · June 17, 2015

Hello Wonderwall,

where do I start ? The East side of Potter Bridge is one of my favourite places on earth. Once under the bridge cruise beyond the bungelows and at Martham Development turn left towards Heigham Sound having admired their beautiful wooden cruisers and yachts ( airdraft of the cruisers typically < 6ft !!).

Enjoy the serenity of the river before turning up Meadow Dyke, signed to the right, where the narrow river winds for about a mile before reaching the glorious Horsey Mere. Look out for Marsh Harriers wheeling above you looking for food below. You may pass Ross who takes groups out on his boat on Nature Watches which are well worth doing and bookable from the staithe in Horsey. Make your way around the Mere and feel the stresses of life disappear. More as soon as possible after reaching the staithe on the LH side so that you can look back and admire the view. The best mooring is just after you reach Ross's river trip mooring. Be prepared to pay the Mere warden his £5 mooring fee if he is waiting near the shop, it is well worth it.

Having already prepared a picnic, walk along the staithe (good loos and a shower, tokens can be bought from the little shop, are at the end of the staithe on the left), over the road and follow the footpath straight over the fields, dog legging left across a style, then after a few hundred meters right onto a lane which turns into a rough track that leads after about 15 mins to Horsey Gap and its magnificent beach. Usually you will be one of very few on it and it runs for miles to right and to left. Very often there will be seals either swimming in the sea or on the beach a couple hundred of meters to the right, or both. I always take my trunks and a towel and swim here, whatever the weather, it is glorious !

Enjoy your picnic then follow the path back on to the road but this time keep going on the road until you reach the Nelson's Head on the right. I think in season it is open most of the time. It is one of my favourite pubs near the Northern Broads (if I were a cynic I might say that that does not mean very much !). It is totally unspoilt in a rural sort of way. The food is fine ,not brilliant, but as a place I love it. After your drink/meal, head back to the boat but on the way stop off at artist Peter Bearman's studio on the RH side. I have bought some wonderful watercolours of Broads scenes from him. They are not cheap but they have filled my house with happy Broads memories all year round. Back at the Mere, pop into the NT shop for an Ice Cream. It doesn't stock a huge amount but it is fine for a few basics and for souvenirs. As mentioned above the Mill has its sails of at the moment for restoration but I think that it is still possible to climb it for a small fee.

Back at the boat I would stay the night, maybe taking the pleasant walk beyond the staithe which skirts the Mere.

Next day I would retrace down Meadow Dyke ( after another walk to the sea and swim if so inclined) and I will continue later with what I would then do around Hickling. Sorry for being long-winded and tedious but, as you will tell, I quite like this area and have been going for decades !!

Best wishes

Charles

ExMemberBobdog · June 17, 2015

The channel markers on Hickling were originally, so I understand, put in not to keep folk off the mud but to lead them to the staithe & pub which strikes me as being very public spirited. Sailing boats, boats with deep keels, frequently sail well outside the marker posts. Hickling is a huge Broad, easy to get lost on, hence the posts.

I sail and kayak on Hickling regularly. I've sailed outside those posts, and been aground often enough to know better. (I've grazed the bottom in one spot, well away from the bank, in a kayak - I am a bit of a lard ar*e). There are some spots where it's fine, and others where 10 yards beyond the channel will have you in 12" of water. Most of the people who sail way outside are in dinghies or other lifting keel boats.

JennyMorgan · June 17, 2015

Hickling is long overdue a Barton Broad style dredge! Thankfully, Bob, I'm one of those people with a centre plate.

ExMemberBobdog · June 17, 2015

I'd love to see it dredged like Barton!

BroadScot · June 17, 2015

I am sure many folks would like to see Hickling Broad, full stop! :naughty: Yes we can add additional expense and hire a day boat. However, as that is never going to happen, any day soon, lets dream and maybe we will get both, dredging AND getting through that hole more often! :party:

cheers Iain.

ExMemberBobdog · June 17, 2015

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Keeping it all to myself

JennyMorgan · June 17, 2015

I am sure many folks would like to see Hickling Broad, full stop! Yes we can add additional expense and hire a day boat. However, as that is never going to happen, any day soon, lets dream and maybe we will get both, dredging AND getting through that hole more often!

Iain.

The sad reality is that the Authority was once granted £1.5m in order to help catch up on its maintenance backlog, such as dredging Hickling. Unfortunately much of that dosh was wasted on such frivolities as Dragonfly House and the Broads Bill.

BroadScot · June 17, 2015

The sad reality is that the Authority was once granted £1.5m in order to help catch up on its maintenance backlog, such as dredging Hickling. Unfortunately much of that dosh was wasted on such frivolities as Dragonfly House and the Broads Bill.

I think you did very well then JM :clap only mentioning TWO! :naughty:

cheers Iain.

Broads01 · June 17, 2015

Don't miss any of it if you get through the bridge. Its such a rare pleasure to be able to get through these days, it feels all the better when you do. I last made it through 2 years ago after a 4 year gap and I loved it. As well as the 'popular' bits at Hickling and Horsey, the chug up to West Somerton is lovely.

ExMemberBobdog · June 18, 2015

I'm sorry, but I can't help grinning at tales of woe from those unable to access the Upper Thurne, grinning at how privileged I realise I am. I'm only up there two or three times ... a month ... for twelve months of the year, whether under sail, paddling, or in a motor launch. Lovely and peaceful - especially on a crisp, clear, December day ... I'll see if I can dig out some pictures.

Captain Smugface.

JennyMorgan · June 18, 2015

Bob, every one of us can access Hickling, the only barrier is not that bridge but the boats that we wish to use.

A Drascombe Dabber well outside the posts. Loads of space, bliss.

Only time I have come to grief on Hickling was not down to mud but rather a floating mass of weed that attached itself to my rudder, I ended up on the lee shore in not much water. Plate up, rudder up, steer with an oar, sorted!

ExMemberBobdog · June 18, 2015

Lovely isn't it

charlesa · June 18, 2015

Wonderwall, for your 2nd day beyond Potter cruise back round Horsey past the old thatched summerhouse on the right, after your early morning swim in the sea !!. Ignore Waxham Cut as too tricky in a 40 footer. Back down Meadow Dyke turning right at the end through Deep Dyke and into Hickling. Enjoy the peace and space before mooring at the staithe next to the Pleasure Boat for a spot of lunch/beverage ! After a stroll round the area head back across the Broad and moor as soon as you enter Deep Dyke on the RH side. I am not a fisherman but apparently this is a fine place to try. First of all set up your BBQ on a safe spot with a selection of meats that you bought when you moored at Martham Development and walked the mile up to the village to the excellent butchers there.

Enjoy your feast before casting your rod whilst the others relax and enjoy the view.

After a peaceful night head towards Martham but turn left at the junction and meander across Martham Broad to West Somerton. If you are feeling like a decent walk, stroll across the footpaths to Winterton-On-Sea and onto another lovely, but busier, beach.

Then back to the boat and through Martham and Potter bridge feeling totally relaxed......

Best wishes

Charles

charlesa · June 18, 2015

I am useless at technology but hopefully that is a photo of Juliette on a glorious Hickling !

charlesa · June 18, 2015

No that didn't work, sorry !

ranworthbreeze · June 18, 2015

Hello Charles,

I am sure the forum members would love to see a full sized picture of your boat that is featured in your profile picture.

Regards
Alan