Ranworth to Horning

We woke to a dry but overcast morning and enjoyed bacon and pancakes for breakfast.  As various boats began to move off I noticed a familiar one moored at the other end of the Staithe – Broadland Mars …

We popped into the Granary for coffees before watching the Southern Comfort passing by, topping up with water and leaving our mooring …

We’d decided on a stop at St Benet’s Abbey so the dogs could have a leg stretch and there were plenty of moorings …

With the sun now shining we had a lovely walk …

The last photo was taken as a re-creation of a picture I was convinced had been taken many years ago but with Mike in the centre.  I had a search when I got home and this was the original …

Not a bad memory!  The door has lost the wood but that is hardly surprising as it is over thirty years since this photo was taken.

We left the moorings after lunch and made our way to Horning. 

We were hoping for a spot near the electric hook-up but we had to take another spot until the one we wanted became free and we could move onto it.  While we waited we watched the Sunday racing …

Then a boatload of pirates approached …

We took the dogs for a walk and then returned to the Swan Inn for a drink.  Here we were entertained by some young people from Essex especially one young lady who Simon named Chardonnay!!  They have no idea how entertaining they were!!

Back to the boat and we had surprise visitors – Steve and Lisa from the River Cruiser Sally.  After a few glasses of wine and gossip they left and we tucked into roast chicken with all the trimmings – yummy sups!

Norfolk Time!

The holiday was booked a long time ago and none of us knew how poorly Mike would be and so unable to accompany us to the Broads.  I left him in the very capable hands of the staff at Bodmin Hospital and set off in the Mini with Hamish beside me heading for Simon’s home in Ash Vale, Hampshire.

We spent one night here and then on Saturday morning, with all our stuff loaded into Simon’s car, we left early to make our way to Norfolk.  After a stop at Thetford for a food shop with the boys, we arrived at Potter Heigham and found our home for the week – Flash of Light.

Hamish soon got comfy on my bed …

We left the yard and Phill began to sort the galley to his liking while Ozzie found his hidey-hole …

Simon was at the helm while we motored round to Ranworth and moored on the Staithe …

We took the dogs for a walk to the church …

After a game of Rummikub and a nibble of pizza to keep us going, the boys washed the boat down, erected the flag-staff and hooked us up to electric …

I loved this sign in the door of the shop …

Goodbye Norfolk

It’s Hamish’s last morning walk …

No breakfast in the cottage this morning as we were meeting the boys at Ludham Bridge for our traditional last breks.  Simon loaded the car and had an ‘incident’ with a trolley which unfortunately I didn’t see and so no photos exist!  We said a final farewell to Waters Edge and drove away from our parking space …

After breks I took one last look at the river and saw the houseboat Heather moored up …

Then it was time to hit the road.  Goodbye Norfolk – see you next April!

Last Day at Waters Edge

It’s our last full day in the cottage and it began with drama.  The rain and high winds had pushed the tide up bringing salty water to the river.  The freshwater fish were not faring well and it was a mad panic trying to get as many as possible netted and into the Herbert Woods basin.  The barrier had been raised but unfortunately most of the fish had been trapped on the salty side.  If the fish were removed from the river quickly there was a good chance that they may survive so it was ‘all hands on deck’.

They were visiting all properties along the river …

We left them to it and drove to Thurne Dyke as I wanted to visit the shop.  I always manage to spend money here as it’s a lovely little shop with so many tempting goodies!

We then went to St Peter’s Church Repps but no luck with graves …

before visiting St Nicholas Church at Potter Heigham …

We were all still hunting for things to take home as presents so nipped up to Ludham Bridge Stores.  While there I took a wander and spotted a couple of boats having slight problems getting under the bridge …

We then returned to Waters Edge for lunch and while Hamish made himself comfortable I began the miserable task of packing. 

Later in the afternoon I noticed that a boat opposite us had been badly damaged in the high winds and I took Hamish for a walk for a last look around.

Look what I spotted …

It’s Flash of Light that we have already booked for next April!

In the evening we drove to Wayford Bridge and met up with the boys for a meal …