Grecian Girl -The Official NORFOLK BROADS FORUM

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Holiday tales seem to have been a bit quiet recently, so here is an account of my last Broads visit , starting on Saturday 28th of May.
This year it was with family, so a larger boat for 6 was needed. My usual choice is a centre cockpit, but thought of trying something different, so Grecian Girl was booked. Arrived at the very tidy Summercraft yard at 12.30, and told that she was already and we could park our cars under the shelter to unload straight into the boat, so unloading began, and a run through the boat finding out the various differences, and the usual check sheet. Eventually away at 2p.m. so it was lunch on the move, and heading for Ranworth, the wind was now quite strong, and mooring a strange boat with no bow thruster was never going to be easy! there was one space to the side of the dinghy dyke and things were going quite well when the wind took the bow the wrong, eventually with the help of the crew off another boat we got moored up o.k. The usual watchers commented that we were the third boat that had tried for that space!
Now it was dinghy sailing time and the hired dinghy was rather better than some we have hired in the past. Early evening and Pizzas at The Maltsters seemed a good idea, and very nice too, with a choice of 5 toppings in the price, or more if needed, and Wherry of course.

chris

chrismbooth

Jun-12-2018 @ 1:52 PM

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Sunday morning and another warm sunny day. First off a visit to the Conservation centre, as had not visited for a long time. Grandchildren  (3 and 8) interested to see
inside the centre.   Next was back to the staithe, and Coffee and cake from the coffee shop.
    Had thought about stopping for lunch at ludham Bridge, but all moorings were full through the bridge, we should have stopped at the grass bank mooring before the bridge.  So carried on to How HILL, But again full. so it was lunch on the move, and carry on to Stalham. where we moored in Richardsons yard. Some now went shopping, and Grandson and I visited the Broads Museum which is always interesting.
     That evening we ate on board, and the children had some rowing instruction.

chris

chrismbooth

Jun-13-2018 @ 3:07 PM

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Day 3 Monday,  Sunday was surprisingly busy everywhere we went, Monday morning at Richardsons we knew why, boat after boat started arriving at the yard, obviously a lot had been on weekend breaks, and the rest of the week things were generally less busy.
    Our first stop was at How Hill to explore the nature trail, seeing an amazing amount of Dragon Flies, after that long walk we were really ready for Coffee and cake at the Tea rooms.  The Pleasure Wherry was at the Staithe, and we were able to go on board and hear some of its History.  Next stop ws at Ludham Bridge, where we visit the shop and then had lunch on board.
     Our stop for the Night was Potter Heigham, Ice creams consumed, the obligatory visit to Lathams, and enquiring about a day boat for next days visit to things through the bridge, decided to try one of the Electric boats from Phoenix. Had a look at the 'Broadshaven'tavern,  but decided to eat on board, then some more Dinghy rowing.



chris

chrismbooth

Jun-13-2018 @ 3:33 PM

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Tuesday Morning.
Crossed the Bridge to get the Day Boat from Phoenix, £91 for 5 Hours, leaving at 9.30, heading for Horsey Mere to see how the Wind pump restoration was progressing. The Electric Day boat was really very quiet and faster than I thought it would be,(so watch your speed!) although performance tailed off a little through the day, but at no time too slow. In the last few years whenever I have crossed Horsey Mere it has been quite rough and once a thunderstorm, and then it clears up, today was no exception to the rule and some would have difficulty finding the mooring going up, and the entrance to the river coming back.
     The Mill restoration now looks nearing completion but at the moment only the ground floor is viewable.
Coffee and cake of course, then continue our journey to Hickling where we all had lunch at the Pleasure Boat.
definately worth a visit.  we were back at Potter Heigham at 2.30, and the bridge gauge was reading 6' 3".
     Then it was on to Womack, where we were surprised to find a mooring at the Staithe, walked to the village, explored Staithe road I had not been down before, presumably there was at one time another Staithe there. Getting near eating time, we asked at the kings Arms what time they started serving food, and the answer was all day, so after the children had spent time in the playground we went inside to order, everyone was pleased with the food and train enthusiast grandson was keen to see the model train going round which they started for us.
    Watched the new version ofSwallows and Amazons DVD, better than I had feared!

chris

chrismbooth

Jun-13-2018 @ 3:36 PM

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The Phoenix fleet electric day boat at Horsey.

chris

Trevor

Jun-13-2018 @ 4:06 PM

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It is nice to hear your holiday Chris keep it up.

Lord Trevor
of Sealand

daviddownunder

Jun-14-2018 @ 2:58 AM

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Thank you for sharing your holiday story Chris.

Not many members seem to post stories anymore

Regards
David

Regards
Dave Downunder

chrismbooth

Jun-15-2018 @ 2:24 PM

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Wednesday 30th May. Heavy rain last night but fine this morning. Filled up with water, took ages and Grecian Girl has 2 tanks. we had filled up on Monday at Richardsons. Left Womack about 10a.m. heading for Stokesby, Lunch at the Tea Room, bu alas no moorings to be found. so decided on Pedros at Acle. I knew from last year that they charge £5 for mooring, but it is refunded at the Restaurant, so surprised to see a newly altered sign saying mooring £10 but still refunded at restaurant, however it transpired that they only refund £5, so not too happy about that. But the lunch was very good, quite Spanish, but nicely prepared and served. The man who collected the fee said that everyone was complaining, and it had only started to apply that day.
That evening we moored at Salhouse broad £9,50.
Nick and I hired a Canadian canoe for an hour (£10) something neither of us had done before. After eating out at lunchtime, we ate on board, then did some dinghy rowing.
The photo is of a carving at How Hill, commemorating a win at the 1936 Olympic games, details in next photo

chris

chrismbooth

Jun-15-2018 @ 2:26 PM

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Here is a photo of a plaque that the carving at How Hill commemorates.

chris

chrismbooth

Jun-15-2018 @ 2:39 PM

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Thursday 31st May.
Today we hoped to get through Wroxham Bridge, so left at 8.30 to try and be there near to low tide, but Grecian girl needs 7'6" according to the plate, and the bridge gauge indicated 7'3" so found a mooring in Faircraft loynes yard, and walked over the bridge, I saw one of the Pilots just coming through the bridge, so asked him of the possibility of getting through the bridge, and he said no problem and he walked back over the bridge with us to take us through. There was plenty of room. We now visited the extended 'Wroxham miniature world' display, Coffee and cake needed now, then on to Roys for some shopping and lunch on board.
Arrived at Coltishall around 3 p.m. Children amused themselves on the grass there, Ice creams from the van, visit to the shop, and food on board this evening.

chris