Jupes

We are having a few days child free first (woo hoo) and will arrive at OB on Saturday. So see you there!

YES PLEASE

Hi Chris Good to have you join. We are also at OBYS for the Bank Holiday, so will see you there. Think we moor behind you

Hi Ian Good tale. Please keep it coming as it will offer valuable insights to others. Also great to see you all last weekend.

Just a reminder it is Lions Gala Day at Nicholas Everitt Park on the Monday with powerboat racing and a fireworks finale. http://www.eastofenglandtouristboard.co ... &easi=true If you are thinking of going, you will need to book a mooring. Last year they accommodated about 90 boats. We will be there.... that should put a few off

Good to hear you all got back safely and in time for the airshow! Looks like you have had a great time.

Lovely Trev. Did you all have a good time? I imagine so!!

Well.... I want the blue hull and Adam wants the white boat, so an agreement has been drawn (dependant on lottery win, of course!!) that we will have one of the white ones built but with a blue hull We wish duh!!

Lovely Neil. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you Martin, Perry, Robert and Gavin To answer ...!! Martin - it was definitely more than 6 inches although depth sounders are not overly predictable in low water conditions, however, we did follow two yachties out so about 6 foot would appear right. Should, I have seen the bottom, you would all know about it!! So, the fast plonker was just a fast plonker Perry - thank you. Tell it like it is being from Lancashire!! Robert - what can I say, without you and your Lucky sidekick, we would probably have had to curtail our holiday . Thanks guys, very appreciated. Gavin - thanks for that information re Pin Mill. If I can't convince LB to buy HJII, we may need that info

Good to see you finish your tale Neil. Very enjoyable. Looking forward to the next holiday tale when hopefully you encounter better weather!

Hi all So glad you all made it, if a little wetter than you would have hoped. Congrats!! Enjoy the rest of your holidays, we are now back home, wedding for LB tomorrow.

Hi Perry Looks like you all had a great time and ate too many mussels!!

Hi Andy and Angie, that really is bad news!!! I have seen the same problem come into the workshop two weeks ago on a dp290 (I think). Cracked on both sides. The replacement part in this case was £450, but the leg needs to come off the transom shield and the removal of the damaged one (of course) isnt totally straightforward. Whilst the leg is off it is well worth checking the condition of the oil as if there is any water ingress you would be far better to put this right at the same time, having already gone to the expense of leg removal, lift out etc. Surprisingly, the seals that often cause the water ingress are only about £3.50 but the labour is ridiculous. Seeing as you would already have incurred most of the work, it seems silly not to at least check, and changing the oil would do no harm either. Similarly, check the condition of exhaust bellows/water pipe etc as again, you dont want a futher lift out in six months time for an unrelated issue. I am not sure what drives you have, but if they are volvo I can get a second opinion/quote for you. I would love to say that "volvo pentaman" aka L Bling could do it for you, but having only ever done it the once, and under strict supervision from an expert, I wouldnt like to chance it If you want to discuss it further...pm me adam... : : :

Hi all, Suzanne will no doubt post a daily update for todays activities, but I would just like to say a massive thankyou to Robert and Luke for sorting out the problem that we had with the engine retarding at sea yesterday. As per previous thread, we lost all electrics and guages on one engine, which in turn meant that intercooler and turbo would not function on one engine and consequentially we "limped" back from titchmarsh at a lowly 10 knts. Robert eventually isolated the problem down to an alternator fault that triggered a reset fuse which would not reset. Now all seems fine and we are ready to continue our journey! But also Robert fixed two other issues that we encountered from the same voyage...immersion heater failed and the water pump wasnt priming. Hats off to you robert for fixing all these bits!!! And to luke for providing adequate entertainment whilst robert worked his stuff....yo work it baby!!! Special Bling BBQ to be arranged by us for you for all your help...and luke...just love that S38! L Bling

Nice one guys! We only got to see one seal! And there was no way wherby I would wanna go in for a dip in any water less than med temp Its a real shame that we missed you by a day at titchmarsh and hope you have a fabulous rest of voyage... adam... : : :

I did not want to include this in the main report, however, we were told this morning, that the reason the Wessex Helicopter went into the Orwell, was because one of the power boaters died yesterday. The racing for the weekend was stopped as a result. I have no more details than this. Our heartfelt condolescences to the family.

