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.