Lulu

Sunday 10th Sept Woke up early after a great night’s sleep. Took Desmond for a long walk around the village to make up for the lack of exercise the say before. It was going to be another hot day so Desmond’s cooling bandana went straight back on. I had a bit of a mission today. I had recently bought a little painting off Ebay. I had a guess where it was. It could be wishful thinking but I’m going with my Miss Marple vibes and decided its the same view (with some artistic licence). We set off from Stokesby and I sat on the bow with my camera to capture that painting sceneI absolutely love the architecture of Norfolk cottages and hope this one will be re roofed soon Our destination was Womack Dyke. We timed it well as quite a few boats were leaving as we arrived. After mooring up we went for a walk to the Big Shop to stock up on bread and get rid of the rubbish. The paths were very overgrown but as it was becoming very hot I knew I wouldn’t be wanting to use the path towards Potter. Its one of my favourite walks but Desmond just hates pushing through long grass. Really hoping it will be clear on our next visit. Another afternoon and evening of what we do best, not a lot!

Saturday 9th Sept Woke up early as usual and it was a little hazy. We knew today was going to be really hot so we lowered the screens but left the canopy up so we could get the combination of shade and airflow. After a bit of discussion we decided on Stokesby as our destination. I took Desmond for what i call the circuit walk first , across the field, then up the lane then back down the track to Toad Cottage. It was still quite cool but knew this would probably be the longest walk for Desmond as the heat was building already. We set off at 7.45. It was still hazy which was nice. A lovely slow cruise to Stokesby to the BA moorings. We got caught out again by that weird tidal thing that goes on there bit we are always prepared now so wasnt panicked by it unlike the first time! A cake was beckoning so I went off to the shop. So much choice but settled on a rolo brownie. I dont know how Kate could even think these cakes can be shared or last for more than on sitting! I got a sausage roll for Graham as a more healthy option. The temperature in the boat was rising rapidly. Our 2 12v fans were in full use and i put on Desmond’s new cooling bandana on him. So glad I got this. A brilliant invention and I think I need one for myself. To be honest as the day went on I was really struggling with the heat. It wasn’t enjoyable. We had closed the curtains and spent the rest of the day inside with the fans on with a very brief walk around the green later in the evening. There was a stunning sunset later on and I sat on the bow for ages watching that.

Bit of a delay with my write up do to lots of family things going on and just been too tired to think after work! Friday 5th Sept We had to wait for Graham to do a few hours at work before leaving. I’d taken the whole day off so got everything packed and ready by the front door so we could just throw everything in the car and go. Within 10 mins of Graham getting home we were on our way. Nice easy run to the marina. We have quite an efficient routine now getting our kit on board and unpacked so we were off down the river by midday after filling up with water. When we have a week off we definitely feel different knowing we have days and days ahead of us instead of rushing back on a Sunday when we only have a weekend. We had no plans at all, total freedom, utter bliss. We decided on ‘Luna’s Nook’ at How Hill if it was free. It was occupied but the first mooring on the straight bit was free so we snuck in there. The boat in the nook then left so we pulled Luna back into the curve. It was was getting very hot so we got ice creams from Toad Cottage for medicinal purposes. I’m sure ginger is medicinal so that’s my excuse anyway. Later in evening I took Desmond for a walk in the woods leading to the secret garden. A lovely start to our hols.

Have a great time :)

Really enjoyed your write up. We do a similar thing to keep Luna up and running by having a ‘boat fund’ which we pay a set amount into each month for maintenance stuff and the dreaded time of mooring fees, tolls, breakdown cover and insurance that comes around in March, so its not so painful!

One piece between two and could have got two more portions out of it! …Not on my watch 😂 Loving your adventures. Graham and I really should not be so lazy and go south again.

If you call the Broads Authority they will send them to you by post. We usually get them the next day. Always a very quick and efficient service.

We moored opposite Bridgecraft twice this past week and admired the condition of all their boats. Much time was spent on cleaning the outside and so immaculately turned out. We both said if we didnt have our own boat, we would hire from them.

Lovely chatting with you as always. The rain was horrendous as well as the signal! We are on Vodaphone which usually doesn’t let us down.

Much love to you Aunty Pat x

What a relief! Now can I stop feeling guilty about you getting a sighthound?

About time! Great to see you back :)

Fantastic news Ray!

Delightful programme. Ive put it on series link as its on next week too

Good luck Ray! Danni just relax with your mum and dad

So, so sad to hear this news. Graham and I send our love and condolences to Aunty Pat

At least it was warm! See Im looking on the bright side again 😁

Such a shame.

