Meet at How Hill

The EACC members were due to have a sail on Barton Broad before making for How Hill as a lunch stop.  There was very little wind this morning so at midday I got a text from Lisa to say they’d already arrived.  With my packed lunch and Hamish in the car we set off on the short drive to the car park.  It was a beautiful sunny day and there were plenty of people around.  When I reached the moorings it was full of River Cruisers!

We had lunch and a good chat with plenty of laughter.  When it was time for them to make their way home masts came down ready for Ludham Bridge except for Pixie who sailed away …

I was offered a trip on Sally but with my car parked at How Hill I thought it best to decline and save them having to return me to collect it.  Can’t wait to have Crocus on the water for events like this!

When I took Hamish for his evening walk I found Neptune moored at Ludham Staithe …

Bure Valley Railway & Queen of the Broads

After a quick top-up of food at Tesco we were soon on the road to Aylsham where the day’s adventures would begin.  Having parked in the free car park (bonus!) I collected the tickets which we’d booked yesterday, made our packed lunch and then it was time to enter the station for our train …

The engine was on the turntable and then it was topped up with water before coupling up …

It was a lovely little carriage and Hamish and Mike made themselves comfortable …

We pulled out of the station and Hamish kept an eye on where we were going …

We crossed roads. passed fields and went through a few very small stations on our way to Wroxham …

Once we’d arrived we had a walk across town to the Broads Tours boatyard where we boarded the Queen of the Broads …

We left the basin and passed a plot which was being worked on so it will be interesting to see how much has been done when we return in October …

Then we went into Wroxham Broad where the wherry Solace was moored …

We went on downriver and before entering Salhouse Broad we could see a lovely private Broad full of water lilies …

In Salhouse there were some Great Crested Grebes nesting and also some coots …

On our way back to the boatyard we saw Neptune!

We’d had an hour and a half boat trip with a very interesting commentary and after leaving the boat we walked back along the river passing a boat called Mars which is quite likely to be hired by us all next spring …

Unfortunately there was nobody aboard so we couldn’t ask them what they thought of her!  However they were above Wroxham bridge which was a good sign so if the tides are not too high next year we might actually get under ourselves and up to Coltishall.

We then made our way back to the station passing the signal box and the clock which was just a bit slow as we were here for the 4.40pm train!

We were on the last steam train of the day as the final train is pulled by a diesel engine.  As we reached the passing place the diesel was making its way to Wroxham …

I spotted the river on the way back …

and Hamish became even more curious as to where we were!

Back at Aylsham I had a look at the engine …

We’d had a fab day, the weather had been very kind to us and and we would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who is staying in Norfolk.

Goodbye Neptune!

It's another lovely sunny morning ...

and with the RV parked up right by Neptune it doesn't take very long to get the boat unloaded ...

While the chaps go to the office to get signed off and collect our refund on the fuel I take a wander to look for the webcam which is set up in the tree overlooking the yard ...

Mike and I also pop into the booking office and arrange to have Capri again in October - we're addicted to this place! Then it's time to move off and go to Ludham Bridge for breakfast. The people who ran the cafe we always used at Potter Heigham have now taken over the shop and cafe at the bridge. They greet us like old friends now and it's lovely to be able to take the dogs inside. When we came out there was a river cruiser on a trailer waiting to move into the yard opposite ...

and after a last look at the river ...

we said our farewells and headed off. One last look at the river at Wroxham ...

and we left the Broads behind us :-(

We stopped at Jamie and Phill's on the way so that we could see the kitchen and we popped up to a caravan shop to get a new lockable water cap as ours had mysteriously disappeared then it was back on the road again. We were making for Simon and Vikki's place at Ash Vale as the RV was to spend the weekend on their drive.

Neatishead to Stalham

Sunshine! The Scout group had canoed round from their overnight stop at Gay's Staithe and they left their craft tied up behind us while they went shopping ...

Hamish and this little chap were enjoying the morning sun ...


The Broads Authority were doing a load of work on the moorings here which would hopefully be finished soon as this is a popular place for visitors ...

We set off about 10am passing this odd sight ...

The top half of a boat had been sat on the grass, probably for the children to play in and on! As we passed the entrance to Gay's Staithe we could see the Scouts all lined up for their morning instructions ...

We only made the short trip round to Barton Turf ...

and while the others went for a wander around Cox's yard Hamish and I stayed onboard with himself on look-out duty while I read my book ...

It was a lovely quiet mooring so we stayed for coffee ...

When we left it turned cloudy as we made our way to Wayford Bridge passing the famous Hunsett Mill ...

and the monstrosity that has been built as an extension to the house next to it ...

We moored at the bridge and took the dogs for a walk round to the boatyard. You never know what boats might be for sale!!



Then it was back to Neptune via the farm shop and time for lunch ...

We needed to turn around and head back downriver so instead of using the engine the boys just pulled us round - much quieter and more civilised!

Sutton Staithe was the chosen spot for our last stop and once again the boys turned us around by ropes ...

We took the dogs for a stroll, had a cuppa and after watching a chap dredging the dyke ...

we left Sutton to make our way back to Richardson's yard at Stalham. Tony checked our fuel usage which meant it was one less job to do in the morning ...

and then after a wander around the yard looking for a different boat to hire next year we drove to the Wayford Bridge Hotel for a meal. It's a lovely dog-friendly place and the food was great - a fitting end to the holiday.