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Saturday We leave late and slow cruise not sure where we are heading aware it will be busy but we have food on board so not bothered finally after a couple of hours pootling along we find ourselves in Fleet dyke again , loads of space so we get settled , fishing starts and I’m in the chair reading weather fairies could be better , take a walk to the Staithe enjoy a pint and a wine stroll back more fishing and chats to other boaters see Norfolk Lady go past too. Dinner onboard again stuffed chicken breast roasted new potatoes and more veg, another film and another late evening watching the sky the birds and nature it was beautiful. Sunday Very lazy day today we wondered if the Staithe was full and I walked there around 8:30 plenty of space so called Mick and he brought the boat down onto electric and already settled for the day weather quite good too , another nice walk to the nature reserve, a shower then over to the pub for Sunday lunch what could be better , well in absolute honesty the Roast could have ! But again I didn’t cook or clear up so a bonus , back onboard and just chilled ontop we had moved to the corner spot and several boats had arrived next to us ,then quite late a large Barnes boat came in and moored in front of us , we did try to politely say we planned to leave around 7:30 and the response was we’ll wake us up then ! Luckily one of the boats next to us left rather late and we managed to persuade them that A they would fit the space and B we could pull them in on the ropes , achieved this with no bother so all ended happily , I know it is a mooring there but is ok to block someone in ? Monday Well surprisingly we head back to Bramerton today it’s a lovely day up top sunny with little breeze so very enjoyable , as you can tell we are not very adventurous travellers we like what we like When we arrived there were loads of places so we again headed to the electric post mooring was hampered by several men fishing from the bank and they had numerous rods out all along which they were trying to move out of our way , finally we got tied up and mick started fishing but was a little put off by all the rods around him , they were catching Perch which all pretty much went into bags on the bank apparently it is allowed to take them we didn’t realise this ,we headed up to the Waters edge for lunch and had a very enjoyable couple of hours in the sun , nice food great wine and a fab dessert I was very content, back on board Mick fished a little more then we again watched a movie and fell asleep before it finished a good day again . Tuesday We were going to go back to Reedham today but annoyingly considering I was up at 6 am Mick changed his mind said he didn’t feel like it so guess what we went back to Rockland Staithe was going to moor in Fleet Dyke but surprisingly it was chokka again we took the corner mooring went for a walk up to the shop but was disappointed with what was available nothing really to make a meal with so we had to eat at the pub again several boats came and went and again someone moored in front of us , we said we were leaving at 8 am and got told they could absolutely moor there and we can’t move them , luckily nothing else came in and in the morning we were able to pull her along and go round them all still tucked up sound asleep I would have hated having to ask them to move so early ! Pub food better than the Sunday Wednesday After leaving Rockland just after 8 am we enjoyed a lovely cruise down to Reedham very few boats bout early a few more later but not many it was a bit windy and cloudy but the sun was trying to come out ,saw yet another Bittern flying just above the reeds right beside us never seen 1 now 4 this trip . when we arrived at Reedham it was pretty full one space we saw was free turns out it belongs to the pub we moored anyways as the ranger to lad us we didn’t have to pay until 6pm and he was sure the 2 in front of us would be leaving soon and he would help move us up , this happened about an hour after we arrived once moored again and settled we had showers and then sauntered to the pub for a beer or 2 and I was hungry so we had a couple of starters as a snack very nice they were too. Back on the boat the day had cleared up it was now very sunny and warm love sitting there watching all the action it’s such fun , Mick fished a while but didn’t catch much. Dinner tonight was from Acle Spice again the deal build your own Dinner for 2 @ £29.95 2 of everything starters , mains , sides , rice, and naans it’s a real value deal it is 2 days dinners for us which is great and it was delicious again. Thursday Well guess ok it’s Fleet dyke but what a nightmare mooring came in slow I was instructed to take stern rope first but we didn’t get close enough for me to be happy getting off the wind was pushing us out , kind gentleman tried to help but in securing the bow we just started to turn round so we went into the broad turned around and came back in this time I got off tide up reached the other rope and we were all done just like that ! How bloody annoying. It was another lovely day although quite windy sat out on the chairs Mick fished I read we had a couple of beers and just really chilled the 2 other boats left and for quite a long time we were the only ones there , left over curry just warmed in the oven no bother at all and it was great, a movie before bed but it had by now started racing quite heavy so no nature watch tonight. Friday Final day aboard before we leave tomorrow heading back into Marina we want to be away as early as we can on Saturday although not planning on going all the way to Cornwall that would be plain madness on a Saturday in August, no we are visiting my brother in Berkshire then hotel for the night in Hampshire. So back in Marina quite early whilst it was still dry popped to the coop for a loaf and some kitchen roll back for breakfast, then started the clean and pack , we have dinner booked tonight at the East Hills Bistro so now the oven is clean I don’t have to use it again , had sunshine and showers all day some really heavy just thinking the terrace might be a tad chilly tonight it’s also quite windy again. The meal was good a bit pricy for what you get but enjoyable and a lovely bottle of local white wine from Surlingham it was super. Saturday Final clean and tidy through , pump out and fuel and we leave the boat at 9:50 then the horror begins sat nav said we would get to Berkshire by 1.05 pm we finally made it at 3.17pm traffic was just awful. Spent a lovely couple of hours catching up sadly we had to leave as we had a dinner reservation for 6:30 just got the on time, hotel stay was another nightmare seems locals use the surrounding area as a speedway track up until about 3 am neither of us slept! We left at 7:20 and arrived home at 10:48 so a brilliant trip. Loved the time away enjoyed the water as always but it’s good to be home , and doesn’t your lounge seem big after 2 weeks on the boat !

