Upton to Horning via Ranworth

With a warm and sunny start to the day we were up and about early.  Simon and I had a look around at the facilities – toilets but no showers.  Simon found an old shower head which we pretended was an outdoor shower!

After breks we all went for a stroll around the Eastwood Whelpton boatyard which was a hive of activity …

Rebecca was being made ready for launching but we had plenty of time to walk to the River Bure, take photos and then get back to record the event …







We finally left Upton about 10.30am …

and motored round to Ranworth where Simon moored us stern-on at the Staithe – he was very proud of his skills!  It was then time for coffee and toasted teacakes with the dogs keeping an eye on the sleeping cat …

After a wander around the shop and lunch aboard Mars, we waited for a chap from Richardsons to bring us out a new shower head and then it was time for a walk to the church.  It’s quite a few years since I climbed to the top of the tower and I really fancied doing it again.  We had a look around the church …

We left Mike sitting in the church, Jamie and Phill took the dogs to the little cafe and Simon and I made our way up …

The view is breath-taking and worth every huff and puff on the way up!

The boys photographed us up the tower (although I can’t see us!) while they enjoyed a cuppa …

Walk over we returned to Mars and set off for Horning.  We were keeping our fingers crossed that a space may be available on the Staithe near the electric hook-up.  Much to our surprise and delight we managed to squeeze ourselves on the end nearest the Swan moorings …

Meeting up with Old and New Friends

I’ve been looking forward to today since I blogged about Sally and the Three Rivers Race last year.  Her new owners had made contact and today we’re meeting at Acle Bridge so that I can have a sail in her. 

We woke to a very frosty morning and after some very yummy bacon sarnies, we set off at ten o’clock. 

We wanted to stop at St Benet’s Abbey to give the dogs a run and after mooring up we made our way over.  As we approached there was a chap sitting on the ground with some equipment which turned out to be listening equipment as the swallows were in the building.  We saw the swallows and they were very vocal! 

We strolled on over to the cross where the obligatory timed photo was taken …

Back to Mars and with Ozzie on alert we continued on our way …

As we approached Acle Bridge I could see Sally just ahead of us preparing to moor …

We were very lucky and found a mooring spot in front of Sally where we jumped ashore and introductions were made.  John, Steve and Lisa Burton are now the proud owners of Sally and they’re lovely people.  John invited me aboard - Mike unfortunately was not able to make it – so Simon came with me.  There was very little wind but John took us upriver a short way and then back down again …

Sally looks very different from when we hired her in the 1970’s.  She is longer to start with, has a bowsprit and is very smart.  A lot of hard work and love has been rewarded by a beautiful yacht …

After promising to keep in touch and saying our farewells we watched Steve and Lisa set sail to take Sally back to her home moorings …

While we were at Acle we rang Richardsons because the filter tap and the electric connection for lights were both not working.  A chap came out and repaired them for us.  We had lunch and then motored off to Womack Water for a  cuppa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We didn’t stop for long and then made our way back out and headed for Upton Dyke.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we arrived at the entrance to the dyke Jamie took over the helm from Simon as this was a place he’s wanted to visit every year we’ve been going to the Broads.  Each year we say no to him as the dyke is narrow and we’re not sure about turning at the end.  This year I’d seen a thread on the Norfolk Broads Forum which discussed entering and mooring and people seemed to think it was possible in a cruiser the size of ours. We motored very slowly down, turned quite easily and moored up.  Jamie was thrilled!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We decided to walk to the dog-friendly White Horse pub for a drink and then it was back to Mars for supper.

Back on Broadland Mars

As we were staying at Ludham Bridge it was a very short drive to Richardson’s yard and we were there way ahead of the boys.  Mike and I strolled into Stalham for a bit of shopping and when we got back I checked in. 

Mars was ready for us so I began loading all our stuff aboard and then the boys arrived.  The trial run chap was quite happy that Jamie knew what he was doing and allowed us to leave when we were ready. 

At the end of our holiday last April I’d made a note of the total hours on the dashboard of Mars and so before we set off I wrote down what it was currently showing.  The first reading was 11298.4 and the latest reading was 12096.0 which meant that over the year Mars had clocked up 797.6 hours on the water.  Hopefully I’ll remember to take a another reading at the end of our week!

We set off at two o’clock in brilliant sunshine and after crossing Barton Broad with Simon at the helm we made our way down the River Ant towards Ludham Bridge.  Jamie was busy sorting out his room, I was busy sorting out ours and Phill was putting all the food away and getting the galley to his liking!  Hamish was being Hamish and enjoying the sun!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We moored as close to the electric point as we could as the boys had brought their hook-up with them.  Overnight we had to move on to the water mooring but we moved off it again first thing the next morning.  Of course the annual photo of the boys by the mill had to be taken …

and then we enjoyed a beautiful evening in the sun and were treated to a lovely sunset …

Arrival in Norfolk

Having set off from Burford with the Sat Nav (Jasmine) set for Ludham I suddenly found myself on the M40 and heading towards London!  The last thing I wanted was to be driving via the M25 and M11 but Jasmine was determined to send me that way.  I did the obvious thing and exited at the first opportunity and found my way to Aylesbury and Milton Keynes and then I was back on track.  Jamie had been in touch with the Peugeot garage Busseys in Norwich and so long as I arrived before 3.30pm they would try and sort out my speedo problem.  I normally drive very economically but I needed to get there and so I put my foot down!!  I found Busseys, parked up and they were brilliant.  We had plenty of coffee while we waited and it was fantastic news - my speedo was working again!  It was then a short hop to Ludham Bridge and the newly named Norfolk Broads Caravan Club Site.  It was previously known as Broadlands.

After sorting out our pitch and having a well earned glass of red wine, I took Hamish for a walk to the River Ant to see what boats were moored for the night.  It was a beautiful evening …