Page published 21 May 2024
Monday 8 April - Setting Out
It was another of our regular long weekends when we had our granddaughter with us. We spent part of Saturday on a Bure Valley Railway "Easter Eggspress". As we seemed to have a travel theme for the weekend, on Monday, the last day Isabel was to be with us this time, we spent the day on Singing the Blues.
Taking a picnic lunch we us, we were on board and under way just before 11:15.
Work Boats
Six minutes into our journey and Isabel is checking that I've seen the boat that appears to be blocking the way.
Things are not as you might first have thought. There was room to sneak past the workboat.
Shortly after we enter the 3mph zone through Belaugh we encounter a barge returning to the dredging site after dropping off it's contents at Little Switzland.
By 11:44 we have reached the site where the barge we had just passed will have had its cargo unloaded. Another barge is now here and being emptied.
Wroxham
For the first time we moor at the Broads Authority moorings below the Hoveton Viaduct. They offer shore power and are popular with live-aboards. Our unusual track indicates that we first moored side-on, before turning to adopt the approved stern-on attitude.
It's 12:40 and we're safely moored. Through the saloon window I take a photo of Wroxham Bridge while Diana and Isabel eat their lunch.
It's a simple lunch taken by all three of us.
After lunch we walked the short distance to the shops in Hoveton. (Most will think we walked into Wroxham, but that is the village on the other side of the bridge.) As you might imagine some of the time was spent in Roys Toys.
The Return
We spend over an hour in Hoveton before returning to the boat and casting off. Let's just say we spent the time expanding Isabel's second home toy collection a little.
By 14:22 we have Belaugh church astern of us and, for the first time, I manage to spot Wroxham church ahead of us. It seems my mistake had been looking for it while still too close. Meanwhile, Isabel is more interested in the water passing under our bows.
Just in case you can't see it, here's the central portion of the same image.
Twenty three minutes later, we are again passing the workboats at Little Switzerland.
Back at the Mooring
By 15:30 we had got home and moored. I thought I was taking a final photograph of the trip, but there was clearly something happening at the front of the boat...
...It turns out there was a swan expecting to be fed.
Next it's time for a Spring Clean!