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Designed & Maintained By Carol Gingell

Boating Tales From The 1970s

By Arthur

Anyway, we set off from Geldeston rather late in the day and just about managed to reach St Olaves before dark. Luckily we found a mooring on the right a couple of hundred yards below the bridge. There were other craft already there and although we were on the end of the row we were still very close to the next boat along. Concerned that we might bang against them during the night I went to the trouble of using a spring line in addition to the normal two fore and aft lines just to make sure. It had been a long day and after a meal and a quick look at the news on the television we settled down for the night. Around 1.00am I awoke for some reason, I don’t know why but I just thought everything seemed to be incredibly quiet. Normally when mooring in a town or village there was always some sort of noise. Not being able to settle again I decided to get up and make a drink. Whilst the kettle was boiling I took a quick look outside and realised the reason for the silence. The boat was no longer tied up and had drifted a fair way downstream of St Olaves. I could not believe that I had failed to moor her properly and was rather annoyed that she had broken away. It was when I looked at the ropes I realised that she had not broken away but we had been deliberately set adrift. The ropes were not trailing in the water but lying on the deck. There was nothing for it but to start the engine and try to moor up again in the dark. Thankfully we made it back to the mooring to find a man busy with the stern rope on the boat next to us. He helped us tie up and then informed us that he had heard the boat banging against the quay and had come on deck to find the stern warp had been cast off. Fortunately the bow was still made fast and the tide had kept the boat from swinging out into the stream.

Obviously there had been some idiots about in St Olaves that night. A bit of an unnerving experience especially when you think what might have happened had I not woken? Fortunately this sort of thing does not happen often on the broads. In nearly 40 years of boating it has only happened to me twice. After all the excitement of the night we were a bit late getting away next morning. Our target today was to reach Norwich for the night. Upstream again though St Olaves bridge and we were soon heading along the New Cut towards Reedham. We headed along the Yare diverting to explore the Chet and Rockland and Surlingham broads. A short trip under the low rail bridges into Thorpe and finally back onto the river and up the Wensum into Norwich. Two abreast at the Yacht Station for the night but at least being late arriving we were on the outside which meant an easy departure in the morning.

During the day we had realised that there was definitely a problem with the engine. It appeared to run normally but as soon as the power was taken off and reverse engaged to stop the boat when mooring, the engine would stall. This was becoming a real problem so our intention was to stop at the nearest Hoseasons yard and seek assistance. The boat required both fuel and a toilet pump out anyway. Consulting the Hoseasons handbook it indicated a yard at Thorpe, Maidencraft, so this was our destination in the morning. I described the problem and they could not have been more helpful, straightaway someone from the yard took the boat for a quick trip and listened to the engine. He then said it sounded like a faulty injector and he would have to ring F B Wilds and get them to come out too us. After last years experience of waiting all day for assistance I had visions of spending the night there. Whilst we waited for the engineer to arrive from Wilds the yard dealt with the pump out and the refuelling. I felt rather guilty when I realised that the yard did not have a riverside pump and the fuel had to be carried to the boat in large jerry cans and poured in by hand. We offered to help in fetching the cans but he would not hear of it. It seemed no time at all after all this was done when the van arrived from F B Wilds. The engineer was a really cheerful guy and it was not long before he had replaced the damaged injector. We were most grateful to have this problem fixed as the idea of the engine causing a problem whilst crossing Breydon did not appeal. As soon as we set off from he boatyard we knew the problem was solved, the engine was now as good as it had been when we first collected the boat. Off again downstream and we stopped at the Berney Arms to wait for the tide.