Yes troubles living so far away doing same in reverse seeing my brother in Berkshire and hotelling in Hampshire Susan

I may be wrong I just thought where the moorings are is called Fleet Dyke ?

Monday We left Fleet and headed for Reedham arrived after a slow and gentle trip to find very few moorings we got moored and the ranger came and helped us asked if we would like to be on the power and said he would come get us when that was free, which he did he asked if we wanted him to do the ropes and we thanked him and he got us all sorted and was such a helpful very kind really lovely guy ,Mick fished weather was sunny and quite warm I went for a walk along towards the ferry and it was lovely , back on the boat we ordered a curry it was delivered just on the hour so great and was really good. Watched tv and soon felt the need to sleep so off we went going further south tomorrow pastures new for us. Tuesday Left before breakfast and took a slow cruise towards the new cut and beyond Mick wasn’t keen on the cut neither was I much anyway soon done and we headed toward somerleyton the moorings there were pretty empty and we got a good spot again by the electric post saves the batteries and doesn’t cost much if there still some credit on. Weather wasn’t so good today threatening rain all the time , got chatting to guy on the boat in front it was his first time ever and he was loving it , he was with a pal in a private boat so had help along the way. Walked to Dukes Head but it wasn’t open no worry food on board just though we could have a lite lunch just got back before the heavens opened Trains quite noisy started around 4:30am ! Wednesday Never sure where we are heading left around 9am , bridge height fine but as we turned it was about to open for a large cruiser coming the other way so good for us too. We cruised along up top quite warm but overcast not the rain we were expecting though at the junction we took Oulton Dyke , this is all new territory to us went on into Oulton Broad but decided not to stay came back out and moored at the Dutch Garden mooring quite lovely too, I had 2 really lovely walks around 5 miles in total and Mick caught his best ever Bream we had the final left over curry for lunch , cannot praise enough the build your own set menu for 2 from Acle Spice super just added 1 extra Naan and a Veg curry we had 2 full dinners and a good size lunch . Saw my very first Bittern was great and later watched the most amazing lightning show when on Lightning! Thursday Left the mooring around 7:30 headed back towards Reedham and I saw a second Bittern so lucky,lovely morning cruise but wind was strong and chilly so stayed inside,new cut at Haddistow interesting as someone came at us full throttle to overtake almost putting himself and his hire boat in the mud! Reedham full so no stop over to shop or wait for final falling tide so carried on slowly up and around Cantly , Beauchamp and into Fleet Dyke almost empty so chose our spot. Walked to New Inn for an ale or 2 and enjoyed a lunch I hadn’t cooked ,back to the boat to find some kids jumping into the river just behind us so worrying with boats coming up and down, Lazy late afternoon late supper of Ham Salad and watched a movie ,the evening now is so still and calm it’s glorious sky is golden and it’s quite warm ,watching for owls and listening for Bitterns , and I see one fly past the broad end of the Dyke that’s my third for sure this week.I didn’t want to go to bed the night was so still and warm it was amazing,finally gave in as the light faded. Friday Cruise back into Marina as we need a few supplies quick trip to the Blofield farm shop and the coop then back on board and heading to Bramerton it’s very overcast and rainy as we left Rockland but sun trying to come out now as we leave Marina so we sit up top a few spots of rain but nothing much , lovely slow cruise and when we arrive there are still several place we choose one near a power post and get moored up,weather very changeable one minute sun next it’s raining . Dinner on board after a lovely afternoon fishing and chatting Minted lamb steaks with broccoli,carrots and new potatoes nice too .

