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Dinner looked lovely, and a lot of wonderful options for you. Sorry about how cold it was on the boat, hoping snuggling up with the blankets allowed you a good nights sleep.
Dinner looked lovely, and a lot of wonderful options for you. Sorry about how cold it was on the boat, hoping snuggling up with the blankets allowed you a good nights sleep.
I didn’t sleep too badly, especially considering how cold it was when we went to bed. While I was tucked up in the duvet, I was conscious that my face wasn’t, and my nose was absolutely freezing, so given that, I was pleasantly surprised that I had a pretty good night’s sleep, as I figured that might bother me.
At one point, I was conscious that Mark had got up, so I groggily asked him what time it was, and when he replied 5:15am, I quickly decided I was going back to sleep again. A couple of hours later, we were both awake, far too early for a Sunday morning, but what can you do, and heck we had gone to bed extremely early last night, so I guess it was to be expected. At least the pounding rain we’d heard earlier had now stopped, as it certainly had belted down.
Mark got up and put the stove on and made a cup of tea. Having discovered last night that this was the quickest way to heat the boat up, he put another part of the stove on at the same time as making the tea, knowing this would lead to a much warmer boat and a much happier me!
I opted to stay in bed and have my cup of tea and one of the pain au chocolat that I’d purchased. I was very happy being nicely snuggled up and warm! As I sat there, eating breakfast, I could hear the rain coming down again. Ugh – it looked like the forecasts last night that had predicted rain for much of the morning were, so far, spot on. :rollleyes2:
Eventually, I got up, and had some breakfast (yes, in addition to the pain au chocolat, I had some cereal ) and Mark headed over to the shop to go and stock up on a few bits and pieces. Although we did this last year, and had a rough idea of what to bring with us (toilet roll, towels and kitchen rolls being some of those items), we also forgot a few key things – i.e. handwash for the sink in the bathroom, and washing-up liquid. The boat’s stove also has to be lit by hand using matches, whereas our last one was an auto-ignition, so Mark got a couple of lighters from the shop, much easier.
When we got back, I’d been reading a magazine about the Broads, and had seen an advert for Loddon. Now as I mentioned last night, we’d headed over to Chedgrave, and hadn’t actually seen Loddon. It seemed to infer that there were a few things well worth seeing, so we waited for the train to ease, and then wandered over that way. We found some ducks on the way, and in their minds, humans must equal food, as the second they saw us, they came swimming over, but they were out of luck, as we had no food for them.
Loddon is certainly a thriving place, with a fair few shops, take-aways and restaurants. We were surprised, given that we didn’t think it was a particularly big place. Obviously we were wrong about that.
We found what we assumed was once the village church, but is now being used as a library. It also looked to us like maybe it had been a school once in its history as well.
A little further on, we found the 15th century village church, and by now, the rain was coming down a bit heavier. It had never really stopped the whole time we’d been out, but now it was a struggle to take photos through the rain, but I tried my best.
The church is right by a car park, and Mark commented on the fact that someone left their car engine running while they went to do a couple of things. There aren’t many places you can do that any longer.
We headed over to the Co-op as Mark wanted some butter. Yes, I know he’d gone to the store only a little while ago, but he’d totally forgotten to get any butter – ironic, as that’s what he was originally heading over there for.
We made our way back over to the boat…
… and I stopped on the way to use the toilets, as just about everyone who was on a boat seemed to be using them. It made sense, as it meant you didn’t use up your supply of water. They were actually fine, and very clean. On the way back to the boat, I found this pair…
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Sunday 3 May – part two: not a pleasant view today….
Eventually, we left just before 10:00am. We’d seen one boat head off from further down about an hour or so earlier, so we weren’t the first to leave, and we knew we couldn’t be accused of waking anyone up when we turned the engine on, as we’d seen the people on both sides of us up and about already.
In the end, despite Mark’s fears about hitting one of the boats either side of us, getting out of our mooring went very smoothly, certainly much more smoothly than actually mooring up last night.
Look how much mud there was on the weight at the front of the boat!
We were on our way, although it wasn’t pleasant weather. It was that horrible drizzle, and if you know what that’s like to drive in, then you had a good idea of what it’s like to be on a boat in. I did keep trying to clear the windows internally from condensation and externally from rain, but to be honest, I was fighting a losing battle, so in the end I gave up. I think Mark was just relieved to have one windscreen wiper, even if it wasn’t that effective.