Whilst there we had a couple of young boys hail us and ask if they could borrow our dinghy. Apparently a football had gone into the river and had drifted away. I did not really want to lend the boat to them as they seemed a bit young. However, a couple of minutes late an older lad appeared. I think he must have been about 18 or 19. He asked if we would lend the dinghy if he went with them. He seemed responsible enough but I had to explain about the broken oar and my makeshift repair.  “I think I can help you there”, he replied and then explained that earlier on he had seen an oar drifting around on Breydon. If he could still see it he promised to fetch it back for us. Amazingly after about half an hour or so this lad and the two boys reappeared. The boys thanked us and the other lad for helping them get the ball back and this young man then presented us with an intact oar. True it had another boatyards name on it but at least we now had two complete oars for the dinghy. We invited this young man to join us for lunch. He turned out to live in the area and entertained us with a number of stories about hirers on the Broads Rivers. Low water at last and we set off for Yarmouth, stopping at the marina for the night.

Early start again next day as we planned another trip to the upper Thurne, mooring at Martham for the night. Next morning we set off back up to Horsey Mere and enjoyed a few hours sailing in the dinghy before heading south again and back under Potter Heigham Bridge. Next stop was Womack Staithe to purchase a few items in Ludham and spend the night. It was getting near the end of our holiday now and it was difficult to decide what to do next day. This would be Thursday and we would be spending the last night, Friday, in the yard in the hope of getting an early start next day. In the end we decided on a quiet day and to spend the next night in Salhouse. Once again we spend a good amount of time sailing the dinghy. Evening came and the decision was made to walk into the village for a drink. Salhouse is a fair walk from the staithe and although this was ok on the way to the pub it was not so easy on the way back, it was very dark and finding our way along the path back to the broad was rather entertaining as we had not thought about taking a torch. We made it though and settled down for out last night on the Broads.

Next morning that last day feeling seemed to abound. That is the trouble with a holiday on the broads; you just don’t want to leave. Anyway, we spent the last day making sure that the boat was cleaned from stem to stern both inside and out before heading back to the yard. We were met as we entered the yard. I explained about the broken oar and the fact we now had an extra one. The yard simply said "don’t worry about it.”. They asked if there were any breakages to report but none of the full check of the inventory like the previous year. I think they were more concerned about losses or breakages so they could be remedied ready for the next crew rather than to take money from our deposit. There was already another cruiser approaching and he asked if I was happy to put the boat in the yard or did I want him to do it. To help him out I took the boat into the yard and reversed her onto the berth myself. A lot less hassle now the dinghy had been taken away. Now moored up for the final time I found a phone box and asked for the taxi to pick us up at 10.00am next day. It was hoped that we would be away by then. In fact we were clear and ready to go by about twenty past nine and had to wait for the taxi.

This had been a great two weeks and what a contrast from all the problems the previous year. On arriving home I at once wrote a letter to the boatyard expressing our appreciation and also sent a letter to Hoseasons, this time a letter of satisfaction rather than complaint.

1977

                     This year I did not think there was going to be any opportunity for a visit to the Broads.  The friend that had come with me on the previous two trips was no longer interested. Whilst I was trying to find someone else to help with the cost it occurred to me to ask another friend who lived some distance from me down on the south coast. He was very interested but would only be available on certain dates. Checking with Hoseasons I was able to secure the hire of Aston Elm again for the required week. My memory fails me as to the dates of this holiday but I am fairly sure it was early April. It was to be a bit more interesting as the friend that was coming with me found out that a couple of his mates had booked a boat for the same week. Subsequently we planned to all meet up at Liverpool St station and travel to Norfolk together.

The train from London to Norwich was very crowded and when we reached Ipswich a large number of football supporters boarded the train. It turned out that Ipswich Town were playing Norwich City on that day. I would stress they were football supporters not hooligans. There was no problem whatsoever they were just groups of lads interested in football. The problem however arose when we got off the train in Norwich. You would have thought that as the four of us were all carrying luggage that we were obviously not going to a football match. However, we had a difficult time stopping the police from herding us like cattle along to Carrow Road as they were most of the passengers from the train. Thankfully we eventually managed to sort the problem out and my friend and I set out to travel to Loddon whilst the other two took a local train down to Brundall where they were due to pick up their boat, Silver Pieces, from Buccaneer Boats. The plan was to meet up at Cantley where we would all spend the first night.

