kpnut

Well done Grendel. Sorry I missed tonight, found something better to do🫢 Seriously, I was all set, picked a spot with good signal etc, but then invited myself to a guitar recital at Stokesby Social Club. Very nice and welcoming evening it was too.

I did go in the shop and ogle at all the chocolate offerings, but persuaded myself that they’ll wait as a treat when I have friends on board. So I came away with a chunky slice of broccoli and Stilton quiche instead, verified by Neil when I returned to the boat. We had a good catch up until he needed to remove lots of white specks in the shower and after a 6.5 mile walk and a glass of cider, I needed to eat. And very nice it was too, half the quiche with lettuce from the allotment, other salad things and hummus. I’ve invited myself to a classical guitar recital in the village hall this evening, so won’t be quizzing. My walk took me to Fleggburgh and Filby Broad. It’s too complicated to describe in detail, but I thought it was one of the nicest walks I’ve done lately. Dry in most places, some fields, some marsh, some country lanes, a church, a pub ( I didn’t go in, although it looked very inviting - the Kings Head at Fleggburgh) and the last bit back along the riverbank. Musing to myself as I went through a network of fields on the outward leg, I thought it’s such a shame that what was once 7 fields is now one, with paths crisscrossing on narrow bits of turf. The agricultural policies since the war, designed to increase food production and provide cheap food have come back to bite us as we now expect that cheap food, but are now so reliant on imports to get it. In the meantime the wildlife value of these areas has gone downhill irreversibly. I was walking along the remnants of field margins, separated by long gone hedges. What was once hedges acting as wildlife corridors and teeming with birdsong is now sterile. It’s still pretty, but a shame. And other pictures I took. Lovely dry track across the marsh, Info boards, Filby Broad, Fleggburgh church. The colony of what I presume are terns, on the little islands on the Broad could be heard about half a mile away. Thrigby church tower can be seen in the distance. Fleggburgh church was locked, the key is available at the pub for anyone who wants to visit. And back to farming, - it got me thinking about the fire that broke out at a dairy farm in the US, it was in the news this morning. 18000 dairy cows were killed. What on earth is a farm doing with 18000 cows? The average dairy herd in the UK is about 150 cows. I shudder to think what the welfare of the animals is like, and all in the name of cheap food. Rant over!!!

Arriving back from my dog walk and yes, I have a neighbour. Neil was busy polishing his boat. I couldn’t resist the pub for a glass of cider. I’ve earned it after a 6.5 mile walk. I might go in the shop, we’ll see how much effect the cider has first!!!!!!

And now you’re really confusing me with the dates. I’m sure it was Thursday yesterday. 🤔 I thought it was the one out of Horning.

So am I Jean!

The music was down low. There were very few folk aboard. So I spotted the fairy lights before hearing it.

You weren’t working when I went past you Neil! Maybe it was breakfast time? They look lovely. I’m still pondering what to do with my windows along the kitchen side. The hoppers are the limiting factor.

I chose to turn upstream at Ant mouth and thought I’d go as far as Horning church mooring. And back to St Benets if it wasn’t free. Well, it was free and apart from mistakenly thinking the tide would be stronger than the wind, turning to come in against the tide and struggling a bit with the wind behind me, I moored up nicely. I do love this spot. Finlay and I then had a wander along the lane to Horning. The path up from the mooring behind the church was wonderful. The rectory owner has built a stunning new boathouse and renewed his quay heading and to complete the job, has put down a deep layer of bark chippings. So no mud here, while they’re new anyhow. Horning parish staithe was heaving, double moored in places and the queue for refreshments at the cafe with the kiosk never diminished. Nice to see them busy. We sat awhile, then wandered back along Lower Street. There are quite a few properties for sale. Looking later on rightmove, all I can say is ‘wow, Horning is expensive’! Ok I suppose if moving from London but not from Yorkshire. On to the Ferry pub as it’s the only one I’ve never been in. I did, much against my better judgement ask if they had any alcohol-free lager, still on this calorie counting, but perhaps a good thing, they didn’t so half a cider it was, sitting on the terrace outside in lovely sunshine, spoilt slightly by a gusty wind. I made a new friend! He stayed ages, till some young girls walking along, shrieked in fright when they saw him and he flew off. I thought the interior of the pub felt rather soulless but others might disagree. On our return to the boat, we were treated to a beautiful evening. The wind died down, the sunset was beautiful and the ‘party boat’ came along with its pretty lights.

