Posted:  Tuesday  15th November 2011

 Wroxham, and a cruise on the Broads.
25th August 2011

Whilst waiting for two coaches to take 94 London Plant Associates on a day trip to the Norfolk Broads, the heavens opened up!!  The rain stayed with us for the 1½ hour journey to our first stop, which was The White Horse inn at Stoke Ash, Suffolk, for morning coffee & biscuits.

45 minutes later, suitably refreshed, we boarded the coaches once again for the last part of the journey.  During this leg the rain cleared and gave way to clear skies.  On arrival in Wroxham around mid-day, some Associates went straight to a restaurant or fish & chip shop for a lunchtime meal, while others sat by the River Bure and had a picnic.  The town of Wroxham is dominated by a series of Roy's stores, which include a large toy shop, clothing outlet, garden centre and a large department store selling almost anything.

At half past two, we all boarded the coaches once again for the 2 mile trip to Horning where our Mississippi Paddle Steamer, Southern Comfort, was berthed waiting to take us on a 1½ hour trip along the River Bure and onto the Norfolk Broads.  Four Associates who live in Norfolk also met us there. Once on board a well stocked bar inside was the destination for many, whilst others climbed the stairs to sit on the open deck for a very picturesque journey.  Cameras were clicking from all areas and the skipper asked if anyone would like to join him in the wheelhouse for an opportunity to take the helm.  A couple of Associates took up the offer, thankfully without any close calls with the swans or ducks!! 

There is a problem loading photos to the web pages using the usual software.  To get round this we have put the photos in a slide show.  Click here for slide show of some photos from the trip.  Clicking downloads the slide show in a separate window.  You will need to open it, and close it when finished viewing to return to this page.

On return to the coaches, goodbyes were said to the Norfolk Associates and off we headed to the service area at Stansted on the M11 for a comfort break.

On returning to Grays all were saying their goodbyes and thanking the weather for being so kind to us when we needed it too.  The feeling was one of "what a wonderful day we had messing about on the river".

Lesley's husband Richard made a two part video of the day.

Click here to view video part 1.
Click here to view video part 2.

Text : Captain George Mann (event organiser)

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