Song of Freedom - Day Four

We had spent the past days cruising for many hours and often getting up early - today therefore was going to be slightly less hectic so it was a later start and not before 9:30am that we departed Loddon Staithe.  

It was low water and I was anxious as it did feel like we were cruising in a paddling pool leaving the Staithe and me worrying how much water was under us - our all but one of our neighbours having departed earlier when perhaps there was more water to be had.  However my worries became true when having passed the last set of moorings (just before the Staithe on the left hand side as you approach Loddon) there was a large floating mound of Reeds.  I moved to the centre of the river to avoid them and just as we came past what now appears to be a type of basin (the bank works scooping out a very large area oblong in shape) I felt the boat touch bottom and slow momentarily as if just struggling to keep going through the water and then no sooner as had sped up and was going along as usual.

I made very sure to not cut any corners but the rest of the journey I was worried we may end up not going anywhere - an judging by the amount of silt we were (and a passing boat) was stirring up this river at low water is still a very shallow one and certainly not for boats which require too much draft.

Back to the Yare and what a change that made as we turned left on to it, the day was grey and a bit chilly - but dry so the canopy was down.  Our destination was Norwich - to go into the centre via Thorpe (under the low railway bridges) if the tide was still low by the time we got there and once in Norwich, turn around and come back to Surlingham to the Ferry House for our overnight mooring and evening meal.

It was much quieter today - being Tuesday many of the Easter visitors clearly had departed to return to work and it was nice to be able to take our time and enjoy the landscape than having eyes in the back of your head waiting to the next boat to appear, catch up and over take.  Everything seems to blue into one and by the time we reached Surlingham the sun was shining and it really was a lovely day to be cruising - really relaxing and my throat and myself was finally beginning to feel a bit better.

Passing Bramerton (still a few boats moored) you could hear the bird song, and the warmth increased - by the time we came to the low railway bridge at Thorpe there was 7' 6" showing  - our boat showing on the helm that she needed 7' 3" - well let's just say I think that plaque is bang on because there really was only a few inches to spare between the canopy roof and rivets of the metal structure as she cruised slowly under.  Not my first time here, I stayed long ago in a hotel - the Oaklands - but was not of course on a boat, and what a nice tucked away gem this area is - even if you got 'trapped by the tide' it would not matter for the lovely pub and quiet feel to things would mean there are worse places to be stranded - if your boat can get there well worth a visit, if it cannot get a dinghy and row along here because it is idyllic and the live aboard boats lining the port bank add charm and a sense of comfort I feel rather than clutter the area.

Just before we got to the second bridge the heavens began to open - but no time to stop and close the canopy so put away all items down below and don the coat - it was a passing shower fortunately, but coming under the second bridge proved even tighter - back on the main river it was but a short distance to 'Norwich proper' whre I noticed the live aboard on the port back just before Trowse bridge had gone - the bank however strewn with rubbish, old chairs etc - he was moored further along approaching the likes of TGI Friday with another boat - I doubt they will stay here for too long too close I suspect to the entertainment area and risk of passers by being able to cause issue -  preferring I am sure a more out of the way place one can tie up and not be bothered other than by the Broads Authority.

As we came past the Yacht Station the Ranger (same chap as I have ever seen) shouted over and began giving instructions.  I have to say, while the chap is decent he has two annoying traits.  One he will not deviate from the script he must repeat every day countless times, and secondly his rope knots are a pain because they get tighter and tighter as more strain is put on them - that aside I was telling him we were not staying but would turn and go back - the look given as if 'you've come all this way only to turn and leave' was classic and wish I had captured it on camera.

We did turn, and then Carousel coming towards us sort of just froze - so we had to stop too I can only presume they were taking in the instructions being shouted over to them and it was not before long they were underway and moving over to 'their side' of the river and the Ranger was off on his bike to assist their ropes and show his rope tricks.   For us it was back through the city, the rain having stayed off and our final destination a couple of hours away.

We had called and booked our mooring and table at the Ferry House and was good to know you could do both, but also choose side on or stern on.   We arrived and I turned to come in so the large Princess, or was it a Fairline fly bridge in front of us worried and looked on as a hire boat came in to moor.  They need not have, their sea anchor would have destroyed our bow had I misjudged anything hanging over their bow like a medieval weapon of torture.  Perfectly moored with spring line to be safe we soon began to pack away our main items so there would be less to do the following morning and we could enjoy a good night at the pub.

The welcome, atmosphere and food was great in the pub and it had made such a difference to hire from a southern based boatyard than have to of come from the north.  Of course it depends on yourself, some prefer to cruise for many hours others do not but there is to many a visitor this sort of invisible line they may not cross if they hire from a northern yard and somehow see the southern rivers as not part of the map.  Don't be put off, do give it a go - a short break is an ideal way to sample some of the best pubs on the Broads, and visit some of the most pretty stretches of river.

Freedom Boating Holidays were always helpful, be it on the welcome given, advice of where to go to their help and fast service to correct a couple of problems along the way - and I think their policy of anyday to anyday hire means you can fit in a visit with your schedule more easily.  My dad also very much enjoyed the time afloat saying it was far more relaxing than if he had gone to a hotel - well of course, I was on hand to cook breakie and convey him from location to location with plenty of Aspalls on tap along the way.