Thursday 13th April First job of the day, after a bit of a lie-in, was taking Finlay for a good walk as he’d missed out yesterday. We braved the rather muddy path up the side of the dyke to the entrance to How Hill and round the edge of the nature reserve, passing the two old mills. I chatted to the ranger in his dinghy. He had what he called an aqua scope, like a reverse periscope for looking down into the water to investigate an obstruction that the Electric Eel boat had bumped into previously. He said there was ironwork down there and I’d seen him yesterday installing some yellow marker posts. I’d forgotten my dog whistle so was interested to find out how well Finlay responded to hand commands at distance. We went up into the parkland at How Hill where there’s plenty of rabbit scent to get him excited and I’m pleased to say I still had him under control. We carried on down the lane, finding the footpath sign about a third of mile down, and onto the little footbridge, over the field to the cottages you can see from the river. Then on round along the track that leads to the river and back up past the moorings. They were certainly busy. After a good chat to a private owner to ask about their canopy I rather liked (not that I’m changing mine!) and to hear about their total refit of their Bermuda 34, it was time to head back up the path. To say Finlay was muddy on our arrival at the boat was an understatement. He had to have a swim, but even then, came out silty and he still smells of the river now. Cruising down past the moorings at lunchtime, they were all full, mainly Richardson’s boats that I expect are due to be handed back in the morning. Ludham Bridge was fairly full too with moored boats but not a lot of river traffic, so a quick pass through. On my last time down a few days ago I had thought the approach to Ant mouth looks startlingly different now the bank work has been done, much more wild and windy!

Thanks but no thanks both of you! I pulled into Johnny Crowes staithe as I felt it’d be fairly sheltered for the night. It was right enough, even though the driving rain coming directly up river did manage to pound the port side of the boat. Good for checking out what had been a leaking saloon window that George had fixed. It passed with flying colours. The sky for clear before dusk for a pretty pale sunset.

As I said Neil, needs must, so anything is fair game😂You should have seen George’s face at LBBY when I said I had to sell my body to pay his bill 🤭🤭 More seriously, whatever drug is being developed, by mouth or sometimes injection. I don’t know yet what the trial is for, and I always do a lot of research once I’m told, so do have the option to turn it down. I’m not that desperate!!!!! But someone has to be the guinea pig otherwise there’d be no cancer drugs, drugs for diabetes, high blood pressure, blood thinners, beta blockers for heart problems and the list goes on. On another note, I’ve just heard the bitterns for the first time this year. Such a restful sound.

Although my theme was ‘walks from the moorings’ it’s turned into ‘boat issues’ lately. Hope for a change of theme very soon.

Very true Mouldy. But I really want to pass my medical trial screening next Wednesday and have some hope of being accepted on a development trial and earn some money to pay the final boat bill. So needs must. And to be honest, I feel far less ‘burdened’ and stodgy when taking the dog out, so it’s quite a motivation. I could always freeze a piece and take home on Wednesday for after my screening!

You set me a good example Sam, so I’ll try my best.

Right, Wednesday 12th April - hope I’m back on the right date now. Another beautiful start to the day, no heating needed this morning inside, but when I ventured out to let the dog out, it was a different story. Very chilly indeed. I was intending to go to Stokesby today, but fell foul of my own planning. With no warning last night whatsoever when I made a last drink, this morning I went to put the kettle on and zilch, no gas! Part of a long story but I have 2 x 11kg gas bottles on an auto changer that does work, but the bit that indicates which bottle is being used doesn’t work. Autumn 21, I put a new bottle in and used a part full one. I’ve been monitoring every now and again ever since. I occasionally turn the bottles off, turn the lighter one back on and see if I can light the stove. If I can, that should tell me I’m still using the lighter one. But lately I got to realise both were pretty light, even though the above routine was still telling me I was using the lighter one, I pondered as to why the other one seemed lighter as well. So I turned the heavier one off and just used the lighter one. Well it lasted less than a day. So now, one empty and one lightish one. My tests must have just been using ‘fumes’ from an empty bottle. Coming down last weekend meant Flogas at Catfield was shut and LBBY where I picked the boat up from, which stocks Flogas, had no 11kg bottles in stock, so we joked that I’m sure I’d have enough for the week. You’ve guessed, it didn’t last. So no cup of tea or boiled egg this morning. I pondered just leaving it till next Monday when I’m back in Stalham and just eating salad etc and drinking juice and cider, but decided to ring round the yards to see if anyone had any in stock. No luck, so my mind was made up - back up the Ant to my home mooring and a car trip to Catfield. By lunchtime I was sorted, also using the opportunity to fill with water and go to the shops, and off I went again, back down the Ant. I think I’ll know every blade of grass soon! I suppose not bad that probably one and a half bottles has lasted 18 months, so approx a bottle a year, on 20 weeks of use last year. I can cope with that as a running cost. That has even included some baking of scones and cakes, and a couple of loaves of bread. Wierd weather again today. Started sunny, cold, clouding over, wind getting up, then some really heavy rain showers. Sun’s trying to shine again now. As ‘they’ say for April, if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute and something else will come along.

Oh my word, I’ve got it wrong again! Tuesday 11th April. I think my brain must be having a holiday too.

Proper old fashioned April weather isn’t it? I’m sure it’ll sort itself out soon.

If they’re coming by train, the Hoveton viaduct moorings, through the bridge and after the railway bridge are the nearest to the station. Probably a few metres nearer than from the St. John’s. Just depends whether you prefer stern on or side in mooring I suppose. Hire boats are able to moor in Barnes, even overnight. Not sure whether hireboats can go in NBD.

