Luna’s Log

[Lulu]

27th October to 29th October 2023

Maintenance weekend and a lot of grumbling and whinging! Last time we had left the boat it was warm and dry.  We shouldn’t have left it so long before going again as we had left Luna in summer mode and beautifully clean. We are kicking ourselves as we arrived to find mould in a lot of places despite the hopper windows being open. I’d had a really hard week at work and wasnt in the best of moods as it was.  I could have cried but we both set to work cleaning.  The water levels were really high and I struggled  getting on and off the boat which kicked off my back pain. Desmond slipped and fell, thankfully not in the water but it had rattled his confidence so we had to start lifting him on and off the boat as it was too high even for him. By this time I just wanted to go home and sell the boat I was so stressed! 

Once the boat was clean we had dinner and early night.  On Saturday morning we woke early to a beautiful day.Graham disappeared into the engine bay to do whatever he had to do, fixed other bits and pieces on the list and everything was done by about 9.30.  I was all for going home but we needed a pumpout so we went off to Simpsons. That done, the sun was shining so we made the decision not to go home but see if Irstead was free and if not, would go to Paddy’s Lane.  
 

Result, Irstead was free, and 96p left on the meter! The sun was shining and we had a lovely day and restored my love of boating after all the drama of the day before. We were hoping Kate could drop by but unfortunately a boat took the space behind us so we had a very brief chat and a wave as she went by.  I bought some painted stones from the little stall for my granddaughter who is currently obsessed with insects. The rain forecast duly arrived when we went to bed and was torrential but I love going to sleep with the sound of rain so slept well, waking at 5.30am new time.  There wasnt much point in hanging about so once it was properly light and Desmond had had his walk, we set off back to the marina. We knew the levels had risen even more over night as even at Irstead it was a clamber to get on this morning. We went back via Paddys Lane to see what it was like there for next time in case the levels remain high. Never seen Paddys Lane like that!   We got back to the marina, happy the boat was nice and dry and clean inside and immediately set up the dehumidifier so hopefully that will resolve the mould issue from now on.  Also left the taps open in case theres a sudden plunge in temperature.  Driving out of the marina along the lane was interesting.  
 

Ive done a comparison re Irstead. First pic was some time ago, second was from this morning.

 

[kpnut]

I’m glad you could end on a more cheery note than the start Sam. 

[SwanR]

All's well that ends well I guess, as the saying goes. I hope you found at least some of your stay relaxing Sam. Thanks for sharing your photos as well. I know that if we'd hired a boat this week I would probably just have been trapped on board. Another deluge of rain last night won't have helped the water levels.

[Lulu]

2 minutes ago, SwanR said:

All's well that ends well I guess, as the saying goes. I hope you found at least some of your stay relaxing Sam. Thanks for sharing your photos as well. I know that if we'd hired a boat this week I would probably just have been trapped on board. Another deluge of rain last night won't have helped the water levels.

Im interested to know what Ludham Bridge is showing after all that rain last night. Kate sent me pictures of How Hill yesterday and that looked ok so that’s another spot we will have in mind if this continues 

[YnysMon]

Glad you had that extra time in the sun to rekindle the love.

I hope the river levels drop before 10th Nov. We’d have a real job trying to lift Pozzie onto the boat! 

[kpnut]

4 hours ago, Lulu said:

Im interested to know what Ludham Bridge is showing after all that rain last night. Kate sent me pictures of How Hill yesterday and that looked ok so that’s another spot we will have in mind if this continues 

How Hill is still perfect Sam. I suppose officially I shouldn’t be here having stopped for an hour yesterday afternoon, but I really don’t think I’m taking anyone else’s spot. 

I’ll let you know about LB in the morning. 

[Broads01]

3 hours ago, kpnut said:

How Hill is still perfect Sam. I suppose officially I shouldn’t be here having stopped for an hour yesterday afternoon, but I really don’t think I’m taking anyone else’s spot. 

I’ll let you know about LB in the morning. 

Fantastic photo.

[kpnut]

Ludham Bridge, one hour before high water today. 

Both gauges reading the same on approach, heading downstream. 

Sorry the photos are a bit dark, taken right into the sun.

[kpnut]

They read just over 7’. 

