The Norfolk Broads are wetlands in eastern England that are best accessed by boat. In May 2009, we rented a boat for a week long holiday. Such boats have a maximum speed of about three miles per hour, a brisk walking pace, and no special qualifications are required to skipper one. We chose a boat with high sides that resembled a bath tub as we had two young kids. We had a fantastic time. The area was beautiful, and we loved the freedom of cruising where we wanted to, and being able to moor for the night almost anywhere, often close to a pub where we grabbed dinner. The story below comes from some notes that I wrote at the time and a selection from 330 photographs.
This trip reminds me of the great outdoor opportunities there were in UK, and how independent travel with any form of “recreational vehicle” enabled such great access to nature.
We cruised on the southern half of the Norfolk Broads between Oulton and Norwich, on the purple and pink routes.
Saturday 24th May. 4 hour drive from home to Oulton to pick up boat at noon. Away at about 3pm. Cruise to Beccles. Moor by road bridge. Catch a geocache in the common.
Sunday 25th May. Cruise to Somerleyton – no room. Next stop, room but nowhere to walk. Cruise up to Burgh Castle – tons of room. Quick geocache, then walk into town, but just find a large holiday park – use their facilities. Peter does a morning jog then showers at yacht station. Janet walks along the bank to the first stop. Cruise downstream and stop to walk and get a geocache. Bailey throws her hat in the air, it gets blown, and she falls into stinging nettles trying to catch it.
Monday 26th May. Cruise into Breydon water, then towards Norwich. Drop off Janet, she walks, we catch one geocache at a mill, then can’t find one at Reedham. Cruise on down to Loddon – great geocache in the graveyard with lots of rabbits.
Tuesday 27th May. Rain. Cruise up to Norwich, catching a quick geocache at the sugar factory. About 4 hours. By the time we reach Norwich, the sun is out. Buy a new mixer, check out Morrisons and the movie theatre. Walk into the city. Peter showers with the kids.
Wednesday 28th May. Peter goes jogging to check out the city. Kid’s day. Go see Bolt. Fried rice for lunch, big red bus tour, then Inspire with the slime. Dominos pizza for dinner.
Thursday 29th May. Janet has shower, cruise downstream to Whitlingham. Handfeed all the ducklings. Walk around the lake. Cruise through Surlingham Broad and on to Rockland St Mary. Quick geocache, then walk to Post Office, children’s playground, then family movie – Jungle Boy.
Friday 30th May. Cruise to Reedham – manage to squeeze in on the quay, get a receipt to get ½ off, and go to Pettitts. Ride most things – kids smothered by over zealous goats, but lots of fun rides. Sun is very tiring. Then head back to Oulton Broad by about 6pm, short walk around the broad.
Saturday 31st May. Hand boat back at 9am, drive back via QE2 bridge, but heavy traffic makes it 5 hours.
Below is a photo dump of the best photos from the trip.
The Adventures of the Cajunlimeys 