Day 8 - HORNING TO STALHAM 

Passing The Ferry

When I picked up the boat on Saturday, the guy from Richardsons said not to worry too much about getting the boat back by 9, he said 10 or 11 would be fine. However, we were up early and started off around 7am, we were about 3 hours away from the boatyard. There was no traffic on the River this morning, so we made great time. As we neared the Ant mouth, we noticed people aboard boats sitting with their morning coffee.

Decision At Barton Broad

I turned into the Ant, Paul was packing the case, having a shower, and making our final cup of tea. As soon as I got us under the bridge at Ludham, I went for my shower. We were all packed and ready as we crossed Barton Broad, we had made good time as it was 9:30, so we did a detour and went around Barton Turf for a look.

Barton Turf, Maybe Next Time

Last One Back

Twenty minutes later and we were mooring back on Kingfisher Quay, I went to the office and had to pay an extra £11 for diesel and £12 for the pilot at Wroxham. I knew the fuel was going to be high, but was surprised that my £150 fuel deposit wasn't enough, but it was all worth it, as we had managed to get everywhere we had planned.

Going Over The Bridge This Time 

We sat and had tea and bacon rolls, while we waited for our driver from Catfield Cabs, this time we had decided to get a cab all the way to Norwich station rather than to Wroxham, where we would need to catch a train to Norwich. It was a pleasant drive, the driver always telling us local stories, and it was nice to cross over Wroxham bridge to say goodbye to the broads, until next time.

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We had decided to try a different route home, as the direct train from Wroxham to Manchester takes 4-5 hours, and stops everywhere. This time we went via London, which takes the same amount of time, but as there are two 2 hour journeys, and a dash across London by tube, the journey gets broken up. I guess it depends on how much luggage you have.

Waiting For The Train

It had been a great week, and I was so relaxed at the end of it, but it wasn't that long until Norfolk started calling us back again.

Day 7 - COLTISHALL TO HORNING 

All Quiet On The Common

Woke up pretty late, the staithe had emptied, and I think it may have rained in the night, but the sun was just coming out. After breakfast we went for a walk across the green for milk and bread. We started back up river at 11:30, and had a pleasant journey back Wroxham.

Must Stop At Belaugh Next Time

Beautiful Stretch Of River

Nearly Back To Wroxham

Day Boats At Boards Tours

We moored up and called the pilot, who took us under the bridge then moored us in The Broads Tours boatyard. We had to cross the bridge to get to the shops, and spent some time watching the boats go by.




One boat from Richardsons pulled up to the Pilot Mooring, I think they were first timers, there were six of them, an older couple, and possibly their children in their early twenties. I think they had been all given roles

River Watching At Wroxham

on what to do, as one had the bow rope, one the aft rope, one was directing the the helmsman, one had the mobile phone etc. They were all very excited, and were bristling with anticipation, taking a photo of the pilot, handing over the keys and saluting. It was a most amusing 15 minutes, and made me remember back to September when I first approached Wroxham bridge, but all I could remember was a lot of swearing, as Janet and Paul both left me with the helm and mobile phone, and the pilot telling me that the water was too high. Still fond memories though.

Wroxham Getting Gridlocked

We did a little more shopping at Roys, went down the shopping arcade by the hotel, Paul bought some old man's deck shoes from a charity shop. The sun was out and had burnt all the clouds off, it was hot and sunny. We went back to the boat and had lunch in the sun again. It was now about 3pm and we had done nothing really, so we moved on. As we rejoined the river, the whole of Wroxham had come to life, the river was very busy. There was quite a bit of traffic leading back to Horning, and I got stuck behind a very slow boat, who wouldn't allow me to overtake. Before long The Swan came into view, which marked the end of our travels for the day.

Please Moved Over!

Safely Moored At The New Inn

We moored up at The New Inn, we had booked for dinner here, so got a free overnight mooring. It's a good way to be certain that you can overnight in Horning, which is the hardest place to be sure of a mooring. Gus the boatman that worked for the pub, pointed out the rope that was stuck in the bow thrusters, and he and a friend took a dinghy and pulled the rope free, one thing less to explain when we got back to Richardsons.

Shopping In Horning

We took another walk around Horning, returning to the Deli for more Turkish Delight. Back at the boat I spent 30 minutes trying to get a TV signal, the only way it was going to work is with the aerial on my head, and left leg hanging over the water.

Horning Tea Room

Welcoming Call Of The New Inn

Had a delicious steak in the New Inn that night, pub was very busy and full of atmosphere. Had a pretty early night, as we had to get back to the boatyard in the morning, and it was around 3 hours cruising away. It was nice to sit on board and enjoy the boat for the last night.

