Tilting at Windmills

A life of ease

A life of ease

Well, if I’d just called it ‘a lot of boats on the Norfolk Broads’ you wouldn’t have read it, would you?  Admit it!  At least I’m giving you something else to look out for.

This is our mooring- a nice place to start

This is our mooring- a nice place to start

And this is our boat

And this is our boat

It’s moored at Stalham, on the River Ant, in Richardson’s marina.  A peaceful setting, away from the hurley-burley of Wroxham.  We glide gently across Barton Broad, and Jarek points out the shallow water where, almost daily in peak season, boats run aground.  When we pause to admire the scenery, a swan raps smartly on the hull.  I’m not sure if this signifies ‘get a move on’ or ‘where’s the bread?’  Short on bread, we move on!

The naughty swans

A naughty swan

Looking ahead I glimpse some houses

Looking ahead I glimpse some houses

And am delighted to find that one has a thatched roof

And am delighted to find that one has a thatched roof

What a location!

What a location!

And the neighbour's none too shabby, either! (and there's a bench for Jude)

The neighbour’s none too shabby, either! (and there’s a bench for Jude)

But here's our first excitement- a windmill!

But here’s our first excitement- a windmill!

There are a seemingly endless supply of them, strewn across the Broads.  Many have been restored and stand there, gracefully pointing the way with their sails.

Here's another, wonderfully elegant example

Here’s another, wonderfully elegant example

It's quite a long way up!

It’s quite a long way up!

We fill our sail with a puff of wind
And wave at passersby
Grazyna concentrates on the way ahead
This crew member likes to keep his ears warm

We sail on a little way and then execute a fine turn to seek out a mooring place.  Time for hungry sailors to eat, and then stretch their legs.  We are moored alongside How Hill House, and a treat is in store.  Tiny Toad Hole Cottage was an eel-catcher’s home.

Welcome to How Hill, Staithe

Welcome to How Hill, Staithe

Click on any photo to see the gallery

A peek inside the eel catcher’s cottage
With an old, old fireplace
And plenty of provisions in the pantry
You can still keep an eye on the boat
Before you climb into bed

How Hill Trust provides an environmental study centre for the Broads.  The preservation of the incredibly beautiful house is no small part of this, but there are landscaped gardens too and a sweeping lawn for picnics, rolling down to the river.  There’s even a restored grain mill, if you’re looking for somewhere to stay.

The detail around the windows is exquisite

Smell the roses and admire the detail around the windows

The house is beautiful
With wonderfully ornate chimneys (and Mariusz)
A house on a hill
And how about this for a view? (can you spot the windmill?)

How about this for a view! (can you spot the windmill?)

And look at the wisteria!

And look at the wisteria!

It’s simply magnificent
And don’t forget the grain mill!

We’d better get back on board.  Too much playing ‘lady of the manor’ isn’t good for me!  And there’s a coffee stop to make, with homemade Polish rhubarb cake.

In such a serene location
There are some beautiful boats
And windmills, of course!

We putter along the waterways, using the sail sometimes, or the small motor.  The water lilies drifting at the water’s edge and the dazzling yellow ‘water buttercups’ captivate me, but I’m unable to take a decent shot.  I’ll just have to go back another day!  Maybe you’ll come with me?

126 comments

  1. Nice place…. and great windmills! Haha the word “windmills” in the title did attract my attention 🙂 Even though the houses are nice too, and the boats, and the roses…

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  2. What a superb post and what a wonderful day. What makes you think “boats” in the title would’ve turned anyone off? You can make even a boat beautiful. Boats, swans, history, windmills, family and Polish rhubarb cake – is this a description of heaven?

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  4. I’ve never heard of “The Broads” before. I just looked it up. Fascinating! Thank you for the trip.

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  8. Oh Jo, this is absolutely enchanting. Everything about it. What a lovely way to visit family and take in the sights, too. I’ve never seen a windmill, except in pictures, so this was a treat. The canal looks serene and gives you such a glimpse of the houses. I can smell the roses. I take off for Key West in the morning. Have a great weekend. 🙂

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    1. Key West is just a dream for me, Lynne, but I can’t imagine never having seen a windmill 🙂 Glad you could enjoy the Broads with me before you go. Have a great time 🙂

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  9. What a lovely way to go Jo. So relaxing and serene and look at that blue sky, The weather looked to be perfect. The roses and wisteria are glorious signs of summer in full swing. Toad Hall cottage made me think of Wind in the Willows and Toady and friends a favourite book from my childhood. One I haven’t thought of for a very long time. How long were you cruising for?

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    1. Hi Pauline 🙂 We were just out on the Broads for the day and the other day we spent in Norwich. I have 2 Polish cousins (brother and sister) who have settled in Norfolk- Grazyna for many years (her husband is a boat builder) and Wojtek just in the last year. It was a lovely family reunion (and yes, I always liked Rattie too 🙂 )

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      1. There are house boats you can hire to go for journeys along the canals around the Gold Coast. They are all sizes to cater for families or groups. I’ve always thought they would be quite a good way to spend a few days.

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  10. I love windmills but I’ve only ever seen one from a distance, it would be nice to see inside. The grain store looks cool too, it would be fun to sty there but I’m not sure about the steps! What a fabulous day Jo, something for everyone 🙂

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    1. Something so compelling about them, isn’t there, Gilly? 🙂 And on the Broads, where everything is so flat, they stand proud and tall. There are dozens of them! And it’s good that so many are being restored and looked after. I always fancied a round house. A load of floor cushions and my nose pressed up to a window 🙂 Happy weekend, Gilly!

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  14. Loved the title, but “A close look at the Norfolk Broads” might have gotten quite a bit of attention, too. I didn’t know you were referring to a river region until I saw your wonderful pictures. Time for me to take a geography lesson.

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    1. The boat was definitely tilting, and this is only a very small corner of the Norfolk Broads, as I expect you’ll see if you look at Google maps. Life is full of lessons around the blogs 🙂

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  17. I think “We Have a Boat” as the title would have gotten a lot of attention as well. Cannot decide whether it would be preferable to stay on the boat or be dropped off at one of those charming cottages for the day….

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  19. Dear beautiful wandering Jo ….your photos are so delightful and they remind me of my time in the Netherlands not long ago ….I always enjoy your stories too ! Thank you for brightening my day ….hugs and love , megxxx

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  20. Never been to the Norfolk Broads, Jo, but I so enjoyed exploring with you. I see that the rhubarb cake is all finished. Will you make another one for the next trip? How lovely to have your own boat to go windmill spotting. The wisteria and the roses are absolutely stunning. A very relaxing post indeed, except for the naughty swan. I bet he was disgusted that you hadn’t got any bread to spare. 🙂

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