SwanR

Glad you’ve been feeling better Ian. Best to follow doctor’s orders. And if a test is available to you then I would be inclined to take it.

Great to hear from you Helen. Enjoy the rest of the week. Definitely a very soggy afternoon and the rain looks set in for the rest of the day.

Enjoy your stay Alan. Did you bring this rain with you?

Amazing skies on the Suffolk coast today. Hope all those afloat on the Broads have fared well with the weather.

Wonderful to read your write up. We’re over at the coast this week and it’s still blowing a strong breeze this morning. Not long til you’ll be back.

Sounds like you need a chance to build some confidence in how things are now Ian. I can’t imagine having been asked to be as shut away as you have been. It will be a real boost to get away to the boat soon. And I wish you all the best with your plans to move.

Actually, taking a closer look at your pictures, you look as if you have a nice little step at the back rather than having to clamber on and off from the freeboard at side on moorings. That would be great for me.

Mouldy thank you for sharing your lovely photos. Looks wonderful there. I’m often torn between mooring along the Dyke or at the Staithe. If the tides are high then the Staithe wins so that we can stern moor and I can actually get off the boat!!

Ah well. I very rarely go to pubs unless I’m going out for a meal. So this has made no difference to me. But there are other places that we go to where having to book has taken the pleasure away of being able to get up, see the sun and make a spur of the moment decision to go somewhere. But it does mean that we’ve saved a fair bit of money through the lockdown period. Now I really do need to see if I can get a hairdresser’s appointment sometime soon!!

Some information for anyone going out on the Broads this weekend ... in case you haven't got time to listen to the news ... and why would you once you're afloat! I have just been reading that this Sunday 5th July, the birthday of the NHS, there is to be one final Clap for Carers at 5pm. And ahead of that, tomorrow, July 4th is to be considered a time of remembrance and reflection for all those lives lost during this pandemic. Sunday could create quite an atmosphere for people at the most popular moorings.

I don't think it's fair that personal comments are posted against John Packman. Whether right or wrong, criticism against an organisation maybe, but things always seem to turn personal. And we've heard it so many times.

Make sure you tell us when you're coming through THAT bridge Helen so we can all watch.

We crossed the bridge at Beccles a few years ago with the thought to walk towards Geldeston. I don't think we were that far before it was more of a track than a path. It probably wasn't long before we turned round and went back. But then we're not regular walkers like yourself Dave. However not sure you would take a buggy down there unless there's a different path than the one we were on.

Have considered that one so many times. I will be really interested to hear how you like it.

Have a great time! Simple pleasures. :)

Have a lovely time Helen. We’re heading for our caravan tomorrow for a few days break. Not sure what the forecast looks like but I’m sure we will all have a great time whatever the weather!

Ah yes. Whitlingham Country Park. Might be some useful information on their website. https://www.whitlinghamcharitabletrust.com/#

This is a lovely thread about a family holiday. Please don’t send it any further down the COVID-19 route. We’ve been allowed to continue that discussion elsewhere. I haven’t holidayed with children for many years but there’s some great suggestions given. If you moor at Rockland St Mary you can take some nice walks. Perhaps someone else will be able to confirm that. Is there a bird hide somewhere there?

I did some very nice stewed plums the other evening. Recipe was to add castor sugar to water, add some orange juice, heat gently and stir until the sugar dissolved. Then add the halved or quartered plums and poach for 20 minutes. They were the most delicious plums I have tasted in a long time, though I say so myself.

This series has been a great watch, better than what’s on the tv on many days. It inspired my own Little Bit Extra videos. And I know how much time and thought goes into putting something like this out. Thanks for all your efforts in keeping us amused, entertained and in touch with the Broads Dave.

All very good points that probably drive a lot of us mad. Incidentally did you try contacting Talk Talk? So often when you contact these companies to say you are leaving then they pull the metaphorical rabbit out of the hat and find a way to charge you less than quoted. Why don’t they offer you that in the first place?!

It really came across in your posts, Ian, just how much you wanted to take up this challenge. But you must put your own health first. I hope you’re soon on the mend.

Remember to have some cash with you in case needed for overnight mooring anywhere that is charged. I know it’s not mudweighting but Ranworth Island is often a good backup plan with the option to mudweight if it is full. And the same would go for Salhouse Spit. Have a great time. As you said, at least you have longer daylight hours this time of year. Oh, and don’t forget that if you’re hiring then you can usually moor in other boatyards overnight. If there are plenty of boats out then logic would say that a space in one of the yards would probably be possible.

I must save that Ian. Sounds delicious and even I could follow that. Do you have any suggestions for substitutes for onion in recipes to still get a good flavour please? I don’t like eating onions, peppers or garlic ... they don’t agree with me although I can eat things that have been cooked with onion in them, just try to avoid getting any on my plate! 😂

It’s strange the items that go in and out of shortages. I couldn’t get cake cases anywhere either in the shop or on my online shop. My daughter said there were plenty where she lives and picked some up for me. You can guess what I made yesterday!