Horning

Took Hamish for his regular morning walk by the river and what should I spy on my return but Broadland Mars moored just upriver of the bridge.  I think the lady on board wondered why I was photographing her!

I had a lazy morning sorting out waste water etc and topping up the tank with fresh water, caught up with my blog and read my book.  After lunch Hamish and I went into Horning where I bought myself a delicious red gooseberry ice-cream and sat by the river to eat it.  I got chatting with a couple who used to own a yacht but now have a motor cruiser moored at Horning.  It was a very pleasant way to spend an hour in the sunshine.  A river cruiser – Cirrus – came steaming past …

It was soon time to return to the car but not before I grabbed a couple of shots from the green by the sailing club …

We then moved on to the car park at Horning church.  A funeral had just finished so there were loads of cars parked but luckily there was one little space for me!

We walked down the track to the river and just as I arrived Cirrus shot past me again …

Water Lily was moored here and two chaps were fishing but I didn’t see them catch anything while I was there.  I sat on the bench and watched a few boats pass by then Butterbump came up river …

We walked back to the church and had a wander around looking at graves.  I found one which I hoped was on my tree so took a photo just in case …

Time to move on again and return to the site.  It was warm and sunny so Hamish and I sat outside while I enjoyed a welcome cuppa.  When I took him for his evening walk there was a lovely sunset …

Ranworth to Horning

We woke to a dry but overcast morning and enjoyed bacon and pancakes for breakfast.  As various boats began to move off I noticed a familiar one moored at the other end of the Staithe – Broadland Mars …

We popped into the Granary for coffees before watching the Southern Comfort passing by, topping up with water and leaving our mooring …

We’d decided on a stop at St Benet’s Abbey so the dogs could have a leg stretch and there were plenty of moorings …

With the sun now shining we had a lovely walk …

The last photo was taken as a re-creation of a picture I was convinced had been taken many years ago but with Mike in the centre.  I had a search when I got home and this was the original …

Not a bad memory!  The door has lost the wood but that is hardly surprising as it is over thirty years since this photo was taken.

We left the moorings after lunch and made our way to Horning. 

We were hoping for a spot near the electric hook-up but we had to take another spot until the one we wanted became free and we could move onto it.  While we waited we watched the Sunday racing …

Then a boatload of pirates approached …

We took the dogs for a walk and then returned to the Swan Inn for a drink.  Here we were entertained by some young people from Essex especially one young lady who Simon named Chardonnay!!  They have no idea how entertaining they were!!

Back to the boat and we had surprise visitors – Steve and Lisa from the River Cruiser Sally.  After a few glasses of wine and gossip they left and we tucked into roast chicken with all the trimmings – yummy sups!

Farewell Mars

We were up bright and early after a night where we’d had rain and hail.  The hailstones sounded very loud on the cabin roof!  We soon cleared Mars of all our stuff, had the fuel checked and after visiting the office it was time to move on.

I took a reading of the hours on the dashboard and it was 12119.7 which meant that we’d used her for 23.7 hours during our week.  We received quite a nice fuel refund!!

After filling with diesel at Tesco we made our way to Ludham Bridge for our traditional last breakfast at the Wayfarers Cafe.  We then went into Wroxham for a last shop in Roys and finally waved the boys off as they left for Luton.  We had one more night in Norfolk as we were booked in at the Caravan Club Site at Ludham Bridge again.

Goodbye Norfolk but we’ll be back in October when we have a cottage booked on the River Thurne.  We’re counting down the days!!

Last Day around the River Ant

We awoke to a dry morning after having had rain overnight.  We filled up with water and after the dogs had made sure all was okay we left for Gay’s Staithe …

We enjoyed a late breakfast in the company of a mum and her babes – they were so cute …

We left Gay’s Staithe and motored on into the moorings at Neatishead where we went for a walk to try the local shop – the White House Stores -which has re-opened as a Community Shop.  Their pies looked very yummy so we bought some for supper tonight.  The local paper told us that we were in the hottest part of the UK …

The next destination was Wayford Bridge where we moored and had lunch. 

After lunch we went for a coffee in the Hotel and had a wander over to the boatyard.

Then it was a sad journey back to Richardsons to spend our last night in the yard …

Potter Heigham to Barton Turf

We woke to an overcast morning and while shopping in Lathams it began to rain.  It didn’t amount to much though thankfully and after photographing a brood of ducklings plus the obligatory one of the bridge, we found we were the last to leave the moorings …

It was a short hop to Thurne Dyke where we moored up and waited for a space on the windmill side.  We perched on the end and then it was an easy walk for Mike to come to the shop with us. 

I cannot visit here without going to the little shop and spending money!  This time my main purchase was a clock …

We left after lunch and the weather was absolutely glorious!

 

We were lucky at Irstead as there was a spare mooring and after a short stop so that Phill could buy a decorated stone to add to his collection, we moved on across Barton Broad to Barton Turf.

Later I took Hamish for a walk …

In the evening Lisa and Steve (Sally owners) came over for a drink and a natter.  It was a perfect end to the day.