We took the easy option and travelled by taxi to Aston Boats. On arrival and after all the paperwork was completed we loaded our gear aboard the boat and waited for the staff to deal with us. In time a young man appeared and gave us the general instructions regarding the boat and fetched the sailing dinghy we had ordered. He then proceeded with the trial run. I think maybe he was rather new to the job as he had considerable difficulty in manoeuvring the boat out of the yard into the river and in the end I took pity on him and did it myself.  He then informed us that he was only supposed to take out the smaller boats. Having dropped him off we set off down the Chet to meet the other party. Considering how early we were in the season the river was very busy and with a 35ft long boat we had to be careful on all the bends with such a lot of river traffic. Eventually we moored at Cantley and waited for the other party. As they were coming down from Brundall we expected them to be there first, in fact we waited nearly two hours for them. Their boat, Silver Pieces, was 27ft long and unusual for hire craft was fitted with a petrol engine rather than a diesel. After attending to the job of preparing something to eat we discussed plans for the week. It appeared that if it were left to the other two the week would turn into a waterborne pub crawl as their main interest seemed to centre round this activity. Anyway we reached something of a compromise and decided that next day we would set of as soon as the tide allowed and try to reach Stalham for the night.

The weather was kind to us on the Sunday morning and we set off through Reedham and across Breydon. Despite our checking of the tide tables the river was still high when we reached Yarmouth and the clearance under the bridges was a lot less than expected. Still we managed to get through ok with everything lowered and headed up those dull reaches of the Lower Bure stopping at Stracey Arms for lunch. The wind had freshened by now and the combination of tidal flow and an offshore wind resulted in both of us making a bit of a hash of mooring. Managed it in the end though and suitably fed and watered we carried on upstream. In the end we did not go to Stalham that night but spend the night riding to a mud weight on Salhouse Broad.

After spending the morning sailing the dinghy we set off after lunch for Stalham. As we approached Ludham Bridge we saw Amber Gem, one of Richardson’s large front drive cruisers having trouble at the bridge. She seemed to be touching both fore and aft. My guess was that the helmsmen had slowed as he went under the bridge and the rather fresh wind had taken control as the boat emerged. A minute or two later they seemed to have fended themselves off and emerged from the bridge and we were able to proceed upstream. So much for the weather, as we passed Irstead the rain suddenly started. It was Ok for us with the Aston Elm; all we had to do was wind the canopy up with the handle. However, the two on the other boat were pretty wet by the time they had finished with their car type hood. It was pouring down as we crossed Barton and we were looking forward to getting to Stalham and mooring for the evening. It was not to be though. Despite it being early in the year we could not find a mooring. True, we could have probably gone into Richardson’s yard even though they were Blakes at that time and we were hired from Hoseasons. In the end we moored to the bank down river from Stalham.

After eating yet again, the mast and sail were removed from the dinghy and we all piled in to go into Stalham for a drink. I cannot remember the name of the pub now but I do remember attempting to play pool. The table was positioned in such a way that when playing shots from one end of the tale it was necessary to ask drinkers at the bar to move. Fortunately these requests were always received without argument. I guess the locals were used to the problem. Later that evening we rowed back to the boat. It had been light when we moored and it was now pitch black and somewhat cold. We seemed to be rowing forever and actually began to wonder if we had passed out boats. Eventually we arrived and thankfully got back aboard. The plan next day was to set off early with the aim of making Beccles before dark.

