The fisrt report is from our skipper's point of view.
Southern Rivers Cruise – from ‘Bishy’
Wow! What a fantastic week!
Ok so the cruise was scheduled to start on Sunday morning at 10.30am, but with the availability of boat and crew (Tony Southwood), together with fine weather we made for Thurne on Saturday evening. Ok so it was a little late (10 pm), and I am sorry if we woke the sleeping crews of Cordy and Amaryllis as we took Bishy off the moorings to load her for the week.
One plan then was to possibly cruise up to Hunters Yard to meet up with Nick Crane (of Coast fame), who we knew was overnighting at Hunters, as both Tony and I went to school with him, (and to have access to a shower first thing). This plan however was to fail as the favourable wind for a sail to Acle was just too good to miss!
We set off with a clear sky, watching shooting stars and meteorites as we went.
We were not sure how far we would sail, but we knew Glory was already at Stokesby so that was always an option. Acle bridge was done with ease, and on we sailed, making Stokesby by midnight and met with Glory crew (Jo and Cally plus two additional crew, and dog).
Hilary (Martlett) although not joining the cruise ‘welcomed Bishy to ‘the cruise’ and ‘Stokesby’ with a drink – so nice these EACC types!
Sunday brought a very acceptable lie-in followed by a very good leisurely breakfast at the nearby café behind the shop, and allowed us time to read the Sunday paper before the ‘fleet’ began to assemble for the passage to Yarmouth, which was not too demanding, although we did take the precaution of one reef, something we were grateful for when the gusts came through.
The motor through Yarmouth was soon behind us and we had mast and sails up as soon as through Breydon new bridge. A hard, but satisfying sail across Breydon (beating all the way) was completed, with a brief stop at Berney where most of the fleet were finishing their lunch.
With a flood tide, and the reef shaken out, we set off for Reedham Ferry. Unfortunately the wind was still on the nose for much of the way, but the favourable tide more than compensated for this. It was hard work and as we approached Reedham swing bridge I was pleased to see it open. It however promptly closed as we passed holding up Ranger and Joy, both of whom later claimed had been gaining on Bishy!!
We were ready for a drink (of anything!) by the time we got to the Ferry, where additional crew for Bishy (William) was to meet us here for the next days trip to Norwich. Glory came in with mast down and main halyard twisted clearly jamming the possible lowering of the main (the benefit of being able to lower a mast!). Other cuiseriters then set about assisting with the untangle of the offending halyard – what a fine bunch EACC are.
The staff at the Ferry (together with Paul’s help) stewarded us all to the restaurant area where we had all been seated together for a most welcome, if not inspiring meal (I speak for myself). With additional crew on Bishy for the night Tony admirably takes to the forepeak (I did offer – honest!).
It is an early start on Monday, so a quick breakfast before we say goodby to Reedham Ferry (which does have a shower!) and set off on the long trip to Norwich.
Tony joins Glory for the first half of this trip so we sail together with Glory, allowing William and Jo to practise their tacking skills against each other. A detour through Surlingham Broad is made, (and motor started) bringing us out ahead of Pixie and Daffodil. We stop at Postwick, where Cordy, Zandamon and Polly have been ‘abondonded’, to meet with Glory and recover Tony for the Norwich bit of this passage.
Postwick road bridge equires a ‘dip’ of the mast, and soon after we lower the sails when we come to the assistance of one of the ‘Green Wyverns’ drifting. They gratefully accept a tow to Thorpe Island.
And on to Norwich, past others at Whittlingham who opted not to undertake the trip right up into Norwich (sorry Roger and Leslie I forgot to pick you up), under Thorpe rail swing bridge, under Carrow lifting road bridge, Nova Sad foot bridge, the almost complete new foot bridge, Foundry Bridge, Bishops Bridge.
Then we thought we would have a bit of fun, so the mast was raised prompting a helpful lady close to Cow Tower to advise that there was another bridge just around the corner. Up with the sails, allowing Bishy to sail past my office. We did get a few strange looks!
Then sails and mast down for Whitefrars, Fye Bridge, Duke Street, Coslaney Street into New Mills Yard where we were given a rousing greeting from Amaryllis and Moss Rose (together with additional crew of the David and Suzie from Zandamon and David and Ruth from Cordy). They had dutifully waited for some time for us to join them causing them to have to drink more wine! But they were entertained by the antics of the fishermen, one who seemingly managed to get himself arrested!
