Day 2 - HORNING TO SUTTON 

Horning First Light

 Just Us and Wildlife on the River

Woke up to a beautiful morning, was inspired to have an early wander around the village. After breakfast we returned back down the Bure, and then turned up the Ant. Once past Ludham bridge the sun was fully out, and it was definitely a shorts day, the river was very quite here and we hardly saw a soul.

Empty River Ant

Approaching How Hill

As we approached the moorings at How Hill, the sun was getting very warm, and there was a real holiday atmosphere along the staithe. It didn't seem over a year ago that we were moored here, waiting to take the Electric Eel tour through the reed beds.

Staithe at How Hill

We popped into Toad Hole cottage and paid our £1.50 to the cashier, who gave us a map and pointed out the start of the nature trail. We have done plenty of nature trails in the broad land area; Ranworth, Barton, Great Hoveton, all of which are great, but the one at How Hill is without doubt the best. We walked through woods and pastures, along hedgerows, followed streams, and passed through thick forest.

Nature Trail......

....Alongside Hedgerows....

.....Through Meadows.......

..........Following Streams

After a really rewarding 90 minute walk, we came out right next two the main house, and the rest of the route was downhill over the lawn. A really nice way to spend a Sunday morning.

Out of the Woods...

And Down the Lawn..

Then Back at the Staithe...

Before Reboarding

We continued up the river Ant, and crossed over Barton Broad, w we had intended to creep down Lime Kiln Dike, to Neatishead staithe. The was very busy with other boats, and as we needed to refill with water, we moored at Gays Staithe instead, and did the long walk down to Neatishead village. We needed to shop for some food, as we only had the milk and bread from yesterday.

Approaching Barton Broad

The River Opens Up

Moored at Gays Staithe

It was a lovely walk, the day was warm and sunny, and the road lead us through fields and wood. We finally got to the village but the shop had closed for the day 20 minutes earlier, we looked through the window reluctantly as it looked well provisioned, and we decided to return the next day. Once back at the boat, we refilled with water, set off and crossed the rest of Barton Broad and rejoined the upper reaches of the Ant.

Lane Leading to Neatishead

Very Quite in the Village

The afternoon was growing late as we passed Hunsett Mill, and before long we were on the other side of Wayford Bridge. The river got very narrow as we turned into the channel to Dilham. I had noticed the sign to Dilham the last time we were here, but wasn't sure that cruisers could get down there. A little research said it was doable, and that there were 5 spaces at the small staithe there. It was very narrow, but before long we approached the red brick Victorian bridge that marked the limit of navigation.

Passing Hunsett Mill

Hunsett Mill

Narrow Channel to Dilham

There were three boats already moored there, very well spaced out, and fishermen sitting with rods in the spaces. I asked them if they could move up to make room, but they said they couldn't because if another boat came down that far, they would need the space to turn their boat. I know, lame excuse, they then said if I hurried I could make the moorings at Wayford Bridge.

No Room at the Staithe

Limit of Navigation

I turned the boat, and hurried downstream, I had noticed that there wasn't any spaces at the Wayford staithe, and I really didn't want to use the private moorings there. So we decided to try and make for Sutton staithe, as we had planned visiting there in the morning. It was 6pm as we turned off onto the Sutton/Stalham dike, and sunset was at 6:23! I didn't realise that Sutton was a lot further than Stalham, and the last rays of sun went down as we crossed Sutton Broad. I was beginning to worry, but then I spotted the beginning of the staithe just ahead. As we passed all the moored boats, it was quite dark, and the staithe looked full. I bumped a few boats along the way, but they all seemed to have fishermen sitting on deck, so I didn't mind too much. There was one space right at the end, and we quickly moored up, phew!

Sunsetting over Sutton Broad

One Mad Dash

We relaxed for about an hour, then made our way by torchlight to the Sutton Staithe Hotel for dinner. The waiter was really friendly and helpful, and we had a delicious fish meal, and Spotted Dick pudding. We were hungry, and there was only bread on board for breakfast. It was totally pitch black when we came out, and we had trouble finding the path back to our boat. We had a lovely sleep that night, maybe because our day had been so full, or because it was so peaceful at the moorings.