Lulu

Ok, its definitely on my list! I wish there were electric posts

I really dont like stern on mooring and we avoid it where possible, but if the staithe is fairly empty when we are out and about over autumn / winter, I definitely want to try there

Womack Dyke is fast becoming a favourite place. Remote and quiet but at the same time, places to walk to :)

16th September 2020 Lovely undisturbed sleep after not being able to stay awake beyond 9.30 the evening before. As usual I got up before anyone else was stirring loving the peaceful scene. The plan today was to get a pump out and we getting very low on water. We could tell this by how much Luna had started to list to one side. We debated Horning but it was bound to be busy by the time we got there decided on Acle. We set off around 8.00 and followed Cerise Lady down the Thurne. Cambridge Cabby had been summoned and was finally off home! We stopped off at the Pedros side and a very helpful gentleman did the pump out while we filled up with water. As the tank filled, Luna was finally sitting level in the river again. We decided to head for either Stokesby or Stracey. We spent the whole cruise trying to avoid vast clumps of reeds, planks of wood and logs. Selsie’s new role was spotter while I helmed. There were a few spaces at Stokesby but we decided to carry on as we hadnt been to Stracey since last year’s wooden boat show. We moored right at the start of the moorings. Loads of posts around this part were missing and we used the few that were at the end. We ended up moving along slightly after realising one we had tied to was wobbly and with the strong tide, we weren't going to risk it. We went to the shop and paid our mooring fee. As we had moored the opposite way we usually do, this gave me a chance to clean that side of Luna. Most satisfying finally getting rid of the green gunge that had been accumulating. After a few hours, when l looked out of the galley window, I could see a huge build up of reed and debris. Selsie pulled it all away with the boat hook and we also checked the weed filter. We had to continue to get rid of all this debris throughout the day. I was convinced a huge porcupine was swimming past at one point. The moorings filled up over the day, although as there were no posts in front of us, no one tried to moor once they could see there was nothing to tie up to. It was a cooler day but still beautiful and another day of doing not a lot had soon gone by. Bliss!

15th September We woke early and it was the only night I didnt get much sleep. The geese had had a party all night and there seemed to be a lot of drama with them arguing amongst each other. I went out onto the deck and there was a lovely mist across the broad. It was such a lovely moment, really peaceful and no one else around, including the geese who seemed to have retired to their nests or wherever they go after a night out partying. We wanted to say goodbye to the wooden boat lady next door but it was too early when we left. I always worry about the noise of the engine when we sneak away early but actually its very quiet from the outside. Inside the helm is much better since Selsie installed soundproofing panels in the engine bay. We left the island around 7.30 and had a lovely cruise and didnt meet anyone. Such a lovely time of day when everyone else is still snoozing. We arrived at Womack Dyke and slotted into a Luna sized space. We could tell it was going to be another hot day. We wanted to get rid of the small amount of rubbish we had. The heat of the previous day hadnt reacted well with the contents of the bin apparently. I couldn't tell if the bin was going off as I still haven't got my sense of taste and smell back since getting COVID in March. Also, I couldn't smell the muck that had been recently spread on the fields around Womack, so there are some advantages! Selsie wasn't keen on staying with the smell but we set off for the shop at Womack Staithe. We spotted Aunty Pat and Mike on their lovely boat Chameleon. It was so nice to catch up with them. I realised Id forgotten my mask but Aunty Pat came to the rescue and gave me one. Thank you! It meant i could go to the shop and stock up on a few supplies. We still had plenty of meat from Ludham butchers we had bought before we got to the marina and because it was by now getting really hot again, we said our goodbyes and had socially distanced hugs with Pat and Mike and returned to the boat. The end space had become free. We always love an end spot so we moved Luna there. The rest of the day we spent in the helm, just watching whatever was going on. Some people we met last time we were at Womack went by, waving and obviously hoping to moor there. Then lo and behold a bit later Cerise Lady arrived and managed to squeeze into a space. Cambridge Cabby came over and we had another good chinwag. I did say, I thought he had been going home the previous day but it seemed like he had got away with staying another day and wasn't on the naughty step just yet..... The river was busy and I couldn't work out where everyone was finding places to moor later on. They were all going towards the staithe and not a lot returned. Complete mystery! Selsie decided to install the other battery we had recently bought and a battery monitor. The monitor was about £8 and Selsie is obsessed with looking at the reading. I have to say, it has given us peace of mind now, particularly as we don't do long cruises. A really lovely day, especially meeting friends unexpectedly. I cant think where else we would randomly meet so many people we know when on holiday!

