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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.

So sorry to hear this Helen i do hope you find the right help and guidance soon This virus has a lot to answer to keeping loved ones apart

I’m hoping at least another week if not more we are coming up on Saturday for 2 weeks will look out for you Susan