Luna’s Log

[SwanR]

Thanks for sharing the videos. Looks very windy still and the water levels still look high. 

 Safe travels 

 

[Ray]

Haven't seen it like that before... looks fun! 

[vanessan]

I don’t think I would want to be out in that! Did I see some nice new quay heading on the first video? Thanks for posting. 

[addicted]

Hi Sam, Gosh you were brave to tough it out on board. Can't say I'd fancy that in all that wind. How were things  in general on the marina,  have any boats sustained any damage? High winds are always a worry especially if you have a canopy.  A few years ago while moored on Brundall Bay marina  similar conditions managed to unzip the rear section of our  canopy and if we hadn;t seen it when we did we would have lost it.

 

Carole

[Lulu]

1 hour ago, Ray said:

Haven't seen it like that before... looks fun! 

I couldnt keep the camera still. The gusts were really strong but it certainly was bracing! 

 

4 minutes ago, addicted said:

Hi Sam, Gosh you were brave to tough it out on board. Can't say I'd fancy that in all that wind. How were things  in general on the marina,  have any boats sustained any damage? High winds are always a worry especially if you have a canopy.  A few years ago while moored on Brundall Bay marina  similar conditions managed to unzip the rear section of our  canopy and if we hadn;t seen it when we did we would have lost it.

 

Carole

The marina is fine. Thankfully the flooding has gone so we could actually get to the boat! Our tv aerial had turned around and the pennant is torn.  We did up some loose poppers on a fellow NBN member’s canopy but apart from that all was ok.  

 

33 minutes ago, vanessan said:

I don’t think I would want to be out in that! Did I see some nice new quay heading on the first video? Thanks for posting. 

Hence why we came home which we were gutted about.  Yes the quay heading looked very smart. 

[BroadAmbition]

Hmmm, seems I've not got sommat or other on t PC I should have as could not view the videos

Griff

[Ray]

I viewed on Android and it downloaded them, I'll try to upload direct to the forum, that may help.

Seems not, sorry!

 

[Lulu]

I took the videos on an Iphone if that helps with any technical info

[Ray]

Must admit I'm not familiar with iphones but the files play OK once downloaded so it shouldn't make any difference I'd have thought. I've reached the full limit of my limited geekiness I'm afraid ☺

[addicted]

1 hour ago, BroadAmbition said:

Hmmm, seems I've not got sommat or other on t PC I should have as could not view the videos

Griff

Me neither

 

Carole

[Lulu]

21st March 2020

We had been due to move moorings from Horning to Broadsedge next week but brought it forward to today in case of any more restrictions with the Coronavirus situation. We left home at 6.30am and arrived at Horning about 7.45.  Luna was looking quite green so we gave her a quick wash while warming up the engine. The wind decided to get quite blustery but we negotiated out of the marina with no problems.  We have decided a pennant is an absolute must to watch what the wind is doing.   We made our way up the Bure. Such beautiful blue sky and sun. 

We turned up the Ant not worried about the bridge height as Ray who owns that gorgeous boat Dakota very kindly offered to find out the bridge height yesterday. Thank you again Ray (that was one less thing to worry about) 
Ludham bridge was a slight challenge with the sudden gust of wind but we got under safely

Off across Barton Broad which was a lot calmer than the last time we crossed and off up to Stalham 

We arrived at our new mooring,  which thankfully we had been to see in person a few weeks ago so we knew exactly where we were going. We met some of our new neighbours and already feel at home there.  With the glorious sun and blue sky we really didnt want to leave but needed to get home for our hound.  We are hoping to go up there for a long weekend next week but unsure of what the situation will be by then but at least we can relax knowing we have Luna installed safely in her new home.   Today was an absolute tonic after this week. Thank you Luna.  

[CambridgeCabby]

Looks wonderful , seriously considering self isolating myself afloat , especially now I see I can get under Ludham Bridge 

[Chelsea14Ian]

Very nice photos. Has been a lovely sunny day did some shopping. If it wasn't for this dam virus sure lots more people would be making the most of the sunshine. 

[addicted]

Lovely pictures Sam. I'm envious, what a lovely way to spend what is a glorious Spring day apart from the strong breeze. Glad you made it safely to your new mooring. Although we had decided that we should give up boating, we recently had lunch at an hotel on a marina where previously had a berth. It brought on nostalgia big time!  Which got us to wondering whether we could manage a few more years if we bought  smaller boat.  Of course we can do nothing until Hot Gossip is sold which obviously with the present situation will not be for a  very  long  time it seems. So who knows what tomorrow will bring. The jury is still out.

 

 

Carole

[Lulu]

1 hour ago, addicted said:

Which got us to wondering whether we could manage a few more years if we bought  smaller boat. 

Then you can explore the very pretty Ant.......

[Lulu]

16th May 2020

We went to the marina for the first time since we moved Luna in a rush just days before lockdown. The roads were eerily quiet. It was strange going past NBD and seeing all their fleet still there and the carpark empty. We stopped off at Norfolk Marine to collect the order we had put in before lockdown.  A really excellent service by them. You sit in your car and they come out with your order. We spent 5 hours cleaning and checking Luna and were really pleased that she wasn't too bad. Thank goodness for the dehumidifier.  I realised that we should have been at the NBN meet if things had been ‘normal’ . There weren't many people in the marina which we were a bit surprised about. We reluctantly left but so grateful that we could finally visit.