Thats painful to watch!

We didnt have any trouble with the rest of the week. Where we went wrong was mooring up early as we usually do, then changing our minds as we knew we couldn’t relax, so by the time we set off again it was too late to get the places we wanted. Also, I think people were mooring up earlier that day because of the heat. We have now learned in busy season not to dither!

14th September 2020 We never sleep well at home. Often I barely get 4 hours. We woke up after sleeping for 9 hours and that continued for most of the nights of our holiday. We left Acle just before 8.00am. It was another lovely sunny day and due to get very hot later. We didn't really have a plan for the day so set off with idea of possiblyThurne Dyke or Potter. We looked at HW’s webcam and saw the moorings were full, Thurne Dyke wouldnt give us enough time to charge the batteries so made our way to Horning. The staithe had space! We moored up behind Cerise Lady and had a great natter with Cambridge Cabby. The weather was certainly warming up. We hadn't cruised a huge amount so plugged into the electric as it was there and waved Cambridge Cabby off (think he was supposed to be going home........) and moved Luna up a bit to the end of the staithe and decided to call it a day. After about 10 mins thinking how lucky we were nabbing a spot on the staithe, loads of day boats were coming past and it was suddenly getting very busy generally. We knew that for the rest of the day we would be in “meerkat mode” so decided to leave and stop there again out of season. I got rid of the rubbish and off we went with a plan for Fleet Dyke. Fleet Dyke was full and so was St Benets. Hmmmm do we go back to Cockshoot Dyke which had spaces when we had gone past? We were now getting overheated with the sun so went to Ranworth Island. We were reluctant to spend £10 but we needed to cool down so found a shady spot at the beginning of the moorings. It was now 1.15. The island quickly began to fill up. We met some really lovely people and chatted about all things boaty and gave a lady one of our spare fenders to protect the stern of her beautiful wooden boat that she had recently moved up from the Thames. She had never had to stern moor before. I had to keep soaking myself in water and sit in front of the fan to cool down. The midges came out but we used that Avon So Soft for the first time and it really does work and deterred unwelcome bitey things. As the sun went down, the Inside of the boat cooled to a comfortable temperature so anticipated a restful night. not many photos unfortunately as I can’t get some to load again

Ive made a note of this technical term....

13th September 2020 Beautiful day, we got up early and left Stalham at 7.45. As we got out of the marina we both grinned at each other. Back on the Broads in glorious sunshine, forget the stresses of work, Covid and everything else that has been going wrong this year. The river was very quiet, a few Richardsons boats going back. Barton Broad to ourselves. The aim was to get under Ludham before everyone else started moving (we are still a bit nervous about the bridge). In the excitement of being out again for a week I forgot to take any photos of the journey to our planned destination of Acle. We arrived at Acle at 10.30 and saw a spot at the end of of the Bridge Inn moorings. We came in with the tide thinking it wasnt that bad, but it was flowing faster than we first thought so abandoned that manoeuvre, turned and came in correct way. We walked to the bridge to capture the scene then went for a drink at the Bridge Inn. We hadnt stopped there before and were very impressed with the very warm welcome and service and all the Covid safety measures in place. We sat in the beer garden for a while before going back to the boat for the rest of the day doing, not a lot. A boat came in trying to get into the gap in front of us. We couldnt move any further back as we were on the end but they were determined to get in. Selsie paced the gap out. Nope, a 35ft boat was not gong to get into a just over 25ft gap. They tried, I was on the bow of Luna holding onto their pulpit rail so it didnt hit us while it was eventually worked out they couldnt get their stern in. They were lovely people but it was so obvious they wouldnt fit the gap so off they went and we agreed it was a nice gap for a Safari. A short time later, lo and behold a Safari arrived and we helped them. It was a bit tight but we squeezed them in. In the evening we watched a pair of otters who spent ages swimming about opposite us. This is where I realised i need another lens for my camera as i couldn't zoom in close enough. Tired from all the fresh air and sunshine we retired early to bed. (Now hope these photos load....)

