Tuesday (Stalham onwards)

We left Sutton and headed for Stalham , another head of navigation and a popular and pretty spot to stop. We managed to moor up at the public staithe which has only a very few spaces and which lies opposite the Museum of the Broads and some very tidy boatyards. The museum had their steam launch, ‘Falcon’ out to give rides to visitors which was a beautiful sight with its polished brass chimney.

We had lunch there and managed to get some extra provisions in the town as well as some much needed cash! Cash dispensers and banks are in short supply on the Broads!

We then moved on to Wayford Bridge, our final head of navigation for the day and the spot where navigation on the River Ant ends. There was a particularly lovely spot on this stretch of the Ant with a restored windmill and adjoining house as well as some fine houses on the riverside at Irstead. We arrived at the public staithe to find no spaces left, even though it was only around 3pm.

We did find a mooring beyond the very low bridge there but there was a charge of £8 for the night which we were a bit reluctant to pay. Chris then suggested he ask one of the boats moored up at the public staithe to move along a bit to make room for us – which they did very readily and we were in.

The sun was out, it was warm and we enjoyed an hour or so of the late afternoon sunshine before getting ready to go for our evening meal. We enjoyed that very much and also enjoyed the free wifi there.