CeePee1952

Dodged the rain! Now sitting at table 25 in the Ferry Inn drinking a pint of Doombar and Brenda has a glass of wine! Food ordered Chris and Brenda

Already moored up at the free BA moorings a few meters down and hooked up to the leccy but thank you anyway (Think we'll be in the pub round about 6 ish!) Chris and Brenda

Sounds good MM, thank you. Think we'll be dining in there tonight then Chris and Brenda

Decision time! Do we have a meal in the Swan Inn or the Ferry Inn tonight?? No menu published on the Ferry Inn website so can't compare with the Swan Inn menu not looking for anything special just good old good english food. Any thoughts from anyone who has experience of these pubs? Chris and Brenda

Woo hoo! As we were cruising past the BA free moorings at Horning, we spotted a free mooring so change of plan, spun (not literally) the boat round and we are now moored up for the day/night with leccy never stopped at Horning before so in between the showers we'll have a little explore. I like this itinerary Chris and Brenda

After a good night’s sleep and crumpets for breakfast, we set off for Wroxham at 1000 hrs. Had a bit of a rain shower initially but by the time we arrived at Wroxham, it had stopped. To our disappointment, no moorings were available either at NBD or Barnes Brinkcraft so after executing a perfect 360 degree turn in NBD’s marina, we’re now heading for Ludham Bridge and Stalham! Sun is shining too - bonus!! Chris and Brenda

Don't care if it rains tomorrow - I've morphed into a duck now and got web feet at least our supply of gin and beer is getting used up (for medicinal purposes of course ). Chris and Brenda

Yuk yuk yuk! Made it as far as Salhouse Broad! Left Ranworth with the sun shining, got as far as Horning and the sky started to get darker, so we thought - get our waterproofs on just in case (we always helm from the top!). Well, we had just got round the left hand bend at Horning when the heavens opened up!! It absolutely lashed it down and it took all my concentration to see where we were going! Brenda couldn't see anything through her glasses so we very carefully eased our way into Salhouse Broad and once clear of the entrance, I chucked the mudweight in again so that we could at least put ourselves through the mangle to try and dry off! Yes, our waterproofs turned out not to be so waterproof so having stripped them off with a view to depositing them in the next bin that we find, we dried ourselves off and sat down listening to the rain hammering off the roof. The rain eased off eventually and once again I imitated the Hulk and heaved the mudweight up and poodled over to where I think is the Salhouse stern on mooring number 2 and moored up properly. Within a minute or so the Ranger? turned up and I paid the 12 quid for the night - we aint moving again today! Wroxham will have to wait until tomorrow! Brenda and I have laughed ourselves silly at what the other occupants of the boats that passed us thought when they saw us looking like drowned rats helming a boat Oh well, it's all part of the fun of being on the Broads Here endeth todays lesson - I hope!! Chris and Brenda

Now at Ranworth, happily swinging over in the corner, (calm down Gracie ). Staithe was virtually empty when we arrived but now hour and a half later, it’s almost full! Just had our brunch which in reality was lunch, egg, bacon, mushrooms and muffins. Will stay here for another hour perhaps and then head off towards Wroxham. Chris and Brenda

Morning all still At Thurne Dyke but shortly will be cruising to Ranworth where we’ll chuck the mudweight in and have brunch. After that it’ll be a gentle cruise towards Wroxham visiting the two Broads on the way. Bit breezy this morning! Chris and Brenda

Unfortunately the latter

Ooops! Forgot to say that the bacon sandwiches etc were at the Flour and Bean! Chris and Brenda

Currently sat outside the Lion at Thurne Dyke.HW rang as we were en route to say that the boat was ready before allotted time - bonus! We left HW marina at 1420 after having a bacon sandwich each and a pot of tea and a Latte to the tune of £17.10p!!!! Shan’t be going in there again! Now sampling “Somebody called Chris” beer! Good shout Mouldy - thank you! Brenda has got her lips round one of their local gins lol. Table booked for 1845 for tonight’s dinner, spag bol tomorrow! Chris and Brenda

That's everything packed/stuffed and ready for the off tomorrow Pooch to kennels for 0900 hrs, (it's only 15 minutes away) and then return home, load the car and we should be on our way by 1030 hrs. All being well we should arrive at HW by about 1245 hrs (traffic allowing and not getting lost circumnavigating the PH bridge closure!). Spag bol cooked and most importantly, beer and Prosecco and wine packed ready for those peaceful nights afloat swinging on the mudweight or a wild mooring somewhere oh and finally - must make sure we get on the right boat! Chris and Brenda

Ha Ha. You never know - the way my memory is not working at the moment we might just end up at the wrong boatyard tomorrow! Seriously, thank you Gracie and no matter what the weather forecast will be, we intend to make the most of the week - even if it means just sitting inside during inclement weather and enjoying a glass or two of the "falling over water". Just got back after doing a shop for some necessities to take with us. Spag bol will be made in advance later today and muffins and crumpets bought for the obligatory bacon and egg snacks during the days afloat Chris and Brenda

Just realised that I have stated the wrong boat that we’re on next week! We’re on Olympic Light NOT Royale Light! We’ve got Royale Light booked for September with our friends from Devon. Grey matter wasn’t functioning earlier! Chris

Just over 48 hrs before we start our week afloat on Royale Light from HW. Still haven't put an itinerary together (take note Gracie ). As we are staying on the northern side for the week we'll just take each day as it comes apart from the Saturday evening when we will stay at Thurne Dyke (unless it's full!) otherwise we'll be chucking the mudweight overboard at Ranworth (weather permitting). I will NOT pay the 10 quid to moor at Ranworth (showing my support against this stupid charge) even if the staithe is not full! Looking at the weather forecast for next week, it's looking a bit cooler than we expected, especially at night, so a couple of warm pullies have been added to the clothing list! Hope to see one or two forumites out during the week? Chris and Brenda

Especially if they've got it "hidden" in a very delicate place

Reminds me of when I was a young lad (many many years ago!) and my home town of Rugby used to test the air raid siren that was situated in the town centre at the top of a very tall telegraph pole. Every Saturday at midday without fail and you could hear it for miles around (and set your watch by it ). Chris

At least it’s not fox poo!!! Chris

We always “cheese” our ropes when not in use (although I must admit didn’t know it was called cheesing!). I think it also looks more professional as well as the safety aspect. Chris

At my age, I tend to pee more than normal after quaffing a few jars and once the tap is opened that's the trend for the rest of the night Chris

OMG!! If I was to be told to switch off my engine before mooring and securely tied up, I'd be offering a few "polite" words to the person telling me that!! Same as before casting off - always start up, let the engine warm up a little, check relevant gauges, test bow/stern thrusters work (if fitted), confirm tidal flow/wind direction and then cast off and gently pull away. We're only occasional visitors to the Broads but still use common sense and prior knowledge to ensure that we have as troublefree a holiday as possible. I can just visualise boats drifting uncontrolled after being told to switch their engines off before mooring at Ranworth when there's a significant breeze blowing Chris P.S. A week today and we'll be halfway to HW to start our weeks holiday

I wonder if the hire boatyards are informing their customers about the "new" charges being imposed at Ranworth and Reedham? I've just looked at the online skippers manual from HW and that hasn't been amended to show the two new places where charges are now in place! (Obviously don't know if the "hard copies" on board the boats have been amended). Chris

Er - think I got my sums wrong in the example I did above!! If BA want to be pedantic, then for the period that I quoted it would cost you £20!! Even more of a rip off!! Chris