Day 6 - THURNE TO COLTISHALL 

Passing Thurne Mill

After breakfast and a few cups of tea, we were ready to leave. We had to be in Wroxham by 12 at the latest, it would take about 3 hours to get there. I was dreading steering us out of the narrow dike, especially as there was no signs of life on the moored boats. Paul went to untie us, as I tried to work out the best way to turn the boat round. Suddenly the boat started moving backwards, I looked at the bank, and Paul was towing the boat back down the dike, and within five minutes we were back on the Thurne.

Approaching Horning

Arriving in Wroxham

The River Bure was very quite and we made great time, and hit Wroxham around 11:30. We moored up at the pilot station, the pilot was already coming over the bridge, he was on his way to the other side, to bring another boat through, so he took us under first, and moored us up.

Lunch in the Sunlight

We went for a stroll around Wroxham, then did some food shopping in Roys. On our way out, had a look around Roys garden centre. Once back at Sunset, we rolled the canopy, and had a long lunch, sat in the hot sunshine and feed the geese and ducks. Quite a few boats where coming down river, the smaller ones rushing to get under the bridge before the water got too high, the larger boats were mooring up along side to wait for low water.

Empty River All The Way Upstream

Nearing Coltishall

Passing Belaugh

We Made It

We made our way under the railway bridge and started our journey up to Coltishall. The sun was hot, and there wasn't any noise once out of Wroxham. It was so peaceful to cruise up river slowly at 3 miles per hour. The scenery here is the best, and it was lovely to just enjoy the river. Belaugh staithe was empty, but we didn't feel like stopping as we were both so chilled out. As we cleared the bend Coltishall common came into view.

Coltishall Common

I love the wide green here, with the two pubs at the end, such a lovely spot. We moored in the same place as we did on our previous visit. This time we decided to walk in the village itself, as we only spent time at the common previously.

Coltishall Village

I was a good thirty minutes to the village along quite a busy road, but it was a pleasant walk. Passing the church, a few pubs and some very pretty cottages. Coltishall is a fair sized village for Norfolk, with some very authentic looking shops, a few tea shops, and quite a number of Nail Bars for some reason!

Old Fashioned Shops

Way Upstream

We walk across a low bridge which marks the limit of navigation on the Bure, looking upstream the river gets so rural and pretty. We called into the Kings Head on our way back, and booked a table for dinner, and walked over the common on our way back to the Sunset.

Best Sausage & Mash

Night Settles Over Coltishall

We had an excellent meal that night. We had thought about trying something from the dinner menu this time, but we enjoyed the Sausage and Mash so much previously, we just had to reorder it. and it did not disappoint. We both had a dessert and we were full. The bill was around £25 for us both with drinks. We had to make our way back across the common by torchlight.

Day 5 - OULTON BROAD TO THURNE 



Morning Over Oulton Broad

Today we are travelling back to the northern rivers, the ideal time to pass through Great Yarmouth is 4:35pm, so we had a leisurely morning. I went over to pay the station master for our nights mooring, he said that the water was included in the mooring fee. I had a walk through the park and bought some fresh rolls for lunch.

Leaving the Broad

As we filled the tank with water and had a final cup of tea, the yacht station started to fill with boats. We made our way out before Oulton Broad go too busy, the sun was out and shining as we retraced our way back upriver. At St Olaves we decided to have a tea break, as we didn't want to arrive at Breydon too early. With a bit of manoeuvring with managed to moor, the tide here was moving quite fast, and our bow thrusters failed to working.

No One On The River

The ideal time to go through Breydon Water was 4:35pm, but as we were heading for Thurne dike, we would have to leave earlier, or we would get there after 7:30. We set off and passed Castle Burgh, the last mooring before Breydon, it seemed very busy there.

Crossing Breydon Early

As we started crossing Breydon Water, a broads authority boat passed us, and shouted that a rope was trailing at the bow. I went to pull it up, but it was caught fast, the problem with the bow-thruster suddenly became apparent. I returned to the helm and continued the crossing. I decided to give the Wroxham pilot a call, who advised me to get to Wroxham by noon tomorrow, and he could take us under the bridge. Great no early morning tomorrow.



Racing Up The Bure

The passage through Great Yarmouth was smooth and uneventful, even though we were going through over an hour earlier than the recommended time. The journey back up the Bure was long, we only saw two other boats all the way up to Stracey Arms mill. I took advantage of this and hooked up the iPhone to the TV and had a sing-a-long to Florence and the Machine. Stokesby staithe was full, and by the time we got to Acle Bridge, we were back in the land of holiday makers. The last leg up to Thurne seemed to last for hours, but before long the familiar white windmill into view, it was just a few minutes past 6pm.