Glory joins us (well almost), catching the shallows a couple of boat lengths short of us, but its good enough to count – 4 EACCboats to New Mills!
We set off back in convoy, with Bishy stopping at the Ribs of Beef just by Fye Bridge (had we stopped the other side of the bridge we would have appeared in the EDP along with Mossy and Glory!)
The Ribs were ‘boat friendly’ – there is even a little gate in the railings to allow access to a boat. So to make her look tidy we put the mast up! Enjoyed the beer in the sunshine on a nice quiet mooring!!
William then ‘jumps ship’, and we make for Surlingham for the evening, briefly stopping at Morrisons (Riverside) for provisions.
Plans to ‘do the Yare’ are abandoned due to lack of time, and when Paul phones to ask where we are we decide that we should ‘light the iron topsail’ to assist speed to Surlingham Ferry, where moorings had been reserved and again we all ate (almost) at the same time. Another adequate but again uninspiring meal.
Tuesday morning sees much bartering of food; beans for eggs and mushrooms for wine, resulting in a full cooked breakfast. Bishy was away ahead of most of the fleet as Tony was jumping ship (literally) in Brundall – he jumps off as I sail past the mooring! So I am ‘Billy no mates’, and make for Surligham Broad guessing that most of the fleet will come into this broad, which results in six river cruisers briefly sailing around the broad.
The next stop is Rockland, and I take the opportunity to drop the sails in the lee of the trees just before the last bit of the dyke to the staithe. We instantly fill the staithe moorings with river cruisers, attracting much interest from passers by. Its then off the Loddon, and I’m thankful for advice from Nick on Sabrina as to how close (or not) to the bank you can sail on the Yare!
The wind is freshening (I am single handed) and I am most pleased to reach the mouth of the Chet, finding some reeds to nudge into to get the sails down. I now appreciate that us ‘Northern River sailors’ do not often have the ‘benefit’ of tides that the southerners have!!! The tide is gushing out along the Yare, and the Chet is like some kind of sea estuary!!! It seemed like Morston Creek at almost low tide!! The poor little motor struggled to push Bishy up to Loddon, and I phone ahead asking John Aves to get me some meat from the butchers as I realise I will not make closing time.
Eventually we all moor, weather is fantastic BBQ weather, and we are soon sending plumes of tasty smelly BBQ smoke across the river. As Shula (Club Secretary) lives and works in Loddon we give her a call (well she works at a pub!) Although not at work she insists that we join her at her pub, so a good contingent makes the walk to her pub in Chedgrave. There the beer is very good and all are made welcome. I bail out early and enjoy the experience of finding my way across that field in the dark! Others manage to get a lift back to the boats with the licensee!!
Next day sees yet more head winds, so I motor through the cut and put the sails up in Haddiscoe, again a hard slog against the wind, with little or no help from the tide, and having to wait almost half an hour for Somerleyton to open.
As the river meanders round to the west I am blessed with some longer beats, arriving at the Waveney Centre mid afternoon. Out of the wind in the basin with no cloud it must be one of the hottest days of the year so a dip in the pool is most welcome, followed by a walk up to the church.
New crew (Carolyn) arrives in time for the evening meal, again the pub seeks to feed us all together, very commendable, but I have to say the fish cakes were disappointing, although the sticky toffee pudding redeemed them slightly. Apparnatly some cuiseriters valiantly assisted in the celebration of the birth of the licensees grandchild. (The effects of which were noted the following morning).
Thursday saw an early start for Bishy which allowed us to sail, at some point, iazf only briefly as they passed, others of the fleet!
Zandamon had gone ahead and was soon reporting back bridge heights for Beccles, we cleared the bridges and met her at the swimming pool moorings where the rest of the fleet joined us.
A shopping trip into Beccles followed by a climb up the clock tower by some broke the day nicely. Then on to Geldeston, which was a motor all the way. It was a ‘tad’ windy at Geldeston, but we managed to get almost the entire fleet onto the moorings in the lee of the trees (poor old Zandamon and Polly ended up planted on an exposed mooring by the wind!).
