Tempest

I heard a rumour that they are installing gender neutral toilets, so they only need one instead of two....

Forgive me for not wanting to see that! 😱

I filled up on Wednesday at Swancraft (Shadow Boats) at Brundall and the cost was £1.55 a litre for 60/40 split Pump out was £18 I rang prior to attending and booked a slot, to which Paul provided an excellent service and was a great help They are my go to place in Brundall

I know more people who have had or still have covid over the last 4 weeks than I did for the last 2 years Thats the negative The positive is all of them have felt a bit rough, reporting cold like symptoms, but otherwise they have been fine and it passed after around 5 days So fingers crossed this will be the outcome for all I do though smile when I see people walking alone in the fresh air with a mask..... especially when countries like Scotland force mask wearing still and have the highest rate in the UK... I was forensic specialist, and I wouldn't wear a paper or cloth mask constantly.... And certainly not when alone or in the open air!

The place is being striped inside and the outside has had a coat of paint The pubs surrounded by protective fencing at the moment, but it certainly looks as though they are gutting the place from the amount of stuff going in the skips We also saw Independence on the hard standing outside Broom main office so she is either awaiting some work or transportation As for the moorings at Broom, we couldn't help but notice the number of empty spaces as there must have been between 15 and 20 mooring spaces in and around Brooms which appeared to be more than we had ever seen before and from the Yare you could clearly see the hard standing area and the Yare PH I do think it would benefit them if they could create some visitor moorings, open up to hire craft visiting and create some decking and outdoor seating leading to the moorings If they did this, they could transform the area into something people would want to visit and raise the profile of Broom to the local and boating community

We planned to head home either Thursday evening or Friday morning as I am working Saturday, and the first 4 days were far better than we could have imagined so no complaints We are back down in May and are already looking forward to it Enjoy your next trip

So today we made the decision to head back home tomorrow The weather isn't looking great tomorrow and with 2 large dogs, we have to make a decision not just based on what we want, but what's best for Moonlight Shadow, the syndicate members and our Newfies So today we made our way down the Chet and up the Yare to one of our favourite places, but a place we had never had lunch before, so we thought we would rectify that and yes....we have already visited once on this trip and that was the Ferry House, Surlingham So we have now had breakfast, lunch and evening meal at the Ferry House and on every visit it had been a hive of activity with loads of returning customers We both had Cod and Chips with mushy peas....can't be doing with chasing garden peas round the plate...and we both agreed it was stunning! We had booked a pump out and refuel at Swancraft (shadow boats) for 3pm so made our way there after lunch and it was great to chat to Paul (owner) who is such a top bloke who goes the extra mile to support you Then it was the short journey back to our mooring and the packing and cleaning commenced We are now settled down for the evening with a plan to set off home whenever we get up It's the first time we have been on MS since the new engine which is so much quieter and cleaner than the previous one, but there is still work to be done as the drive is a little weak forwards and reverse, the ropes need replacing soon, we couldn't get the saloon lights to work, the aft heads water pump seemed weak and the mop was broken on our arrival. So a few bits to sort, but that's the beauty of boating.....always something to fix! 🤣😂

Good morning NBN members It's a lovely mild albeit overcast morning at Loddon

We had a few drinks in the king's head and when we got back to the moorings we noted we had been joined by Thunder So we now had Lightening, Moonlight Shadow and Thunder all moored together which was nice to see I do feel for them though as they can't drop there roof and front screen... 😂🤣😂🤣😂😉 But we had an amazing meal from the Raj Indian at Loddon ans now we are extremely full and relaxing on board

What an amazing day again We had a lovely walk down the dyke and beside the river with Roxy and Yogi The sun started to come out as we were at Langley and it just got warmer and warmer as the day progressed By the time we reached Cantley the clouds had virtually disappeared for the day We then made our way up the Chet to Loddon We love this run, although due to the recent dredging it doesn't look as picturesque as it used to, but I am sure it will pick up once the plant life takes over We are now tucked in at Loddon Staithe alongside Lightening We had a walk up towards the King's Head, turned left onto the public footpath and made our way down to the river before turning right towards Pyres Mill, out through the car park, up the hill and down another footpath which brings you back into the village by the church near the Co-op Time for a drink as Roxy is a little tired! Needs must!

