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© Broadland Memories 2006-2026

Thursday July 2nd 1914

Ranworth to Wroxham Broad

Having spent a very peaceful night, amidst most pleasant and picturesque surroundings, awoke about 5.a.m.  with a start, thought we had been run into by an Atlantic liner, or something equally horrible.

Having made careful investigations, discovered it was “Pa” and the Purser driving ‘em home in a duet, “Pa” having wandered off the top line and the Purser doing it with gusto in B.flat; the discord was something awful.  However it was a relief to know that it was not necessary to take to the life-boat, so turned in again until 7.30 when all hands were piped on deck for a bathe, which was much enjoyed, at the mouth or entrance to the Broad, which is the opposite end to which we are moored, the water there had been deeper with a hard bottom. ‘Erb’s bathing costume is now hardly decent, and it was discovered this morning that he was now more rent than ever in arrears.  If matters get any worse, shall protest against him bathing any more, unless he cares to have his dip at night time.

Breakfast was hardly over before Bertlet was in the dinghy, offering to sail anyone or everyone who had pluck enough to accompany him.  He at last prevailed on Pa and Henry, and we understand the trip, though uneventful, was much enjoyed, but sorry to record that no expressions of thanks were offered on their return9. Most of the members of our party seem to forget at times their usual good manners, but this is probably due to the strenuous life we have been leading lately. Having posted letters and taken another cargo of beer aboard, we set sail once more, about 11.30, with the sky clouding over, to our intense relief. The heat of the last two days has had the effect of taking the starch out of most of us, and things have not been quite as lively as usual, but perhaps it is as well that we should sober down a bit before returning to our native heath.

With a very light wind we sailed down the river to Salhouse Broad, our Skipper just running the bow of our boat ashore without lowering the sails. Bertlet kindly took the Purser and Jeff out in the Jolly-boat to enable them to get a photograph of our yacht with her sails set, after which we had lunch and then continued our journey, this time in brilliant sunshine and a stiff breeze.  We were preceded by a Bertlet and the Pot-boy in the Jolly-boat, who decided to sail to Wroxham Broad on their own, just to show us what they could do, and later came in for some good-humoured banter as we swiftly swept past their little craft.

We sailed in to Wroxham Broad in fine style to the admiration of all there assembled, and just in time to see the commencement of a capital yacht race for half-deckers.  About twelve competed and the race, five times round, was watched with keen interest by all the members of our party. There was afterwards another race for dinghys, but before they started the wind had dropped and it proved to be a very slow affair.

After tea Bertlet called for volunteers to man the Jolly-boat for Wroxham, to fetch letters and also paraffin which had run out.  Bertlet giving us clearly to understand that he did not want merely passengers but someone who was prepared to row, and finally decided to take the never-failing Henry who is always ready for work or any emergency that arises.  I think it should here be recorded that he is a real good chap and a devil for small lemons and odd bits of cucumber, or anything else that wants finishing up, in fact he’s quite the most useful man in the whole party.

In due course the foragers returned and a sickly smile was observed to steal over Bill’s face when he was informed there was no letter for him; but hope springs eternal in the human breast, so better luck for him in the morning.

Having set our eel lines in the hope of getting tomorrow morning’s breakfast, the Purser having previously informed us that stores are now at low-water mark, we sat down to a most excellent leg-of-mutton dinner, which was thoroughly enjoyed, and done full justice to buy all the crew.  Cards and fishing finished out what has proved to be one of our most enjoyable days, but we were infested, after the sun went down, with swarms of “mospeters”, evidently attracted from the rushes by the brilliant light of our lamp.

Just as we were turning in we were favoured with a visit from Mr. Pitts, the gentleman who won the half-decker race in the afternoon, and he entertained us for over an hour, telling us many interesting things in connection with yachting and his sailing experiences.

He has been racing for about twenty years, and enjoys the reputation of being one of the cleverest at the game.

9 It afterwards leaked out, (Pa, in an unguarded moment gave it away), that Bertlet, in executing one of his special movements or whatever he is pleased to call it, nearly capsized the boat, and gave his passengers a bit of a shock.  The absence of cordial thanks, on returning to the yacht, are now more clearly understood.

Friday July 3rd 1914

Wroxham Broad – Wroxham

The day broke with the heaviest storm of rain that we have had.  ‘Erb and the Purser who, as has already been noted, have taken to sleeping in the well, were awakened at an early hour by the incessant patter on the canvas cover, and as the Skipper and Alfred had taken advantage of our proximity to Wroxham to spend the night at home, the Admiral of the Jolly-boat, otherwise Bertlet, took upon himself the responsibility of turning out to put tarpaulins over the cabin-lights and cover the companion-hatch.

He has since not forgotten to let us know of this wonderful phenomenon.  Whatever got him out of bed at this hour we can’t think.  He was perhaps remembering that the Jolly-boat had to be prepared to fetch the Skipper and Alfred from the other shore at 7 a.m., and incidentally to fetch milk for breakfast at the same time; and he no doubt thought that if he was not there another might be appointed to his command.  The Purser gave him a careful instructions as to obtaining an extra quart of milk for a custard, and saw him depart with ‘Erb and Heneri, both scantily clad.  (some would say he indecently.) The three of them came back having ignored the careful instructions given them, and so they and the rest of the crew had to go without the custard, much to the disgust of Heneri and Bertlet, at whose door chiefly lay the blame.

