Chris Lucks Norfolk Broads blog, combining a love of sailing with his own philosophical view of life, highly recommended read.
Brilliant blog about sailing the broads
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Monthly Archives: June 2010
A great blog for you to read looking at the wildlife on the broads from Steve Routledge
Hemsby Viking Festival
If you want to get up close an personal to a full Viking skirmish this summer. Then visit the Hemsby Viking Festival on the 18th, 19th & 20th June.
The Coastal Town will once again play host to Viking invaders as a celebration of the towns Viking heritage gets into full swing. You will be able to watch the Vikings fight and enjoy many local craft and arts stands. Outside catering will provide food and a mobile bar run by young local entrepreneur Sammy Wilkinson as she caters for her first event with her new business
Sammy will be making sure the Vikings are well supplied with ales and spirits for the culmination of the festival which is a torch lit precession to the burning of a traditional Long ship.
In the mean time enjoy, Viking metal working, face painting for children and music in the evenings
Going back to our roots
Old technologies can provide new solutions, here Hillary Franzen of the Broads Authority talks about the potential to use the Broads to transport raw materials.
A study has concluded that transporting raw sugar by river from Great Yarmouth to British Sugar’s factory at Cantley could be viable once sufficient volumes are attained and logistical issues can be overcome.
The study was commissioned by the Cantley River and Rail Working Group after the Broads Authority granted planning permission last April for an extension to the sugar beet factory to allow for the processing of raw cane sugar during the summer. This would allow for all year round sugar production.
Residents were concerned about the increased lorry traffic and in December independent consultants were appointed to look into the feasilibity of carrying the raw cane sugar by river or rail.
The report has revealed that if volumes reach 200,000 tonnes per annum river transport would be the cheapest option, followed by road. Rail was not viable because of the lack of infrastructure.
If British Sugar decides to go ahead with the development raw cane sugar would be imported from some of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) to the outer harbour at Great Yarmouth by ship. It would be unloaded into a storage facility before re-loading onto barges which would carry the cargo to Cantley.
It is estimated that the costs of transport by river could be between £3.20 and £5.25 a tonne compared to £4 a tonne by road and £7 – £8 a tonne by rail. Potential problems are identified with river alignment, limits on night navigation and the reliability of bridge opening times.
Boat Hire Norfolk Broads
Quick word from Colin over at Sanderson Marine this morning, for those who do not love the thought of a whole month of football as the World Cup gets underway in South Africa.
He has availability for shot break hire on a few dates in the next three weeks.
For Boat Hire on the Norfolk Broads or Cruiser boat hire on the Norfolk Broads
Click on the above links
Leading Daily News Paper in Sweden Profiles the Broads
We were lucky / well placed enough to receive a mention from Sweden’s biggest newspaper DN.se
take a look at the following link to read the article about boat hire on the Norfolk Broads
Norfolk Broads Boat Hire – From Royalls
Great Blog from our friends at Royalls Boat yard ……..
Rowed SHOVELER up through the bridge just after 10am to where ROYALL CONTINENTAL lay at Porter and Hayletts yard taking on water. Her crew wanted a couple of things clarified, following which I dropped the drogue over the punt’s stern and towing her behind motored the cruiser down with plenty of room under the arch to moor outside the marina as the supplies officer wished to go ashore for bread.
I left them, rowing in diminishing sunshine downriver against a stiff breeze. Swerving around a Richardsons cruiser laying awkwardly with a tow boat lashed alongside, all was quickly revealed as the cruisers bow was deeply impaled through a massive hole on the corner of “Carisbrook’s” quay heading, quite a crowd having gathered on the lawn to gawp at the damage.
Laying to a buoy in the first left hand bay on Wroxham broad I sat and watched the idling wildfowl which included the following;
1 male pochard (poker), 1 male gadwall (greyduck), 1 egyptian goose, 1 common turn, 2 common gulls, 2 canada geese, 6 greylag geese, 2 crested grebes, 6 back headed gulls (kitty’s), 1 mallard, 1 coot.
The grey and Canada geese snoozed on half submerged logs waking occasionally to loudly honk at a well camouflaged gadwall lowly quacking as he swam up and down the bank through the undergrowth, the pochard and grebes being far less intimidated swam and dived very close to where SHOVELER gently swung on the breeze. A large common gull standing on a tilting buoy alternately sleeping, drinking and screeching at his airborne mate gave quite the seaside feel until he departed upset no doubt by the hooting passenger trip boats.