Now I never expect much from the food at ‘The Locks’, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised, and their sticky toffee pudding was even better than at the Waveney Centre. Unfortunately though the entertainment was not up to their usual standard. I know it is all about taste, but I want some ‘happy, upbeat, singalong, fun music not depressing morose ‘I want to commit suicide’ music, so we left the bar early and took the opportunity for an early night.
Friday was always going to be a long day as we were planning to make for Stokesby along with Mossy, Ranger and Solace. We sailed to Beccles, then took an extended break waiting for the tide. As soon as it turned we made off towards Yarmouth, Pixie following, deciding that a reef might be prudent. The wind is right on the tail, not far into the journey with the skies darkening I note Pixie doing a 360 behind me, so I dive for cover in the lee of some trees to allow a squall to pass, slipping a second reef in! We motor on until the wind has settled again before raising the sails, and have some fun sailing, which becomes challenging as we approach Somerleyton bridge, with wind against tide we are having bucket loads of spray thrown over us, so we take the opportunity to lower the sails, and then the mast to reduce wind resistance as the wind is now on our nose. It was a challenging period of sailing, and I was comforted to have the motor on tick-over ‘just in case’, and really pleased I had the second reef in!!!
We motor on to Burgh Castle where we had arranged to meet the other three boats, passing Solace at St Olaves with an engine problem. As we approach Burgh Castle without warning the outboard coughs and stops!!! It does re-start and we moor alongside Mossy. In view of this motor problem Mossy agrees to takes us alongside through Breydon and Yarmouth ‘just in case’. The motor fails three times across Breydon, before dying completely as we pass the yacht station. So now poor old Mossy is dragging Bishy up the Bure. A table has been booked for 8.30 at Stokesby Ferry, and we begin to suspect that we may be late so Ranger comes alongside as well to share the load. Several phone calls are made to the pub advising them of our progress and calculated arrival time of 9.0pm. They were very understanding, we made Stokesby bang on 9, mooring all three rafted boats neatly on Di’s parents mooring (great this club EACC you know!), then a swift jog to the pub where they had kept the chef on for us! And they looked after us with a fantastic meal, the best meal of the week bar far. I will be going back, it is even worth dropping the mast to drop down from Thurne!!! We all had good food, my steak was excellent, tasty, juicy and succulent - cooked as ordered. The other meals all looked just as good – the fish cakes were in a different league to those served earlier in the week!! And all at pub food prices.
Bellies full we waddled back to the boats, threw covers on boats and enjoyed a well earned sleep (apart from the fact Bashy was alongside the ‘odd couple’ in Mossy who both snore, but are not synchronised!!) I did sleep however, waking refreshed to clear blue skies. We accepted Ranger’s offer of a tow back to the moorings, taking the opportunity to clean and sort Bishy on route.
It was an absolutely fantastic week, grateful thanks to Paul and Jane for all the organising that went into the week, and thanks to every body else for just being there, or coming to our rescue and towing us when in need.
Looking back on the week I smile at the overheard conversation between the crew of Mossy (the odd couple, Malcolm and Colin), some which are not printable, but their combined humour was appreciated by all.
At one venue our pre-order by boat names was interestingly interpreted with such names appearing as;
Submariner, Fishy, and Gordon Ruge!
Cruising in company is good fun, the support of others is, as I can evidence, most helpful. I recommend to all. I can’t wait for next year - with luck will have the outboard fixed by then!
Jimmy on ‘Bishy’
The second report is a slightly more 'off beat" account from rookie Southern Rivers Cruiser, Malcolm Duffield:
THAT WAS A WEEK THAT WAS
It all started with an email from JJ; there is a berth available, possibly with Moss rose, if interested contact CL. Well as it happens guys and galls my court diary was pretty clear that week so got in touch with CL. Turns out there is a berth available and more to the point he was prepared to put up with me for a week (mad fool!). A flurry of emails then passed between us and arranged for Moss Rose to come to Thurne Saturday afternoon, with a plan for supper at the Bell in Salhouse.
