Solacement

Wherry Solace is the very last privately owned full sized wherry in full sailing order, used as originally intended on Broadland waters. She resides for most of the time in Hoveton and Wroxham and retains the charm, grace and integrity of craftsmanship rarely seen in an age of mass production and lack of general interest.

Nigel, Roger and Chris motored Solace down the River Bure on an early ebbing tide, across Breydon, near to the mouth of the River Waveney for her to have maintenance work. The wherry was pushed from astern by the equally attractive motor launch. 

Reed edging much of the river banks was turning yellow from the roots, while the upper part retains summer green. 

The tide ran increasingly faster as we reached the northern side of Great Yarmouth, shooting past a collection of character craft. 

We stemmed the tide along the sweeping panorama of Breydon water, past curving channels, cut out of mud which looks like blancmange. Rows of wading birds perched on the bank edges, doubtless on the prowl for tasty morsels lurking under the salty water. 

On the final leg, we past the 'Dicky Works' a curious pier formation of decaying timbers, which helps keep the tidal flow in check ~ where the mighty Yare meets the Waveney. (At the bottom end of Breydon, the Bure flows, whereupon all three rivers decant into the sea.) The dickey works were much mentioned, with slightly humorous tones by Arthur H Patterson, known by the modest pen name of John Knowlittle. Arthur was entrenched in the life of 1800s and early 1900s Breydon and Breydoners (sometimes known as Breydon Pirates), a mytical group who worked and lived partially on Breydon in houseboats in times past. 

Suddenly, just before reaching our destination at the boatyard, a formation of three almost luminous white spoonbills, a relatively rare wading bird circled around above the river ~ an extraordinary sight which Nigel had never seen before. 

Chris