.png.5ff10cca1d0967e44a17e4a2edde2a80.png)
kpnut
-
Posts
2,082 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
54
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Articles
Posts posted by kpnut
-
-
9 hours ago, kpnut said:
Tuesday 12th April continued
Oh my word, I’ve got it wrong again!
Tuesday 11th April.
I think my brain must be having a holiday too.-
1
-
-
Proper old fashioned April weather isn’t it? I’m sure it’ll sort itself out soon.
-
1
-
-
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.-
1
-
-
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.-
6
-
-
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.-
1
-
-
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.
-
1
-
-
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!!!-
6
-
2
-
-
3 hours ago, grendel said:
we have all done it.
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.
-
46 minutes ago, kpnut said:
this turned out to be a the most awful vegan substitute macaroni pasta meal.
On re-reading the pack just now, maybe I was meant to reheat it!
-
3
-
-
Pootling on down the Ant with little visibility, and little plan. How pleasant is that? Passing Irstead, the parish mooring was free so that beckoned me in. Shortly afterwards, the ‘mother ship’ (a Martham woodie) of a youth sailing group moored up behind me for their lunch. Their charges were moored down on the bend, on that lovely piece of grass with the boathouse that says private. Lucky them.
The rain continued very heavy for a while but then suddenly, it seemed, the sun shone and the river for very busy, both at once. Day boats wanting to get back to Simpsons wanting to pass the yachts that were now setting off upstream to Barton Broad, coupled with the day’s cohort of hire boats coming downstream from Richardsons.
This was the calm before the rush hour.
Blow me if the pot stall I bought my painted pot at on Saturday didn’t have a pot saucer today, to match the pot. The 1.99 I spent on one at Meales in the morning won’t be wasted ‘cos I can use that one at home.
Finlay and I firstly stopped in at the church.
That pillar is decidedly bowing outwards and you think you have problems Helen! Maybe they were built like that?
The font looked lovely with its cheerful daffodils.
I would not like to be the one climbing that ladder to service the bells.
Then we took a good walk round to Gayes staithe, stopping to talk to a man in his garden for 3/4 hour by which time it had rained on us twice more. I arrived at Gayes staithe at 5pm and there were just two spots left, unsurprising perhaps seeing as there’s a missing mooring post. I would have thought at the start of the season that wouldn’t be the case. I’ll ring BA tomorrow to report it unless I see a ranger first.
Then a fudge purchase for my son when I visit next week and a looksee at Neatishead moorings. It looks like all that’s left is the landscaping. The work raft is no longer in the water.
Last time I walked round via Three Hammer Common, in early March we were greeted with all 4 seasons in the space of an hour. Today was quite the same. A gale, some hail, squally shower and sunshine. We spent the walk back along the lane on lead training -it took me about half an hour to walk 1/2 mile of stop/start. And there were loads of pheasants in the fields all squawking away to each other, so plenty of scent on the verges for some close hunt training.
A swim for the dog to clean him up once back at Irstead and we were ready for tea.
Mine comprised a reduced salady type pasta thing from the reduced section in Tesco. Note to self-don’t be such a skinflint buying stuff you don’t know about - this turned out to be a the most awful vegan substitute macaroni pasta meal.
The description on the pack said ( and I quote) -
‘pasta in a butternut squash and coconut oil and soya alternative to cream cheese sauce, topped with crispy fried onions (that’s the only bit of normal food in it along with the pasta!), with applewood coconut oil alternative to cheese and smoke flavoured pea and wheat protein pieces’.
They can’t even make the description sound appetising.
The plastic tub will be useful though, there’s always a silver lining if you look hard enough!!
-
2
-
-
No idea about the film Neil (home alone?), not my forte at all I’m afraid, proved every week at the Friday quiz😂 SwanR on the other hand is usually hot on the film round.
But I had to comment on you swimming at the Lido in Beccles. How brave was that? I can’t bear the thought of getting wet when I’m nice and dry, having a shower is bad enough, and especially when the air’s cold.
Now you’re back North, I’ll keep an eye out for you. Sounds like you’re having fun with the kids.
-
2
-
-
On 07/04/2023 at 20:43, YnysMon said:
no wonder you were skint if you managed to get drunk in Voss.
Not me paying. I got in with a crowd who were somehow determined it was going to happen. Usually I know when to stop. Didn’t help I’d been cross country skiing all day and had had no tea before heading out. Oops.
-
1
-
-
Oh, you read that before I edited the typo, ha ha. Can’t remember what it said now.
-
The next issue has arisen! Although I’m pretty certain it’s a temporary one and won’t cost anything to fix. But it’s not very pleasant. In my bathroom refit, the wc has been disconnected and the pipe to the holding tank obviously taped up. But it’s ponging a bit. I’ve double taped it now. And there was I blaming the smell on the wierd ready meal I had (BEFORE I ate it I might add!!!). More on that later.
Monday April 9th
The forecast rain arrived sometime in the night but I was oblivious till I woke up after a solid 8 hours, much needed after the previous night’s complaining back muscle.
Not a soul to be seen until going under the bridge at Wayford. I moored up next to another Horizon 35, left the dog and walked along to Meales garden centre. Their website looked most enticing with all the locally produced food in the farm shop, not that I needed to buy any. But I will return when I do need some shopping sometime and when I have friends on board, we’ll go to Vera’s coffee shop too. What I wanted was a terracotta plant pot saucer as the pot I bought at Irstead had a drain hole in the bottom and their little stall didn’t have any of the advertised saucers. I came away with one for £1.99.