Moss Rose duly arrives and the crew greets the Capt. Who in turn puts t’kettle on. We have a slight re arrangement of the mainsail, followed by a mardle with the crew of Wood Avens, who did not seem to have much experience. Never mind Capt. Colin gave them a few tips. Having put world to rights I am about to leave to get ready for supper when Capt. C suggests a quick one. That sounds ok to me and out comes the Speckled Hen. Ooops, get home at 6 40 and have to rush to get papers back to wholesaler and then change for supper.
It must have been a sign of things to come. I had the Mexican sizzler; full of chillies searing on a skillet and everyone in the room had runny eyes and trouble breathing. Time for windows to be opened with all speed. Food was good. Stopped of at The Bridge at Acle for a pint on way back to Thurne and bumped into Robin & Sue (Claypits) and Slantyculiar (off on their honeymoon (again)). Turns out Steve and Helen heading off to all points south as well. Give them the itinery which enables them to avoid the crowds all week.
Sunday. The sun is out the sky is blue I’m going sailing how about you? Meander to Moss bumping into Joy and Pixie crews and have a chat. Load up Mossy and across to the moorings. Plan for lunch at Stokesby and wait to time the tides right. Meet up with Mischief and “Fishy”. It’s then off to Gt Yarmouth. A good steady breeze takes along, dropping the sails just before the Yacht Station, being passed by Mischief who sailed on down. Under the bridges and on to Breydon, where we decide to motor across as the wind is on the nose and it is a bit choppy. Fishy being Fishy sails all the way over Breydon and on to Reedham. We moor at Berney Arms where “Bezzy Mate” turns up in “Gordon”. Well it seemed rude not to have a beer at the pub, even though it meant missing out on a piece of Leslie’s cake. Me and Bezzy return to the moorings to find most of the fleet had slipped moorings including may it be said his crew (“had a better offer”) and my Capt (“better looking crew”). Well at least my Tilley remained faithful sitting waiting for me on the mooring post looking all forlorn and tied up. For some reason Submarina thought it a hoot (nothing to do with them of course MUCH). Oh well nothing for it but to raise mast and sails of Gordon and trundle off to Reedham. Note to Bezzy Mate - the mast goes up better if your block is not over the topping lift. Oft we go then. Bezzy decides top sail is too loose. Pull it in he says which as dutiful crew I do. Too tight, can you ease it 6 “. I smile politely and ease it. Submarina starts week as she means to go on, putty in the river. We make sure they are ok and continue on our way. It’s a first for Bezzy as he sails through the swing bridge at Reedham (good job it was open). We moor at the Ferry much to the delight of the others and having done so Bezzy then tells me he meant to let me have a go on the helm. Food ok and beer in good condition. After pub shuts a few of us sit at the tables and watch the world go by and a few bottles of wine go down.
Monday. The dawn breaks at 5 30 ish and as the bilge pump works its magic a few snaps are taken. Today is up to Norwich and head of navigation at New Mills. We sail for Brundall. After a while Capt. says “would you like to helm” “yes please (says I says you), where would you like me to go?” C “Follow that boat in front and catch it up.” No1 “why?” C “Because I can’t!”. Well nor could I and Bezzy gets to Brundall first. We moor at Postwick Staithe for Tea (thanks Suzie) and 4 boats decide to go. Moss Rose Amaryllis Fishy and Sun Glory. Off we trot and we get to New Mills and mud weight at the end of navigation for a relaxing lunch. Is it me or is there something about 30 something men with shaved heads who think that they have a god given right to fish even if there are boats moored there. Well this nice young man was slightly put out by us being there and politely asked David “2 gowns” Hopwood if we would be so kind as to move as the fish he wanted to catch were where we had moored. Unfortunately David could not hear him because of the noise of the water and had to tell this man that several times, each time the use of Anglo Saxon words gets louder. The angler’s mate arrives, or was it his twin brother 30 something shaved head and a mongrel dog pretending to be a staffy. He informs us we should not be there as there is a notice down river saying “no boats beyond this point”. Ah says Capt. Colin “that’s the trouble when you can only read half a notice, for it says no hire craft and we are not hire craft.” Then the cabaret begins as Mr & Mrs Police Officer arrive (not called by us I hasten to say), who promptly take the fishing gear of the nice man. He in turn politely discusses the situation with them and for reasons I know not he is ‘cuffed and taken away. Fishy with impeccable timing arrives. All masts are up and photo opportunity taken. Sun glory arrives, well almost, as she manages to find the same shallow spot Moss Rose found on the way up, and with unerring accuracy on the way down. On the way back down river I go with Joe and Callie watching Moss Ross tip her topsail under Postwick flyover was a treat. A gentle sail in the evening back to the Surlingham Ferry for supper. Well my steak was ok. Capt Colin’s chicken and cheese melt positively glowed with radiation, and was inedible. The lasagne was likewise none too good. Still the beer was good, as was the company. Back to Moss Rose for cheese wine and spiced rum. Sorry if the music was too loud. Capt. Colin offered either Joe or Callie the chance to sail on Moss Rose on Tuesday (must have been something I said or did in my sleep). Worst pub of the week.