Two reports together, as the connection kept failing on me yesterday evening. Sunday 1st August Awake early ie 8am stupid o’clock on holiday, as the plan is to go back through Lowestoft today and spend the latter part of our holiday in places where Lydia has more to do ie, WRC = swimming pool, Beccles = swimming pool and OB = park and school friends. We had hoped to do the Deben on the way back, however, the conditions are starting to look rather variable and some serious chill time in an environment we all know will be good for the soul!! We have had a lovely time exploring, however, with a dog on board, you are really restricted to marinas which takes away from the loveliness of sitting and doing nothing on the river, which the Broads spoils us with. So, as the tides are at difficult times for northbound passages we decided to go for arriving at Lowestoft at slack water as the bit around there always seems to be the worst point and leaving mid-wayish between LW and HW will get us out of Titchmarsh relatively safely. First job for me was to ensure the poo-tube (Mercs) was empty, then stow everything away safely, whilst LB checked engines and other really important stuff !! Our first disagreement of the day, revolved around waiting over 30 minutes to get onto the fuel dock as me being ‘oh wisest one’ , said….. lesson learnt….. should have done it before rather than on leaving when we need to be on our way and not hanging around while all the Sunday drivers take their time filling up!!! I think you can imagine what I got in return . Next stresspoint was exiting the final buoys through the Backwaters, bearing in mind, there was only around 6’ under the keel, some prat decides to plane past us… . This did not put LB in best humour : . We followed the course we should, crossing the shipping lane and all fine until we got just North of the Deben and then it got very bumpy and lumpy and there was no wind to speak of, thank god . We tried adjusting our speed several times to try and run with it better and then found that we were at full throttle but the speed was dropping so much, we were struggling to stay on the plane. At this point, we could not work out what was going on and the rain started, so we slowed down and switched to helm downstairs. Still not enough engine power to get on the plane and the electrics on the starboard side went down. We thought the starboard side engine was showing too hot on trying to plane and had no way of knowing what was happening port side due to the electric failure, so decided our best course of action was to slow right down to 8/9 knots and keep below the intercoolers kicking in, as much as we could, and bob our way up the coast…. Which we did for miles and miles….. bobbing about on the waves, and it was rather pleasant although seeing Southwold in the distance, it took an age to finally reach it! During all this, Blingette slept and Mercs looked at me beseechingly as if to say, I don’t like this, make it stop please and he never slept a wink, on constant alert . I had lost my cool, decorum and ability to be nice by this point and as LB later pointed out I sat-nagged between every buoy…… in between saying never again, had enough, don’t like this, want to buy HJII, etc, etc.. !! Above Southwold, the water started to slacken out, so we tried to reach planing speed again and, hey presto, no problem?? Into Lowestoft and I poured my first drink of the day , although we hadn’t eaten a thing, having put a family pack of quavers on the flybridge, to find Blingette had ate the lot . A drink was definitely needed irrespective. Lowestoft has never looked so lovely . Mutford Lock looked even lovelier and the scenery around Oulton Broad just beautiful . As soon as we came into the harbour at Lowestoft and the revs slowed Mercs was happy and wagged his way hanging over the side all the way to WRC . As we approached WRC, Job Done came onto the radio to welcome us in and it was lovely to see Luke, Claire, James, Robert, Rebecca and Mason waiting to take our ropes. Mercs was in his element and couldn’t wait to get off to say hello and sniff around somewhere he likes. The problem had now escalated into that we could not turn the engines off and with Luke and Robert’s help the fuel supply was cut to the engines and we believe it is the relay or the reset switch. Anything more technical, ask LB, not my bag, sorry!! We were starving, so a quick peek around Job Done and green around the gills we went to eat at the Waveney Inn. Seriously, a beautiful ship, Luke and Claire. Lydia went along to join the crews of R&R and Job Done at the pub for quiz night, while we got tidied up on board from the sea trip. LB has just gone across to join them all in the pub whilst Mercs and I are pooped out and he is snoring very happily.

