Almost Spring - Why Not Buy A Boat?

Ever felt the need to break away from the traditional garden setting and let the world pass you by? Boating is the perfect way to escape AND relax. Unlike a caravan, with a boat even the journey becomes part of the adventure and with so many free 24 hour moorings around the Norfolk Broads it needn't cost you a fortune. Simply take the food and drink that you would have consumed at home with you adding further to your savings. Hence, a holiday afloat can be just the ticket for your relaxation and your pocket. There are some costs to bear in mind though. The annual boat toll to the Broads Authority. You're also advised to take out insurance and you'll need somewhere to keep your pride and joy moored. However, when you consider that you've a ready made bolt hole whenever you want it, the overall costs can work out very reasonable over a year. Yes, even cruising in winter can be enjoyable. THINK ABOUT IT! If you're seriously considering this lifestyle option, why not watch the video and get in touch with our dedicated team who'll do everything they can to find the boat of your dreams. Just watch and enjoy!

Maximise that HEAT !

You can't go too close !

Insultaion sleeve overlap

Having watched a programme about refitting a narrow boat it ocurred to me that I was losing heat from the warm air system. The corrugated pipes have a large surface area from which the heat loss can be considerable. Although this lagging is expensive I couldn't believe how much difference it made when all the pipes were fully sleeved. It's a fiddly job because the sleeves are a tight fit but the tip I was given worked well. A plastic bag (of the thicker variety than the flimsy supermarket jobs) is slipped over the end of the pipe when disconnected. This helps when pushing the pipe through the sleeve. They come in 75cm lengths so a good overlap is essential to maintain that insulation effectiveness. The system went from blowing warm air into the saloon, berth, heads and demisters to blowing hot air. Remarkable.

Stunning fortnight afloat.

Sunrise or sunset they're always stunning on the River Waveney.

Although blessed with hot weather by day, as you can see we were flying the Norfolk flag and at St.Olaves we woke to a thick coating of ice which soon burned away.

Visitors included Grace who stayed on board for four days. Sheri loves the reed warblers and this woman at Geldeston was taking her ferrets for a walk!

Busy days and lots of relaxation. The girls (and Fudge) flaked out after a long walk. In the sunshine Fudge had her own shade! Happy days.

New Years Day Cruise

We kept up the tradition of taking family and friends for a new Years Day cruise and the tide was low for the Norwich run right up inside the City. We even went round Thorpe Green with Mrs. Webb taking the helm to steer us under the rail bridge just a a train went over!(1) I'd already navigated the crooked approach to Bishops Bridge (2) and coming home we spotted this rather clever extension on a boat. Is it a bimini or is it a shed? HAPPY NEW YEAR

November cruise

What a weekend! Absolutely flat calm on Saturday. Just look (1) not a breath of wind. Fudge always enjoys a spot of fishing (2) but didn't catch anything. A hot cuury on Saturday and a warm night and Sunday we went to take part in Remembrance Sunday at the war memorial in Loddon. (3) passing the old mill. (4) in front of the church and memorial. (5) as they march off.

After Sunday lunch at the Kings Head it's off home on a beautiful afternoon (6) getting home just as the sun is setting(7). Perfick !

Late October River Lunch

After a hectic day on the booze cruise we made the most of the wonderful October weather. A week to go to November and look at it. People dining outside the Ferry Inn at Surlingham. Not too busy on the river, everyone was moored up and the swans wre having lunch too!

Northern Rivers - 17 - 25 Sept 2011

Off we went with a week to re-explore the northern end of the Norfolk Broads with another crossing of the infamous Wroxham Bridge without a repeat performance of last time. First we had to get there which means downriver along the Yare and across Breydon Water, catching the tide right to get under the two bridges there.

By the lower reaches of the Yare the storm clouds had gathered and there were bolts of lightning striking the marshes. Fortunately the wind wasn't too strong but we put in at Burgh Castle and visited a friend whilst we let the rest of the tide go out. Late afternoon we made Great Yarmouth, still with some rainy intervals, but safely under the bridges. As the light was fading we thought we'd spend the night at Stokesby. It was FULL. This was the first indication of how busy this part of the Broads still is. On with the navigation lights and press on to Acle Bridge by darkness.