The weather was terrible as we woke on the Tuesday morning and when we were approaching Ludham Bridge we decided to moor up for a while in the hope there would be a break in the torrential rain so we could lower the canopy on each boat and pass under the bridge. After about an hour the rain lightened and eventually stopped. We wasted no more time and quickly lowered everything and got thought the bridge. Relieved that we would now not need to lower again until Yarmouth and possibly not even then. Conditions did not improve and it was very wet and windy as we headed south. It should have been slack water by now but as we passed Yarmouth marina the tide was still pouring out. Just after we passed the yacht station and headed under the bridge we noticed someone on the quay shouting something but neither of us could hear and there was no way of stopping or turning safely so we carried on. Now heading out onto Breydon we felt the full force of the wind. It was really blowing a gale and I must admit to feeling a little nervous. Despite our boat being 35ft Long and 10ft beam we were being tossed around like a small dinghy. Our friends on Silver Pieces were having an even rougher time. We seemed to be the only boats on Breydon so I wonder if that guy at the Yacht Station had been trying to warn us of the conditions. Alas we shall never know. This was one of the worst times I remember crossing Breydon and it took considerably longer than usual. It was certainly a relief to reach the junction for the Waveney and get away from this exposed area. It was still very windy as we passed Burgh Castle but the waves on the river were nowhere near as bad as they had been crossing Breydon. By this time we had all had enough and the plan to aim for Beccles was abandoned and we made up our minds that if we could find a mooring we would stop for the night in St Olaves.

Approaching St Olaves we were delighted to spot that the free moorings on the left were completely clear. Unfortunately this mooring was going to cost us our deposit. There were no problems approaching the mooring, I was steering gently in and my friend was ready to step ashore when the wind suddenly increased. It was too late to do anything and the bow was blown onto the quay with a sickening crunching sound. Unfortunately this was a concrete quay heading and on inspecting the damage after mooring up it was obvious that this would be spotted as soon as we returned to the yard. Still there was nothing we could do about the situation so we did what most people would do. As soon as the weather abated we headed for the pub as soon as it was opening time.

Thankfully the next day was a lot calmer and we had a pleasant trip to Beccles.  The planned lunch stop at Burgh St Peter had to be abandoned as we could not get into the basin. There seemed to be a large group of yachts obviously travelling together who had moored in such a way that it left no room for other craft to manoeuvre on to the moorings. Onward then until we eventually arrived in Beccles and moored in Aston’s yard for the night. That evening the weather was so much better that we were able to sail the dinghy down river.

Next night was gong to be our last on the river as both crews were planning to spend the last night in our respective boatyards. We headed back downstream from Beccles with the aim of going back to Yarmouth to spend the night. This time the trip was easy and Breydon was a flat calm, so different from the big waves on the Tuesday afternoon. Suitably moored at the Yacht station we wandered into the town and stopped for a drink. Later that evening we were walking along the front and passing what I think was a night club. We had no intention of visiting this establishment but as we passed this rather large bouncer started shouting at us that there was a no jeans rule and we could not come in. Myself and my friend accepted that he had made a mistake and ignored his shouts but one of the others who I think may have had a bit too much to drink walked toward him and shouted indignantly, “But, they’re my best jeans”. All I can remember after that was running like hell. Safely back to the boat and a welcome nights sleep.

Last day we started early and headed across Breydon again and up the Yare, stopping eventually in Surlingham Broad. It was dead quiet as we were the only boats there. Both of us dropped our mud weights and moored the boats together. After a morning spent doing the usual final day cleaning a couple of the others decided it was time for a last sail in the dinghy. What happened next was unbelievable, they lowered the centreboard and something must have broken somewhere as it disappeared out of the bottom of the boat. It’s probably still there on the bottom of the broad. Oh well, nothing do now but confess out sins on returning to the yard. We parted from the other crew as they set off on the short trip to Brundall and we set off back to Loddon. As we approached the yard the damage on the bow was spotted immediately and several from the yard came out to have a look. We then had to confess to losing the centreboard on the dinghy although I don’t know how. I suspect that had it only been the problem with the dinghy we may have been allowed to keep our deposit but it was obvious that the damage on the bow could not be ignored. Next morning as we went into the office, as expected we were informed that we would have to forfeit the security deposit. (£10 in those days).  Still, they were matter of fact about it and not unpleasant. Accidents do happen. Thankfully this is the only time I have actually lost a deposit.

