YnysMon

We've had a wonderfully sunny afternoon here at Paddy's Lane. However, there's now a dark cloud coming in from the west and rumbles of thunder so we've nipped out to bring our windscreen back up and generally 'batten down the hatches '.

There's a gravel lane that leads up the hill from the area where the wherry is moored. Just follow that until you get to the back of How Hill House. The gardens are signposted from there. (Yes, very secret...LOL.) I believe so, provided they are kept on a lead. To be honest I didn't pay attention on this visit, but I'm sure I read signs indicating that dogs are allowed on previous visits. By the way, the bluebells in the wood above the gardens are wonderful too.

Ah, so that's what smelled so wonderful 😊.

Some passing 'traffic' to keep Seren interested. As we passed the channel on the western side of 'The Heater' (the island that's between the two channels that lead to Barton Turf) we had to squeeze past a dredger and a couple of barges. Luckily they were on their lunch break when we passed, but have obviously started work again.

That's us done cruising for the day (1pm) moored at the same spot in Paddy's Lane as a couple of days ago. Cross fingers no party boats/ stag doos turn up this evening! By the way, the water point at the Barton Turf Staithe has a really good wide-bore hose. Costs £2. There are also rubbish bins and a bottle bank. I had to ask a chappie who was cleaning the Parish Staithe sign for help, as he was wearing wellies and I just had sandals, as the bottle bank was surrounded by a large puddle on one side and deep mud the other. It did rain a lot yesterday!

It has, I've just been there. Should have worn my walking boots though. It will be more impressive in about a week or a fortnight's time, but there were some azaleas blooming, plus a few of the large rhododendrons.

Another early start this morning. It's now almost 9.20 and we've just arrived at How Hill.

It's surprisingly warm this week, despite the showers. We haven't had to put the heating on any evening so far. In fact it's now 8pm and I'm still wearing sandals, as it's too warm for shoes or slippers. I have put a cardie on though, as a slight concession to the evening drawing in. We put the heating on once this week, very early the first morning, it stayed on for a minimal length of time though as we soon got too hot. We were once advised by an engineer not to switch the heating off again until it has run at least 10 minutes to avoid carbon build up. Not sure if that's true, but we've stuck with the advice.

It seems pretty quiet here up north too.

It's not that bad. The boat was takeout of the water in February and her bottom cleaned. It's just that, as a syndicate we like to keep her looking as good as possible.

What's happened to the Horsefen Lane bakery? I hope it hasn't closed down.

Now settled in Womack Dyke for the rest of the day (and night).

We are saving Upton for when Harry is with us next week. It might be a handy overnight option after a late afternoon passage back north. Currently moored at Potter H. We think MS's water line badly needs a scrub and Graham thinks the deck brush on board isn't up to it...too soft. He's gone off to Latham's in search of a brush.

There was one occasion when we passed through Stokesby when I thought I could detect that old crossing. There was a disturbance in the water pretty much a straight line across the river near the pub. Maybe the water levels were lower that year or something.

I think I have it sussed out now, at least shortly after low water. Anywhere on the lower sections of the rivers have a tidal effect similar to that at the Gt Yarmouth Yacht Station, where the flow continues going out for about an hour after low water, hence slack water being an hour later than low water. We were only visiting Stokesby for the shop but have had an unexpected bonus breakfast in the pub. Very nice it was too.

Left Fleet Dyke sometime after 7 this morning. Just arrived at Stokesby. Tide supposed to have turned about quarter of an hour ago but is still flowing out strongly.

My son, who is going to join us on Moonlight Shadow for our second week (and then on Kate's boat for the NBN meet) messaged me yesterday to ask if we've been to The White Horse Upton yet. Obviously he's hoping we haven't, as that's our top choice.

Thanks Matt.

Yes, we talked to the pilot. Sounds like it's a very recent change. Even before the pilots started accepting 'private boats' they had an agreement with BCBM, our former management company. It would be interesting to know whether that agreement still applies to the two broads boats that are still managed by them.

We moored up at St Benet's around 12.30, had a sandwich lunch, took the dogs for a run around the Abbey grounds then chilled back on board. There was quite a lot of wash from passing speeding boats, but we were anticipating that would die down later. However, having observed how the wind was freshening (several passing Sailey's were having a wonderful time) and blowing onto our mooring we started to imagine what the bow slap would be like later. Just before 4pm we set off again, this time down Fleet Dyke in search of a more sheltered mooring and found the ideal one on the bend. Only two other boats here and lovely brand new quay heading. Good decision, but ticking off St Benet's as a first time overnight mooring will have to wait for another time.

You should be fine. We are 6'10" and probably wider than you are boat not people LOL.

Pozzie has had enough boat/wildlife spotting duties. Seren on the other hand...

Drat and double drat! Went all the way up to Wroxham this morning only to find the bridge pilot no longer takes private boats through. I declined to take MS though myself even though he said I'd got plenty of clearance. It's all very well going through, it's the getting back that's dodgy (that bend). Just passed Horning on of way back down river, heading to who knows where...we don't anyway! Just picked up a passenger too.

Yes, we did. It all worked out rather well. If we had come straight to this wild mooring we wouldn't have had much of the afternoon sun, as it's so shady, but we did get the evening sun and peace and quiet. That bittern only ceased calling at dawn. Didn't keep me awake, but I did hear him (?) periodically through the night.

The bittern is still going strong (almost 9.30 pm now). Is he going to call out all night? Mind you it's a fairly soothing sound.