[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

Another peaceful night aboard! Departed Horning at 0910 hrs and headed towards Ludham Bridge. Got under the bridge about 30 mins before low tide with 6" to spare. On the way to Ludham Bridge we picked up 3 hitchhikers!! They didn't stay long as we didn't offer them any refreshments  Barton Broad was a bit breezy and we arrived at Richardsons marina about 12 ish to find that nearly all the quays were full but we managed to find a slot in the furthest quay and I surprised myself by reversing into it without any mishaps or bumps! After we had tied up, a member of Richardsons staff walked past and said he had been watching me come in and commended me on my boat handling skills! I thought to myself "if I had known he was watching me, I'd have made a right pigs ear of it!" So, having made the obligatory walk to Tescos, we now have roast chicken with mixed veg and new potatoes for dinner tonight 

Chris and Brenda

 

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

14 minutes ago, MauriceMynah said:

Dammit, I wondered if that was you!!!! 

Stupidly I left my phone on the boat so only now am I reading the posts. 

I was the idiot drinking from a cut glass tankard and eating prawns. 

Hope you enjoyed your meal.

Bless you! Talk about spooky because both Brenda and I thought that was you too but didn't like to find out just in case it wasn't you!! But nice to put a face to the name  The meals were excellent  and I informed the staff accordingly.  I did say that next time I'm there and order fish and chips please don't give me half a whale - it was huge!!  Now back on the boat well stuffed and contented!

Chris and Brenda

[White Horse Neatishead And Thurne Lion Loyalty Card]

7 minutes ago, YnysMon said:

Has anyone else noticed that these pubs are now offering a loyalty card that's valid in both pubs? Costs £10, they claim it has no expiration date and gives you a 5% discount. You need to order one two days before you can collect your card.

I'm thinking of getting one. We don't eat out that much when on the Broads, but at least one of these two pubs usually get a visit each time we visit. 

Yes, we noticed that when we were in there on Saturday evening. However, we used the HW loyalty discount card which gives 10% discount on food only, which was fine for us being only occasional visitors there.

Chris and Brenda

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

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

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

35 minutes ago, MauriceMynah said:

I should have said, plenty of mooring space here, and £20 charge is redeemable against food bill. 

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

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

2 minutes ago, MauriceMynah said:

Ferry does food on a Monday,  I know, I've just had lunch there. 

Not bad, had better, had worse. Menu quite varied.

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

Chris and Brenda

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

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

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

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

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

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 

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

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

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

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

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

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 

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

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

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

2 hours ago, YnysMon said:

Coo, has the Flour and Bean changed? Have they gone ‘up market’ or is it basically the same with up market prices? 

Unfortunately the latter  

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

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

Chris and Brenda 

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

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

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

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

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

10 minutes ago, Gracie said:

Do you know Chris I thought I'd take a leaf out of your book, I sat and wrote a very long itinerary for my holiday the other week and then totally ignored it 

You and Mrs CeePee have a smashing time, if you can remember what boat you're on anyway   x

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

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

14 hours ago, CeePee1952 said:

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

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

[The 2 W's Afloat April 23]

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

[Alarm Going To Go Off On Sunday]

16 minutes ago, CambridgeCabby said:

I can imagine many many inmates of his Majesty’s  pleasure are panicking over their potential hidden mobiles detections

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

[Alarm Going To Go Off On Sunday]

3 hours ago, ExSurveyor said:

The country used to rely on air raid sirens but with the spead of the population they no longer provide good coverage. It is surprising the number of young people who know what they mean.

 

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

[Diamond Emblem 1 Coroner's Inquest]

2 hours ago, Wussername said:

Or your Labrador decides to roll in it.

At least it’s not fox poo!!! 
Chris

[Diamond Emblem 1 Coroner's Inquest]

2 hours ago, BroadAmbition said:

There it is - right there - Berthing Lines (Ropes then)  Having read the report and news releases on the various links (Thanks to those that have posted them)

Why do the yards not put any emphasis during the handover on stowing the blasted ropes once underway?  This poor woman MIGHT have survived if the stern berthing rope hadn't gone into the water with her.

There are so many ignorants out there who scoff at us anoraks onboard 'B.A' and the Lads week crews because our ropes are always cheesed down when not in use, underway or not.   I explain this to all crews members as  part of our onboard safety brief for 'B.A' and the Lads week.

There are three reasons why deck ropes should be stowed neatly - ideally cheesed down, if not practical to do so then at least coiled or hung up out of harms way.  In order or importance:-

1)  Crew safety, if a rope is cheesed down then it will not roll underfoot causing a crew member to slip and end up in the water, with the real possibility of impact injury on the way into the river of a hardstanding bank

2)  Boat safety, if a stern line goes into the water then there is the real possibility of fouling the prop - Day and / or holiday over

3)  Yes - Admittedly, tidy ropes look good

Griff

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

[Who Agrees]

27 minutes ago, Smoggy said:

I'll often take the pee a bit more but only in good humour 

That is a very true statement indeed unfortunately.

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