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I know, Essex Kingfisher - my point was that they could easily point to where they'd like you to go - but they don't, and alot of Broads visitors are only there for the day.

One of my most memorable experiences was when we were on a trip on the Wherry 'Hathor' which as you prob know is big, and has no engine. We were near Reedham Ferry when a river pilot boat approached yelling at us to get out of the way as the huge boat that supplied fuel oil to Cantley sugar beet factory was steaming down the river towards us. Hathor's skipper, a man of few words, said 'what you want me to do, start my engines?'  Yes!! yelled the pilot, get in the side!! at which point skipper says 'tough, I haven't got any' we tacked, and the steamer missed us by a couple of inches.

If you get the chance, a trip on Hathor is an experience not to be missed.

Thanks Andy, I took that pic just after sunrise one morning, my youngest daughter and I had been on a dawn trip on the electric boat from How Hill followed by bacon sarnies in the little eel catcher's cottage. Fantastic, well worth dragging her out of bed at 5!

I don't know if they are doing it again this year, presume so, but the Broads Authority hire the 3 wherries Hathor, Olive and Norada for a few weeks in the summer and sail from one part of the Broads to another, with day trips of varying lengths along the way. I've been on Hathor 3 or 4 times and it is always eventful - dropping the sails to go under Ludham Bridge just like in Swallows and Amazons - hire boats scattering all over the place. Hathor's skipper never gives any help to other boats, never responds when people wave, doesn't engage in chat with his passengers much!

Once last year we were out in a day boat, hanging back from a little yacht while it slowly tacked, when I went past he actually waved and said thanks - I nearly fell overboard.

Ps meant to say your gallery pics are great!