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

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!

A naughty swan

Looking ahead I glimpse some houses

And am delighted to find that one has a thatched roof

What a location!

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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?