Cruise the daddy?
For a stress-busting break, you can’t beat messing about on a river boat with all the family, even the pets
Going on holiday and leaving your four-legged friends in the kennels can be stressful – and so can taking them with you! But a boating break on the Norfolk Broads could be the perfect solution.
Dogs are more than welcome on many of the hire craft, at most of the riverside pubs and even at the odd restaurant or two, and they seem to love being out on the water.
We had chosen a long weekend break with Herbert Woods, one of the largest and oldest boat hire companies on the Broads with over 130 cruisers. Amethyst Light, our home for the next three days, was a well equipped 45ft cruiser with three double cabins, each with its own toilet and shower, and enough space for visitors and pets.
With my wife Carol, son Tommy and two dogs Daisy (Border Collie) and Izzie (Chihuahua-yorkie cross) we arrived at Potter Heigham marina at Friday lunchtime and were greeted by warm friendly staff, provided with lifejackets for both humans and canines and got aboard ready for some tuition.
Neil, our trainer, quickly ran us through the controls, procedures, dos and don’ts on board before taking us out for a “driving” lesson. He made manoeuvring the boat look very simple and made sure that we were competent – controlling the boat, performing U-turns and mooring up – before letting us loose on our own.
We were given a comprehensive welcome pack, which included a superb river map and a guide to the local attractions.
We opted for a route down the River Thurne onto the River Bure, which offered lots of interesting places to stop and see, as well as plenty of evening moorings with pubs and restaurants close by. Within minutes of leaving the marina, all we could hear was the chug of the engine and the sounds of nature.
The Broads are teeming with wildlife so there’s plenty to catch your eye as you cruise along – we were amazed to glimpse a couple of otters playing among the reeds in our first hour.
Our first destination was the small, picturesque village of Horning with a good selection of pubs, restaurants, tea rooms and shops.
It’s also home to the Southern Comfort, a Mississippi-style paddle steamer which runs daily trips.
Arriving late afternoon, we quickly realised that the early bird might catch the worm, but the early boater definitely gets the best mooring.
We were left with a very tight space between an expensive cruiser and the