DAY 3 - SALHOUSE BROAD TO REEDHAM 

Breakfast With The Swans

We had a lot of miles to cover today so we were having breakfast by 8am, and it was a beautiful morning, we sat around until 9. Diane was going back home today, so I rang our friendly taxi driver last night and arranged a car to meet us at Ludham Bridge for 10:45. We made good time, and each took the helm while we all showered.

Salhouse Board

Back on the Bure

Catfield Taxi Driver?

We got to Ludham Bridge with a few minutes to spare, and as we were unloading Diane's bags, I saw the man from Catfield Cabs, pulling up. We saw Diane off, and went to the little shop, and bought some rolls for lunch. We watched TV while we waited for the man from Richardsons to arrive to fix the Bow Thruster.

Passing St. Bennetts

We were off about an hour later, and the heavens opened briefly and I had to drive with the canopy up, this was a first, as we had been so lucky with the weather, but the shower only lasted about half an hour. We passed Accle, and then Stokesby, and we decided to wait at Stracey Mill, as the ideal time to reach Great Yarmouth was around 3:30pm. I made ready to moor as we approach the mill, but the current was just too strong to get the boat lined up with the staithe. In the end we gave up, and crawled slowly downstream, as we didn't want to go through Great Yarmouth too early.

Turning Away from Thurne

The scenery became very flat, reedy and desolate, with just a few windmills to break up the journey, but before long we approached the residential sprawl of Great Yarmouth. We were a little early but I notice other boats pushing on, so decided to follow suit.

Stracey Arms Windpump

Swing Bridge at Great Yarmouth

As soon as we passed the Yacht Station, the two bridges loomed ahead, I was very nervous as we had reached the point of no return. Once under the two bridges, I could see the yellow marker post, where the river continues out to sea, I was worried most about being caught in a current and dragged out to sea, but it was easy to steer around the yellow post and head under the huge swing bridge that is the start of Breydon Water.

The Start Of Breydon Water

As we were no longer under the jurisdiction of the Broads Authority, and also as it was now getting late, I did 11 mph across the huge expanse of water, but keeping within the marker post. We both thought it was like crossing the lagoon in Venice, and it was quite thrilling.

Berney Arms Windpump

Before long we were at the end of Breydon Water, where it split into two rivers. We took the right hand branch and cruised along the River Yare, and passed the Berney Arms pub, which can only be reached by boat. An hour further up river, we saw the iron swing bridge, which is the start of the village of Reedham. They were a few moorings remaining, and the river here flows very fast, so it was with relief that I tied us up for the night.

Reedham Swing Bridge

Apart from our short stop at Ludham Bridge, we had been on board the whole day, and it was nice to lock up and walk through the village. Most of the shops were closed but it was an attractive village, we walked along the river front, then walked back along a more residential street. We past a fish and chip shop that only opens two days a week, and sadly not Monday. Our walk brought us out at The Ship, and we checked the menu and decided to eat there tonight.

Reedham Staithe

We were feeling quite tired, and both missing Diane, so after a quick meal of scampi and chips, while avoiding the hungry pub cat, we returned to Sunset. The water was still moving fast outside, and I was lulled to sleep by the water slapping the hull of the boat.

The Ship