Friday and Saturday 30th and 31st July Having decided on a lay-in, we slept in until 9am and then pottered around. It seems very friendly here with everyone saying hello. I cooked a full English for everyone and then around lunchtime, we requested clearance to exit the marina. The conditions were not great wind over tide down the Orwell. Not too bad, just windy and bumpy. We saw a cruise ship at dock in Harwich, no idea which though and some of the container ships fully loaded, the size is awesome. We saw a power boat doing its trial run for the weekend Power Boat Festival. The conditions were slightly worse around Harwich with a beam sea which we needed to cross to get to the backwaters. This was when tempers got the better of us, and the conversation went something along the lines of …. (me) why are you going that way when we need to go this way? (him) for f**k sake, it’s a beam sea, stop nagivating will you. Anyway, I eventually nagivated hard enough to get us back on course and as we came closer to the entrance, it calmed somewhat. As we approached the boats on anchor in the channel, some prat from behind decided to plane his way through . A guy on one of the said boats, came out rather quickly to tell him to slow down and the prat ignored him totally, so rude . We arrived at Titchmarsh alive and moored successfully on our allocated mooring. We like it here . On the boat, it does feel a little goldfish bowly as you cannot see over the grass banks at all, however, the facilities are good and the views from the bar/restaurant lovely, we saw the cruise ship from earlier exiting Felixstowe whilst enjoyed a little tipple in the sunshine. And, they sell ice!!!! We cobbed this evening, some marinaded Ribeye Steaks, Greek Salad, Pitta breads and humous with baked brandied bananas for pudding yummy!!! LB and Blingette then felt they needed to make sure the rib still worked and disappeared off to the pub for some ‘them-time’ for a couple of hours, which means I get me-time !!! They then drove it back in the dark. I woke about 8am and heard the rain on the roof, so turned over and thought this is definitely lie-in day !! The original plan had been to go to Hamford Water to see the seals this morning as high tide was around 3pm, so there would be a chance to see them basking on the mud. It rained until after 2pm when it looked like there was a window before the next dark clouds hit, so off we went. High water, choppy and windy, damp and one seal later (very nice seal though) and we are back . Early dinner in the restaurant, we all had the carvery which at £4.95 with a choice of 3 meats is very good value and wasn’t bad either. We saw the Wessex rescue helicopter fly in to the Orwell whilst sat on the verandah. The diesel is significantly cheaper here than anywhere else we have stayed, so we will be topping up the tanks tomorrow. Few jobs around the boat, why are the jobs never done ?? Navigation plan organised for tomorrow. The clouds finally disappeared around 7.30pm and slack water, so time for Mercs 2nd swim. He definitely doesn’t like swimming, I thought all dogs liked to swim? As soon as he got in, he wanted to come out. Showered off on the transom and towelled dry, he is snoring away next to me making my left side very damp. Mercs greatest hates appear to be 1) planing 2) swimming 3) the dinghy . LB and Blingette have disappeared for more ‘them-time’, although they had to come back when they first went having forgotten to take any money for the pub!! Blingette has now read 3 books in 6 days and is half-way through the next. It reminds me of Goodchilds, sitting here as it get darks listening to the oystercatchers and others.

well done maggot!!!! watch out though....Lb is getting ready to leave Titchmarsh as we speak...all container traffic has been suspended in anticipation of our exit

Hi Jim Unfortuntely, we couldn't make London due the wedding bookings. I believe they are heading down either today or tomorrow.

Thanks for the advice Martin. We are planning to head out around midday tomorrow, so should be enough water hopefully

Martin for the advice, very aware that the tides are getting to unconvenient times however, having been to Rockland Broad and other places on 0, we are more worried about sea conditions, as they appear to be getting more changeable And as far as my weight , it is not polite to mention weight to ladies you know... Thanks for the advice, will inform Blingette!! Lots of photos, just forgot to bring the downloader duh!!

I prefer picking up girls!!! lb : : :

