YnysMon

Moonlight Shadow Trip 7 – June-July 2021 Day 1 – Saturday 26th June Whilst I was writing up this account, we were moored at Polkey’s Mill BA moorings in peace and quiet. Apart from the occasional bird and trickle from the tide, absolute silence. Lovely! We had set off from MK this morning just after 9am. Packing the car had proved a bit of a challenge for Graham, a bit like a ‘quart in a pint pot’ given there were four of us and the dog this time. It would be Graham’s Dad’s and our youngest son Alec’s first trip on MS. We had to leave the portable BBQ behind (just as well as we probably wouldn’t have used it anyway due to the weather). We had a good journey until we hit the roadworks on the A47, which delayed us somewhat, but we were plenty early enough for our 2pm pick-up time. Whilst we sat in the queue, I phone Acle Bridge Inn to book a table. We had a good meal at Acle. Alec and I had their pie of the day – chicken and leek, which were stuffed with very large chunks of chicken. The portion was far too large for me though. After lunch, we went to the Sainsbury’s in Thorpe St Andrew to do the main food shop (everyone except the driver ended up with bags of food on their laps) and then went on to Brundall and the boat. The area where MS is now moored backs on to the main hire-boat reception area and it was rammed with cars. We temporarily parked as near as we could to MS to unload all our stuff before mooring the car to the parking near the Brooms entrance. Dad and Alec getting to know the boat. Finally got on our way just before 3.30pm. Having started off overcast, the day had turned out quite pleasant and warm with sunny spells. We didn’t take the roof down though, as it was fairly breezy. Once we left Brundall Alec took the helm. I was impressed that he managed to get the knack of steering the boat without going in to typical beginner zig-zag mode. He obviously listened to what I said about there being a delay in the boat responding to the helm. Later, after we’d passed the Beauchamp Arms, Dad took the helm for a while. His eyesight isn’t good at present (awaiting a referral for serious cataracts) so either Graham or I stayed beside him whilst he was helming, especially since the sight in his right eye is particularly bad, so he was tending to veer toward the wrong side of the river. Dad has been an experienced boatman all his life (including coxing the first rib lifeboat that was stationed in Trearddur Bay), but this is the first really slow boat he’s handled. We considered mooring at Hardley Drainage Mill pontoon mooring, as half of it was unoccupied, and I pirouetted in the middle of the river whilst we had a dither whether to moor there or continue to Polkey’s Mill. Obviously, the latter won out. We would have an early start in the morning to catch the tide through Yarmouth. Alec took the helm again and took us safely and cautiously past Reedham Ferry. However, as we held station waiting for the ferry to cross, we were taken aback to see a private boat pass in front of it. Luckily, they managed to do that without incident, but it’s the first time I’ve ever seen anyone do that. On the whole the river seemed very quiet. There were plenty of moorings available at Hardley Cross. Reedham was pretty busy though. Once we arrived at Polkey’s Mill there were a couple of sailies already moored there, but plenty enough room left for us. After our rather heavy lunch, I didn’t want to make the meal I’d planned this evening. Also, Dad likes to eat earlier in the evening than we do, so I made him a ‘Parsley Box’ meal. They deliver ready meals that can be stored without a fridge or freezer, so we had sent away for a trial pack last week. Although I’ve not been that impressed with the look of the meals when cooked, nor the portion size, Dad seems to think they are quite tasty, and they will certainly come in handy this week. The other downside is that you have to decant the food into a different container if you want to heat it up in the oven instead of the microwave. (I didn’t want to spoil the peace and quiet of Polkey’s Mill for our fellow boaters by running the engine.) A little while later, the rest of us had pasta with a sauce made from tomatoes, onion and lardons. I had used a huge onion and two tins of tomatoes, so there was plenty of sauce left over another meal. Alec and I took Seren out for a run around 9pm, then we all settled down for the night. Whilst we were out I took some photos of the flocks of birds milling around the sky. Not as impressive as the photos Grendel took last week, but the light was pretty dim. Alec decided to sleep on the sofa in the lounge rather than the bunkroom, with Seren settled in her bed on the floor beside him. I was soooo relaxed.

No luck in Brundall, but the next family on board MS have managed to source a canister in their home town, with a returnable deposit until they are able to return the empty canister. We have now arrived home this evening, on the warmest day of the week. Typical! Most days have been 15 degrees max and it was 23 as we arrived home not long ago. I almost melted while cleaning MS. I almost messed up seriously when leaving Brooms fuel quay today. For some reason Dad chose that moment to get up on the starboard deck (89 and not that stable on his pins). Graham rushed to help him into a life jacket and persuade him back into the rear well, so I didn’t get the normal clear signal that he had cast off and, as a result, almost left Alec on the quay. Luckily, all was well, but it just shows how quickly things have the potential to go pear-shaped. Dad has been such a capable man all his life, he just wants to help out all the time, but we do need to watch out for him. By the the way, I’ve realised that I confuse a lot of people by calling my father in law ‘Dad’. I have done since Graham and I married. I expect that this will be my last post on this thread for a while. We are not back on MS until the end of October. Hopefully over the weekend I’ll start posting the full tale on my normal ‘Carried away’ thread.

I didn't think Vanessan was implying mooring across safety ladder, just trying a rope to it. Very different thing.

