The First Holiday At Potter Heigham

A Memory of Potter Heigham.

We hired a riverside chalet called 'La Dak' on the Martham side of the river, there were two families sharing. I remember there was no car access to the chalet so we had to park the cars next to the bridge and carry all our personal items. We soon found out there was no running water so all requirements had to be collected from a tap near the bridge. There was electricity, but rubbish and toilet waste had to be collected by a special boat that called once a week. Walking in the late evening was a problem if you didn't have a torch because of the numerous amounts of black slugs that crossed the narrow concrete footpath. At that time, the Bridge Hotel was there (it was destroyed by fire some years later), and this provided evening drinks and meals, if required. I had brought with me a four seater speed boat and trailer, which we launched at the boat yard near the road bridge. The chalet had a boat dock alongside so enabling us to make the trip to the bridge easier on occasions. At that time, there were no speed limits on the open rivers or broads only on the narrow dykes and areas populated by riverside chalets etc. So once clear of the speed restrictions you could really have a good time cruising along. My business partner had also brought his small cabin cruiser and family, so was able to visit us and also take the rest of the passengers that couldn't fit in the speedboat on the occasions we wanted to venture further than Potter Heigham. I did have problems with the boat trailer wheel bearings on the journey down, but luckily a boat yard at Horning were agents for Snipe trailers and ordered a new set for me, which I fitted before the long journey home. While we were out and about one day, we met Patrick Troughtman (the second Dr Who), fishing near Highs Mill. He apologised to us, thinking he was in our fishing spot. After a few pleasant words, we all moved on to explore more areas of the Broads. We met up with Patrick several times at the Bridge Hotel - I think he was staying there while possibly doing a summer season at Yarmouth. Several other friends with families stayed close by at the local caravan park in the village. So overall it was a good community gathering and a wonderful first holiday on the Norfolk Broads, one of many similar experiences I have had in my life. Of course the weather was always excellent in those days. I have since made Potter Heigham my permanent home.