Thursday 29th June Already 4 nights on board and it is wonderful and probably the first time we have both properly relaxed this year . Lydia is loving having us to herself and not having to share us with her 3 big brothers and/or not being picked on by them… We had been talked through a map of Ipswich by a very helpful receptionist at Neptune Marina who pointed out all of the places of interest, as well as cinemas, swimming pool, restaurants, supermarkets. So, up early for us again, Lydia and I set off to the city centre for essential supplies. A 15 min walk to get there and we return with 4 new books for the bookworm, traditional sweets in paper bags including a generous helping of gob stoppers which I insisted LB would be only too happy to pay for!! There were two great old fashioned sweet shops which we came across, and for the first time I have ever seen since being a child, the one we went in had proper America Soda and Kay-lie (do not know how to spell this, it is what we called it in Lancashire), the sherbets that you bought a liquorice stick to dip in although no rainbow variety which is what I used to buy as a child. A pit stop at Sainsburys for other bits and back to the boat to find LB clearing the flybridge canopy of gallons of water from the previous evenings downpour. Unfortunately, in typical style, he had also decided to freshen up our cabin and had the skylight fully open….. result soaked bed . Our original and ideal plan for today, had been to take up a buoy at Pin Mill and eat at the Butt and Oyster on the quay in the evening, however, high tide was mid afternoon and we didn’t fancy low tide and muddy shoes (not sure if this is correct, please advise David or Perry). My understanding is that if you don’t have wellies, try to moor at the quay before high water, then step onboard when the dinghy is floating?? So, Plan B, was Woolverstone Marina however, they were fully booked with a Dutch contingency. It also seemed prudent at this point to ring Titchmarsh for our next 2 nights now knowing it is Harwich Power Boat event this weekend (thanks Perry or David, can’t remember which), only to be told they also were not taking bookings . So, at this point, it looked like all our tentative plans had gone pear-shaped . We then received a call from Titchmarsh who took our booking, phew.., and we booked into Levington for the evening. We purposely hadn’t pre-booked before leaving because a) we were not sure we would make it as far as Ipswich!! And if we did, we didn’t know when!!!!!! So having booked Levington, I then tried to book the Ship Inn, which I seem to recall Perry mentioning as being good. The menu looked superb, very yummy. However, the conversation went along the lines of:- sorry, no, we don’t take bookings. Dogs, only allowed in the bar (can live with that). Children, no we don’t welcome children . OK, so we won’t be eating with you, bye….. Shame….. I think we have been spoiled on the Broads with virtually everywhere welcoming children, although I have to admit I was rather shocked that children are prohibited. So, two places for LB and I to do on a child and dog free weekend, which doesn’t happen very often.. LB then got on with usual routine of checking everything is shipshape in the engine room only to find that the starboard engine side is full of sea water and not only sea water, there is also a black carbon deposit on the floor, whereas, you could have ate your dinner off the floor before we left Southwold and he is very concerned . Any suggestions anyone???? We are very pleased to say we had no mishaps on leaving our berth at Neptune ; the bump at Southwold is actually our first mishap…. I know, I know, how unbelievable that may appear!!! Tin hat time…. Compared to what you sometimes get on the broads ie ‘the bridges’, the politeness at the lock in Ipswich nearly got us both running up to the control centre to kiss him…… we heard…… You are free to continue on your voyage, thank you and have a nice afternoon…………. They also appear to have a different wave ‘down here’; it is more a raised arm in salute, smile and nod than the mad waving that makes your hand hurt and exercises your arm muscles that you get on the Broads!!! Next, is the largest boys toy shop in East Anglia ie Fox’s Chandlers where LB spends a happy hour spending thousands in his mind and very little in real cash . Mercs knows the difference in the revs in terms of what he likes and doesn’t, and the Orwell is ‘rev friendly’ at 6 knots so he is hanging over the side most of the way barking at anything he thinks is intruding on ‘his’ river being King Orwell now rather King Broads . When at sea, he gets on the floor and stays there until the revs drop to his preferred level. We were properly blinged out coming into RSYC by a Fairline Squadron very big b****r, who WE allowed priority to by holding off (LB says he should know the size as he has one on order just can’t quite decide whether to have a white or blue hull) (in his dreams lol)…. Anyway, we did the Orwell wave to blank from the Richard Branson lookalike who then thought nothing of the wash he created!! Moored up and I get on with cleaning up whilst LB prises Blingette bookworm away from her book with the tempting offer of helming the rib and learning to row. They both return about an hour later very happy with Lydia showing me her rowing technique and a rope half the price of Fox’s to replace the one left on Southwold quay!! Next was the highlight of the day, the sun was shining Mercury is now two and so far has appeared frightened to death of the water….. so his first dip……. LB ‘what if he can’t swim’ and ties a rope to his lifejacket before lowering him into the water. He panicked to start with and kept swimming back to the bathing platform. He then seemed to start enjoying it but still wanting to know he could get out, so we lifted him, showered him and towelled him dry. I think he enjoyed it, so more tomorrow on the backwaters, when Lydia wants to swim with him. Dinner this evening at SYHC, then I decreed a music night and we spent about an hour trying to educate Lydia on the enduring heroes/heroines of music rather than Alexander Burke, JLS and Jason DeLulo (who are they??) Walton Backwaters tomorrow.