We visited the Loddon local history display in Loddon Church this afternoon. Having been reading this thread earlier I was amused to read that Loddon finally got an electric supply in 1927, and it took a request from at least six households before it was thought worthwhile bringing in the cabling. I wonder what the future will hold for electric boats, shore power and so on.

Thanks Alan. Will do.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. We'll try phoning them. Graham did try the Blofield place at the end of our May week with no luck, but it's always worth trying.

Thanks for the tip, Swancraft are always very helpful. They too are awaiting a delivery. I'll try again tomorrow but am not overly optimistic given I tried the Calor Centre in Norwich. Hipperson's told me they hadn't had their delivery that was due earlier this week and the Norwich Centre is awaiting a shipment from Lisbon.

We think we'll stay. By the way, we have a bit of a crisis building with sourcing a replacement propane bottle. None of the boatyards that I've phoned have had their orders fulfilled, and the same is the case for Loddon DIY, even the main Calor Centre in Norwich couldn't help (they recommended phoning them again on Monday). We'll probably be okay, as we only have one more day, but I'm worried for the owners who will be on board the next week or two. Eek!

Loddon Staithe is busy but Pye's Mill wasn't when we passed just before 12. I was lucky to squeeze into a gap only just about MS size. (Quite chuffed with myself, as I still don't consider myself that experienced at stern mooring.)

I'm amazed at how quiet it is. We set off at 7 from Whitlingham. There were very few (6-7'ish) boats at Bramerton and only a couple at Surlingham Ferry Inn when we passed it just now.

Graham said the cake was very good. I think we are tiring Alec out ...

We slightly mistimed it by arriving at the start of the New Cut almost an hour too early. On the other hand although the tide was against us, it wasn't that strong and we had the Cut to ourselves the whole way. It actually worked out well as we had a brief stop at Reedham to wait for the turn of the tide and discovered a new deli had opened in the building that was formerly 'Cupcakes'. Graham got himself a coffee and cake, Alec got a cheese slice and quiche and I bought some local milk for Dad from a farm in Aldeby. We are now moored at Whitlingham after spending the afternoon in Norwich. There's a sign on the electric posts here saying they are to be disconnected on 28th July. Here's one of Alec and Seren watching the rowers.

Planning another early start today to make the most of the outgoing tide down to the New Cut.

We quite like long cruising days. We got to Beccles around three'ish, so had time for a Alec and I to take a walk up to town to have a look around. The yacht station isn't that busy. We probably didn't stay north long enough to judge, but it seems that the rivers are not that busy this week, not mid week anyway (Sunday between Acle and Barton Broad was manic). I wonder if the trend that Hunters Yard reported of people taking more short breaks is general trend?

Womack to Beccles today, with a detour around Oulton Broad. We've had some rain, but it's still very pleasant. Not cold at all

We bought a white bloomer fresh and warm from the oven (lady said she does two batches each day), Portuguese tarts and some cookies. The loaf was just about the most expensive I've ever purchased, but also the best, so worth it. I changed my dinner plans from pork steaks to salad so we could enjoy the loaf at its best. Portuguese tarts went down a treat too for 'pudding'. Yum!

My view just now. Chilled It'sa bit quieter out here than in the boat. Dad's hearing aids keep whistling, bless him. Not very noticeable when chugging along, more so when moored up.

A quiet night was spent at Stalham. We are now moored on the wild mooring in Womack Dyke, having done a number of stop-offs on the way: Gaye's Staithe (for water), How Hill and Potter Heigham. Also, Alec and I have been for a walk up Horsefen Lane as far as the bakery. Nice to have briefly met NBN member Tim as he passed us on earlier.

Hope all will be well Ian. Good luck.

Now moored up at the free moorings at Richardson's.

It was chaos at Ludham bridge too. I was immediately behind a boat with a rather high airdraft who neglected to make any preparations until they were immediately before the bridge. Preparations included taking several bicycles off the top. Meanwhile a stream of boats were concertina'ing behind me. Arrgh!

Had a brief stop at Stokesby to visit their shop, and it was well worth the visit. Got some Cornish pasties for our lunch. Alec is currently snacking on one of their sausage rolls. I also got myself some chocs.

We did get to Polkey's Mill and it's so peaceful. Stupidly, I took photos with my camera not my phone, so you will have to wait for the proper tale to see the evidence. Another couple of photos en route, just after Alec took the helm (took to it like a duck to water, no zig zags whatsoever).

Oooh Jean! Cant see a bridge marker and definitely don’t like the look of those black clouds just beyond the bridge. I won’t stress about getting under the bridge but will follow advice and seek a short term mooring in Barnes if necessary. Alternatively, stay up the Ant for longer and shop in Stalham. Although I make plans in advance, we invariably change them and just go with the flow! Actually, that’s just what I’m doing in work at present. The project I had been ‘bought out’ to work on has been paused for at least 12 months. So, the last week or so I’ve been tidying up loose ends, trying to leave partly completed work in an orderly fashion so it can be picked up again by me or someone else following the pause, and I’m waiting to hear what I’ll be redirected to work on. At least I have reassurance that I have a job, which is a lot to be thankful for, and even if it’s something completely new, that will be interesting.

Nooo!