Page published 12 October 2023
Saturday 23 September - Setting Out from Coltishall
With new batteries installed and the engine overheating sorted out on Wednesday, by Saturday we were ready for a trip on our boat with our granddaughter, who was staying with us over the weekend. Diana had planned a picnic that we would have on board and as it was to be a short trip we didn't expect to get as far as Wroxham Bridge, so rather that go in that direction we emerged from from our mooring in the dyke at Anchor Moorings and turned right to go upstream.
Within ten minutes of leaving our mooring we reach the Rising Sun at Coltishall.
It's less than ten minutes cruising time to Coltishall Common and the Rising Sun just beyond. We cruised path both and went on to the head of navigation at Coltishall Lock, which we reached just before 12:15. We had a brief discussion about stopping there but but decided to return to Coltishall Common, mooring there at around 12:30.
We return from Horstead and moor at Coltishall Common and have our "picnic" lunch on board.
Isabel tries out the helmsman's seat for size.
A big smile says "I'm enjoying myself"!
On our return to the Common we turned and moored facing upstream as it's easier to control the boat that way. We stayed at the common for about fifty minutes during which we had lunch and allowed some time for Isabel to explore the boat. Then it was time to turn again and head downstream first passing by our "home", Anchor Moorings
After a picnic lunch aboard Singing the Blues we cast off and proceed down river.
Passing Anchor Moorings
At the end of the common you pass about half a dozen houses before seeing the first of the boats at Anchor Moorings. Initially the river swings to the right and then makes a sweeping 108° turn, with boats moored nose to tail all the way round the bend.
A couple of hundred yards after leaving Coltishall Common we approach Anchor Moorings.
Rounding the bend in the river we approach our mooring which is on a dyke found just before the tall black building.
Although packed with boats the area has a tranquillity about it. That's probably because there are no maintenance or other commercial facilities on site. If there are people about, it's likely to be the guy who mows the lawns or boat owners who have either just returned or are just about to set off on their boat.
Belaugh Staithe and Boatyard
Having passed Anchor Moorings the river meanders its way to Belaugh. The final approach to Belaugh is heavily treed on both sides, so most of the time the right hand bank is in heavy shade which is always an interesting challenge to photograph.
This view is becoming a favourite of mine, mainly because it represents a cruise properly under way..
Belaugh Staithe will always be remembered by Diana and I as the place where we sought an emergency mooring to allow our overheating engine to cool.
In this photo it's difficult to make out some of the features on the village sign found on the staithe. It's in the typical Norfolk style and depicts an eel, two herons in flight and the village church.
I don't think we've ever passed the staithe without seeing some form of activity there. There's rarely a parking bay free and the bench is often in use. There may be anglers at their sport or, as is the case today, both walkers on the bench and canoeists taking a break from their craft.
I'm becoming used to seeing constant change at the boatyard. This was the first time the intriguing green boat had been seen without its coverings.
Another site in the village where change seems constant is the boatyard. This time there is nothing obscuring the unusual green boat. The two cruisers that had been there when we passed on our Anniversary Cruise were both gone.
The Outskirts of Wroxham
After Belaugh the river continues to meander. Isabel decided she'd like to go forward into the well and do some fish spotting. That required Diana or I to be with her to ensure she didn't attempt to lean too far over the gunwale. We reached Fairfields at about 14:15 and I took the inevitable photo. In spite of the sun, it was too late in the day to get a better image that the one I had on our Anniversary Cruise.
Once again I take a photograph of another landmark property, the first you see as you approach Wroxham from the upstream side..
When we first brought our boat from Wayford to Coltishall this was the beach packed with people, many swimming.
We turned for home at 14:20, just below Caen Meadow. This was one of the sites that was packed with people with many swimming on our Shakedown Cruise. While we had the sun we didn't have the 25° temperatures that we had then.
Maintenance Update
I took no photos of the return trip, but once back at our mooring, at around 16:00, I did open up the engine bay and took a view showing what I had managed to do the previous day. If you compare it with Wednesday's photo you can make out the new screws that hold the extra batten in place that stops the third battery from moving forward and knocking into the battery charger. The additional battery terminal covers and the new "radiator" cap are in place. I haven't yet got round to fixing the strap that will stop the battery from tipping, but it is on board.
There's a few minor changes to be seen in the engine bay compared with Wednesday's pictures when Moonfleet came to fix the overheating engine and install new domestic batteries.
There's a very temporary knot on the mud weight, as it's due to be taken home to be given a coat of paint.
The main reason for opening the engine bay was not, in fact, to show how the maintenance tasks were progressing but to check the river water filter. I took it out and shook its contents on the foredeck. We're beginning to realise that checking the cooling water filter at the end of any cruise needs to become a routine check, along with turning down the stern gland greaser.
Read about our first time Sleeping Aboard