The rain was torrential but we dont mind once moored up and a good opportunity to check for leaks. We found one under a galley window so thats the next job on the list. Ive sort of got used to the lack of taste and smell and I realise its probably been too long to ever come back properly now. Just as well I wasnt a food critic or wine taster as a career!

I didnt go into detail about our last trip. It was way too stressful with constant battery monitoring and a sudden decision that we had to get back to the marina so we didnt have to resort to using our breakdown cover, but thankfully with two new batteries installed this weekend we should now be all sorted for our 10 days on board coming up. Friday 25th Aug We knew the drive up wouldn’t be fun being a bank holiday weekend. In the end it took just over 2 hours instead of the usual 1hr 20. The worst part was Barton Mills and Thetford roundabouts. The newly redone A11 was brilliant though. We decided as it was getting quite late in the day we would stay in the marina which isnt a hardship, we have had a lovely view. I realised i hadnt packed a jumper of any sort so I drove to Lathams to get something actually I needed and some chocolate bars (which I didnt need) while Graham installed the batteries. After our usual first night on board of pasta I set about cleaning the outside of Luna so she would look half decent out and about. Early night beckoned. It had been a long day at work, the drive then settling in. Saturday 26th Aug Took Desmond for a walk around the marina grounds. Always a delight. They are so beautifully kept. Had a quick breakfast and got away by about 7.30am after stopping for water on the way out. The plan was Womack Dyke but as is often the case, that changed when we saw the end spot at St Benets was free. We had both had enough crusing by then anyway. My back was playing up and we dont sit down when helming Luna. It had been a lovely cruise, quite quiet. Wow did it get busy as the day went on. We spent the day watching endless boats going past. It seemed so strange after all these months of very quiet rivers. The weather was glorious until the evening when we heard a bit of thunder and a heavy rainstorm which soon cleared up. I took Desmond for a walk, intending to walk to the cross but the cattle were in the field and an awful lot of cowpats which Desmond wanted to roll in so instead we went down the track for a while which was so peaceful. The mill is currently closed off due to loose bricks which was a shame. We spent the evening watching the athletics before realising we couldn’t keep awake beyond 9.30 Sunday 27th Aug Woke up to another beautiful day. The abbey looked so lovely as the sun rose. It was also very peaceful at 700am. Mission today - to try Ronaldo’s gooseberry icecream so it was off to How Hill. We left early as we didnt want to get caught up in any chaos at Ludham bridge and end up on YouTube. I got very brave and took Luna under the bridge. No one about thank goodness. Even though it was early, there were a few spaces at How Hill and we picked the space just after the private mooring. I took Desmond for a walk to the secret gardens. The woods were lovely. We were totally on our own. Desmond’s favourite place because of all the squirrels. It got very muddy as we got down to the gardens so turned back as I hadnt got suitable footwear on for mud. I resisted stopping for a cake at the cafe but didn’t resist the ice cream at Toad Cottage. The gooseberry icecream was ok but couldn’t really taste it as my taste and smell hasnt recovered from covid 3 years ago so my favourite is still the rhubarb and ginger as I can taste ginger. Graham spent the day fishing and I did my favourite thing of watching the boats go by. Again, very busy. I did wonder if a lot of hirers were on short bank holiday breaks or if its a particularly popular week before the schools go back. Monday 28th Aug Up early to an absolutely glorious morning. I wiped the boat down again after another rain shower the previous evening. The temperature was just how I like it and we set off about 7.15 to head slowly back to Stalham. A really lovely cruise back. Barton Broad was so pretty with so many boats rafted up for what we assumed was a weekend regatta. Overall a reassuring weekend that Luna is in good health again ready for our 10 day trip. The drive back was brilliant. With the roadworks gone, it makes such a difference. Days like this weekend certainly makes up for the stress when things go wrong.

We haven’t moored there for a year or so. We like being at the start of the mooring (approaching from Stokesby) and there were missing and wobbly posts . In fact we saw one boat tie up and a post snapped off, so rather put us off and haven’t been back since . We may go and have a look when we have our week away soon and see if the posts have been replaced.

Well done Pozzick! Hope you feel better soon Helen

Congratulations and we will look forward to lots of before , during and after photos!

Looking forward to your write up. Ive often toyed with the ides of moving Luna there so we are closer to the boat but the locks put me off. She was based there in a past life

Another potential client for my new venture 😁