Broad Reaches (DaveT)
Following an invitation by JeffS of the Heritage Canoe Group and members of the Norfolk Punt Club, ten OCSG-ers attended their club meeting on Barton Broad on 26-27th June. Oliver, Jan & DaveP, DaveS, Renate & PaulW, BernardO, NigelC, Noeline & DaveT assembled at Barton Turf on the field adjoining the sailing club HQ on the Friday evening. After we had ensured that our canoe trailers were secure there, we retired to the local hostelry for food and drink and then set up camp. We agreed to reconvene at 10 a.m. next morning. When we gathered there we were greeted by Jill and JeffS and made welcome by other members of their group. After they had explained the programme for the weekend they invited us to make our way out to the cross-shaped floating pontoon, which is the nerve centre for club events. Each arm is about 50 ft. long, in the centre the race controller's tower complete with P.A. system, flag mast, timing mechanism, etc, etc. In addition there are a covered spectators' area, tearoom and two toilets. It proved to be an excellent venue from which to hold any race meeting. All boats tie up to the pontoon and although the day was overcast and the wind at 3 to 4 knots we were all very comfortable on our return to the pontoon at the end of each race. Jeff and Jill were in charge of catering and supplied a cold buffet lunch plus afternoon tea each day, which satisfied all members' appetite for a nominal sum of £10, some of which went to Punt Club funds. The variety of fare and lashings of hot tea and coffee were a great hit with everyone.
3 races were held each day. On Saturday we outnumbered the Heritage Canoe and Punt Club members, surprising them with the performance of our "little" craft. I say "little" because their boats are fully-fledged racing machines resembling the international racing canoes we see on Ullswater, with enough canvas to re-rig our entire fleet! I (DaveT) came 4th in the first race but did not feature again as a result of an unfortunate incident in which my rudder was carried away prior to the start of the 2nd race. Jeff supplied a piece of plywood profiled to shape on Sunday morning, which we duly fitted, but I no longer posed a threat to their fleet. All other OCSG-ers impressed our host, but I doubt whether we will recruit any of the Norfolk group to our sport. Sunday started as a lovely sunny day and the racing was good. In the afternoon serious Punt Club racing was planned so we took our leave after presenting our hosts with a few bottles as a token of our appreciation for a splendid weekend.
Some then made tracks for home, others decided to visit the Norfolk Boat Museum at Stalham. Sailing up the River Ant was difficult with fickle winds and large pleasure boats making tacking impossible. When we arrived at Stalham by paddle power we found both Stalham and the museum closed, but we did manage to get a cold drink before the cafe door was slammed shut. Relief of nature was prevented by locked doors (4.30 on Sunday!). The return down the river was very pleasant with light assistance from the breeze at first, but we then had to take up our paddles again. All was fine until about 400 yards from our base field, when a torrential downpour and thunderstorm ensured that we all packed up very wet and in a great hurry, said our goodbyes and departed. The race results are courtesy of Chris and Trish, two young members of the Punt Club, who also laid out the course marker buoys.
Barton Nature Reserve May 2004 (NigelC)
While I was finding the staithe (landing stage) a punt club member saw my kayak and came over to talk. Later on Friday evening I went for a paddle and was hailed by him from his boat, which was hove to for their annual pick-nick. I was offered a glass of wine but then they discovered they had no corkscrew. My penknife to the rescue and a reward of salmon cous cous and the best home grown strawberries I have ever tasted. Lovely.
In the morning I added sails and outrigger while an octogenarian local emerged from a cottage with wood smoke drifting from its chimney and engaged me in pleasantries. He was so rustic I really struggled to understand him. Once clear of moored boats the wind proved to be running almost directly down the cut to the broad so after tacking round a cruiser and declining a tow; I dropped the jib and paddled out to the punt club's floating mooring. With only about 6 feet of depth, setting buoys to make a race course is easy and so two were organised for the motley collection of craft. Eight boats took part and I was last on both occasions.
We had a really jolly time and made new friends. The wildlife seems tame with great crested grebe teaching their zebra striped young to fish only a couple of metres from my boat. I started to work out their calls. The highlight was a five-foot grass snake swimming across a channel.
As afternoon turned to evening I explored the edges of the broad alone. The penalty for this was that the wind died completely and I paddled home in drizzle. This is a lovely quiet venue with plenty going on. I overheard a fisherman describing my single outrigger as "like a motorcycle and side car". Unlike some places, he wasn't antagonistic, just enjoying broad activities.
Welsh Winds (KeithM)
Well, it turned out nice again! There was understandable concern that the turnout might be a bit sparse, what with the par weather forecast and the fact that several regulars were heading for the
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