Brinks Belmore TC - Day Three
I was up pretty early and getting ready - occasionally peering out of
the window and noting that the weather had taken a real turn for the
worse - gone were the cloudless skies and in their place a real chill
had arrived and outside was gloomy, low grey cloud and looking like it
could rain at a moments notice.
We had overnighted at the Ferry House, Surlingham and after I had
made do with a shave in luke warm water left from the previous evenings
engine running I was none the less pleased I had not disturbed anyone -
then around half seven our neighbours engine coughed into life and the
peace was shattered. I have to say that Belmore TC like several other
boats I had hired from Barnes Brinkcraft benefit from a double waterlock
silencer a larger device close to the exhaust outlet on the engine and
then a smaller one just before the water and exhaust gases are ejected
from the boat. The result outside is a very muffled note of the engine
and just the splash of the ejected water into the river.
Soon Shiela was up too and as another boat had started their engine
so I did too to get things heating up for she would not be making do
with anything other than hot water. Kettle on I sat down and looked at
the tide table - it was about an hour from low water at Norwich which
seemed ideal - we would have no issue with any bridges on the way in -
it was further decided that on a chilly grey day the seaside at Yarmouth
was not going to be a good bet. So we decided to go around the
Cathedral and then do some shopping and stop off for lunch before
returning to the boat.
We arrived at the Yacht Station just as fine rain began to fall, it
would be repeated again later int he day but I still had not figured out
how to moor gracefully in Belmore. On boats like Omega, and Royale one
could approach a mooring at tick over, move into neutral and steer away
from the bank - go astern brining the boat to a stop and having the
last few feet of the stern gently touch the quay and thus also bring the
bow in all in a single move. Belmore on the other hand was a different
beast - when one performed this same manoeuvre the boat would come to a
halt then immediately (and rather quickly) go sideways into the quay.
While it was a case of the fenders doing their job I was not happy
because this was not something I was used to having happen preferring a
more civil arrival to a mooring. While my approach to and departure
from moorings is one might say different, often it is because I am alone
so don't have the benefit of someone to aid with ropes or pushing the
boat away as one leaves.
My plan originally was to moor in Norwich overnight - Shiela's train
was not until 7:00pm so it made sense, however upon talking to the
Ranger at the Yacht Station he offered to sell me a day ticket for £5.00
see how we felt and if we came back and the there was room (if 10ft
shows at the Town Bridge then about 9ft will be showing at Trowse
Bridge) we could head back down river and moor somewhere quieter and get
a cab back to the station later. We left the boat and went exploring -
finding very shortly a way to the Cathedral and my goodness what a sight
this is. I thought some filming was going on to begin but it was
because of the Peregrine Falcon's which have nested on a platform pretty
far up the spire of the Cathedral. The Hawk & Owl Trust had a
selection of spotting scopes aimed so one could see - my 'old Blog
camera' however proved rather capable of zooming in to where the
platform was, though no birds were spotted.
We then entered the Cathedral and I was struck by the size and beauty
of the internal space - I am not overly religious by any means, but
felt very much like I wanted to take it all in - to relax and think and
contemplate on life on the past and the future and found it very
beneficial spending some quiet time there. I then got the camera out to
try and capture some of the scenes, and it was not before long that an
announcement was made a service would be starting shortly - then the
grand Organ came to life the most amazing thing was the way the sound
seemed to come from every direction at equal volume - really special and
pleased could capture its sound while there.
We left the Cathedral and went looking about - spotting a nice hotel,
a good selection of places to eat and noticed too the great many
specialist shops past the usual high street brands Norwich has to
offer. I popped into the Coleman Mustard shop and then we went to Café
Nero and divulged in a luxurious hot chocolate. Norwich has a great
deal to offer be it in the day for shopping, for places to eat - or in
the evening for drinking and clubbing and will need some more time spent
in future to take it all in.
We got back to the boat not long before Norwich Football Club were
playing at home (whom they were playing I know not) but what I did was
the tide had come in and there was less than 10ft at the Town Bridge -
with 8ft 10" indicated on our plaque at the helm I did not want to get
trapped the wrong side of Trowse Bridge and Shiela did not fancy
spending a few hours alone with a lot of football fans in the city and
so it was decided to depart.
We got under the bridges just fine - though Shiela shouting 'it is
way too far' at Trowse Bidge did confuse me ok to go for it or not? She
meant there was loads of room between the boat and the bridge to pass
under. We arrived at Bramerton Common whereupon I once again cocked up
the mooring and did the quick stop then sideways lurch into the quay.
After we were moored up I plugged into shore power but was confused why
the volt meter pulsed and looking under the engine hatch could see the
Victron Energy combined charge and inverter's light was flashing -
something clearly was still not all ok with the battery/charging system
on the boat but after a power down and power up it seemed to settle and
we had 240v with the batteries being charged too.
I was looking at the fenders and lines wondering about how much slack
should be left when Secret Lady moored and we had a little chat - later
Shiela and I went to the Waters Edge Pub/Restaurant for a drink but
found the atmosphere not very warm and far more geared up for food than a
cosy sit down and a drink. Then sadly her Taxi arrived and that was
that, she was off on her own journey and I wandered back to the boat now
alone. I then had the good fortune to have a chat with (and this is why
I am really very bad) a lovely couple on their boat - but what the
boats name is and their names I know not now (so sorry) but you had
taken your boat down to the southern rivers, a real credit to you
looking fabulous and I am sure if you read this you will enlighten me on
what her name is.
Talking of boats and meeting people, Mark and his wife of Secret Lady
spotted me and asked if I wanted to come onboard for a drink and a
homemade curry - well of course I agreed and the curry was actually very
well prepared in the confines of a boat galley, the conversation was
good and I really enjoyed the evening - time soon rattled on however and
I think it was getting on for, or even past 10:00pm before I was back
onboard Belmore and ready to turn in for the night. It actually felt
rather weird, sad even now being on the boat alone now Sheila had left -
I called her to find she had not long got home - it seemed as if the
moment she had gone home I was then spending many hours with people
drinking and being merry, while she had a terrible train journey which
involved a bus replacement and had work in the morning I felt guilty and
it was not long before I was now in my berth - opting to move to the
smaller single cabin on the port side of the boat. It felt cosy and I
was soon wondering just where I should go tomorrow before drifting off
to sleep.
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