Passing Stokesby

Thurne Mill, Most Welcome Sight

With no free spaces left on the free mooring side, we were the only boat moored on the farm side. Happily paid the farmer his £4 when he came around, was glad to finally be there. I walked up to the pub to see if there was a pub quiz that night, and if so what time it started. The landlord asked if everybody was interested and they were, he said that we had came all the way from Suffolk to take part in the quiz. He seemed pretty impressed until one of the patrons reminded him that Suffolk was next door.

The Lion, A Home From Home

We went to dinner at 7:30, and ordered two steak and rib combos, you always get a good Norfolk portion at the Lion, but he out did himself, and it was delicious! The pub quiz was a lot of fun too, but we only came second this time. We needed Mandy and Janet at our table to get first place and win the box of chocolates. We agreed that it was a good night, as we returned to the boat by torchlight.

Day 4 - REEDHAM TO OULTON BROAD 

It would seem that the lapping water noise last night was due to our water tank emptying. Despite filling up with water yesterday morning, our tank was empty. We could only put it down to over heating, what with the speeding across Breydon Water and the big distance we travelled. Luckily the kettle was full of water, so while we refilled the tank, we had tea and toast.

Reedham in the Morning

We went for a walk to the shop for essentials and to look around the gift shop. We took the Sunset back under the swing bridge, and turned down the man-made Hadescoe cut, which is like a canal linking the River Yare with the River Waverley. Half an hour and we were cruising down our fourth river, the Waverley.

Somerleyton Duck Pond

We were mooring at the Somerleyton moorings by eleven, and after locking up, walking along the country lane towards the village of Somerleyton. What a pretty village! Starting with pretty duck pond, beautifully arranged will shrubs, and well stocked with family of duck. Followed by plenty of chocolate-box cottages, then the prettiest village post office we have even seen, followed by a village green where a game of cricket was being played.

Somerleyton Cottages

Somerleyton Green

We turned off from the village, up a private road for 20 minutes, and reached Somerleyton Hall. The lady at the entrance gave us a map and said we had about an hour before our guided tour of the house. After such a long walk we treated ourselves a cream tea in the conservatory.

Somerleyton Hall

We had a look around the gardens, part of which is formal with fountains and flowerbeds, and other parts more landscaped. We noticed a lady in pink jeans, holding court with two gardeners, so we sat on down benches, within earshot. Someone from the Crossley family was getting married, and the lady in pink was the mother-in -law to the current Baronet of the house. She was trying to make the gardens more impressive for the wedding reception. We had to hurry over to the white sunken garden, our tour was just starting.

White Sunken Garden

Start of Tour

The house was interesting, especially the staircase hall, decorated with animal heads, and stuffed bears. Every room was different, and contained their own treasures, the ladies who showed us around were informative and did a great job.

Staircase Hall

Back in the Grounds

After the tour we wandered around the grounds, and finally tried the maze. I thought that like Hampton Court, this maze wouldn't really be a challenge, but we got seriously lost and gave up trying to find the centre, and to just get ourselves out. Needless to say we rounded a corner,we found the centre, where another couple were having a rest, being lost too. We all joined forces, and tackled it logically, by splitting  up to eliminate dead ends. It still took us another 10 minutes to find the exit.

Leaving the Village

Back at The Staithe

Alfred Hitchcock's "The Swans"

The day was scorching as we walked back through the village, and we were looking forward to a late lunch and a cuppa. The mooring was in a lovely spot, and to just sit in the sun, feeding the ducks while eating our lunch was ideal. Reluctantly we untied and continued downstream towards Beccles, Travelling down the dike we went past a lamentation of swans, there must have been around 30 all swimming together.

Crossing Oulton Broad

We crossed Oulton Broad, it's a very large open broad and it was confusing to know where we were at first,
but then I spotted the Wherry Hotel, and headed over to that corner. The hotel moorings were full so we moved over to the Yacht station, where there were plenty of spaces. We got a TV signal for the first time, so we watched the news, had showers, and went out for a walk.

Overlooking Yacht Station

Wherry Hotel

Dusk Over Oulton Broad

Oulton Broad is a very nice spot to moor, lots going on and lots to watch, and quite a number shops surrounding it. It seemed a little quiet so we decided to eat in the Wherry Hotel as it's was quite lively
compared to everywhere else. We decided to have a carvery, and at £6.99 each with a dessert, it was unbeatable value. Huge roast dinner, and delicious too. As the sun set over the Broad, the fairy lights in the park came on, and the boats all started to light up.Watching this view from our table through the large picture windows, it was the prefect view on another enjoyable day on the broads.