Day 9 - SUTTON TO STALHAM

The plus side of over-nighting at Sutton, was there wasn't any reason to get up early, the boatyard was only 20 minutes away. Even so, we were the last boat on the staithe as we finished our morning tea. We turned the engine on and had tepid showers, the boatyard was so near it wasn't worth showering whilst moving, then finished packing.

The Staithe Emptying

Leaving Time

It was easy to turn the boat in the narrow but empty dike, and we were soon cruising across Sutton broad. The sun was up and the sky blue which really improves the views on this lovely broad. It is such a shame that people don't appreciate the beauty of this broad. The channel through the reeds is so narrow people would be forgiven for not realising it is a broad, and it really is worth stopping here and drinking in the beauty. The tree lined backdrop, with most of the broad filled with tall reeds and the wildlife swimming between the foliage. This morning we spotted ducks watching over their numerous ducklings.

Beautiful Sutton Broad

Reed Filled

Passage Cut Through The Reeds

Full Of Wildlife

And Their Young

We turned right, and a short slipway brought us back onto the main dike, with the boatyard just a few hundred yards away. We moored up in Heron Quay, and the handover crew quickly tied us up and had our fuel tank refilled for the next lucky hirer. However, Broadland Mars wouldn't be going out again for another week.

Travelling The Slipway

Back On The Main Dike

Boats Leaving The Yard

And The Mars Returning

We returned to reception and I got £24 back for unused fuel, I was really shocked and questioned it. The last time we crossed Breydon Water was on Broads Sunset and we had to pay a further £40, but I was told that these older boats were really good at conserving fuel. With extra money in my pocket, we treated ourselves to mugs of hot tea, and egg & bacon rolls while we waited for the taxi.

The taxi ride to Norwich was uneventful, we missed chatting to our usual driver from Catfield cabs, as he had retired. We got to Norwich station a few hours early, so caught a bus into the Elm Hill part of Norwich for a couple of hours, then walked back to the station, I felt a pang of nostalgia as we crossed Foundry bridge, and saw the spot we were moored a few nights before at the yacht station.

Nostalgic Views

The train back to Manchester was on time, and although a very long journey we were comfortable enough. We knew we would be back in Norfolk soon, but it was unlikely to be this year as we were going to Italy in August/September, so we were really going to have a withdrawal.

It wasn't long after being back, that we back Broads Harmony for 10 nights in April.

Day 8 - COLTISHALL TO SUTTON

After a really good nights sleep I woke refreshed, we had a long leisurely breakfast. Coltishall Common is a splendid place to just hang around, and every time we come here we stay until the last minute. I walked up to the shop for some milk, didn't really need it, I just wanted to have one last walk over the common.

One Last Walk

The day was brighter than yesterday, and cruise down our favourite stretch of river was spectacular. More wildlife was seen this time than ever before, we saw  families of Geese, Ducks, Swans, and plenty of Herons and Kingfishers.

Back Down he Bure

Goslings & Ganders

Swimming Lessons

Another Family

Looking For Herring

Pretty Church At Belaugh

Wroxham moorings were very busy, there were three boats in front of us waiting for the pilot, but we were under the bridge within twenty minutes. The pilot hopped ashore as we weren't planning a stop this time, as we had quite a distance to travel today.

Leaving The Busy Moorings

Tight Fit

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

No Time To Shop

Back Under Next Year

I turned the boat into Salhouse Broad, and just cruised around the board. This was our first visit to the broads that we weren't stopping here, Salhouse is our favourite broad. A little down river we discovered that our water tank was empty. I remember getting up in the night to use the toilet, and half asleep, I must have returned to bed leaving the tap running. All the water from the kettle had been used, so there was no more tea until we refilled.

Property Watch

Gotta Have A Boathouse

Got My Eye On This One

As we turned the corner into Horning we spotted a boat just leaving the public staithe, so I had us moored within a few minutes. As we were locking the boat, a guy from the broads authority made us aware there was a boat show at 2pm, and the spaces on the staithe were reserved. I told him that we were only going to be there for 20 minutes, which he was fine with.

