Tempest

Really having an electrical nightmare this week. Arrived at Brooms on Saturday and thought I would pop to the office to buy some cards for the week and the office was shut. Not to worry though as we intended to go to the New Inn at Rockland St Mary and they stock them... Errrrrr... nope! Response was that they had sold out, as someone came in and bought the last of their stock.. But, not to matter as the post office is only a 15 minutes walk and they stock them.... Wrong again....sold out and a re-order had not arrived yet! Never mind, I am sure there are spares in the skippers manual on board. Get to the envelope which states 9 electric card's (please replace), but the 9 had been crossed out and it was written over with 3 electric card's. I opened the envelope and there was one (1) card.. I had to use it, but I will replace it...I promise! Next day we made our way down the Chet to Loddon Staithe and the first job was to visit Bridge Stores and stock up on electric card's.... Wrong again....sold out! They have ordered more, but they haven't arrived yet, and a guy came in and bought all their stock! (There is a theme here!) But not to be deterred as Bridge Stores staff said we should try Rosie Lee's Tea Shop, next door "Excuse me, do you have any of the BA Electric Card's please?" "Yes, I have 2 left" was the reply! She then went on to say that she also was waiting for an order as a gentleman came in and asked if he could buy her stock of cards, but she refused to sell them all, keeping 2 back for another customer Thankfully I was that customer She did say, that the BA were really slow at re-stocking and she didn't understand why, but she would ring them again to chase up Personally I think the electric posts should be able to accept contactless payments from debit cards or Apple or Google pay direct from your phone as the card system appears to be flawed if my experience is anything to go by We are now at the Ferry House and a table is booked for the evening and we are hooked up to their own electric posts, which thankfully the Ferry House provides the cards for! It's a bit windy and wet today, but we have not got far to walk... Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

3 hours before high tide at Loddon Staithe Looks like being a high one tonight... I am checking ropes for fun!!!! Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Happy Anniversary Malcolm and Deb's (for yesterday) We are at Rockland St Mary for the evening, but hope to catch up with you soon Roxy and Yogi are settling in nicely Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Well after buying shares in Moonlight Shadow in October, we take her out for our first week tomorrow with our 2 Newfoundlands Roxy (black girl) and Yogi (brown boy) tomorrow We are meeting Trevor from BCBM at lunch time for the formal induction and then we will be on the water We have no definite plans and we don't intend travelling far, as this week will be about us getting to know all about MS We will post updates and pictures, but our Broads experiences over the years have focused on our Newfies and so I guess they will feature heavily over the next week (And no....Yogi won't be allowed on the furniture!) Sent from the Norfolk Broads Network mobile app

Love reading this and Lunas Log over the last couple of weeks as we ready ourselves for our first trip on Moonlight Shadow on 7th December and doing lots of research on the southern broads as we have tended to visit the Northern Broads more in the past as hirers, albeit we have visited the south a number of times before I travel to Nigeria with work first (its currently 34C there) and get back on 5th December before a complete change in temperature and environment when we get to the broads.................and we cant wait Dont think we will be going far on our first week as its a "get to know you" trip but thanks for the great posts and pictures I have attached a few pictures we took when we met Steve and Debs and had a run to Rockland St Mary and lunch at the New Inn (and saw Mouldy on Norfolk Lady)

We have purchased 2 lifejackets from Brian Ward and we have had our fitting and marked with our names so we know which is which and we have completed the 5 year guarantee with Seago https://www.brianwards.co.uk/product/automatic-lifejacket-navy-165n/ Thanks for all the advice and we are determined to wear our jackets and ensure they are regularly serviced and maintained We went for the Seaguard 165 https://www.seagoyachting.co.uk/products/seaguard/ which we believe is good value for money but offers the safety and security we require Only time will tell, but Brian Ward were brilliant and can highly recommend them to others. There was no additional discount for being an NBN member, but as they were already heavily discounted.

Personally I would rather Julie and I have our own life jackets which we take with us and not use syndicate ones stored on MS, as I am then personally responsible for their maintenance and obviously our safety

Thanks for this I am on the website now https://www.seasafe.co.uk/shop/ct/lifejackets/170n-i-zip-leisure-life-jackets and really do like the idea of regular servicing as to be fair it was something I hadnt even considered before.

We are seeking advice and hopefully pointing in the right direction on what are good quality life vests/jackets to purchase and if members have any links to the sites selling them We recently bought shares in Moonlight Shadow and our first outing is 7th December so we have started seeking out essential items which will go in MS holdalls to take with us on each occasion so any advice on these or other items would be greatly appreciated

We bought into the Moonlight Shadow Syndicate last month and our first outing on her will be week commencing 7th December and we cant wait We have 4 weeks per year set and have already been offered further weeks when syndicate members cant use their allocation for no extra cost Look forward to posting updates when we are out and about Why did we go for syndicate? 3 or 4 times a year hiring boats and cottages in Norfolk just did not make financial sense to continue the hiring route In 2019 we had 3 visits as we stayed at Mandalay Cottage , Horning for a month in January, then Crystal Horizon (Richardsons) in May for a week, then Mallard View Cottage (Grebe Island, Horning) in September for another week (We booked day boats each time we booked a cottage) and we have already book Crystal Horizon again for April 2020 for 11 nights.............. The outlay for 2019 was around the £5000 to £6000 mark and the 11 days in 2020 we have already booked is just short of £1800 It may not be for everyone but it certainly works for us and the welcome we received from the syndicate members and BCBM has been first class Good luck with the sale and we hope to see you on Norfolk Lady in the future, as we were the people with Steve and Debs at Rockland St Mary`s when we rudely interrupted your breakfast................