Summer Lightning Set off on Thursday and spent the night in Somerset ,the next day we drove to Suffolk and spent it with Micks sister when we left her we stayed overnight in Norwich. Saturday morning we headed into Wroxham for breakfast not really that good to be honest everything tasted of stale fat ,did the usual rounds of shopping , Ludham for the butchers and bread from the Staithe , then potter for fishing and finally having had a text to say the boat was ready back to the large Norwich Tesco for the “big shop”. Finally on board around 1:30 we were staying in the Marina as we had booked dinner in the Brundal bay bistro , Mick discovered he had forgotten a few fishing bits so we headed back out to Wroxham , went to the Yare about 5:30 for a pre dinner tipple. Meal was excellent can recommend this place back on the boat for a nightcap and bed. Sunday Popped to the coop I had also forgotten a couple bits in Tesco then back onboard and we set off not far only to fleet dyke weather was lovely mick started to fish I went for a walk spent a good time relaxing fishing was quite good so man happy, dinner was a ploughman’s with ham , cheese ,pork pie salad and lovely bread thoroughly enjoyed ,watched a movie then bed.

I was called into a meeting and put on notice of redundancy, which led to me taking voluntary redundancy due to proposed changes to my role, contract, t’s & c’s and hours. we were almost the same having been amalgamated with 2 other uk companies and spent 4 years being the poor relation we ended up not having a formal role in the company and being promised redundancy often in the end we just had to leave it became untenable to stay i would have committed murder !! needless to say it was the best thing we ever did and have absolutely NO regrets

Safe journey Helen hope you have a good time we are not on Lightning until July 24th. So will miss you this trip Susan

Living here in Padstow I can confirm it’s not always crowded this year visitors have started early as soon as was allowed people started arriving as Cal said October is much quieter but normally so is September once the school holidays finish will see this year will probably be different . it’s still great early mornings and evenings once the day trippers leave love living here Susan

Great day out yesterday the “round robin” trip bus steam train and boat journeys between Totnes and Dartmouth via Paignton Up on the open top bus from Totnes to Paignton at 9:20 it was quite breezy on top ,then the 10:35 steam train pulled by a beautiful looking USA steam engine ,what a marvellous trip this is with the glorious south Devon coast on one side then the river Dart on the other Then a few hours wandering around Dartmouth a lovely fish lunch before boarding the 16:00 boat back up to Totnes where we were staying right on the river in the Steam Packet inn. FullSizeRender.mov

Enjoy Cornwall Ian May see you in Padstow Wednesday if we are back in time enjoy Rojanos lovely Pizza great staff fab ice cream 🍦

We already have lovely as you say our friends live in Hope Cove so visit area often , ok not lately ☹️☹️☹️

Pray tell which one I will look out for you although we are in Dartmouth for 3 nights from Sunday home that Wednesday love all of Padstow eateries but confess Rick Stein Seafood my favourite

beautiful photos South Waltham Micks favourite and looks like you grabbed his very best spot cannot wait to go back

Def Definitely ☀️☀️☀️☀️

Final Days Didn’t enjoy the last couple of days I’ve not slept well both frozen right shoulder and pulled left leg muscle have seen to that added to that this head cold refused to shift. We went out 2 days in the car enjoyed it but it’s not what we came for so decided to end trip early and go home. We saw a good deal of wildlife lots of marsh harriers a few kingfishers some nesting geese and swans deer in surrounding fields and a couple of little dippers just up from Brundall. Happy to report finally my leg is feeling better and I’ve shaken off the cold at last , frozen shoulder an ongoing problem still very painful. Had a reasonable journey home and I can only say I do hope our trip back in July is somewhat warmer and less wet.

Days 6&7 Well nothing much really we left Bremerton with the intension of finding somewhere we could moor and eat and have shore power , we sat up top and when the sun was out it was ok but in the wind and rain not so good,headed to Reedham but the weather closed in and it was looking so unlikely we would be able to eat outside we turned around went through Rockland broad thinking we could moor at the Staithe but it had started raining so it was unlikely the pub would be serving food as he has no covered space. As we had run out of fresh food the option really was to pop back into the Marina shop and head off out again, when we got back to the boat it was pouring with rain so we decided to try the East Hills Bistro which claimed to have covered heated terrace , didn’t feel that warm but we were shown a table and had a very enjoyable meal . Sunday was bright first thing so off we headed I’m still not feeling great and today was not a good one we sauntered down to Rockland but couldn’t get on the power a private boat was moored side on and ignored us , we had a trip up to Bramerton that was also full and by now we had had rain sun and hail back again to the Marina a beer in the Yare and a late lunch not the greatest but as I didn’t cook it I was happy. Woke today feeling a bit brighter but I think we have decided to take a trip out in the car today not sure yet things may change weather the rest of this week looking dodgy to say the least.