Getting Ready For The Boatshow

20 Minutes To Hit The Village

We walked into the village and looked around the shops, buying some of the same delicious marmalade that we bought last time from the delicatessens. We walked down to the New Inn and arranged a mooring and water, and lunch. We didn't really want lunch, as we had some cheese and rolls in the fridge which we wanted to use up, and we weren't that hungry.

Best Marmalade In Norfolk

Time To Move On

Walking Down To The Swan

We moved the boat down the 200 yards or so, and Gus welcomed us. He asked if we had a lunch booking, and Paul told him that we only wanted to fill up with water. Gus said just pull into the boatyard next door and he would sort us out. He filled the tank, so we didn't have to get off the boat, which we were really grateful as the day was getting on.

Leaving With A Full Tank

We made good time, and were soon turning up the river Ant, when we passed Ludham Bridge, we pulled over and moored up for a late lunch. We continued up the Ant, and after passing How Hill, I had to do quite a bit of manoeuvring as a procession of boats passed me. They were obviously just leaving Richardsons, starting they holidays, as their steering was a little rusty. That twisty bit of the Ant, just before Irstead can be tricky passing boats, but I eventually reached Barton Broad.

Approaching How Hill

Twisty River Ant

The Return Journey

The Ice House, Irstead

Crossing Barton Broad

I always get that sad feeling when crossing Barton Broad in this direction, and I felt a pang of jealously as I passed all the excited faces of the holidaymakers coming in the opposite direction. I turned down the dike, and was soon crossing Sutton Broad, and the sun finally came out in strength. The Sutton moorings were full, all the way down to Sutton green, the only space was the same corner bit by the cut, where we moored last time, but weren't sure if it was a legal space. I got a few looks, but nobody said anything, and I wasn't in anybodies way.

Entering Sutton Broad

Really Undiscovered Lovely Broad

Narrow But Long

I had planned on walking through Sutton village, right down to the pottery showroom, but the weather was so lovely, that I just sat on the boat and enjoyed the sunshine and the Norfolk sunset.
We walked round to the Sutton Staithe Hotel, and had a great meal of steak and chips, and a dessert, well it was our last night.

Our Usual "Suspect" Mooring Place

Enjoying The Late Afternoon Sun

Unless you are moored on the village green, a torch is essential once it's dark at Sutton, or your could end up walking straight into the water. We did a little packing, watched some TV, and went to bed wishing we could have another week.

Day 7 - THURNE TO COLTISHALL

Was awake by 8 am this morning, the sky seemed overcast again but hopefully, like yesterday, this would burn off later. As we sat drinking our coffee we remarked at how quiet it was, although Thurne Dike is a quite place to moor, and there was no sign of life, only one other boat moored up there.

Empty Thurne Dike

We set off around 9 am, and turned the boat easily, which is usually quite a feat, but with the dike almost empty it wasn't a challenge. We were soon passing St. Benets, and it was looking good, now they had removed the scaffolding after it's face lift. I never noticed the Abbey when we passed on Sunday, maybe because there were a lot of boats at the staithe, but this morning there was nobody about, so I could get a real good look.

St Benet's Looking Good

We had phoned the Bridge Pilot yesterday, and been told there wouldn't be a problem getting under the bridge if we were in Wroxham by midday. The river was certainly quiet this morning, with hardly any traffic through Horning which was a first for us. When you visit the Southern Rivers, it's hard to gauge how busy the week is, as you see very little traffic, but this week seemed quieter then the year before.

Nobody Around As We Passed St Benedicts

Passing The Ferry Inn

The Golden Mile Begins

Familiar Sight Of Nelly Dean

Passing Horning For Now

The riverside properties came into view, the sun hadn't broke through, it was 11:30 am and it seemed unlikely that the day was going to be sunny like the last two days. As we approached the bridge, the only boat moored at the pilot moorings was a sailing boat, which was demasting, I've only ever seen motor cruisers above Wroxham Bridge, after which the river get narrow, and I would have thought sailing wasn't an option . With the pilot station blocked, I was left wondering where to go, when luckily a cruiser came under the bridge with the pilot on board, who jumped straight onto our boat and took control.

