Womack to Salhouse Broad

Simon and Vikki were on breakfast duty this morning and so we enjoyed pancakes, bacon and maple syrup.  This is not a combination I’d ever eaten before but wow it was so yummy!!!

I requested a group photo before preparations were made to leave the Staithe and then Simon was given the job of lifting the mud-weight.  Phill gave him some gloves to keep his hands clean and Simon being Simon decided to blow it up first and then needed help from Mr Muscle to pull the weight up!

We finally left Womack and made our way back to the Thurne …

The Broads Authority were in evidence this morning as we left Thurne behind …

All this cruising is very tiring!

More babies and yachts on the Bure as we make for Ranworth …

We took advantage of the sunshine and sat outside for coffee.  Everyone was catching up with phone calls and messages as we all had signal.  Hamish was more interested in Willow the cafe cat who was remaining just out of reach!

After lunch I took Hamish for a walk to the church.  It’s St George’s Day and the England flag was flying proudly …

Back to Mars and after filling with water we set off from the Staithe …

After turning left when reaching the Bure we motored along to Horning gaining some extra passengers on the way …

We were very lucky and found a space on the Staithe, went for a walk through the village and rang Pam hoping that she could see us on the Sailing Club webcam - unfortunately she couldn’t.

We had an hilarious episode while we watched a couple in a dayboat trying to moor up.  They went back and forth so many times, first her having a go and then him having a go.  When they finally made it we, plus the boat next to us, all gave them a round of applause and they took a bow! 

We moved off leaving the Southern Comfort and the Swan Inn behind …

We chose a mud-free mooring spot at Salhouse and Phill fed the wildlife …

The kids walked to the pub as Simon had requested a pint of the local brew!  I took advantage of a virtually empty boat and decided to have a shower.  Big mistake!  To say it was useless is to put it mildly.  It sprayed either the mirror or the door and the only way I could get wet was to hold it over me.  Lesson learned – no more showers on board.

When they’d all got back and we’d had supper, the Rummikub came out and we played my most favourite game.  If you’ve never tried it then give it a go!

Neatishead to Womack Staithe

What a difference in the weather this morning.  Photos of us moored at the Staithe and as we left …

After crossing Barton Broad …

we motored down the River Ant passing a Hunter yacht moored at Irstead Staithe and several more Hunters sailing down with us …

Before long we were moored above Ludham Bridge and the boys were ashore and ready for the annual photo!

It was too muddy to get down to the mill as in previous years so we had to make do with them standing on the path.  After a visit to the shop (naturally!) and with the roof down, we set off under the bridge …

We were making for Potter Heigham for lunch and passed a narrow boat and yachts on our way along the River Bure …

Plus the first babies we’d seen and a lady bird that took a fancy to Hamish’s head!

St Benet’s Abbey appeared to be covered in scaffolding.  More about this later in the week …

With Vikki at the helm we continued on up the River Thurne and moored at Potter Heigham …

Lathams was calling!! Jamie found a microfibre cloth whilst shopping and when he came back the windows were given a good clean.

After lunch we motored back down the River Thurne and turned up to Womack Water.  After mooring at the Staithe we took the dogs for a walk into Ludham where I went grave hunting while everyone else sheltered in the Alfresco Tea Rooms as the sky was getting darker by the minute!

I just managed to get my photos before the heavens opened and I joined the others for a very welcome coffee and cake.  Once the rain had passed we made our way back to Mars but the sky was still looking very threatening …

On the way there was a downpipe which appeared to be trying to spray unsuspecting victims as they passed …

After a late rainbow we had a lovely sunset …

Picking up Broadland Mars

We were staying on the Broadlands Caravan Club Site near Ludham and so only had a short drive to Richardsons yard at Stalham.  I took Hamish for a walk to the Staithe by the bridge to see if there was any interesting activity to watch.  One of our old hire craft Capri was moored up and the shop looked inviting but I could go in there at a later date …

I loved the spelling on this sign by the side of the road as I walked back to the site!

We arrived at the yard just after 11.30am and it wasn’t long before Simon and Vikki pulled up beside us.  Jamie and Phill appeared about 1pm and then we sorted out the paperwork and found Mars.  After having Neptune for two holidays we had fancied a change this year.  At the end of last year’s holiday we’d borrowed the keys to Mars and had a look onboard.  The decision was made to change to her as the layout was slightly different and appeared to give us more room.  Length and width were identical. 

We soon loaded all our belongings on and were off on our holiday.  There was plenty of tidying up below …

while Jamie took us downriver and Simon tried out one of the bunks for size …

We decided to stop at Barton Turf for a late bite to eat and while Simon erected our flagstaff and flags, I was busy photographing Breeze as the owners tried out her new sails …

Simon and Vikki took us across Barton Broad and as we approached Gay’s Staithe and Neatishead the weather turned nasty and I couldn’t take any photos.

Jamie took us into Neatishead and while the youngsters walked into the village for a drink, Mike and I had a quiet hour and we rested our eyes!!