Thursday 14th August 2008 - Day trip and fishing with Arabella and Harriet

The arrival of some sunny and warm weather provided the opportunity at short notice for a day trip on Lady Martina along the River Bure with my new friend Arabella and her daughter Harriet.
Lunch beckoned at the New Inn as we sat by the river to start with and the nearby maggot dispenser proved useful, as we needed the best bait for some fishing. However, the wasps made poor company, (despite some quickly-improvised wasp bottle wasp traps that killed a dozen of them) and we soon moved on to "The Galley" for an excellent coffee and provisions for our meal later.

We then left Horning and cruised upstream to Salhouse Broad where we first picked up some ice creams from the Ice Cream Boat and then moored up to try some fishing and sunbathing.

The sunnier spells created the odd bikini opportunity but this August summer month has been a mixture of cool breezes and showers and we were lucky to get some warm sun before the inevitable rain arrived.With the covers up, we cruised back in good spirits despite the unfortunate acquisition of some unwelcome substances, which were a product of a short shore excursion. Once the source of the unfortunate smell had been tracked down, the combination of a bucket of river water and the convenience of "gel" sandals soon remedied that whilst we were underway!I did not think that my guests noticed too much that I was making way slowly to time our arrival back at Ropes Hill Dyke to coincide with the return of the warm sun.Later on, as the weather cleared again, the most successful fishing was to be had right off my own moorings and a succession of roach sacrificed themselves to Harriet's rod and float-fished midwater maggots as a fitting climax to the sporting side of the day. It was my task to act as fishing coach as a nice barbeque and salad was prepared for us on the balcony courtesy of my honoured guest chef.

It was sad to have to finish a splendid day, but an evening Salsa dancing class beckoned for me and my guests had plans for the weekend, but the rods were put away with the promise of further opportunity before too long.Being on extended shore leave and hosting regular visits from friends here in Norfolk has been a very pleasant change to the non-stop cruising around Europe in recent years. This has easily become a pleasure rather than a frustration as the house, boat and barbeque set had been sadly under-utilised until this summer.

9th August 2008; Horning Salsa party, BBQ and boat trip

Thirty five guests joined me aboard Lady Martina in two sessions for a trip out of Ropes Hill Dyke and along the River Bure on the Norfolk Broads. Pictures 1. Lady Martina on Horning
Reach passing trip boat "Southern Comfort". 2. Skipper David Broad dancing with Gosia and, of course, watching the helmsman closely!
The route followed was along the Bure and past the village of Horning and then back upstream and into Blackhorse (or Hoveton Little) Broad so that they could see what a "real" Norfolk Broad was. (ie a large lake formed by medievel peat digging rather than a tall guy with little hair)
The party theme was Salsa music and dancing and the happy revellers were dancing on the cabin roof, for'd and aft decks under the watchful and sober eye of myself. ( I had to say that because of my new Broads Authority responsibilities!)
















Once back at Heronshaw, the BBQ and party proper got under way and those present declared that was arguably the best party they had been to in a long while.

Fathers Day family trip

Fathers Day Boat Trip

(Right) "Who Pressed that Button?"

Sunday June 15th 2008

Everybody slept very well in the house and boat and we all took turns through the Heronshaw bathroom as I dispensed hot drinks and then made the breakfast. We first served the children with cereal and toast in the kitchen/diner and then distracted them with TV again as the adults ate. It was a splendid breakfast of cereals and toast again and everybody was satisfied. I then opened my nice cards and presents which included some butter fudge and tickets to the NCFC vs Spurs football friendly at Carrow Road. Once we had all got prepared, I took them all on a boat trip on Lady Martina, first going upstream to look around Blackhorse Broad and then on to Salhouse to buy ices from the Ice Cream Boat; and then downstream to moor up at the Ferry Inn, where I treated everyone to lunch at the buffet there. It had been very nice going on that boat trip in this way and everybody enjoyed it immensely.

(left) Daniel and James relaxing

By mid-afternoon, Debbie and Della had to get off to their partners and Daniel drove Julie and the children off home.

Grandson James at home on

"Lady Martina" see http://www.ladymartinacom/

South Dock to Horning

This was a truly successful day and a wonderful achievement to be starting out in a London Dock and then finishing off by arriving at Horning, right next to my house without stopping or being delayed at any point. Della was a great help as my crew so that it was a good team effort. Despite the very early start and late finish, she enjoyed the experience immensely and did not mind getting up so early but then took the opportunity to have naps en route to get some sleep. I managed quite well, but was obviously very tired at the end having not had any rest at all for I had to stay vigilant throughout in view of the inexperience of my crew. The weather was raining off and on all day but light drizzle such that there was hardly any wind and the sea was from slight to glass-like with smooth being the norm. I got us locked out at 3.30am and dawn was delayed in the gloom but, though dark to start with and misty at times, visibility was never an issue and the boat ran well. There was vibration, which made cruising above ten knots impossible, but we were early enough and had a good plan and feedback on progress to know how fast to go to arrive at Great Yarmouth on time and I was actually able to slow down as we approached Lowestoft to save fuel and wear and tear. I even called them to say that we could make the Haven Bridge for 4.00pm, so they could bring the time forward t then if it suited. They then referred to the bridge lift on the VHF as the 4.00pm/4.15pm opening and managed to organise communications with the other vessels accordingly.

When cruising through the Harbour, I got Della to take the helm whilst I got the covers down and removed the flag staff and winch and then, once through the Haven bridge, I lowered the mast with all of its mounted equipment and adjusted the pulpit height gauge for windscreen level and headed for the Bure bridges.

It was a very low Spring tide low water and so I could easily get under the bridges but my main worry throughout was the depth of water under the bridges. With the ebb tide still fully running, I edged against it and could maintain very good way and control of the vessel and we emerged unscathed and ready to cruise up the Bure. By this time it was raining again and so, having got as much of the stuff off of the bridge and inside as possible, I stayed up there and let Della go inside as I cruised up to Acle. On this journey, depth was a continuous issue but we did not ground at all, even though just 1.3m showed on the one working echo sounder from time to time. I stopped at the defunct shop moorings just upstream of the Acle Bridge and moored up so that Della could help me put the bridge back together. I then cruised steadily up the Bure as we watched a film on the DVD. Ropes Hill Dyke was quite shallow and silty at the entrance past the sailing club as the water level was rather low but I managed to carry on without grounding and found my own dyke of sufficient depth to allow me into it bow first. By this time, it was 8.30pm and Della would have liked to be driven home, but I persuaded her to just collapse into bed and stay the night for rest and recuperation and this we did. I also had to put the boat to bed and we just had the Range Rover to hand and I was too tired to drive safely anyway. This ended an eventful and productive day and now I had the boat at home and need not keep travelling to it any more.