Luna’s Log

[deritter]

1 hour ago, Lulu said:

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.

Haha, I went for a 9 mile walk from Berney Arms into Reedham and back that day, I managed to time my return to the boat just in time to miss all but about 2 minutes of the deluge 

[Lulu]

25 minutes ago, deritter said:

Haha, I went for a 9 mile walk from Berney Arms into Reedham and back that day, I managed to time my return to the boat just in time to miss all but about 2 minutes of the deluge 

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

[kpnut]

And another bright side to look on Sam - your long trip coming up! 
Lovely seeing your photos, thanks. 

[addicted]

Lovely write up/photos as usual Sam. We've noticed for very many years how the river suddenly gets busy at the end of August. I've always put it down to boaters realising that the Summer is almost over and they are running out of time to use their boat. Glad you sorted out your battery problem and  can now look forward to a trouble free 10 days. Enjoy!

 

Carole 

[Lulu]

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. 

[Lulu]

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. 

[SwanR]

Wow! Beautiful photos. 😎

[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! 

[Lulu]

Monday 11th Sept

After another great night’s sleep, it was lovely waking up at the dyke. Its always so peaceful. Knowing it wasn’t going to be quite so hot we decided on a short cruise to Acle. Graham wanted to charge the new batteries so wanted electric.  The rivers had been very busy, busier than the rest of the summer but we kept to our usual thing of leaving early to time it when people start to move off. A very slow pootle to Acle and a nice Luna size space was available at the first post by the cafe.  Infront of us were friends from our marina so we had a nice catch up with them before Graham went off to get a breakfast from Dunes and I got a pastry which I classified as a fruit holding vessel and therefore part of my five a day ….

We love Acle as there’s always so much to look at, Bridgecraft is always busy and this is the second time Ive seen a boat on the bridge. Another stunning sunset finished of a perfect boating day.  

 

[Ray]

Great photos again Sam 👍

[Lulu]

Tuesday 12th Sept

We were in a real quandary of where to go today.  Beyond Horning is very limited for us. We need side moorings for Desmond and we dont like sardine mooring anyway. Salhouse spit is no good for a walk. We decided on the church moorings at Horning. There was one boat moored but space for another but we couldnt see any posts so carried on (since found out from Kate there are mooring rings). We decided to keep going through Horning with a view to going back to cockshoot dyke or St Benets but as we went past the Swan there was space at the end of the free moorings.  
 

I took Desmond for a long walk around the village as I knew rain was forecast for later.  I then went into the hall to have a look at the craft fair then popped into the shop to get the obligatory wordsearch book. (Always had one on the go as a kid on our boating holidays ). A little while later the Pipedreams crew arrived and managed to get into a space at the other end.   Had a great catch up. Bramble is just adorable. Graham then went to the shop and discovered they stock meat from Ludham butchers so purchases were obviously made!    The forecast rain duly arrived. It was pretty torrential and once stopped I was straight outside to take the opportunity of cleaning Luna. Once stopped, the rain started again but at least the green patina was gone.   
 

Not many photos because of the rain. 
 

[Lulu]

Wednesday 13th Sept

A new adventure for us today.  We woke up to the delightful sight of an otter hunting for breakfast and swans getting angry. After a walk up the very steep steps to the park and back we set off for Wroxham.  
 

This was the only day sort of planned. We wanted to moor at Barnes. We used to moor our previous boat at Barnes many years ago but havent been to Wroxham in Luna because there are no free moorings this side of the bridge. The bridge height was no way near to us having a go to getting under for the first time so decision was made to moor in the basin at Barnes.  We knew it was a first  come first served scenario as I’d enquired the week before, hence why we picked Wednesday and not a handover day.  Had a lovely cruise to Wroxham. It was perfect weather after all the heat and rain.   We got to the old Royalls marina. Its very, very tight making the turn once in. We picked one berth and I got off but I didn’t realise it was a floating pontoon and stood bent knees struggling to stand upright.  I dont know if there is something wrong with my balance but I just couldn’t cope with it at all. Graham couldn’t see what the problem was and had no issues.  I thought I cant get Desmond on and off with all that wobble so we moved into the corner berth so I could get off onto the tarmac.  I went to the office and paid £20 which included electric. Think its £15 without electric. We decided this was a treat for us as we don’t usually go to fee paying moorings. 
 

Once settled I went off to Roys for a look around (avoiding the C displays) then when back took Desmond for a walk beyond the bridge. It was a sad sight to see the old Porter & Haylett yard. I stood there for quite some time reminiscing about childhood holidays starting from there and the excitement of dad driving up and over that bridge in his old wallowy Cortina automatic.   It also brought back memories of the night we spent in the broad next door by the railway line. There was a fire on the line in the night and sparks were falling all around us. I remember us having to move the boat in the dark. Huge excitement as a kid but I realise now after talking about it with dad recently how serious the situation was at the time as he explained the sheds on the other side had boats being built right by the line. That then triggered memories of the place always smelling of fibreglass. I was glad I was on my own as just remembering all these things  was quite emotional. Dad is now 90 and we have offered to be crew and hire a boat so he and mum can just relax while we do the work but he said those days are gone now.  Just writing this up has made me all emotional again!    Spent the rest of the day boat and people watching deciding we would make this an annual event unless we get our nerve to go under the bridge……

[SwanR]

Those sights are so familiar to me now. Haven’t had the best weather for people watching by the river this year … Maybe next summer. 🤔

[Lulu]

Thursday 14th Sept

What a wonderfully peaceful night we had. I thought there would be noise or too much light but not at all so that just confirmed we would come here again. 
 

