Lulu

Not in Norfolk, but managed to take a photo of this last week in the garden.

Im so confused. What is the official etiquette? If they point, are they pointing where they intend to go, or pointing where they want you to go?

So good to hear you had a fantastic time. Welcome to the broads bug club 😁

BA at 19.18 in

Thats what I am calling the BA one now !

So good to see Purdey Dog has taken to boat life. Id be a bag of nerves if Desmond walked about although although as have no stern access we need to teach him to walk down the deck so we can go to Salhouse or Ranworth. Ive just subscribed to Purdey’s YouTube channel 😁

Hoe much are the moorings at Barnes for a private boat?

Wishing your wife a speedy recovery. Lets count my fall a few weeks ago as the third one! I was walking across the carpark at work when my ankle just went. I fell down in front of numerous staff and clients in full view of cctv also. So embarrassing and the pain made me feel quite sick and faint. I tripped over thin air. No idea why it gave way. Still sore but ok. So now Im classing myself as having the third ankle injury on the forum. No more injuries from now on please forum members!

Do as you are told!

Wising you a very speedy recovery and hope the pain is under control

Awww bless Purdey! The main thing that freaked Desmond out was starting the engine. Once its going he settles quicker each time. Jumping on and off isnt a problem as he's like a gazelle but we need to teach him to walk down the side of the boat so he can get off when stern mooring. That part is worrying me. Wish we had stern access like BA.

Good to see Brundall Navy got Nipper under the bridge finally :)

I spy a Cerise Lady

How is your four footed crew member doing on the boat Griff?

He will be your friend forever lol. Probably too many photos of him but he’s part of our boating life now!

Hi Carole. We are home now as we didn't want to get caught up in the worsening weather. Desmond now on a diet. He had too many snacks on holiday but he did so love his beef bone from Ludham butchers

Of course I dont mind you mentioning it! The walks are giving me a totally different perspective and keeping me fit lol. I will definitely try the How Hill walk. The photo was taken at Fleet Dyke. We were moored right at the end of the curve and it was just down on the right going towards the broad

Wednesday 19th May We woke up as usual around 6.00. It had been a much warmer night and slept really well. The cuckoo was continuously cuckooing in the distance. After another lovely walk, we left Fleet Dyke with the idea of either getting a pump out at Horning Ferry Marina or Southgates. We cruised really slowly enjoying the peace and quiet. We were in no rush. Ferry Marina’s pump out mooring was empty so we took advantage and as usual the service was excellent. We used to use them when we had a mooring in the marina. After also topping up with water and I had a wander around NYA (just window shopping honest!) we decided to make our way slowly up the Ant. We hadnt intended on going back to the marina so soon but the weather was predicting strong winds on the Thursday and the temp was going to drop again, so we thought we would just moor in the marina and go home the following day, but if Irstead was free we would stop there. Sadly Irstead was occupied so decision made we carried on to the marina. Barton was as lovely as ever. After arriving back around lunchtime, we spent the afternoon doing a few maintenance jobs and cleaning in readiness to leave in the morning. The weather over the week had been erratic to say the least but our early morning cruises had been wonderful. Desmond got into the routine and I think has earned his captain’s hat. The next time we are onboard will be quite an intensive maintenance weekend, although if its nice weather and Irstead was free ........

That’s brilliant. Thank you! Really useful to know. We weren’t sure if they were open and didn’t go to investigate.

Tuesday 18th May We didnt have a good nights sleep. The temperature seemed to plummet overnight and we really missed the use of the oil filled heaters. Desmond was very fidgety and every few hours I had to keep tucking him back into his cave bed (hes such a baby). But never mind, it was a glorious sunny morning and we walked to Womack Staithe to get rid of sone rubbish before heading off to Acle for water and a pump out. We stopped in the Pedros basin to fill up with water, turned Luna on her ropes (getting really quite proficient at that now!) and walked her to the pump out. We waited for an hour but no one turned up to do the pump out so abandoned that idea. We could go another day and find somewhere else the following day. We could have gone to Bridgecraft but it was getting busy with people returning their boats. We headed off back up the Bure with either St Benets or Fleet Dyke in mind. As we slowly made our way back, we waved at Cerise Lady. We approached St Benets which had one space but decided we would rather try for the lovely spot in Fleet Dyke. Once we moored up, everyone else left. We are not getting a complex! It was so quiet. A cuckoo was cuckooing away in the distance. Had a lovely couple of walks in both directions. I don’t understand why in all the years on the Broads Ive never bothered walking before. Its been an absolute joy exploring with the hound. After my disturbed sleep, I had a nap in the afternoon, lulled to sleep by the passing boats. We checked the weather and thankfully the temperature was going to be a bit warmer than the night before so were hopeful we would get a better nights sleep

Monday 17th May The day started overcast and gloomy and at 7.00 I was out walking past both bridges. Desmond wasn’t particularly enthusiastic and kept wanting to turn back. Ive worked out he’s a fair weather hound. We turned back and the moorings soon became empty. We had decided on a very short cruise today. The batteries were fully charged after a night on the electric and we really wanted to go to our favourite spot, Womack Dyke. We arrived to an empty dyke and got our preferred spot right at the end after having a cruise around Womack Island. We decided to walk straight to Ludham butchers in case the weather turned nasty. I was eager to try a cake or two from the bakery on the way but sadly they didnt have anything that appealed. I wanted something with cinnamon or almond as thats about all I can taste. On arrival at the butchers, Desmond was sniffing the air and started barking. Think the aromas from the butchers was causing him to be rather over excited so I walked him over towards the church while Selsie stocked up. He might just have bought a beef bone for our four legged crew member... As we got back to the boat, the weather suddenly brightened and lots of lovely blue sky and sunshine. A friend stopped by on his boat and a few drinks were consumed. I decided to take advantage of the dry weather and cleaned the outside of the boat. Finally got rid of the last of lockdown green. Norfolk Lady cruised past and we had a quick chat. Later that evening, we went for a walk along the bank towards Potter. That was a particularly lovely walk in the evening sunshine. We settled down for the rest of the evening thinking how lucky we were and all the stress of the last few months disappearing

You would be surprised how much a golden/ginger whippet sheds! The hoover was in use most days. Also on the list for next time is a sticky roller

I’d forgotten how much stuff a hound needs. Cave bed, endless fleece blankets, rainwear, cold weather gear, food, treats, more food, more treats but we love him to bits.

Ummmm in all the excitement, I forgot the camera so all the photos are from my iPhone. Hopeless, I know