Autumn Cruise

As Crocus will be on the water next year our friends Steve and Lisa suggested that we join the East Anglian Cruising Club which we’ve duly done.  This weekend is the Autumn Cruise from St Benet’s Abbey moorings to Gay’s Staithe on the Saturday.  A booking has been made at the White Horse Inn, Neatishead and I’m going along to meet some new friends.  I popped up to Ludham Bridge at eleven o’clock and was just in time to see Sally and Barney moor up …

The weather forecast was dire for later today and as I sat in the RV I noticed that the sky was getting steadily blacker …

The heavens opened and it was still raining when I had to walk Hamish.  There was an amazing rainbow – so vibrant …

Hamish was looking pretty miserable on our return …

At 6.30pm I set off for Neatishead and spent a lovely evening with such a friendly and welcoming crowd of people.  Fingers crossed we may also have found a mooring for Crocus.

Hickling, Stalham & Womack

It was another beautiful morning when I took Hamish for his walk by the river …

After breakfast and studying the map I decided to visit Hickling as a starting place today.  I parked in the Pleasure Boat Inn car park, bought myself a coffee and sat out in the sunshine to watch the activities on the water.  It’s pretty quiet in this neck of the woods as large cruisers can’t get above Potter Heigham but a rowing boat arrived and a couple of yachts were preparing to go for a sail. 

After coffee we walked to the Broad which looked amazing in the sunshine …

Back to the car, map checked and we were off to find the church at Hickling.  It was beautifully kept and was lovely to walk around.

I needed to go to Stalham for a quick top-up in Tesco and then I moved on to the Staithe for lunch.  The clouds were building and looked quite threatening but it was very pleasant …

On our way back to the site we pass the entrance to Womack Water.  I thought I’d have a look and was surprised at how many cars were parked - thankfully there was a space for me.  We sat and did some people-watching before going for a walk along the lane …

Wroxham to Ludham Bridge

Up early again this morning and I took Hamish for his walk before we moved off …

Dave the pilot took us back through at 8.48am.  He moored us in the basin outside Peninsular Property Services …

We filled with water while Simon and Phill went shopping then set off and it was still only 9.20am.  Thatchers were already hard at work and there were babies walking about with their parents …

Our favourite sign on the Broads …

We motored through Wroxham Broad and I was allowed to take the helm as there was plenty of room for me!!

Jamie hurt his thumb on a hot tray from the oven and so nurse Phill bandaged it for him …

We approached Horning and hoped that there’d be a space for us so we could stop and have a coffee at the Staithe ‘n’ Willow …

We were lucky and after being suitably refreshed we set off again …

We moored at South Walsham, had pasties for lunch and then took the dogs for a walk …

After a quick spin round the Broad we made our way to Ludham Bridge.  Jamie gave us his interpretation of Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Titanic …

Under the bridge, moored and it was time for the annual photo …

The boys walked to the Dog Inn for a drink while I stayed onboard people and boat-watching – there’s no better occupation at Ludham Bridge!!