Yes, we have a winner. A bit of a faff but thank you CC. Normal service will be resumed

Trying CC’s idea of emailing the photos back to myself

That didnt work. Supposed to be a nice shot of the Bridge Inn

thank you all for your lovely comments and suggestions. Experimenting from my IPhone rather then the iPad

In case anyone was waiting with baited breath for the next thrilling instalment, the combination of my new camera and uploading the photos from an Ipad (I dont have a laptop) means I can no longer include photos (im not into techy stuff). All I know is it wont work and the tech team have tried also but we couldnt get round the problem without them posting links for me so Luna’s Log will end here until I can find a solution.

I think thats why ive been reluctant to change roles. We currently both know exactly what we are doing and whos doing what so to reverse it may upset the applecart!

Selsie freely admits Im much better at helming than him. We both find it far more relaxing if I do that part, but I also admit I have only moored up under the tuition of JanetAnne twice and havent tried since. I will practice mooring once the season has ended and the rivers go quiet. There hasnt been any opportunity this year as its been too busy. We would happily carry on with the roles we are good at but it’s always in the back of my mind that if something went wrong, like Selsie knocked himself out or something, I need to be able to know I can get the boat back to safety. Im fairly certain after all the recent time we’ve been out this year, I would be ok but Im looking forward to knowing I can definitely moor up on my own.

Thank you Griff. Very helpful. I didn’t know private boats could moor there. We used to have a berth at the private moorings opposite but havent been back into Wroxham since we moved thinking there would be nowhere to moor up for the night if we don't go under the bridge (which we havent tried yet as we are too scared lol)

Do you mean the old Royalls basin Griff?

I had made the decision not to continue with Luna’s log but wanted to share what an absolutely fantastic week we had to show the Broads is a truly wonderful place to be still. With all what has been going on this year, we do feel incredibly lucky to have had two perfect weeks this year. Very, very lucky with the timing of the weather. In my last post, I mentioned we may have another crew member (a four legged friend) but unfortunately this didnt work out and we are still looking. 12th September 2020 We waved my daughter, son in law and 16 month old granddaughter off at 9.00am to many tears after a lovely week with them. They live in Scotland and hadnt seen them since January. Goodness knows when we will see them again with the latest lockdown rules, so to try and get ourselves out of our sad moods, we set off straight away to the marina leaving the house in a tip which we never usually do! We arrived at the marina at 10.30 and decided to stay there for the rest of the day doing odd jobs, checks and cleaning. We got our chairs out later and sat in the sun planning where we would go the next day.

We are not fair weather boaters by any means. Rain doesnt bother us (love being tucked up all cosy and listening to the rain on the roof) but we always check the forecast, especially for wind strength and direction, thats the one thing we are not keen on. We didnt want to get caught out at Ludham bridge the other week so went through early before anyone was moving and before the wind got stronger. In the event of strong winds we think ahead about where and how we are going to moor and plan whether we are likely to be pushed away or pinned to the bank etc and if bad, we just don't move.

And why is it not ok for me to mix with more than 6 of my family but its ok for me to mix with potentially up to 350 people every day at work.

Can’t edit - meant to say Fleet Dyke South Walsham moorings

I think the penny has just dropped and I realise now that I said hi as we were mooring up a couple of boats down from you that afternoon. If I’d realised at the time, I’d have popped round!

They are open. We stopped off yesterday but electric posts arent installed yet.