Potter Heigham and Tunstead

My last full day began at Potter Heigham …

After a walk along the riverside I had a wander around the boats both for sale and for hire at Herbert Woods …

This was my last chance to go grave-hunting so it was back to the car and off to Tunstead …

How Hill

It was the first Russian F1 race today so I stayed in to watch it then after lunch I took Hamish for a walk at How Hill.  It’s really quite close to the campsite and is a lovely place to walk or sit and watch the boats.  I popped into Toad Hole Cottage to buy an ice-cream and then found a bench which was by the Electric Eel landing stage.  There was a constant stream of boats passing by …

You’ll notice I only photograph yachts!  It was a very pleasant hour or so that we spent there …

Back on site and I suddenly heard a racket in the sky.  A flock of geese were flying over us …

Horning

I spent the morning doing jobs in the van and then after lunch I drove into Horning.  I put an hour on the ticket and walked over to the Staithe to find a bench and watch the boats. 

Hamish was in a strange mood and wouldn’t settle so after a short time we left our spot and went for a walk.  We still had a little time left on the clock so sat again but this time on a bench on the grass.  It was then back to the site for a cuppa and a catch up on my laptop.

When I walked Hamish this evening there were a couple of yachts at the bridge – America and Trade Wind …

America moved on but Trade Wind changed banks and I spoke to them on my return.  They are competing in the hire boat Regatta next week which takes place on Barton Broad.  It was their first time sailing on the Broads and although they’d only just collected their yacht, they were finding it very different from anywhere else they’d sailed.  I wished them good luck, took a photo of the sky and made my way back to camp …

As the evening progressed I noticed the sky getting very threatening and heard thunder rumbling …

A massive storm was brewing and it wasn’t long before we had lightening to accompany the thunder and then torrential rain.  Hamish is petrified by storms like this and I had to have all blinds closed to keep the lightening out but he panicked at the noise and was a very unhappy chap.

Upton and Ranworth

The forecast was pretty good for today so with lunch packed and Hamish in the car we set off for Upton.  We stopped at the church on our way to the dyke …

After parking the car we began the walk down the side of the dyke to the River Bure.  It was quite windy but the sun was out most of the time.  When we reached the end I sat Hamish on the bench.  The last time we were here Mike had sat in the same place – memories …

Hamish was quite pleased to be going back …

I don’t think there can be any yachts out on hire as the moorings were pretty full …

Back on the road again and we made for Ranworth.  It was time for lunch and luckily there was a parking place for me on the Staithe   After I’d eaten we had a walk around the moorings and I fed the ducks while watching a group getting ready to go on a trip …

After a quick look around the shop and another fridge magnet purchased (I’ll be needing an extra fridge for all my magnets!), we set off again heading for Woodbastwick.  I stopped outside the church for a photo or two …

No more stops today so after carrying on through Wroxham and back to Ludham Bridge we arrived back at the site.  Unfortunately for one of the vans it had been just that bit too windy for the half-awning which had been blown off its poles and over the roof …

Thankfully for them it didn’t rain or their chairs would have been soaked!

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 …

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 …