Surprisingly few yachts were under sail, a couple of white boats drifted into shore under a salvo of loud bangs to be replaced by three or four of the cruiser class setting a large spread of sail and eventually too, SHOVELER rigged her tiny tan gunning sail, although the expected gentle sail home not materialising the crew had once more to make shift with the oars back upstream through the now busy traffic.
For more information check the following link Boat Hire Norfolk Broads
“Rivernere” Norfolk Broads a real Holiday Gem
Looking for a quiet serene short break this summer? or perhaps a quality home base from which to explore why not take a look at “Rivernere” in the village of Coltishall. 
Rivernere is perfectly located just 100 yards from Coltishall village green on the banks of the river Bure. This beautiful reed-lined waterway is a gateway to over 200 miles of navigable broads.
The cottage is situated down a quiet lane, making it ideal for walkers and cyclists and is surrounded by many walks, including the cycle track running alongside the nearby Bure Valley Railway.
A short stroll takes you to three pubs serving good food, with restaurants and local shops a little further along.
Nearby are the nature reserves at How Hill and Hickling Broad and the fine sandy beaches of Sea Palling, Walcott and Winterton-on-Sea are just a 20 minute car ride away.
Day boats can be hired at nearby Wroxham, or visit Horning for a trip on the Mississippi Paddle Steamer.
The medieval city of Norwich is only 7 miles away, with its cobbled streets, a castle, museums, cathedrals, shopping malls and theatre.
“Rivernere” itself can accommodate 4 people in its spacious double and one twin room a fully equipped and modern kitchen allows you to prepare perfect evening meals to enjoy on the garden terrace. Parking is available right by the house.
The only problem is that the availiabilty is going fast for this summer and with prices from the fabulous rate of only £350.00 for the Week commencing 5th June you need to be quick. That being said even a peak season week in July 24/7 is only £500.00
To make a booking and find out more visit “Rivernere”
The Best Of Norfolk – A new restaurant from a Michelin Star Chef
All we seem to hear currently is the the Pub trade is in free fall, local pubs are closing at an alarming rate. As a rural county the recession has hit hard at the rural pubs of Norfolk. However there is a new recipe for success, take one super successful local chef add a business partner and a good idea and you get Avian Inns.
Daniel Smith is the Chef his impressive CV includes working for the Roux Brothers and Galton Blackiston at Morston Hall. Where the Michelin Star was gained in Daniels time as head Chef.
Daniel is from Norfolk ” I’m a local person who lives just 15 miles down the road so I felt it was a good location. And it is tied to Woodforde’s Brewery, which is a local Norfolk brewery, so we will have five local real ales on tap. I like the aesthetic of the pub and the feel. It has been trading as a foody pub, although different food to the sort that I’ll be offering”
A converted two storey stable house has five en suite cottage style rooms for which to stay. The ground floor has one family and two double rooms; the first floor has one four poster double room and one twin room. Each room has internet access, TV, tea making facilities, hair-dryer and fully equipped en suite bathrooms.
Renowned local chef Daniel Smith is Chef Patron at The Ingham Swan. The Ingham Swan will be serving Modern British cuisine dedicated to seasonality. Daniel is keen to uphold his Norfolk roots, so using the finest produce from independent local suppliers where possible is the key to producing dishes such as Cromer Crab and Feta Salad with Avocado Puree, Crispy Crab Cake and Pink Grapefruit Salad or Dijon and East Anglian Lamb Rump with Fondant Potato, Braised Baby Leeks, Roast Celeriac, Basil Pan Jus.
The Ingham Swan is full of character and steep in history – it was built in the 14th Century and originally part of Ingham Priory until its’ destruction under Henry VIII in the 16th Century. The Ingham Swan has been sympathetically refurbished to ensure the décor naturally compliments the heritage of the building, with a careful mix of contemporary touches bringing in a modern twist but blended with the rustic ambience of the original features.
Rooms range from £70 to £105 per night including breakfast 
For room enquiries please call 01692 581099.
The Ingham Swan, Sea Palling Road, Ingham, NR12 9AB.
Tea by the beach! FREE EVENT
Little Acorn Network Event Tuesday 1st June: In celebration of the summer half term we will be hosting a free event at the fantasticFunky Mackerel Cafe on the promenade in Sheringham. A great chance to get out and see the sea (and maybe sand!), have a cuppa and meet some new people!
Children and dogs welcome.
Date: Tuesday 1st June
Time: 6pm – 8pm (please note the earlier starting time)
Cost: This is a FREE EVENT, teas and other refreshments will be available to purchase from the cafe.
How to book
Location: The Funky Mackerel Cafe, East Promenade, Sheringham, Norfolk (click here for map)
Book now: The best way to book is by email:bookings@little-acorn.net or leave a message 07818 436326