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1978

                    1978 was not the most eventful of trips to the broads but it still forms part of my Broads memories so I will tell it here along with the others. It was the April of 1978 and we had hired Aston Gander (Goose Class) from Aston Boats at Loddon. Arriving at the boatyard I was a bit concerned that they might remember about the damage to the boat back in 1977. However, if they did, nothing was said about it. The Gander was a centre cockpit craft offering a 2 berth cabin at the rear and the saloon in the front. This was a good arrangement giving separate living and sleeping accommodation. The boat was about 28ft long with a 9ft 6” beam. We were soon on our way down the Chet and the friend I had brought with me this time took no time at all to get used to steering the boat.

After negotiating the narrow river and the tight bends on the Chet we were soon on our way down the Yare to spend the night at Reedham Ferry. The tide tables had been checked and our plan was to wait there for the tide next day and then try and reach Stalham before nightfall. Moored for the night the car type canopy over the cockpit had to be fitted in place. This was not as convenient as the sliding roofs on most of the other Aston craft but was soon erected. The facilities on the boat were excellent and everything spotlessly clean. (I hired many craft from Astons over the years and their standards were always very high).

Next morning we were early getting up and cooking breakfast with the result that there was a lot of time to kill waiting for the right time to head down to Yarmouth. Still there is always something to watch on the broads so it was not that dull. Eventually we set off across Breydon which seemed extremely quiet. I guess I had been used to seeing it in the busier season when it was a bit like the M25. As we approached Yarmouth we met a few boats at last. Soon we were swinging into the Bure and under the bridges. Even the Yacht station seemed to be less busy. Plodding on up the lower Bure, Stracey Arms was eventually in sight and seemed to be a good spot to stop for a quick break. Not for long though as there was still a long way to go and it was now late afternoon. Above Acle there were still a large number of yachts sailing up and down the river around Upton Dyke but we carefully navigated our way through them and carried on along the Bure until St Benet’s Abbey came into view. It was getting quite late now and we started to wonder how far we would get before dark.

Soon we swung into the river Ant and passed under Ludham Bridge. Once this was out of the way we erected the canopy over the cockpit to save having to deal with it later. The other reason for this was that it was now starting to get rather cold to be standing in the open. Eventually we were crossing Barton with the last of the daylight and  found a quiet spot to moor for the night at the edge of the island where the channels divide for Stalham Dyke and Sutton Broad. It had been a long day but at least the night was really peaceful and undisturbed. So much so that we were rather late to emerge the next day.

Eventually we set off back down the river taking it easy unlike the rather rushed trip the previous day. As we approached Ludham Bridge the kettle was put on for a drink and at this point we found the gas had run out. There only appeared to be one cylinder on board so this would obviously have to be sorted out. Our cup of tea had to wait as we now headed into Horning and F B Wilds yard where they were very obliging and within minutes had replaced the empty gas cylinder. Whilst moored in the yard we took the opportunity to walk into the village and stock up the larder. It is strange just how much more food you seem to get though on a boat. Everything now sorted out the next stop was Salhouse Broad where we were going to stop for a rather late lunch. As we turned into the broad we noticed a cruiser stuck in the shallow water.  They had obviously thought a bit of grassy bank looked a good place to moor and had headed for it. The result was that they were now firmly aground and were desperately poking about with a boathook attempting to free them. We decided to be kind and help them out and threw them a line. With us pulling with our boat and them rocking theirs she soon came free much to her crew’s relief. Entertainment for the day now over we had lunch and set off again for the short trip to South Walsham Broad where we were going to spend the night. Our sleep that night was rather disturbed by noise from another craft.  I don’t remember the name but she was from the Beaver Fleet at St Olaves. They did not stop their loud music and shouting till after midnight.

Next morning as we set off again this same craft came roaring across the broad and then suddenly turned at full speed. This resulted in both their deck mop and broom flying over the side. They did not even notice as they headed up Fleet dyke creating a wash like nothing on earth. We rescued the items from the water with the intention of handing them into the Beaver fleet yard when we reached St Olaves. Soon we were underway again and heading back down the Bure towards Yarmouth, stopping briefly to top up the water tank.