On a warm and sunny day, an overnight cruise in the Paxton Princess down the Bure, up the Ant and then through Ludham Bridge to moor up for lunch at The Coffee Shop.
Onward up The Ant, past How Hill and through Barton Broad and right up to Stalham where, despite it being the eve of "turn-round" day, we managed to moor at the staithe.
The weather had settled to become warm and sunny and, with Daniel gone home for a few days, this was our cue to get out on the Paxton Princess overnight. Slept in for a while and then out with Sam to give him a long walk as he was going to be confined on the boat for a while. Some small trouble getting loaded up and ready as always but then away quite safely in mid-morning. The first problem was a leaking kettle that had deposited water all over the gas cooker so as to clog the burners with rust. Apart from that, we just had a rear shower pump failing and then everything else was working fine.
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We cruised down the Bure, up the Ant and then through Ludham Bridge and moored up there for lunch at The Coffee Shop. We found Sam quite agreeable on board, walking around the deck and sitting on the seats in the bridge whilst we were underway and staying in his transit box once moored up and left behind. The cafe was much improved since our last visit with a larger room at the back now opened up for use as a dining room and well fitted out to match the excellent cooking and service at modest prices. Onward up The Ant, past How Hill and through Barton Broad and right up to Stalham where, despite it being the eve of "turn-round" day, we managed to moor at the staithe.
A brisk walk up to town for a haircut, some tea with the family in the cafe and then we went on a circular walk in the surrounding countryside that tired us all out. An early night after another local walk and a wash down. I had been amazed to see how many boat yards and hire cruisers turn round in Stalham as the complex looked like a holiday camp. The Barber Shop has now relocated to ground floor premises and his business is going from strength to strength. Even so, the haircut is still only £3!