Tuesday. Crews remain the same at least for the morning. A gentle sail across Surlingham Broad and Rockland Broad to Rockland Staithe for lunch. As we are about to leave for Loddon, Joe says Callie will come onto Moss Rose and Malcolm you (rest edited to protect the guilty). No one noticed what was said, honest guv’. Once again Moss Rose meanders off without me. Joe and I have a lovely sail as the wind steadily increases. I am offered a chance to helm which I gladly take up. I was just starting to enjoy myself when Joe asks if I can take it a bit easy as Mc Duff does not like it too much if the boat heels well over. It is then time to chug up the Chet, so to speak. Why do motor cruisers think that they have to overtake anything in front of them? Perhaps they have had lessons from Capt Colin who has the same attitude. Tonight is Barbie night, but we make do with cooking over charcoal. Ruth sits there with her warm rug over her knees. In a slight Northern accent “You like tinned peaches don’t you” she was asked “and ‘am salad. You do don’t you”. At which point crew moves out of swiping range just in case. It’s off to the White Horse Chedgrave next to socialise with our Shula and a good time had by all. The last ones there got a lift back to the moorings by t’landlord who extolled the virtues of the Kings Head in Loddon, or may be it was the White Horse.
Wednesday. JJ “Morning Colin did you sleep well” No1 “Yes thanks we took it in turns”. A bit of tucker and oft we jolly well go. We motor along the Chet then the Yare, New Cut and a bit of the Waveney. As soon as we are clear of the bridges the sails are up. Another day of sun and wind (‘nuff said). We reach the River Centre in good time and some make use of the facilities. I no longer have to be up wind of Capt. In the evening we went to the pub, for a change, and had a meal. Capt. had a Thai Green Curry, which can be best described as not Thai; not green and definitely not curry. However we end up celebrating the birth of the Landlord’s first grandchild with champagne whisky and port. Still we had an early night, or was it morning? Food not good.
Thursday. The fleet starts to break up. Joy has some work to do before Oulton week. Gordon Red is off to Oulton so Bezzy and Ruth can go and get the tin can to sleep on the following week, and Daffodil also heads North. The rest of us head to Geldeston via Beccles, Eccles. It’s another gentle sail to Beccles where we lunch. Those of us with some energy left climb to the top of the Church clock tower; those with less energy use the stairs. It is 97’ high and the views are well worth the effort of getting there. We shop few a few provisions and then meander off to Geldeston, OH Geldeston, or is it Galveston. A bit of boat shuffling takes place and then 4 of us head off for a walk. We end up at Barsham Church and have a look around. On the wall as you come in are signal flags. JJ wonders what they say, and I said “This day England expects each man to do his duty.” Not having a clue really. It turns out the Church is where Nelson’s mother was baptised having been born in the rectory next door. As soon as we get back it seemed a good idea to re-hydrate and a good pint it was too. It seems Capt took the opportunity to do his impression of a Perkins engine.
Thursday night is Folk Night and so time for our final fleet meal, and thence to be entertained by melodic singing of a rousing nature. Food was good and the band were perfect for a folk club but not I think a pub on a Thursday night.