[Mouldy]

48 minutes ago, kpnut said:

Ludham Bridge, one hour before high water today. 

Both gauges reading the same on approach, heading downstream. 

Sorry the photos are a bit dark, taken right into the sun.

Better?

[Lulu]

Luna is up for sale so sadly no more Luna’s Log.
 

A big decision and very, very torn after having so many fantastic holidays and weekends. If anyone is interested, she’s on with NYA. I hope she can find a wonderful new custodian. Since we’ve had her - heating has been installed, new fuel tank, shore power, new calorifier, 4 new batteries within the last year. She also has a full winter boat cover. 

https://www.nya.co.uk/boats-for-sale/broom-skipper-7/

 

 

[SwanR]

Wow Sam! Sorry to see you're selling. Looks like a great boat, well loved and well looked after. You had mentioned a few times about considering whether you were going to keep boating here in Norfolk. Hope you get what you're looking for without it dragging out too long.

[YnysMon]

That's very sad to hear Sam. Are you considering hiring in Norfolk, or trying out new adventures on another waterway?

[Lulu]

8 minutes ago, YnysMon said:

That's very sad to hear Sam. Are you considering hiring in Norfolk, or trying out new adventures on another waterway?

We are looking for a Hampton Safari in an ideal world. Keeping our options open at the moment as we have to sell Luna first. 

[kpnut]

She looks wonderful Sam, well cared for and cosy. 
🤞🤞for a successful, timely sale and search for your Hampton. You know all three of you are always welcome on board SR in the meantime xx

 

[addicted]

Hi Sam. Luna shows very well. She is a  lovely boat and I hope you get a buyer soon so that you can   go shopping for that Hampton in earnest.

 

Carole

[Lulu]

A little update - Luna sold a couple of weeks ago. We went to clear her out and also view a Hampton but it sold before we got there.  It must have been meant to be because  we now are the proud custodians of Mermaid.  
 

It’s all been a bit of a flurry, emotions and sleepless nights as its happened so quickly. I have been in contact with Alan who in turn has spoken with Marina and they are very happy for me to start a new holiday tales thread which will be called Mermaid’s Meanderings.  She will be much loved and looked after.

 It is going to change things a lot for us. We will be able to stern moor as Desmond will have easy access and go to places we couldnt with Luna (Gayes Staithe, Womack Staithe and Coltishall).   Thank you Luna for the fantastic times we had with you x

[Smoggy]

Enjoy your new boat, and make Ian proud with plenty of meanderings!

[JawsOrca]

She certainly couldn't have gone to anyone better.. Relax now and enjoy her :) We will see you at the marina sometime soon and I'll certainly be following "Mermaids Meanderings" :)

[Gracie]

Congratulations Sam

I'm sure Ian's family will be pleased she is in good hands. Looking forward to Mermaid's Meanderings x 

[SwanR]

Oh that’s brilliant news all round. So pleased for you Sam, and for Ian’s family to have one thing ticked off albeit with all the emotions that it brings. 

I’ll be keeping a look out for Mermaid once you get onto the rivers. 🤗

[CambridgeCabby]

Congratulations to you both , hope to see you afloat soon 

[Mouldy]

Bit late to the party with our congratulations - been on kitchen fatigues!  Really pleased to hear that you’ve sold Luna and acquired your new boat.  Hoping to meet up again when we get up to the northern rivers over the summer!

[Broads01]

Brilliant, I'll enjoy reading your blog. You don't need me to point out there's so many stern moorings you'll be able to enjoy. I've always found Salhouse to be a great doggie place and always plenty of other dogs around for your dog to socialise with. Bit confused as to why you mention Coltishall though as it's not stern-on there and wasn't Luna able to pass under Wroxham?

[Lulu]

4 minutes ago, Broads01 said:

Brilliant, I'll enjoy reading your blog. You don't need me to point out there's so many stern moorings you'll be able to enjoy. I've always found Salhouse to be a great doggie place and always plenty of other dogs around for your dog to socialise with. Bit confused as to why you mention Coltishall though as it's not stern-on there and wasn't Luna able to pass under Wroxham?

Luna could have passed under Wroxham I’m sure. We just didn’t have the nerve to try!   Graham has never been to Coltishall or Dilham so we are excited to go to those places also.