Next destination was to be Boundary farm or entrance of Upton Dyke.    We slowly cruised along and got overtaken by the beautiful Kingfisher as we approached Horning.  As we got to the Thurne corner we were incredibly polite allowing a boat to cut across us even though we had right of way. We saw there was space at Boundary Farm but the boat we had waved to go past us went in it! Argggggh! but as we went past we realised there was space in the middle for us so went in too. As we were all mooring up we had a laugh with our new neighbours about being too nice!   Like us, they were staying there the rest of the day.   I had the intention of a long walk with Desmond but he just wasn’t interested. Not sure if he was a bit off colour or just being lazy (more likely) . Graham had a go at fishing with no luck. The boat at the end moved off and we moved Luna to the end by the reeds but still no fish activity.   The river had been very busy all day but once the light faded all was so wonderfully quiet. I spent a long time sitting on the bow, watching the river and wildlife. Just love it there. 
 

[Lulu]

8 minutes ago, SwanR said:

Those sights are so familiar to me now. Haven’t had the best weather for people watching by the river this year … Maybe next summer. 🤔

Hopefully but it feels like September is summer now 

[addicted]

Hi Sam, again a very entertaining read and stunning photos , thank you. I was wondering when you would produce a Luna's log from your recent trip. 

 

Carole

[Lulu]

Friday 15th September

Woke up at 6.30 to a very misty morning.   We were in no rush to get going as we decided we didn’t want to go far and would go back to Acle and be even more lazy. The mist eventually lifted and I dried Luna off.  We made our way back down to Acle and got the end spot by the cafe.  Graham went and got a breakfast and I may just have got another fruit pastry. Desmond decided he did want to walk a decent way so we went down along the river towards Boundary farm direction.  We popped into the Bridge Inn for a drink at lunchtime before watching all the activity on the rivers again.  The weather was perfect. Just the right temperature and another stunning sunset. 

[kpnut]

Good memories of Wroxham Sam, and you WILL get under that bridge. I love all your photos. Many thanks. 

It’s October now and so mild it could be July. A shame I’m just finishing the packing to go home. I could have done with another week at least. 
 

It’s wonderful to read about your ‘proper’ holiday, extra days make all the difference. And give you a chance for more pastries - oh, I mean walks!!!!

[Lulu]

10 minutes ago, addicted said:

Hi Sam, again a very entertaining read and stunning photos , thank you. I was wondering when you would produce a Luna's log from your recent trip. 

 

Carole

Thank you Carole.  After each trip I think I wont do a write up as they can be very samey (the weekend ones so I don’t record all those) but then I really enjoy looking back on them as they are like a personal diary especially when we have had a week away.  

[Lulu]

Saturday 16th September 

We were going home today but the weather was so good we both decided to have another night on board. Instead of packing and going back to the marina the destination was to be Paddy’s Lane. A nice long cruise today. We had thoroughly enjoyed the mix of longer cruise and short hops.  
 

Absolutely stunning cruise up the Ant. We passed How Hill and saw a glorious sight of three wherries together.  I sat on the bow taking lots of river footage to send to dad. I forget how quiet Luna is from there, just hearing the water lapping against the hull.  We arrived at Paddy’s Lane and got our favourite end spot looking towards the statihe. Some lovely woodies came and went filling up with water then a stunning wherry a bit later on.  It got quite hot later on and the bugs came out but I didn’t get bitten.  We have learnt to shut windows sooner rather than later!  For some reason Desmond thought it was winter at one point.

 

[YnysMon]

19 minutes ago, Lulu said:

Thank you Carole.  After each trip I think I wont do a write up as they can be very samey (the weekend ones so I don’t record all those) but then I really enjoy looking back on them as they are like a personal diary especially when we have had a week away.  

I feel the same way Sam. It’s lovely to relive memories of our various trips on Moonlight Shadow. They are starting to become a bit of a blur now. 

[Lulu]

Sunday 17th September 

A particularly early start and we were soon back in the marina and home by 10 to tackle a mammoth amount of washing.  I’ve basically stripped the boat of soft furnishings which is now all packed and ready for the next trip. We can only do probably one more long weekend now as Graham has used up most of his holiday but our new holiday allowance starts in January with a view to another week in March depending on weather.  We will see! 

[SwanR]

March is such a great time to be out. And it will soon come round now we’re into October. 

[addicted]

You should never to hesitate to do a log Sam, they are always very readable rest assured. That last lot of photos were particularly  stunning . I do envy your photography skills. We're heading for the boat tomorrow.  I don't know for how long it depends on the weather with our heating being on the blink if it gets really chilly we'll need to be always able to hook up as we'll have to rely on our ceramic fan heater until we are able to get it fixed. But if we get a second bite of the Iindian Summer cherry that is being mooted we'll stay for a week or more.

 

Carole

[Lulu]

Looks like its going to be ok next week so hopefully you can get out and about. Its incredibly humid here in Suffolk right now.