St Benet's Abbey to Potter Heigham

The moorings at the Abbey are perfect for dogs and Hamish knew exactly where he was and that he would be going for a run!

I walked back via the river as there were a number of swans waiting to be photographed …

We were heading for the Ferry Inn at Stokesby for lunch and Mike rang to book a mooring as we’d done a couple of years ago. Unfortunately they no longer take bookings and we had to take pot luck. We passed a few yachts both traditional and more modern …

and were very lucky as there was a space right outside the pub …

I just loved this statue which was outside the door …

I couldn’t agree more!! We had a lovely meal and then it was back to the boat and off to Potter Heigham. We went up to Womack Water passing the Hunter yard where all their yachts were ready for a winter lay-up …

and we saw Bure Classic on her way back to Colin Buttifant’s yard …

After a quick stop to fill with water we were soon on our way again hoping to find a mooring on the river near the bridge. As we approached it soon became obvious that they were all taken so we went into Herbert Woods yard and stopped there. Mike rang the Pilot to see if there was a chance of getting under the bridge in the morning at low tide but he said nothing was getting through unless it was a day-boat! We’d arranged with Jamie and Phill to meet up and take them above the bridge so when they arrived we decided that we’d hire a day-boat in the morning, take a picnic and spend the day visiting Hickling and Horsey. They were booked into a Travelodge at Acle and were off into Norwich for the evening. I tried out the shower on the boat and it was fantastic! It is definitely the best one that we’ve ever had …

Return to Base

Up early for a last sunrise photo ...

and found we had no matches as they'd gone with the boys and the birthday cake! Thankfully the yacht next door had some spare ones!

Is my Mummy out there taking a photo?

Just had to take one last picture of Thurne windmill ...

Left at 8.30am and motored back to the yard for 9am.

The end of another great holiday afloat.

Last Full Day

Up late this morning - 8am! There was a big storm in the night with thunder and lightning and Hamish was NOT happy! But this morning is beautiful.

Took Hamish for a walk and then had a long chat with some fellow sailors who had been moored overnight on the Staithe. We finally set off just after 11am.
We sailed to Thurne mouth and then moored just to lower sails, motoring on into Upton Dyke for lunch. The boys surprised us by arriving in a day launch which they'd hired from Potter Heigham.

It was Phill's birthday and we celebrated it with a cake and candles and a singing of Happy Birthday!



We all left at 2.25pm under motor until we reached the Bure then we set the jib alone and sailed to Thurne Dyke.


We moored up at 3.15pm and lowered the mast to take our burgee off.

The boys left as they had to get their day launch back to Potter Heigham ...

but they came back in the evening so we could have a birthday meal at the Lion Inn.

Fifth Day

Up early today and left Neatishead at 8am. We passed all this green algae just after leaving the Staithe ...

One of my favourite houses ...


A heron watched us pass by ...


We motored down to Ludham Bridge and arrived at 9am. Got through the bridge, mast back up again and set off at 10.50am. Made for Horning where I was dropped off to get some supplies and picked up again by leaping aboard almost on the move from the Southern Comfort mooring - luckily she was out and about. The Staithe was jam packed so we went to the island opposite where there was plenty of room.


There is always loads of activity at Horning so Hamish was watching the wildlife while we watched the passing craft.


The Southern Comfort paddle steamer returning to its mooring ...


We left under sail after lunch but the wind was very fluky and we finally gave up after an hour and motored into Ranworth.

Hamish being nosey as usual and wondering "Where we were going to now?" ...


We managed to get our favourite corner mooring ...


A fabulous spot on an autumn evening ...

Fourth Day

Got up at 7am this morning to get a photo of the sunrise.

We had a visit from a family of swans looking for breakfast ...

This morning we were going up to Stalham and when we arrived we had an empty Staithe which was great. Since our last visit to Norfolk I have become very interested in Family History and found that my great great Grandfather was born in Stalham and was a Waterman. Now I know why I keep being drawn back to this area - it's in my genes! We walked over to the church as I was hoping to find a gravestone for one of my Southgate ancestors but I was disappointed.

So it was back to Bure Classic and off to Sutton Staithe ...

where we had a short stop for a snooze although Hamish is always alert!

Then it was on to Neatishead where were going to spend the night. It was very windy across Barton Broad so we motored over. Moored up at the Staithe ...

Hamish on guard duty as usual!

Third Day

We were up bright and early today and set off for Ludham Bridge by 8am.

We motored round and had all our wet clothes hanging from the boom to (hopefully!!) dry.

Passing St Benets Abbey ...


Arriving at Ludham Bridge ...


We'd moored up on the far side of the bridge by 9am. It was now time for a late breakfast and a visit to the shop. We left after coffee heading for Barton Turf and moored up on the Staithe.

In the afternoon the boys came over and we spent a lovely couple of hours sailing back and forth on Barton Broad ...


before heading for Irstead Staithe where we moored for tea and cakes...

We then took them back to Barton Turf so they could pick up their car and we took Hamish for a walk. A completely different day weather-wise - the afternoon was very warm and sunny.

Second Day

What a difference a day makes! So much for red sky at night! We awoke to thunder, lightning and torrential rain which continued all morning.

We had a visit from a black swan while we were waiting for the rain to ease ...

We finally got away from Thurne Dyke at 2.10pm, motoring around to the yard for water and to change the ice blocks in our cool box. As it wasn't raining we decided to set sail but the weather turned and it began to rain again. It got steadily worse so we started the engine and motored with the sails up in to South Walsham, mooring about 5pm. We were soaked, Hamish was soaked and worst of all - the beds were soaking wet!

After a rejuvenating cup of tea we took Hamish for a walk. By the time we turned in for the night it had stopped raining - hurrah!!!

First Day

We were up at 7.45am after rain in the night and after breks we set sail in Horsey Mere before sailing on up to Hickling Broad.

Crossing Hickling Broad ...

We moored up at the Pleasure Boat Staithe for coffee and then went back downriver to the Thurne before turning up towards Martham. Just after passing the ferry crossing we moored up for lunch - not a boat in sight!

It was then time to head back to Potter Heigham where we were meeting our son and his partner who were going to have our RV for a week on a campsite by the river. After a lengthy stop at Potter while the RV was moved to its new base, we set off for Thurne Dyke which was to be our overnight stop. When we arrived it was sunny and very warm.



This was the inside of Bure Classic ...

and Hamish made himself very much at home ...

We had the most amazing sunset ...