Early next morning we headed for Wroxham. Passing through Horning we spotted this new landmark - the symbol of one of the hire companies. All along the route there were boats, boats and more boats but we reached our destination just after midday. Availing ourselves of some friends moorings we checked out the local knowledge to find that there was too much water in the system at the moment and we wouldn't get under - or - if we did we might not get back. As there's no public moorings this side of the bridge we had to abandone the mission. I know what you're saying!!

What we did spot was a new looking wherry that we haven't seen before. Couldn't make out the name because it was in scroll type gold lettering which was impossible to decipher. Anyone know? This was Sunday afternoon, the busiest part of the week and jostling our way downriver on the Bure we took a diversion to Ranwaorth (Malthouse) Broad. It was by pure look that a familiar looking boat pulled away as we were coming in to moor. Friends with a similar taste to ours when it comes to boats. Thanks guys. It was quite obvious by now that this wouldn't mean a peaceful nights sleep squashed in between the others we we stayed for a while and gained some inside knowledge from a local. Turning up the River Ant, through Ludham Bridge and past How hill and Irstean we made across Barton Broad and eventually found what we were looking for. We thought we'd been on every mooring on the Broads but this one is so secret that we just hadn't noticed it. So we tucked ourselves against the single quay heading under the trees and had a peaceful night after all. A long walk the next day took us across some wonderful open marshland. And that wasn't the only new walk we discovered. The next day we came to rest at Sutton Staithe. This is the eel that came out in the basin. On the surface, a coot took time to give himself a wash and, watching from a convenient overhanging branch was the kingfisher waiting to the next meal.

Another place that we walked past on our daily perambulations was an old farmhouse the gable end of which had decorative work. I think it's called pargetting or something like that. Take a look and see what I mean.

Another grand sight was the Wherry Albion (see the video by searching the name top right of the page) Some other lucky people experiencing the old black sails flapping over the Thurne. Towards the end of the trip, after a pleasant crossing of Breydon water with the tides and wind in our favour, we put in at Loddon for a night and then went round to Langley dyke for the last night. Saturday was the Yare Navigation race organised by Coldham Hall Sailing Club and we walked round to Hardley wind pump. It was their last day of the season so a BBQ and beer tent were on hand to sustain us whilst we watched the yachts race by. They've also now put in the water pump mechanism and got the pipe to return the water to the dyke so next year should see the whole mill in working order as she used to be. All in all a great week apart from when I shook the ketchup bottle and the lid flew off. I'll let you guess what happened next!

Afloat with the kids.

We were down the River Waveney with everyone on board. After a night at the Marina in Beccles we pulled through the bridge and moored at the Lido outdoor pool where the Big Dog ferry operates up to Geldeston lock which was our next destination.

The boys were fishing but grandaughter Grace wanted to join in. She didn't like touching the fish but was right at home with the maggots!

At the Locks Inn the bride and groom having their reception there wanted to be photographed next to the boat.

On Oulton Broad this is the only way to read your paper in peace and quiet.

On the hill at Somerleyton, one way to avoid the long climb!

Time to meet up and have a BBQ followed by a camp fire into the night.

In the capable hands of our Captain.

One last sighting before reaching the marina.

As Blondie said - the tide is (was) HIGH

Low pressure over the North Sea and an onshore wind kept the water in the Broads this weekend. It meant that we got caught on the wrong side of Beccles bridge!

Should've thought something was unusual when we came under Somerleyton bridge. 1. We just made it but the slightly higher hire craft coudn't and had to turn back. Sunday - we had the same predicament when approaching Beccles old bridge. Although it was low tide, the level was still too high for us to get under. We returned to Geldeston and Sheri stayed on board until Monday.

Sunday at the Locks Inn and the water was over the quay heading and path! Monday - and the levels were back to normal. We got home by 8pm.