And a couple of cards I couldn’t resist with spaniels on, as well as two handmade ‘welcome baby’ cards, one for a boy, one for a girl. I’m hedging my bets with the arrival of my first grandsprog next month!!!The rain got heavier still as we travelled down the Ant, reminding me I do need to sort out a windscreen wiper at some point soon. Either my blade is naff or the whole hand operated wiper is naff; whichever, it doesn’t actually touch the windscreen!
-
3
-
-
No, I’d give you a hand of course.
-
1
-
-
Hi there, welcome. Will keep an eye out, either to chat to or avoid if you’re mooring up then!!!
-
1
-
-
Totally agree Mouldy.
If I mentioned the word ‘finished’ I meant this bit of work!!!!I have a list a page long or more, although it has been extremely satisfying to put red pen through various lines of it.
And of course, my ears and eyes are on the lookout for the next problem to jump out to relieve me of some more money.
I have the pots, at least in my head, one for running and repairs, the other for improvements. It’s that one that’s in the red at the moment😂-
1
-
-
Easter Sunday 9th April
Slowly does it after a bad nights sleep and slightly iffy back.
A couple of wanders round thd yard with the dog in the sunshine, fill with water etc and I set off down the river at lunchtime, destination Dilham if free.
What a wonderful cruise, very few boats about after the turnoff to Wayford Bridge. And nothing seen after the bridge, so I was hopeful there’d be a spot for me there. Yes, I had it to myself.
It’s not often that Finlay gets to have a play at a mooring, but he was excited to just have a ball thrown about for a while, then a cup of tea in the sun and a good walk up to Tonnage Bridge, along the canal, where there was a whole family is swans. The parents obviously haven’t persuaded their 1yr old offspring to leave yet. No sign of any nests though. Retracing my steps I carried on into Dilham to have a nosey at peoples front gardens. I’d left both phone and money behind, so no photos and no popping into the pub🙁
What a wonderful, totally relaxing day in the sunshine, which I was making the most of as its forecast rain on Monday.
-
4
-
-
9 hours ago, YnysMon said:
back in LBBY son for some more work?
No Helen, just to finish off existing work. Only for a few days. I’m expecting her back before the end of the month.
-
Saturday April 8th
The day arrived for me to pick my boat up again from LBBY. I feel so sorry for George and co there, the job’s been beset with problems including two deliveries of damaged Formica and rotten panels round the windows to replace. All in a days work for them I suspect.
But the jobs are very nearly complete now and I’m borrowing the boat again for 10 days.
An early start planned and in reality an even earlier start as I was wide awake at 3am, so I just got up, got sorted and set off. It’s so good to be driving at that time, with so little traffic. I think there were three cars and one lorry before Lincoln. I say I think because if was rather foggy and took a lot of concentration.
On arrival, I realised the early bus through Stalham either had been a figment of my imagination, or wasn’t running on a Saturday, so with plenty of time I went for a walk along from Potter Heigham bridge to Martham boatyard, which was a hive of activity with a group of youngsters stowing all their gear on numerous yachts.
I caught my originally intended bus down to the boatyard and after a rundown of work completed and work still to complete, the boat was mine.
By the time I got to Irstead I was flagging and jumped into the spot with the electric seeing as it was free. A cup of tea to revive me and I then decided to do the cleaning. I bought a pretty painted flowerpot with a kingfisher feeding it’s chick -I’m now doubting that they actually do that out in the open, I think by the time the chicks leave the burrow, they might fend for themselves - and set off for Stalham. The bonus of beautiful weather meant I kept energised all evening while I got ready for my trip.
Sometime in the evening I must have upset my back ‘cos by bedtime it had a knot on it that proceeded to complain through the night along the lines of gripping spasms every 30 seconds or so, the sort that take your breath away. By 4.30 I’d had enough and succumbed to co-codamol, which zonked me out for 3 hours much to my relief. It certainly did the trick as I’ve been fine today, only now in the evening does it feel a bit sore again.
It is so good to be back on board. Hopefully the battery issues of last month are no more and I intend these 10 days to be relaxing and worry free. When the boat’s having work done, I’ve realised how much the worry builds up, I suppose cos it’s not knowing when the next problem is round the corner and not doing the work myself, that feeling of not being in control and fearing the worst. I can’t be the only one who feels like that surely? So then having the boat back I can see everything is ok and stop losing sleep over it.
As others have reported, it’s busy. There was a constant stream of boats coming down the Ant on Saturday afternoon. The Broads have woken up for the season and us ‘all year rounders’ will have to plan that bit better for the next few months.
-
10
-
-
Those last two photos are just wonderful.
Enjoy your trip. The sorting of your mum’s stuff can wait for you to recuperate a bit. -
A totally satisfying day I would think. Exciting times ahead.
-
18 minutes ago, JanetAnne said:
think us wooden boat owners get used to sleepless nights
Afraid to say it’s not restricted to woodie owners. I worry (always at night when the worries all seem to get exaggerated) more about mine than I did about the kids.
But, like the kids, we wouldn’t be without them.
Springer’s Retreat On The Rivers
in Holiday Tales & Blogs
Posted
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.