Friday. Decisions have to be made about whether to go to Oulton for the night and then catch the tide at Gt Yarmouth either early Sat am or evening. So Lace Fishy Ranger and Moss Rose decide to get the evening tide today and head north to be on moorings Saturday morning. I suggested stopping at Stokesby for a meal at the Ferry. The wind seemed not too bad when we set off back down the river. We stop at Beccles to lower the tackle and motor through to the Aldby bridge remains. Here we stop for a coffee and chat with Ranger and Solace. It’s then up with the sails and head down river. No need for a reef says Capt. Ranger has one in but shakes it out on the way down. As we go past WRC Capt. says he will make sandwiches if I will helm, and as it is an easy reach at the time no problemo. Within 5 mins, and no sandwich, we round a bend and have to harden up so Capt. takes control of the jib. The wind goes up a notch or 2 and so just for a change we start to beat towards Somerleyton Swing Bridge. No reef and the wind increases. It always seems to happen, strong wind and a jib sheet gets caught in a cleat and refuses to clear; at the same time the other jib sheet decides to leave the cockpit and head for the block by the shrouds. Capt. goes forward to a. clear the jib sheet from the cleat and get the other, at the same time as a squall hits the boat. I had managed to get head into wind, but with the sheet stuck the jib backed a bit and round the nose went and off we went with speed towards the bank. Capt requests I put the boat into the wind, which I try and eventually she heads up enough to gently glide into the reeds. Mud weight out and Capt suggests it may be a good idea to get the sails down before they are ripped to shreds. With the boat secure we take a few mins to get our breath back and Ranger and Solace pass by. Capt says “I was thinking of taking over as I know how she reacts and you don’t.” I was just glad no damage had been done. We decide to motor from now on and see what it is like at Burgh Castle and them perhaps sail down Breydon.
As we going along we see Ranger and Solace and Solace appeared to have some problems so we ask if help needed but Roger says they can get solace in tow and we agree to wait just down from the bridge, where at long last we get our sandwich. Solace has a problem with her propeller so she is taken by Ranger to St Olaves, and we agree to meet at Burgh Castle. As we pass St Olaves Solace is there and we are told that it not as bad a thought (turns out she had some weed around the prop), and meet Ranger at Burgh Castle and see Leslie has been in the wars. Bishy then turns up and describes their sail as “interesting” in the squall. JJ’s outboard has problems so we decide to raft with JJ across Breydon. With the tide and when JJ’s engine worked it was fine. However when it stopped it was hard work for Colin’s engine.
As we turn into the Bure we notice the predicted slack water is not slack, nor is it flowing. This is not too bad except Bishy’s engine decides that it will not work any more apart from one or 2 very short bursts. When it works we make headway at a fairly steady rate, when it stops we just about make way. this goes on until at last the tide turns and we are able to get Ranger on the other side of Bishy. It is still slow going and the pub is kept updated as we knew we were going to be later than the 8.30 booking. We were assured that even if we got there by 9.10 we would still be served. IT got dark, and Nav lights put on, and we crawled up the Bure. Fortunately Di’s parents had agreed to let us moor for the night. As we got near the mooring the boats needed to be turned to moor against the tide. With synchronised helming and with the grace of a ballerina we turned and gentle came alongside. Boats tied and sprung and a jaunt down to the Ferry getting there just after 9.00. The food was very good and the landlady and staff very pleasant and helpful. Probably the best pub meal of the week.
Saturday. Bishy cooked the breakfasts with goods supplied by each boat, and then it was back to the moorings. Ranger and Bishy motored and Moss Rose sailed with me on the helm. All week when I had been raising lowering sails and mast I always forgot something and had to be reminded by Capt. On coming to shoot the bridge at Acle Capt goes forward and says he will lower the sails, and proceeds to undo the halyards for the peak and throat. I ask him to put a bit of topping lift on first! Got him! After a very pleasant sail we get back to Thurne dyke where I disembark and help give Capt. Moss Rose a bit of a tidy up. Parting is such sweet sorrow but all good things come to an end, and Moss Rose goes off to her berth in Horning and I get back to reality.
I hope that everyone had a good time, I certainly did. I wish to thank Paul and Jane for their hard work in planning the week. It is not easy getting places to moor and eat. JJ for his email telling me about the possibility of crewing (now you know who to blame). All the others on the cruise for giving me a good time. To Bezzy for letting me crew Cordon ALL the way to Reedham. And finally to Colin for his hospitality, good humour (even in a squall) and for putting up with me for a whole week.
Malcolm