Thanks Helen Like you have had not even a sniffle for 18months so annoying to say the least just had a shower and am feeling ok let’s hope that’s it. Susan

Day 5 Not the best of days yesterday for a number of reasons firstly I slept so badly the night before woke about 2am could not get back to sleep ,the wind was loud the boats were all creaking I ended up reading until around 5 when I finally dropped off ,got up 7:30 it was very cold and I realised I didn’t feel too good bit of a sore throat and the start of a runny nose must have caught Griff and Mrs Gs cold but I swear I’ve not been anywhere near their grandkids. so after a couple of hot drinks and some breakfast I felt a bit more lively popped off to the coop for a couple of bits ,when I got back Mick was topping up the water ready for off.Sat up top out of the Chet but by the time we reached the Yare I was really feeling lousy so I went down inside it wasn’t long before Mick joined me. We had thought of going to Bramerton and eating in the pub but in reality I didn’t feel like it so we returned to Rockland where I spent the rest of the afternoon laying down under my fleecy throw . I forgot to say on Tuesday I somehow pulled a muscle at the top of my left leg and buttock it’s pretty sore right now ,and to go with that I have this stupid frozen right shoulder I’ve had almost a year now and have very restricted movement of my right arm, all in all I’m a right crock! Up now tea just served and it’s bright and sunny I’m feeling ok at the moment so let’s hope it stays that way ,think we will head to Bramerton today for a meal out will see later when we set off never are sure where we will end up.

Day 4 Up early this morning after not a great nights sleep , we have decided to go to Loddon today as will have options for dinner tonight.Take our time having breakfast and think we will have a walk before setting off ,not sure what happened but we didn’t get the walk left about 10am at which point we were the only boat left it was lovely and sunny but as soon as we reached the broad we realised how windy it was , but we wanted to be outside so prepared and dressed for that I even had a throw to wrap up in ! Leisurely cruise along the Yare not many boats pass us either way and depending on our direction it was either lovely in the sun or blooming freezing in the wind , past Cantley and on to the Chet mouth , we have been down here before but it seemed narrower to me I guess a lot of the reeds have infringed on the river ,very steady cruise along was a little less windy but not by much Pyes Mill had only one boat moored we carried on to the Staithe as would prefer to be on the power as it’s chilly at night and we have electric rads. Several spaces to choose from wind a bit of a challenge but in here now ,we have been for a walk it’s rather cold but the sun is lovely,we are having a curry dinner from the Raj tonight so a night off from cooking. Just a recommendation last night we had stuffed chicken breasts from the Blofield farm shop they were absolutely delicious. No idea about tomorrow will just wait and see where the day takes us.

First photos from Micks new drone

Yes Helen not too much about there are 3 boats here now passed 3 or 4 all day Susan

Finally set off around 10:30 headed towards Reedham quite nice up top in the sun but wind for me a little chilly , after a while turned around and arrived and moored in Rockland Staithe on the power so all good , enjoyed a beer in the New Inn and are now settled down ready to prepare dinner and the evening. Tomorrow I think we may head to Loddon lots of choice to eat and a great cruise to get there .

Day 3 Had a lovely visit with Micks sister yesterday haven’t seen them since last July sat out in their garden luckily enough it was sheltered from the wind still chilly though,we stayed much longer than planned so didn’t get back onboard until 5:30 , cooked a simple meal later and watched a film before turning in got a bit cold by then when the sun had gone. So up this morning waiting for the kettle to boil and after breakfast we will be setting off as yet not sure where we are going it will just be good to get moving .

April 24th 2021 A bolt of Lightning Day 1 of our 2 week trip So Saturday finds us driving up from Cornwall we left early and made good progress little traffic and no hold ups saw us arrive at the boat around 2:30 we have brought provisions with us so no need to stop off shopping. We are soon onboard and unpacking making the beds and soon all is done , I go for a short walk just to stretch the legs after sitting for 7 hours and then back to the boat continue with the sorting out and then dinner and an early night. Sunday dawn’s with clear blue skies but it soon clouds over we are still moored in the Marina as we will visit family locally before setting of on our adventure. A cooked breakfast was requested and it was delicious,once ready we went out shopping as we had only brought a few essentials with us ,that done we returned to the boat ,we were going to the Yare for a beer or 2 but it had turned decidedly chilly so we changed our minds just had another walk instead ,tomorrow we head down to Suffolk to visit Micks sister and we will leave the mooring upon our return and the trip begins in earnest.