Wroxham Residences

Approaching The Bridge

It was Dave, the pilot that took us under the bridge the first time, and who recommended the Kings Arm to us. He moored us at the stern on moorings, it was just before midday. We had missed the 11:10 train to Aylsham, the next train was at 2pm, so we had a wander around town, looked at house prices in the estate agents, and got supplies at Roys. We returned to Mars and had lunch, feeding the swans with the leftovers.

On The Other Side

Looking Towards The Park

Waste Disposal

Back From Roys

Although I knew where Wroxham station was located, I didn't know where the separate steam train station was. We left early and went the long way, along the road and under the old brick railway bridge, and still arrived at the old fashioned station in good time. We boarded the narrow gauge carriages, which were very plush and comfortable, the carriage in front of us was huge, and quickly filled with a coach party of disabled and their carers, with a lot of cheering the train pulled out of the station.

Small But Comfortable Carriages

The Large Carriage

The journey was very pretty, going through some really lovely scenery, we could follow the river further than we could by boat. The first stop was Coltishall, which was where we were heading later today, and for us was the limit of navigation. The journey lasted 45 minutes, and made a really pleasant afternoon. We finally went though a very long tunnel, where we really got a good smell of coal smoke. Once through the tunnel we were at Aylsham station, the end of the line, and we had 45 minutes before the last train to Wroxham left.

Pulling Out Of Wroxham

Norfolk Countryside

Passing Right Through Tiny Hamlets

Safely Arrived In Aylsham

We walked up the road which led into Aylsham, and a good 5 minutes later we were in the centre of town, in the large pretty market place, today wasn't a market day. We explored our way down a few pretty lanes, and soon came to the impressive church and cemetery. We looked in a few shops, and bought some beautiful hand made chocolate bars from an old fashioned sweet shop. Our time nearly up we walked back to the station, bought an ice cream which we sat and ate it on the train.

Road From The Station

The Main Stretch

Not A Market Day

Aylsham Market?

Narrow Lanes

A Lovely Little Town

Aylsham Church

Church Gates

The Village Continues On ....

But Time To Go Back

The journey back was just as interesting, as facing the opposite direction there was lots more to see. We followed a narrow little stream as it weaved through the woods by the track. The stream grew wider and it became evident that this was the river Bure.

Train Not Left Yet

Plenty To See Going Back

Back In Wroxham

Back at Wroxham, we saw a footpath that took us over the main road, and brought us into Wroxham main station, we crossed the track through a pedestrian tunnel, and were soon walking through the park right next to the staithe. Such a short distance when you know the way.

The Park By The Moorings

Back In Wroxham, Time To Leave

It was getting late in the day, so we cast off and was soon underway to Coltishall. I've said it every time, but I have to say it again, the journey here is just lovely, it's so peaceful, you hardly see another boat here. I'm not sure if it's because some boats cannot travel under Wroxham, of because hire craft have to pay for the pilot to take them under, but the wildlife here seem to have reclaimed the river. It was just before 6 as the familiar sight of Coltishall Common came into view, and we moored up in our usual space, next to the boat shed. It was too late for a stroll into the village, but we left the canopy open for as long as possible. There is something lovely about the leafy common at dusk, watching the cars on their way home, the people out walking their dogs, the sky darkening and the lights twinkling from the two pubs.

Journey Up To Coltishall

Great Stretch Of River

Belaugh Staithe & Church

Familiar House Outside Coltishal

Usual Moorings

All Moored Up

Twinkling Lights Of Both Pubs

We walked over to the Kings Head at 8pm, and got a very nice table in the corner. We decided to have some soup which was Celeriac and Mushroom, followed by our usual Sausage and Mash, both courses were really delicious. We noticed on the next table the couple who were demasting their sailing boat at Wroxham, and exchange pleasantries with them. We were so pleased with the quality of the food, we each ordered a Vanilla Creme Brule with Tuile Biscuits. We never usually do 3 course, but when in Coltishall......

Leaving For Dinner

A Welcome Sight

Our Favourite Norfolk Pub

We walked back across the common to the boat by torch light, another perfect week on the broads almost over, tomorrow was our last full day. Heavy hearts and heavy stomachs.