H2CKLING DISTRICT 189 



than three feet may at times have to wait for higher water 

 before navigation can be continued. 



At Potter Heigham boats may be hired. About half a 

 mile from the bridge is the " Falgate Inn," where there is 

 good accommodation, although it is some distance from the 

 river. Its signboard is sure to attract the visitor's attention. 

 It consists of a small gate hanging over the door, upon which 

 is inscribed the following verse : 



" This gate hang high, 



But hinder non : 

 Refresh and pay, 



And travel on." 



Near the bridge is another good hotel, " The Waterman's 

 Arms," quite recently rebuilt in an up-to-date style, and fitted 

 with most requirements. The further we proceed, the 

 narrower does the river become. About a mile beyond Potter 

 Heigham Bridge is a small dyke to the left, which is the 

 entrance to Heigham Sounds, formerly one of the best 

 waters in Broadland for fish and fowl. Pike have been 

 taken there between 30 Ibs. and 50 Ibs. in weight, and wildfowl 

 have been seen in bunches of thousands at a time. There is 

 a certain variety of water grass of which pochards are 

 particularly fond, which used to grow on Heigham Sounds, 

 and was very attractive to these fowl, but of late they have 

 failed to put in an appearance, except in comparatively small 

 quantities, which is more probably accounted for by the in- 

 crease of visitors to these waters than by the scarcity of 

 food. 



Beyond Heigham Sounds we pass through another narrow 

 dyke, and immediately emerge upon Hickling Broad. This 

 Broad is the most interesting in the Eastern counties to the 

 naturalist, the fisherman and the sportsman. In extent it 

 ranges between 400 and 500 acres, but in depth it does 

 not average three feet, although a deeper channel has been 

 kept open across its centre to Hickling Staithe on the 

 north end of the broad, marked by a range of posts, without 