The river was so calm this morning as we "bimbled" down the river, through Surlingham Broad and back onto the main river towards Reedham We saw 3 private craft and 6 hirers this morning out and about with boats from Bridgecraft, Herbert Woods, Ferry Marina, Richardsons and Barnes Brinkcraft so there is a right mix at the moment and it's nice to see a number venturing south We waved to Silver Lady as we passed her at Brundall Gardens mooring near to a Broom Captain We are now at Langley Dyke for a spot of lunch and a walk for the dogs and the sun is starting to appear again It is very mild but the peace and tranquility is being spoilt slightly from 100 squawking crows nested in the trees next to the dyke But we aren't to fussed as otherwise it's is a gorgeous spot

It most certainly is Helen We were tucked up by 9pm as being out in the fresh air all day got to us all It's a bit misty this morning with a slight chill in the air, but it's still very pleasant and I am just getting ready to take the dogs out for their first walk of the day

What an absolutely wonderful day We had the regular breakfast at the Ferry House, Surlingham before taking the dogs on a good walk by the side of the river. Then we made our way back to the boat, topped up the water and made the sort journey to Bramerton Common Ohhh and what a beautiful sunny day we had The weather was unbelievable and I now have a sore skin tightening head, due to the sun We stayed on the common all day and just chilled and it actually made us realise how lucky we are to have shares in such a wonderful boat and be able to visit such an amazing location. Around 4pm we made our way to the Woods End for a couple of drinks Julie loved her Mother's Day bottle of Pinot Grigio in such a lovely setting The skies were so blue and the water so calm We then made our way back to the boat and had a glass of wine beside the boat, before we had a shepherds pie on board Food has now been eaten and the sun is setting on another wonderful day We will take the dogs for a walk before settling down for the evening Tomorrow? We are thinking Loddon...but this may change!

Landscape... worked! 🥳🤣😂💪🤩

Wonderful meal last night as Julie had the lasagne and I went for Steak and Ale in a large Yorkshire with chips The food was delicious and hearty, just how we like it We have had breakfast this morning at the Ferry House and aren't rushing to leave as we are going to give the boat a wash down, top up the water and a once over inside before taking the dogs for a walk down the riverbank And no I still can't the images upright from my phone and I have tried submitting them the wrong way up, landscape, portrait... Whatever I try doesn't appear to work

I am going to get a complex with all these side on photos.... With others doing it right! 😢

Love you Malcolm! 😘

Now sort the others! 😂🤣😂🤣

You are good at something... 😂🤣😂🤣🤣

Lovely to meet you both too AND Snowbird looks stunning! ❤️ Although she may be in trouble if you try to move whilst facing down hill......🤣😂🤣

I tried to upload these photos also, but every time I did they were sideways for some reason! 🤷🏻

That's going to be a nightmare... Alternative route needed!

Couldn't have wished for better weather.... It may not to last, but we do intend to make the most of it. Just a warning for those travelling from the West and cross Sutton Bridge. The roadworks are a shambles! There isn't much notice as you approach, but the right hand lane you normally take to cross the bridge is shut at the roundabout before the bridge There is no warning of this so you get a chaotic scene as locals who know it's shut, stay in the nearside lane and try to undercut those who aren't aware it's shut and what we saw was akin to the start of the Le Man's with everyone jostling for a place. It took 15 minutes to get through which isn't bad, but the traffic was light and it's very early in the season! I wouldn't want to go that route in the holiday period! But we made it and Roxy and Yogi soon settled into their routine MS looked a bit grubby, but we put that down to the weather of late and she wasn't used last week So one of my jobs this week is to get her sparkling again We even found a spot for Julie's flowers our son Mike sent her The new dashboard was looking good and I can confirm the new engine was lovely and quiet and turned over beautifully We are now at the Ferry House after a run up towards Bramerton, before turning and heading to our overnight mooring

Start of another trip on Moonlight Shadow, as we were up at 5, packed the car and set off around 6.45 and we had a very easy relaxed run to our first stop to give Roxy and Yogi a walk before we breakfast We are now sat on the decking in glorious sunshine at Ivy's Farm

The paddle boarder’s pontoon at the Locks is a great idea We visited last summer and it was chaos there as paddle boarders and canoeists struggled to get to land or back aboard due to the high quay heading The majority of paddle boarders had travelled from Geldeston Village, whilst the canoeists where in a group from Beccles and we assisted quite a few of them who were really struggling. It may also help some to lift their boats or boards out of the water as they take a break to make room for more visitors