The last thing a visitor to the Norfolk Broads would expect to see is a Mississippi river boat. Yet stroll past the Swan Inn, at Horning, on the River Bure, and that's precisely what you'll see.
The river bank adjacent to the Swan Inn is the summer mooring for the "Southern Comfort". This is a double-decked luxury cruiser purpose built for the broads. It carries 100 passengers in - dare I say it - great comfort.
The "Southern Comfort" moored by the Swan Inn, Horning
I bet, right now, you're wondering what possible connection a Mississippi river boat has with the Norfolk Broads. It's simply this: both waterways share a common trait of being relatively shallow. So the shallow draft (depth of hull) of a riverboat makes it an ideal vessel for the broads. In addition, the shallow draft and the leisurely turning of the paddle at the stern of the vessel minimises the wake generated. This is vital, as excessive wash generated by river craft can quickly erode the soft peat of the river banks.
Despite being able to carry 100 passengers, you will not feel cramped on The Southern Comfort. You can choose to sit on the upper deck and admire the ever changing scenery of thatched cottages and boat houses, reed beds and the famous Horning Ferry Wind Pump.
View of riverside cottages in Horning from the Southern Comfort
The Horning Ferry Windpump
There is also a myriad of birds to see from graceful swans, the grebes and the ducks, plus the ever present coots. If you're really lucky, you might chance to spot a heron lurking in the reeds.
If you're lucky, you might spot a heron lurking on the bank
Alternatively, if the wind is slightly chill, you can be snug down in the lower deck and watch the view glide past through the lounge windows. As befits a proper river boat, the craft has a well stocked bar and tea and coffee are freshly brewed as soon as you cast off from Horning.
Throughout the outward voyage, you can enjoy the commentary of the skipper, who has local knowledge second to none as well as a keen eye for spotting and pointing out the wildlife you might otherwise have missed.
You will travel up the narrow channel from the River Bure and into the wide expanse of the beautiful reed fringed Ranworth Broad, with its ancient church tower peeping over the trees. Here, the cruiser will carry out a wide sweep of the broad, ready to retrace the route back to Horning.
As you re-enter the River Bure, make a point of looking out for one of the oddities hereabouts: the signpost sticking out of the water, on the port (left) side of the vessel, pointing the way to Ranworth Broad. Its just like a road sign, but wetter!
In keeping with the Mississippi river boat theme, you will be treated to some traditional jazz recordings on the return journey. If you favour the idea of a river trip with a real jazz band, you can book the Southern Comfort for private parties in the summer evenings. A stylish and novel idea to mark an anniversary, birthday - or even a wedding.
Copyright 2006 NorfolkBroadsExplorer.com