Tuesday 12th April continued Turning downstream onto the Bure at Ant mouth I again saw a lovely group of yachts full of youngsters moored in the reeds opposite St. Benets. It does hearten me to see young people learning a skill that will, if they so wish, give them a life-long hobby. My destination was Fleet Dyke, but I didn’t mind wild mooring or either set of the EA moorings, the ones on the bend having bred newly refurbished. There are plenty of reed stooks on the riverbank, drying out I presume before waiting for collection by boat. Nice to see the reedbeds still being farmed. The wild mooring with the little quay heading on the bend was available and a quick look at my map showed me it’d be nicely sheltered from the 45mph southerly wind expected overnight. So I turned into the tide and that’s where I stopped. The quay heading is a bit broken. I thought there had been a couple of mooring rings here on previous occasions. But two sections of the capping are missing, so perhaps that’s where the rings were once upon a time. It was forecast to start raining about teatime, so I got togged up in full waterproofs as a precaution against an early start and we walked round the marsh in a freshening breeze. I met a lady who’s dog had gone awol chasing a deer on the marsh and took her to where I’d spotted it. It was on its way back. I’m pleased there were no cattle out grazing as the dog was intent on running where it wanted. I had a welcome rest on the bench at the little dinghy staithe and spotted my second new chick of the day, this time an Egyptian goose. It must be Easter!!!!!! Last year they had 5, chicks if I recall. The first set of chicks I’d seen belong to a pair of geese that had wandered up onto the little side dyke at Irstead earlier in the day. At getting on for 5pm, walking past the straight stretch of moorings I was surprised to see just two boats moored, and then a further three on the bend moorings. It seems the Easter holiday traffic has subsided on the river as well as on the roads. Saying that, a few Herbert Woods and Richardsons did pass my boat towards dusk, so late arrivals who were going to have their fears allayed no doubt by finding plenty of mooring space so late in the day. The rain held off till about 8pm I think but by the time it had set in properly I’d been dozing and fiddling on the forum a while so lost track a bit. My bed called me about 10pm with the promise of the wind calming sometime through the night and a bright morning ahead.

Oops Helen. I asked Sam this morning what the date was as I have completely lost track. And even then, I’ve gone and got it wrong again. I’ll refer back to your post when I do my next write up and count on from there! Happy birthday for tomorrow Alec. He’s just over a month younger than my Richard. At 30, I felt he suddenly changed and became more engaged with ‘real life’ ie his tax return etc.

I know people say I’m being over cautious, but the thought of mooring at Great Yarmouth scares me. Well done you for giving it a go.

Tuesday 10th April A day to really look forward to. Firstly the forecast was for lovely sunshine for most of it (just ignore the gale due to blow in the night) and secondly and more importantly, I have visitors this morning. Lulu and Selsie on Luna Aurora and I have arranged to have the morning and lunch together. Bang on time, Sam texted to say they were coming up the final straight before Irstead so I moved Springer’s Retreat along slightly so they’d fit on the mooring with me without either of us overhanging much. The two dogs were getting on fine, so we took them for a walk. Then Finlay invited Desmond aboard while Sam and I chatted, sunning ourselves in the front well (it was a tad breezy) and Graham trekked to Neatishead for some shopping. Really chuffed how well the dogs got on. They were both very calm and just snoozed. Just as we sat down for a salad type lunch the ranger turned up in his boat, so I was able to tell him about the missing posts at Gayes Staithe. He’d just come from having a look there, so it’s on the ‘to do’ list. He clarified the situation with the electric. The parish council has asked that no-one takes a cable across to their staithe (one cable or joined). Probably a liability issue in this day of H+S, wasn’t that the reason for the demise of the quiet moorings at Potter Heigham? Regardless, it clarifies the ‘extension or no extension’ question. No wine or cider to accompany lunch even though it would have been lovely, as I’m calorie counting and feeling very motivated about it at the moment. We’d had a really good catch up but I needed to make my way down the Ant to give the batteries a chance to top up. Passing under Ludham Bridge, I realised I’d made Neil on Rambling Rosie wait his turn coming the other way. A very quick ‘hi’ as we passed each other. So meeting up with Sam and Graham for lunch and saying hi to Neil is part of what this forum is about for me. Being able to feel I’m among friends even when on my own on the boat, being part of something and I’m always game for a good old chinwag!!!

Well Grendel, that was exciting just reading that. Can’t say I’ve done exactly as you describe, thank goodness and hope I’m never in that position. But I’ve tried mooring up solo while still in forward gear. Not a good idea at all as the boat goes creeping off down the quay towards another boat with me on the bank wondering why I can’t pull her back. So Wonky, never fear, you’re not alone!

And the random photo of a roof was the rather unusual basketweave thatch at the church.

On re-reading the pack just now, maybe I was meant to reheat it!