I am fully in favour of the development of this eyesore and wish the development all the very best. This again could be a beautiful area in close proximity to Great Yarmouth, the races and the gateway to the southern broads. Cant wait to see the development get started and it bringing this area back to life

Thanks all for the feedback Must admit, never even considered a life jacket for my Newfie before, as being bringing Newfies on the Broads for around 20 years, but certainly got me thinking now. To be honest I have rarely worn one myself until latter years when the lightweight inflatable jacket was started to be issued. The big bright orange ones would go straight in the storage! As for mooring against the tide, yes I am aware of the power of the flow which can catch out the most experienced and would only moor with the tide if conditions allow me to drop the stern in first and allow the tide to push the bow in with the help of the bow thrusters if required Cooking should be fun, as I do tend to like at least one evening on board where I prepare a meal for the crew with a nice bottle (or two) of wine I tend to go for something simple like a spaghetti bolognese with pasta and the trusty garlic bread Even in the smallest kitchen, that's usually quite simple to rustle up. If anyone has any experience of handling Commander or Commodore or has any further information about the vessel itself, please drop a note Thanks again Yours Newfoundly Warren

We have hired Richardsons Commander from Saturday 29th September for 1 week this year and its the first time we have had this boat so any inside knowledge would be greatly appreciated It is a high boat for us with an air draft of 8` 6" listed and I note for example that the height at high water at Ludham Bridge is also 8` 6" meaning for the first time in a long while, I really do need to take this into consideration (For example we have already hired Crystal Horizon for early 2019) There are 4 of us on board and as we have hired the Commander - P version so we will have our Newfoundland Dog "Roxy" with us which will be the first time she has been on a broads cruiser, although she has been on day boats and loved it. I do though note that getting on and off may be a challenge for Roxy as side on moorings on the port side should be fine as she doesnt mind clambering up and down steps and no doubt if the weather is fair (or not) she will love watching the surroundings from the ample sun deck (weather deck!!!) but the steepness of the steps to the sun deck may be another challenge.. It may go against the advice but due to the port side access, if I am at a side on mooring, irrespective of the tide, I will "attempt" to moor on this side just to make it easier for Roxy I read Robins comments about the doorways being narrow and a little tight due to the stair cases and interior design features, which give more room in the bedrooms but then have a knock on affect in other areas such as the galley Some might say, why have we gone for such a boat, but we have seen it on the water a few times and just felt, what the heck lets give it a go as many years ago we hired Moon Enterprise from Moonfleet Marina and we loved the view from the sundeck helm over the reed beds and wanted to give it a go again with a modern boat Thanks in advance

In awe at what you and Team Indy have just completed in the most challenging circumstances Indy and you guys stood up to the challenge like true champions Yes, Robin that includes your personal challenges and the honesty and manner in which you have dealt with it You are all inspiring! Forever in the memory banks of many who have followed this adventure Broad Ambition, Captains Blogs, Royal Flotilla and now Independance!! Whatever next? Can I suggest that you enjoy the beauty of the Norfolk Broads and if you do venture beyond the sea walls, it is on the most gorgeous days only!! Well done to you all Yours Newfoundly Warren, Julie, Gigi and Cooper

Thats not a bail, thats an informed and professional decision Another great day guys Now have a well earned beer or 3!!

If they do, they do.. If not, its not a big issue as its all about the safety of the crew No doubt the guys have plans A,B and C available if required As could be seen by todays trip to Dover

Right choice guys as the darkness hits you and the sea and weather is against you Have a shower, hot meal and well deserved beverage Love following your trip!

sterling effort guys

Safe journey all Look forward to the updates throughout the day and tracking your progress Yours Newfoundly Warren, Julie, Gigi and Cooper

Absolutely loving this thread, your whole journey, including Facebook updates and YouTube video's You are living the dream Robin and for that I applaud you Looking forward to the next and many more updates Yours Newfoundly Warren, Julie, Gigi and Cooper

There are 6 humans and with our 2 Newfoundlands going to Salhouse on Saturday 26th August and mooring overnight on Moon Voyager so hope to see some of you there

Friday 25th Julie and I pick up Moon Voyager from Richardsons at Stalham for another week on the broads with our 2 Newfoundlands Cooper and Gigi, together with my brother and sister in law who have never been before, but seem more excited about it than us and that is saying something!! In addition my 25 year old son and his mate are on board also which will make it for a bit of a boisterous occasion at times!! So I apologise now if you unfortunately end up moored near us!! So 6 adults and 2 Newfoundlands for what will no doubt be another wonderful week on the broads Our loose plan now is to head for Wroxham on Friday evening as the lads want to catch a train into Norwich...............................yes to go clubbing!!! They have been before and last time they got back on the boat at 4.30am and slept most of the following day!! Saturday its a relax day at Salhouse and a friend of ours lives in the village of Little Plumstead near Salhouse and the 4 oldies are going there for a birthday party whilst the lads take care of the dogs and recover from the night before!! Sunday we have booked a table at Pedro`s at Acle and we havent done that before so really looking forward to that, and yes we will still call in the Bridge and have a few drinks as it is one of our favourites Monday we intended making our way to Oulton Broad to watch the Powerboat racing but having discussed it with the crew we have decided to make our way to Coltishall instead as we fancy an evening on the boat and an Ali Spice meal for 6!! Tuesday we intend heading for Ranworth and Wednesday we have booked a mooring and a table at the New Inn at Horning Our last night we are leaning towards Neatishead, but Sutton Staithe may be our final destination Why choose these locations? Just to maximise the northern broads for my brother and sister in law as the 3 hours of reads and mud flats to Oulton Broad and then the return didnt seem too appealing I put this on here, because if you are around, by all means say hello and if you know of any events we may be interested in going on or things to avoid, by all means drop us a line Enjoy your boating Warren and Julie

Iain, will do