YnysMon

Another complete change of plan. Shortly before 4pm we decided we'd like to do something different tomorrow, so we left Neatishead and have just arrived back at Horning Pleasurecraft. Springer's Retreat has been spotted! We just passed Kate's family moored at Cockshoot Dyke and waved.

Upton wasn't that great last night as the forecast 'moderate' breeze sounded more like an almost gale at three in the morning with rain lashing down. At least the wind was pushing us off the mooring, though our bow rope was creaking something chronic. Should have used springs at the bow, not just the aft. We had a short cruise to Neatishesd this morning. I'm only posting as we are on The White Horse at present. My phone has zero signal on the Staithe.

Dogs need exercise. You can't forever keep a medium to large dog on a lead. We had a lovely walk around Thorpe Marshes this morning. The state of the paths was excellent, thank goodness.

We are bonkers. Yes, we did cross Breydon, and at an ideal time. It is possible to leave Norwich shortly before high tide and get to Gt Yarmouth about half an hour after slack and observe speed limits on the way. Managed to moor up at the mouth of Upton Dyke bang on the time for sunset too, and just as the rain stopped. How lucky was that! It's been a long day though!

Large dog on a small shelf...

Today has been busy so far. Rockland to Commissioners Cut, a walk with the dogs through Thorpe Marshes, then to Norwich. Now leaving Norwich. Where we end up depends on how long it takes us to get to Polkey's Mill or Berney Arms. There's an early evening slack at Yarmouth. You never know...we might do the crossing this evening.

Moored at Rockland St Mary, having had a fairly early start from Worlingham. Signal isn't brilliant here so we popped into the pub for a lunchtime drink and some WiFi. Shame I forgot to post whilst we were there!

Settled at Worlingham for our final destination today.

Happy anniversary, and a happy birthday to Alan. We visited Poppylands when we had a weekend in Norfolk to celebrate my birthday a few years back. We had a lovely tea there.

Nah, we are too lazy. Besides it's absolutely rammed with excited kids having a wonderful time. Adults trying to do lengths would just be annoying to everyone else.

I didn't get through David Blake's 2nd one and haven't read the rest. The Murder was a bit too sadistic for my taste.

Author Elly Griffith's. Main characters Ruth, a forensic archaeologist, Nelson, a police detective. Mostly set in North Norfolk, occasionally Norwich, one in Walsingham. Books so far: The Crossing Places The Janus Stone The House at Sea's End A room full of bones A dying fall The outcast dead The ghost fields The woman in blue The chalk pit The dark angel The stone circle The lantern men The night hawks The locked room

Moored up outside the Lido in Beccles waiting for the tide to get back under the bridge.

Nooo! I'm loving the long days. Coo! Just think...by the time the clocks change I'll be retired! Alec has just returned from a paddle board session.

We were up and away just after sunrise this morning and reached our current destination, Geldeston dyke, around 7am. Low water was around 6.30 in Beccles . It turned out we didn't need to get up so early as there was plenty of room under the old bridge. It's extremely weedy in Geldeston dyke. By the way, it's the first time I've heard a cuckoo sing out in July. I heard him yesterday evening and again this morning around 5am. Southern Broads look to be very quiet so far. Although Somerlayton was full yesterday that was mainly because people were awkwardly spaced. There were no boats at North Cove or Worlingham as we passed this morning and Beccles looked more than half empty too.

We noticed Evening Shadow was reversing in the Herbie Woods basin to a likely spot, but we couldn't see that many spaces from the river. We only wanted a fleeting visit to Latham's to look for a mat to cover our escape hatch. We are using the paddle board to cover it again this evening, so we weren't that fussed about not being able to moor up. For those who don't recognise the 'Easter Island ' head carving, we are on a wild mooring on the Waveney a few river bends upstream from the Waveney River Centre. There is a wonderful moon this evening. More like carried away by a moonlight reflection than a shadow.

Is someone confusing 1st July with 1st April?

Which is why none of my family will be paddle boarding on the Yare. The nearest we'll be to the Yare will be to sneak under Bishop's Bridge.

We'll, you just have to use your common sense when helming a cruiser, canoeing, paddle boarding, wild swimming, hiking up mountains or whatever you chosen sport is. We are not planning on paddle boarding anywhere busy with river traffic. On a more positive note. We left Horning at 9'ish, had an unproductive detour up to Potter H (no BA Moorings free), a lunch stop at Stacey Arms, went through Yarmouth around 4pm and turned up the Waveney. Guess where we are.

Thanks Liz. Graham found his ibuprofen gel later when he unpacked his clothes, so he’s okay for now. Yes I can!

Yes, I noticed that too when we went under the bridge. Another reason for our change of plan. We’ve hit a slight snag this evening. Graham and I are sleeping in the forward cabin and can’t find the blind for the escape hatch window. Alec and I have been out to move Harry’s paddle board bag on top of the hatch. It doesn’t cover it completely, but hopefully that will prevent us from being woken at dawn.

We’ve had rain here in Horning, but it’s still pretty warm. I’m still wearing shorts anyway!

Moonlight Shadow and Evening Shadow both have shares for sale. I only have experience of the Moonlight Shadow syndicate, but from what I’ve experienced to date, people who reach out to others for a swap are rarely disappointed, though that can’t be guaranteed of course. My husband and I are always open to swapping a school holiday week, as our preference is to avoid school holidays. We currently have very few syndicate members who have school age children/grandchildren.

By the way, Harry has kindly given us a loan of his paddle board. Mainly for Alec, but I’ve packed a swimming cosie this time, so might actually try it out. It would be nice to get under Bishop’s bridge on it. Last time Alec was with us we went to Norwich on a Monday, when the Japanese restaurant is shut. I’ve promised him that we’ll try to get there later in the week, maybe Tuesday, I had been planning on going up to Wroxham tomorrow, to get up to Coltishall, but low tide is quite early, well before the pilot service starts up, so we are now thinking of going south tomorrow afternoon. Before that I have plans to walk into Acle to get Graham some ibuprofen. His right foot and lower leg are swollen. A (solidified) bag of cement rolled off the trailer onto his foot just over a week ago. His foot seems less swollen than it was, but his leg hasn’t gone down yet.