Lulu

We have only just started using it and its certainly confused us. Getting more used to it now, but Im on edge with other users who are obviously as confused as we were. We saw a couple of cars parked on top of a roundabout the other weekend. I think I would rather go back to using our old route tbh.

So how long is your weekend going to be lol

The last time we saw you CC you kept saying you were going home, then we saw you still out and about. Don’t end up in the doghouse....

You only need a couple of points to beat me especially if the topic is history or geography:P

We were going to come up again but the weather forecast has put us off, especially as we had such a glorious cruise last weekend.

I hate clutter. With the house on the market and the fact we are downsizing has made us go through absolutely everything we own and its so cleansing to get rid of stuff. We have been ruthless. Just love it. What we have left is what we need with obviously some sentimental stuff but everything has a place. Amazing how more restful it is without clutter. The only area is the study. Old paperwork I’m not sure I should keep or safe to shred.

It was amazing and now have another fantastic memory to look back on. Hopefully see you and Kate out and about soon

Same here

I dont mind at all. Its great to see your new boat!

We are getting more and more confident. We get a bit anxious going to places we don't know so maybe now we will be braver...

We are still of the opinion that we will not be mooring there during the season. Too nerve wracking with the very narrow approach. The vlogs Ive seen always seem to appear wider than I thought. Very lovely though and it will be a regular out of season spot from now on.

Sunday 6th December I woke at 6.00 and listened to the owl hooting away like he had done when I had gone to bed. Other than that, it was so peaceful. The helm was covered in condensation so we spent some time with the Karcher dealing with that. Had a quick breakfast so we could set off at 8.00. The ropes were frozen. Never experienced that before as i stood helplessly for a momentwith a pile of unbendable rope. I plonked it in its rigid state on the back of the boat while Selsie was dealing with the same issue at the bow. Ropes frozen, hands frozen we set off back to the marina. Another stunning cruise. We made the cruise last about an hour, going very slowly, savouring every moment of having the river and Broad to ourselves. Every now and then we have cruises that are extra special and this was one of them . A very special weekend.

Saturday 5th December 2020 The idea of this weekend was to get a much needed pump out as we couldn’t get this done before lockdown and also to test the new heating installation. We hadnt really intended to go for a cruise but we couldnt resist. We arrived at the marina at around 8.00am. Ice was still hanging about and we put the ceramic heaters on straight away while Selsie finished the last bit of lagging on on the new heating system. I cleaned the boat inside and out. Despite having plenty of ventilation there was a bit of mould creeping in in the front cabin. We’ve never left Luna this long over winter so this was a first. At 9.30 we went to Simpsons for a pump out, fuel and water. As we were waiting all sorts of weather came and went. Then the sun came out. Decision made, we would just go for a little cruise across Barton Broad and back. It was too stunning to go back so we made the decision to go to Neatishead for the first time. We have so far been too nervous to go there during the season. We wanted to have an electric post as a back up as we hadnt properly used the Planar yet. There were lots of fishermen as we got to the staithe, one of whick very kindly took the rope for me. We walked into the village and back then as the temperature dropped, fired up the heating. It worked a treat. When we went to bed, we did shut it down and hooked up to the electric so we could use our oil fired radiator and ceramic heaters overnight.

Ive never googled because I don’t want to win!

Great photos Ray. I take it the last photo is you and Gill on your way home after your hols

We’ve just had a family conference (via FaceTime) and we have all decided we are not getting together at Christmas. We will be having a family Christmas dinner in the spring/summer instead if its safe to do so. Its too complicated to keep everyone happy with the limited bubbles/households or whatever is allowed. My parents are elderly, mum hasnt been in the best of health recently and we are not prepared to risk it for the sake of a day.

For our Broom Skipper we base our costs per year as £3000 to allow for toll, insurance, mooring with a bit over. We have set up a ‘boat fund’ where we put in a certain amount a month which more than covers our basic costs. This is to allow for the maintenance side of things such as anti fouling and other projects which wont happen each year. By doing this, we dont dread the annual bills which all come at once. This year was a bit costly as we had anti fouling done and put in a heating system but next year should be bare minimum costs (fingers crossed), but we will still put in the same amount each month to get the boat fund looking healthy for the next round of maintenance and annual costs. I have to say, we dont include the costs of travel to and from the boat but it does cover the fuel and pump outs

I’ve subscribed:) As I said after your first video, I look forward to more!

I moved into a house and soon found the loo was leaking. Found someone who was highly recommended by a neighbour. He proceeded to cut through a pipe by mistake which caused even more issues. He said of course he would fix that error. Finished the job after endless tea breaks. (Good job I only paid him for the actual job and not by the hour) A few months later I decided to have the whole bathroom ripped out as it was delightful 1970’s avocado creation. I employed bathroom fitting company to do the whole job. When dismantling the old loo, they found the waste pipe had been ‘glued together with polyfilla. The floor boards were sopping wet and it was a miracle it hadnt fallen through to downstairs. The neighbour who the guy had also done work for said he had also made a right pigs ear of whatever she had had done. Since then, Im very nervous of anyone doing work around the house and want endless proof that someone is qualified and knows what they are doing. Thankfully, I now have a Selsie who is a qualified plumber and works in facilities.

Great video. Hope you carry on making some more on your next trip :)

So sorry about your hound :( there are lots of You Tube relaxation music channels for dogs. They run for hours so would easily cover overnight

*Attention! Grrrrrrrr predictive text This thread reminds me of my childhood when i spent endless happy hours playing with Britains horses and farm toys. I had ‘acres’ of paddocks with all the fencing and masses of horses and jumps, little plastic bales of straw, tractors and trailers to maintain my show jumping estate. It took up the whole of the living room carpet. I won Hickstead every year and was olympic champion over and over despite the interference of my cat who liked to bat the horses over with her paw. Very happy memories and Im going to buy my granddaughter a set now. :)

Looks brilliant Vaughan. The attendance to detail. I wouldn't have the patience or the ideas!

So, so sorry Timbo.