Go with the ebb and flow

Today most of us live in a world that is fast changing in all ways and we rush from here to there to get to work, do the shopping, take the children to school and even walk the dog.

All around us life is whirling and twirling very fast. Even if we don't have to rush anywhere, we do – because that's what we are used to.

Even when we go on holiday the temptation is to take things at speed to see and experience as much as we can in our limited time away. No wonder so many people suffer from high blood pressure!

That is why it's nice to go somewhere where you can't rush, where you have to slow right, right down and just go with the easy flow of life.

And the perfect spot to do that is cruising along the Norfolk Broads where the speed limit is between four and six miles per hour.

Break the limit and not only will the water police smack a hefty fine on you but if you manage to avoid the law, fellow cruisers will probably tell on you.

Because the Broads are a place to slowly drift, enjoying the wildlife all around, stopping off at pretty pubs for lunch and visiting historic villages.

The Norfolk Broads are a series of rivers and broads (lakes) covering 303 square kilometres, most of this is in the county of Norfolk, and just over 200 square kilometres of these waterways are navigable, covering seven rivers and 63 broads.

The depth of these waterways is usually less than four metres deep. Thirteen of the broads are completely navigable whilst three others have channels open to navigation running through them.

The Broads range from small ponds through the large areas such as Hickling, Barton and Breydon. The majority are located in the northern half of Broadland which encompass the Rivers, Bure, Ant and Thurne.

Central and southern parts of Broadland encompass the Rivers Waveney, Yare and Chet, however all the waterways are tidal. The effect of the tide decreases with distance, and further away, upstream areas from Barton Broad are almost non tidal.

The Broads have always been a boating destination, starting back in 1878 and an area I've always want to take a trip on.

My chance came with Herbert Woods, one of the boating holiday pioneers which started in 1926, and whose yard is at Potter Heigham. The company specialises in boating and cottage holidays. Each of its cruisers and cottages are beautifully maintained and fully-equipped to ensure that customers have a comfortable and stress-free stay. And that I certainly did on a four-day break in a Tranquil Light cruiser. There are three double en suite cabins and you can fit another two people in the spacious lounge area where benches convert to a bed.

It's from a raised chair in the lounge that you steer the boat and on fine days you can winch the roof back to the kitchen area to get even better views of the beautiful countryside and get a tan.

There's a fitted kitchen area with a full size oven, hob and fridge along with a microwave and plenty of kitchenware should you wish to cater rather than try out the local food along the way.

Don't worry if you are a novice as staff explain the controls and safety equipment and offer their expert advice. You can feel rest-assured, as each boat comes with a comprehensive Skippers' Guide containing the vital information for a relaxing and safe holiday plus, should you experience any difficulty on the water, Herbert Woods offer a 24-hour emergency assistance service.

Its team of experienced marine engineers are only a phone call away and are always more than happy to come out and assist customers with problems. Thankfully we didn't need to do that!

It's difficult at first to slow down quite as much as you have to on the Broads but my oh my, your troubles and stresses quickly disappear as you wander the waterways, more than 125 miles of them, taking in the beautiful scenery in an area with some of the UK's driest weather.

At first we were determined to see as much as we could but soon realised that we didn't actually have to. It wasn't compulsory.

There are many spots to aim for and we made four overnight stops enjoying a takeaway delivered to our mooring one evening (the boat has a leaflet of places with phone numbers that will deliver to you), two lovely bar meals and one simply marvellous meal at The Bure River Cottage Restaurant in Horning.

We tied up and took a short taxi ride to this highly recommended restaurant where the three of us on the trip were ecstatic about service, ambiance and the divine food. Go to the area if for no other reason than to eat here.

Travel facts

Hire charge for a four-night break in spring was £509.

There's a £45 damage waiver to pay in addition and a surcharge of £125 for fuel on larger boats such as the Tranquil Light. When the boat is returned, the tank is checked and a refund is issued for any unused fuel.

Address: Bridge Road, Potter Heigham, Great Yarmouth, NR29 5JF

Call 0800 144 4472

Visit www.herbertwoods.co.uk

Facebook.com/HerbertWoods or Twitter @HerbertWoods