The Broads

After two days R&R and tidying up after the sea voyage , we bought a two week license for the Broads. We got a Nicholson's guide, because we used them on the canals and found them very good. We also made use of "Broadcaster" the Broads Authority official guide, aimed at holidaymakers and boat hirers. What I didn't have for a few days was a set of tide-tables and tidal differences - we just didn't realise that it would be so necessary. We had thought that the Broads was just an interlocked area of lakes and wide waterways. Wrong. We knew the bridge heights, and which were fixed or moveable, but then found out that there was a considerable tide in some places, which needed to be taken into account to work out when to go under fixed bridges.

What is it with the railways on the East side of the country.... I have never seen so many level crossings with barriers, and swing bridges for the railway over canals/rivers? David thinks it is because the land is so flat that the railway is never raised on an embankment, or in the case of a road crossing, it isn't in a cutting to go under the road.

As well as that, there is fuel to consider. When David built the barge, diesel was 30p a litre, and yesterday I was quoted £1.18, so it's sensible to go with the tide, especially if you are going upstream on the river too. It cost us about £100 to get from Wells to Lowestoft with not being able to get the full benefit of the tide

We were pleased though to have a big, high boat (airdraft 9'6"), as many of those in hire boats would see nothing but the reeds lining the route, especially on the Southern parts.


	So it follows that there are more hire companies based there, and more novices driving plastic boats. It's not the hirers fault - they only get about 20 mins tuition, and so tend to drive the boat as if it is a car - switch on, accellerate and turn the wheel, then wonder why they can't get off the quay when there is a wind blowing them back on. Or in other situations, as my friend said "they think they have brakes". On the other hand, we saw plenty of skilled people with traditional sailing yachts.

		We had only one night anchored in a Broad (Salhouse) rather than on a riverside mooring, and the icecream boat came to visit.


		The Northern area around Horning and Potter Heigham onwards are more scenic with pretty villages, and thatched houses and even churches.

	I don't know how they had the patience to try sailing in the narrow rivers.... tack, tack, and tack back again. And they had to work round wondering what the hirers next move might be (since neither type of boat have brakes). On approaching one yacht I went onto the front of our boat away from engine noise, and shouted across "Shall we keep station for a while?", but they said "No, carry on, we'll work arounnd you." Very good humoured about it. Then there are a few restored Wherries which are the traditional cargo vessel in these parts


	Sailing Race