Sunday 8 July 2012

Broads Puzzles

It all began with the purchase of a Hunsett Mill puzzle from Lathams at the end of our holiday in April.

Hunsett MIll

Having done one puzzle I wanted to do another and the search began for Broads related puzzles.  I happened to look on eBay and found an Upton Dyke puzzle with about ten minutes left to run.  Well …. what would you have done?  Of course – I bid for it and got it!

Upton Dyke

This one was really interesting because i could check on Craig’s website and find the names of the yachts from their numbers. 

Left to right:  S578 = Cresta Maria, Z422 = Seven Seas, M816 = Typhoon and J917 = Tempest.

I was hunting on eBay every day now and soon spotted my next one.  There were several days to wait and I was sure that someone else would put in a high bid and get it.  I was lucky again and The Swan Inn, Horning was soon completed.  This was special to me as a Southgate relative was licensee here back in the mid 1800’s …

Swan Inn

My last Broads jigsaw was a windmill on the River Ant …

How Hill

It wasn’t until I started to do it that I realised it was How Hill in the distance!  Of course I now recognise the picture which was taken before all the new moorings were done.

I’ve no idea if there are any more Broads puzzles but I will keep hunting!

Friday 15 June 2012

They’ve Been in Touch!

I was so excited when I found messages from Sally’s owners on my two previous posts.  We’ve now emailed a couple of times and I’ve learnt about their experiences in the 3RR and how they came to own Sally. 

All I can say is that I’m thrilled they bought her and restored her.  They had their problems in the race with a broken boom which needed to be repaired with a paddle and duck tape! However they persevered and managed to complete the race despite the challenge of no wind and a broken boom!

Well done the Burtons and Sally146!

Sunday 10 June 2012

Sally Finishes the 3 Rivers Race

I kept an eye on the 3RR website today checking the positions of the boats.  Firstly the info said that Sally was between Thurne Mouth and Horning and later on it stated that she was between Ant Mouth and Horning.  It was pure luck that I happened to look when a River Cruiser was approaching the mooring and I had a feeling it was Sally …

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I was right – her name was there for all to see …

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When I next looked she had been tucked up for the night …

sally tucked up

I hope the owners had a good time – such a shame I can’t find out.

Maybe one day they’ll find my blog and get in touch!

Saturday 9 June 2012

Our Old Friend Sally

It’s the weekend of the Three Rivers Race and this morning when I checked the Horning Sailing Club webcam I spotted an old friend!  Moored up and waiting for the race was Sally …

Sally at HSC 2

In all the times we’ve been back to the Broads since the 1970’s when we hired Sally we’ve never seen her on the water.  She is now privately owned and after checking Craig Slawson’s website I found this lovely photo of her …

Sally A42-146

The weather has delayed the start of the race but we wish her the best of luck.

Check here to see our holiday photos on Sally.

Saturday 28 April 2012

Last Day in Norfolk

We were up, packed and off the boat nice and early this morning.  Before I left Mars I made a note of the total hours she had cruised as we thought it would be interesting to see how many she managed in a year   The total read 11298.4.  A couple of spaniels made friends with Hamish while we were loading the vehicles …

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We checked out in the office and surprise, surprise we booked our 2013 holiday on Mars for the same dates as this year.  Must remember to take a reading of hours cruised before we set off next year.

We left the yard just before 9am and drove to Ludham Bridge for breakfast at the Wayfarers Cafe.  We then moved on to Potter Heigham for one last look around Lathams where I bought myself a 1000 piece jigsaw of Hunsett Mill before waving the boys off as they were returning to Luton today.

We were spending the night at Broadlands Caravan Club site again tonight and as we couldn’t check in until midday we had some time to kill.  I took Hamish for a walk through Herbert Woods yard to the river …

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then we drove to the site and set up camp.  Our last night in Norfolk – very sad – but we’ll be back next year!

Friday 27 April 2012

South Walsham to Stalham

We set off this morning in fine weather passing a mum and babes and a heron …

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but it wasn’t long before the black clouds appeared …

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We turned up the River Ant and after lowering the roof on the move, we shot Ludham bridge …

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After a short coffee stop we continued up-river passing How Hill and while I was at the helm Phill kept the windscreen clear for me until we reached Irstead Staithe …

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We had some company at the mooring …

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and a beautiful traditional cruiser, which had been converted to electric, motored past …

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Phill wanted to buy another painted stone so we went to the stall for him to choose one …

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Smile - you’re on a camera …

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After a lovely fry-up lunch we set off again in dry weather but it wasn’t long before the heavens opened and this time it was Jamie who got dressed in full wet weather gear to keep the windscreen clear …

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The river splits and we took the route that would take us back to the yard at Stalham …

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Taking Hamish for a walk around the yard I spotted our old boats Crown Gem 4 and Capri moored up …

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As it was our final evening on board we had a last game of Rummikub, popped over to Tesco to shop and to fill the motorhome with fuel ready for the return journey.

Thursday 26 April 2012

Thurne Dyke to South Walsham

I took Hamish for a walk this morning after he posed on the boat next to its name …

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Unfortunately I spotted a cow with a dead calf and so when I got back I went to the pub and reported it.  The publican said he would ring the farmer and let him know.  It was very sad to see mum standing guard over her youngster …

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As we left Thurne we had dark clouds in front of us and blue sky behind us …

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We went down to Acle bridge, had a quick look in the shop and then headed back to St Benet’s Abbey where we moored up and watched the yachts enjoying a drop of wind …

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We then took the dogs for a walk and went to investigate the scaffolding. 

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Have a look here to find out all about the work that will be happening – all very exciting.

After lunch we moved on to South Walsham, motoring around the Broad before mooring up …

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While the boys went for a walk we had a lazy half hour …

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Later on I took Hamish for a walk …

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While we were sitting on the boat a chap came round to the moorings with leaflets for a Chinese takeaway which confirmed the notice and they would deliver – supper sorted!

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Lovely sunset tonight …

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