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.

St Benet’s Abbey and Ludham

The day didn’t start too well as I left my phone in the van and didn’t realise until I arrived at Irstead Staithe.  After a quick stop I decided to return and collect it and then went on to St Benet’s Abbey.  As I drove down the track I met a huge great tractor and trailer and had to drive off the road to get round it.  Scary or what?  I made it to the car park and with Hamish in tow we set off for a walk.  There were no cows visible this time so we went to the cross where I’d heard there was a new talking bench. 

It’s a brilliant idea.  You push a button and get a welcome from the Abbot, then a description of the Church.  Unfortunately as I sat listening the sky was getting blacker and I wasn’t wearing a waterproof coat nor did I have an umbrella, so I had to leave before hearing everything.  I will be back!

It was lunch-time so we returned to the car and as I sat eating I watched the tractors working …

I was dreading the drive back up the lane as I knew I was bound to meet a tractor again which I did.  Thankfully there was a nice passing place for me this time and I was very relieved when I reached the road. 

I drove into Ludham and parked at the church.  I had a few graves that I still wanted to find and I needed some close up photos of a previously found grave. 

There was another lovely sunset this evening when I walked Hamish …

Crocus Hiccup and Rain

I got a message from Jamie this morning that I needed to pop in and see Crocus as Nick had found some bad wood.  I had planned to go to Wroxham today as there was a Boat and Leisure Auction but the weather was horrendous and so my plans were altered.  I shot down to Thurne and agreed to spend some extra money as in the long run I was making a saving!  To do the work now when she’s all in pieces would be much cheaper than doing it later when she’s all put back together.  Several things had been done since my last visit …

This is the template for the new windows …

The weather didn’t improve and so I spent the afternoon in the van.  As it brightened up we got a lovely rainbow …

When I took Hamish for his evening walk I noticed that Crown Gem 4 was moored at the bridge …

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!

Wet Day

With a weather forecast telling of heavy rain expected I decided to visit the local church at Ludham and hopefully find a grave or two to add to my tree.  I found this large one which held four Allard people …

and this one with Cook people …

It began to rain just before I’d finished checking for others so I’ll need to return before heading home.

I nipped up to Stalham for a Tesco shop and then returned to the site to stay snug and warm while the heavens opened outside.

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 …