We ended up seeing the same heron as we headed along the narrow river out of Loddon. We’d approach him, then we’d get to a certain point, and he’d take off, flying a bit further up, then we’d replay the whole scene again. This must’ve happened about three or four times, before he’d obviously had enough of us, and took off, this time flying behind us, so that he could take up his perch in peace and quiet.
All the while I was taking these shots, I was constantly having to clean the camera lens and my glasses, as the drizzle was of course driving in the exact way that I was trying to take photos. Isn’t it always the way?
We also saw a few swans along the way…
…. and we met a boat coming the other way, which I know Mark found pretty stressful, given how narrow it is here, but he did really well, and we passed fine with no incident.
After a while, even the wildlife had given up, it was such a miserable day, and it felt like we were the only things alive on the whole of the Broads, which was a bit surreal. I did check the weather forecast, and they were saying that the rain should be done by early afternoon, so hopefully in a couple of hours, it would be better.
However, the rain seemed to come down heavier and heavier, as we continued to make our way along the narrow entry to Loddon. It takes an hour, and I have to say it felt like a lot longer today, unlike the pleasant journey in yesterday, when the sun was reflecting on the water beneath. What a difference a day can make! Here’s an idea of the views Mark was having to deal with…
Is it any wonder he’s looking a bit hacked off in this photo?
Finally we were back on the main Broads and into a huge expanse of water again, which I think was a huge relief to Mark.
We were soon coming up to the Reedham Ferry, which I’d been interested to see in operation, and finally I got to see it going. It’s a fascinating contraception, and I know that it saves drivers a huge round trip, as I think if you don’t take this, it’s something like 30 miles to the next river crossing by car.
A bit further along, we found this fascinating place. I bet some serious thought went into designing it.
So much rain....how miserable. Mark doesn't look nearly as relaxed today!
I can only imagine how stressful it is to be maneuvering through such narrow spots, and then adding poor visibility to that? Yuck!
Hope things clear up sooner rather than later.
Glad you stayed warm all night! Funny that he forgot butter in the first place. Yeah, that sounds about right for me too.
That's a little stressful boating in the rain! Glad you still managed to see a few birds, but for sure that phrase makes total sense - this rain is for the birds!
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A nice start to your journey on the Broads! Glad you were able to get in some sights before picking up your boat. Loved the ducklings, your boys and the wonderful shot of the heron in flight! Sorry, to hear about the mooring experience the first day, but at least it worked out! Looked like a nice meal in town. Too bad about the dreadful weather on day 2!
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I had a chance to get all caught up while I'm sitting here waiting for my car to be serviced. I find the whole boating on the Broads experience to be really fascinating, with the way there are little villages along the Broads with moorings and services for boaters. It's like it's own little industry.
So much rain....how miserable. Mark doesn't look nearly as relaxed today!
he certainly wasn't relaxed that day.
Quote:
I can only imagine how stressful it is to be maneuvering through such narrow spots, and then adding poor visibility to that? Yuck!
Hope things clear up sooner rather than later.
Glad you stayed warm all night! Funny that he forgot butter in the first place. Yeah, that sounds about right for me too.
That's a little stressful boating in the rain! Glad you still managed to see a few birds, but for sure that phrase makes total sense - this rain is for the birds!
I had a chance to get all caught up while I'm sitting here waiting for my car to be serviced.
Glad I was able to help out pass the time.
Quote:
I find the whole boating on the Broads experience to be really fascinating, with the way there are little villages along the Broads with moorings and services for boaters. It's like it's own little industry.
Very much so. I would imagine there are a lot of businesses that pretty much survive on the summer season up there.
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A couple of hours later, we were both awake, far too early for a Sunday morning, but what can you do, and heck we had gone to bed extremely early last night, so I guess it was to be expected. At least the pounding rain we’d heard earlier had now stopped, as it certainly had belted down. 
) and Mark headed over to the shop to go and stock up on a few bits and pieces. Although we did this last year, and had a rough idea of what to bring with us (toilet roll, towels and kitchen rolls being some of those items), we also forgot a few key things – i.e. handwash for the sink in the bathroom, and washing-up liquid. The boat’s stove also has to be lit by hand using matches, whereas our last one was an auto-ignition, so Mark got a couple of lighters from the shop, much easier. 
You're making the best of it! 
I did check the weather forecast, and they were saying that the rain should be done by early afternoon, so hopefully in a couple of hours, it would be better. 
Glad you were able to get in some sights before picking up your boat. Loved the ducklings, your boys and the wonderful shot of the heron in flight! 
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