On their return the usual swim was indulged in, the water being deep and clean, but Heneri nearly had a nasty accident by diving on to a submerged pole.  While waiting for breakfast, old Jeff here is somewhat of a studious as well as of an ecclesiastical inclination, sat down in one of our deck-chairs to pursue his studies, but the chair suddenly giving way Geoff was seated on the deck in less time than it takes to describe, much to the amusement of the other members of the crew.  No doubt the catastrophe was due to his increased weight owing to the excellent fare provided and the quantity he had consumed.  Before breakfast we had a call from a man who demanded half-a-crown as fee for our mooring for the night on Wroxham Broad, which was promptly paid.  ‘Erb, at the head of the fishing department, returned to grumble at his mate, (who is sometimes known as the Purser) because the eel-line had not been hauled in.  It turned out that the only catch was an old shell off the bottom.  After breakfast a spirit of restlessness seemed to take possession of the Pot-boy, and we discovered that he would not be better until he had been to Wroxham for his letters.  Accordingly the Admiral selected him and the Purser, who had purchases to make, as his crew, and set off in the Jolly-boat for Wroxham.

It should be understood that the crew of this craft are the poor beggars who have to do the work whenever the wind drops, and this is usually the case – the Admiral sticking to the tiller and refusing to leave the bridge although thirsting for hard work.

On arrival at Wroxham, the letters were few, and the Pot-boy once again doomed to disappointment.  After various purchases had been made, the return journey was undertaken, and their temporary home safely reached. ‘Erb was found to be still fishing, his sole bag being a few skipper sardines – not by any means enough to make a tinful – but the old saying is that “Little fish are sweet,” and so long as it pleases him what business is it of ours?

It started raining shortly after, and has in fact turned out to be a dirty day.  We do not grumble, but it makes us more thankful for the beautiful whether we have had, and points out how essential fine whether it is for the success of a holiday such as this. It is the first time in the whole fortnight that the rain has in the least degree interfered with our enjoyment.  Lunch was taken early, in the hope that the weather might improve sufficiently for us to take a cruise this afternoon.

The Pot-boy was entrusted, as usual, with the duty of making the shandy-gaff, and as usual he turned the cabin floor and companion-way into a sticky, ginger-beery mess. This led to a remark from the Admiral that he had now been holding his position for a fortnight, and was now no better at it than when he began. All these remarks, of which there are legion, are taken in quite the manner they are offered, and are much enjoyed. There were, however, numerous protests when he stirred the shandy-gaff with the steel, which all considered a bit thick.

Luncheon of cold mutton followed by stewed blackcurrants (without custard) were soon put away, and the cigarettes had been lit when Henri suddenly remembered he had not had his bit of “Blue Vinny,” and in spite of our assurances that it was too late, put down his cigarette and re-started on the cheese course.

After lunch, the weather being hopeless and the crew not quite knowing what to do to amuse themselves, a suggestion was thrown out by the Purser that they should all shave, it now being scarcely within any of their recollections when this operation last took place, but he was met by indignant cries of “No.”

A turn was then taken at music, and cards followed until tea-time, great hilarity prevailing. After tea we made a move up the river, mooring at the boat-yard at Wroxham, from whence we shall fetch our bags in the morning, and commence the sad task of packing our belongings and closing a very happy time.

Saturday July 4th 1914

Wroxham Bridge – Home

After being confined to the Saloon all day yesterday, the crew, towards bedtime, gradually got out of hand altogether. They suddenly took it into their heads that Pa’s cabin was the place where deck-chairs, cushions, coils of rope, magazines, and any odd lumber should be stored. Pa, in his good humoured way, objected to this, whereupon they decided that Pa should instantly go in as well. This was a somewhat difficult proceeding, for in addition to their being practically no room for him, Pa refused to go, and the united efforts of ‘Erb and the Purser failed to make him a prisoner.  It was a severe strain on the sides of the cabin, which were constantly heard to creak as the rush of battle bore in upon them.Then the attacking party broke up, and were heard making sudden rushes on one another. A pillow or magazine would drop on the head of a sleeper.  The Pot-boy’s love dreams were badly disturbed, and he found himself lying on the saloon floor. Heneri VIII, (who sleeps with his feet well out of bed), was also the subject of attack.

However, without any great damage having been done, the crew will once more wrapped in the arms of Morpheus, and Pa, little the worse for his encounter, was favouring the inhabitants of Wroxham with one of his world-famed nasal solos.

Henry VIII, ‘Erb and the Admiral bathed, and after breakfast began the sad task of packing our belongings, counting out the remaining stores and “dead men” which were returned to Roy’s Stores.  This occupied a dickens of a while, and lunch (our last meal on board) was partaken of, which finished up everything that was opened and could not be returned.

The luggage having been sent up to the station, we followed leisurely on foot, after saying “good-bye” or rather “Au revoir” to the Skipper and Alfred, and handing them the usual gratuity.

The 1.42 train carried us, without incident and only two stops, to Liverpool Street by 4.50, where we parted, for the time, with our good friend Heneri VIII, who stayed with his sister for the week-end. The G.W.R. ‘Bus carted us and our belongings, thro’ the deserted streets of London in ample time to catch the 8.30 from Paddington.  A game of Bridge helped us to keep down the natural excitement we all felt at nearing home and meeting our dear ones once more, some of whom were at the station to greet us.

Thus ended a most delightful, healthy holiday, which has been interesting from start to finish, and which we think the reader will agree has been an inexpensive one, if he will kindly take the trouble to glance at the a/c (so ably prepared by an indefatigable Purser) which will be found annexed10.

We all feel that it has been a real rest and change, and shall not be satisfied until we have once more done the trip.

10 Sadly, the costings and accounts mentioned were not with the journal.

Page  1, 2, 3, 4

Part 4

The Cruise of the Seven Bath Chaps on The “Spree”

All text and photographs copyright of The Kendall Family 2020