Fantastic Pilot!

We awoke to rain today and made our way up to Stalham.

There are only a couple of moorings at Stalham Staithe and we always approach it with great trepidation as there is very little room for manoeuvre. However our pilot (alias Jamie) was in his element and he brought us to a stop with consummate ease. When the boat behind us moved off the boys walked us back so that we were facing the right way when the time came to leave. Unfortunately it was raining hard by now and they got pretty wet! …

Tesco is just across the main road from the Staithe and it was time to re-stock the fridge and cupboards. Mike and I went over to the Museum of the Broads to look for souvenirs …

and then went for a wander around the town.

After lunch we left Stalham and went to Sutton …

where we moored at the boatyard to get a pump-out. It was blowing a hooley and when the owner of the yard said how surprised he was that Jamie had managed to reverse and moor us at the first attempt and without help – well you can imagine how Jamie’s head was suddenly very enlarged! A pilot extraordinaire! After the pump-out and also filling with water we moved away from the yard to the Staithe and while we enjoyed a cuppa we watched the novices attempt to moor up. It was hilarious!

The final mooring today was to be somewhere that Jamie, Phill and Pam had never visited before and it was many years since Mike and I had been there – Wayford Bridge.

Passing Hunsett Mill on the way ...

There are only spaces for three boats at the free moorings but we were lucky and managed to tie up …

The Wayford Bridge Hotel is very close so we took the dogs and went for a drink. Very nice place and highly recommended.

Very friendly ducks up here …

Tick Tock – Glug!

We were up early today and thankfully it was dry but a bit chilly. We wanted to fill with water so Mike and Jamie set to untying the mooring ropes. Unfortunately one of them was very tight and they had a bit of struggle – splash! Something had fallen into the water and neither of them knew what it was. Mike checked that he still had his shades, specs and mobile and Jamie was sure it wasn’t anything of his that had fallen in. As nothing was missing they carried on and moved along the mooring to be nearer the water hose, re-tying and filling the tank. We then thought that maybe Phill’s very expensive shades had been in the pocket of Jamie’s fleece and they were now missing! Jamie stripped down to t-shirt and pants and went into the water to have a feel with his feet then he put his hand down and came up with Mike’s new watch!!! It had obviously been in his pocket and not strapped to his wrist! Unfortunately no photos were taken of Jamie as it all happened so quickly but here is Mike and the offending article!

He definitely owed him a pint for his brave efforts!

By the time we left Salhouse it was raining once again and we were heading for Ranworth Staithe which is notoriously difficult to moor at as space there is at a premium. We were amazed that there was somewhere for us ...

The rain eased up and the dogs went ashore for a run ...

and then we all headed for the shop for some goodies! The boys managed to talk Pam into leaving the boat and coming for a coffee and then it was time to move on once again ...

The River Ant and Ludham Bridge was our next destination …

followed by a late lunch stop at How Hill …

We crossed Barton Broad heading for Gay’s Staithe where Pam did some painting and we all had a cuppa.

Back across Barton Broad and the sun was shining beautifully on the water …

and a flock of geese flew overhead …

to the final mooring of the day which was to be Barton Turf where we had found Crocus and where Pam had a practice steer!

Of course a wander around the boatyard was compulsory!

A Barton Turf sunset …

Roys – Here We Come!

After a night of high winds and rain we awoke to a beautiful blue sky and sunshine …

Hamish went for a wander along the Cockshoot Walk …

where there were ducks a plenty …

After breks we set off for Wroxham passing the Norfolk Broads Yachting Company whose webcam we check every day when the pc is turned on at home …

It was top down weather but a bit chilly for Pam …

and a bit boring for Phill …

The flags were flying well …

and snugglies were the order of the day to keep warm!

We have great fun heron spotting – heron on the starboard bow!

We finally reached Wroxham Bridge ...

turned into the basin for hire craft where we saw the Belle of the Broads ...

before going ashore and hitting Roys! We only have to mention the ‘shop’ word and Phill is itching to reach dry land! After a good look around the store and several pounds lighter we left Wroxham behind, passing lovely riverside properties and made for the Broad …

where we dropped the mudweight and enjoyed lunch. It was very windy, it began to rain again and we weren’t convinced that the mudweight was holding us! We then moved on again towards Horning via Hoveton Little Broad which was somewhere we had never looked in on before …

We stopped at Perci’s Island for a cuppa …

and after passing these lovely topiary trees …

we reached Salhouse Broad where we moored for the night …

Start of the Week

After all the lovely sunny weather of the last two weeks, I guess it had to end some time and it chose today! We arrived at Herbert Woods boatyard, Potter Heigham in a drizzle and unfortunately it became proper rain just as we were loading all our gear into our home for the next week - Corsair Light 3 ...

We've not had a boat with a rear door before and it brought us in through the galley ...

Pam sat in her cabin while all the loading took place and of course Hamish had to check out Grandma's bed while Ozzie went to sleep at her feet ...

Both the boys settled in again really quickly and were looking to see where they were going ...


We'd chosen the moorings at St Benet's Abbey for a quick stop to exercise them as they'd both been cooped up in cars all morning. It is a lovely walk from the Abbey ...

across the field to the Cross ...


with this plaque ...

Back to the boat to find Pam looking out and admiring the view ...

then it was back on the move as we were hoping to find a mooring for the night somewhere near Horning. On the way we passed our old friend Zoe ...

and finally moored opposite the Ferry Inn where Mike and Jamie fixed up the flagpost so we could fly our Broads Society flag and our Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association flag ...

Arrival in Norfolk

Today we moved on from Luton to Norwich where once again we're spending the night on the Camping and Caravanning Club site.

We went to Wroxham for lunch and to collect a pot of Iosso Mold & Mildew Stain Remover from Jeckells. We had been recommended to use this on the cover we have for Crocus as apparently it is brilliant stuff and the cover definitely needs some tlc!

After parking in Roys car park we walked along the riverside and Hamish had a look at the wildlife ...

We even had a steam traction engine drive through Wroxham ...

After filling with fuel at Tesco we arrived on site and have a really good pitch ...