The first rain of our holiday overnight had cleared up by morning for a walk around the Barton Turf moorings after which we set off further up the River Ant in the cooling breeze, arriving at Stalham, a village well served by shops. Then downstream on the River Ant, crossed Barton Broad after which we moored up at the Staithe and walked into the village to have some lunch. We then cruised further back down the ant stopping at Ludham Bridge for afternoon tea and some Calor gas before cruising up the River Bure to rank with, where the end of the day was disturbed by blaring HiFi’s and the antics of other boat crews
I was awoken during the night by the sound of the refrigerators ‘auto ignition’ system ticking as a result of running out of Calor gas. Also, by the first rain of our holiday at 3am. The weather was fine again by the morning and whilst breakfast was being prepared, I walked around the Barton turf moorings and found the facilities for private sailing club members very good indeed. It was peaceful, even for a Saturday, as we set off further up the River Ant today, keeping the breeze running through the boat and what was billed as being the hottest day this summer.
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We cruise up to Stalham and moored up to do some shopping and found the village well-served by shops. What a pity this settlement is now cut off from the staithe by the ring road. Then on again down the River Ant and across Barton Broad where we moored up at the Staithe and walked into the village to have some lunch. The temperature was in the high 80s° Fahrenheit and we dressed lightly, hugged the shade and were wearing sun hats. I checked on my answering machine and found another message from Mrs Margaret Wood chasing me about Admiral’s Cottage and I returned the call and left a message in turn for her. We then cruised further back down the Ant, stopping off at Ludham Bridge for afternoon tea and some more Calor gas refills before leaving this river and cruising up the River Bure to Ranworth. The contrast to the Ant was very acute today. Ranworth Broad was full of boats moored up, almost like a Marina, as well as the bank moorings being full. Today is the first Saturday of the state school holidays and the Broads are suddenly getting even busier. In contrast to Barton, where the sounds of nature predominate, this Journal is being written in Ranworth Broad to the accompaniment of blaring HIFI’s and the gurgling and grinding of boat electric water pumps!