24th  May 2020

Off to the boat to arrive as soon as the marina was opened up as its only open for limited hours. The windscreen was in a mess and knew we couldnt leave it any longer. We sanded, stained and put the first coat of varnish on.  We have quite a bit more work to do and the sides also need doing but at least the wood is protected and matches the colour of the wood inside.  We decided that two days of maintenance was enough and the next week we would definitely go for a cruise.

 

[Lulu]

Saturday 30th May 2020

We had had a sad and very emotional end to the week. We had to put our greyhound Lulu down on Thursday. It was all very sudden and a similar situation to her brother last year.  We had geared up the boat last week for her to join us on the cruise so arriving at the boat was hard especially when I found her lifejacket.  Our cruise was a time of reminiscing.

We left the marina at 10.00 and decided the destination was How Hill. We took the canopy off and travelled very slowly. The weather was amazing and river was very quiet. We had Barton Broad to ourselves. Irstead was empty and very tempting but not far enough and carried onto How Hill as planned. A couple of boats moored up after us but otherwise the mooring were empty.  After about an hour there were loads of boats passing and quite a few walkers around. 
After about an hour or so we decided to make our way back. We were unsure of when the ‘rush hour’ would be and having only moored up at the marina once before we wanted to have time to get back in without loads of other boats at the same time. Irstead was free again......but we carried on.  A beautiful day but realised I was now sunburnt. In all the eagerness of finally getting out onto the water, Id forgotten to put on sunscreen and suffering today. Once back at the marina, with a rather wonderful piece of mooring by Selsie infront of an audience, we had a late lunch before heading home.  It was a wonderful but sad day without our furry friend.

RIP Lulu x

[SwanR]

Sad news and my thoughts with you on losing Lulu. A time of reflection for so many people at the moment, but that must have been a bittersweet cruise for you. Hopefully more blue skies and happier days ahead.

[BroadAmbition]

So very sad to hear about Lulu - Rainbow bridge it will be then

Griff

[OldBerkshireBoy]

I too lost my furry little mate this week, he was really my sisters dog however he did what I told him and generally back chatted my sister with a mumble given the same request, even my voice on the speaker phone would send him off searching for me on her canal boat.

RIP Tobe and thanks for the good times mate.

[Lulu]

17th July 2020

After all these weeks, with a few day trips once we were allowed, a much needed  week off arrived where we could actually stay on board! I clock watched the whole day at work until 4.00pm when I literally bolted out of the door. We set off for Norfolk and got stuck at every roundabout on the A11. It took 2 hours instead of 1 hr 15, but we didn’t care.  We got to the marina, unpacked and had dinner then fitted our new mooring lines.  Luna is starting to look a bit smarter. We had her anti-fouled a few weeks ago, bought some new fenders so they now all match. Still got work to do repainting the deck and more varnishing on the screens but we will get there.  We had made the decision that this holiday we would do no maintenance and just relax.  We have bought a Planar heater and some other plumbing thing that needs to be done but those jobs could wait.  We stayed in the marina overnight, ready to leave early.  I think I was asleep the moment my head hit the pillow at 10.00pm.  
 

18th July 

We woke at 7.00.  9 hours solid sleep! All during lockdown, Ive barely got 5 hours sleep a night and most of the time I wake up a few times in the night. We left Stalham at 8.10 and decided to go Barton Turf to fill up with water. The staithe was full so we went to Gayes Staithe instead. We hadnt been there before and it seemed so much smaller than I remembered from the boating vlogs Ive watched. We met some lovely people there, one person mentioned Nipper and had the most stunning drawing of Nipper ready to give to Doug.  Lo and behold we saw Nipper as we went down the Ant.

Mission today, Thurne Dyke. We arrived at 10.30 and moored by the mill. 11.00am, the Thurne Regatta began which made for very pleasant viewing for the rest of the day. It looks such hard work battling with the flappy stuff. We are way too lazy.   We saw Cerise Lady and Trixie pass by.

We walked down to The Lion to order a take away for the evening. Easy and efficient ordering system. We boat watched some more,cleaned the boat a bit and had showers then collected our pizzas. Yumm they were so good. Tired but very happy we retired to bed at 10.00, already beginning to wind down. Bliss 

 

[YnysMon]

Lovely post. Thanks

Those pizzas look good too!

. 

[Lulu]

5 minutes ago, YnysMon said:

Those pizzas look good too!

One was too much for me. I probably ate just over half which seemed such a waste!

[YnysMon]

My problem is that I’m quite partial to cold pizza the following day.

And I usually try to avoid dairy. (But I want pizza!)

[Lulu]

Sunday 19th July 2020

We woke up to a family row at 6.15am . Never heard anything like it on a Sunday morning, disgraceful behaviour!  Gulls were screaming and squawking above us, then I realised they were actually running around on our canopy having their domestic. I shooed them away and went back to bed. 

Stokesby was our aim today. Another first or as we say, ‘another tick’.  We wanted to have a look at the shop that everyone is raving about.   After a quick breakfast of toast and marmalade, we left Thurne Dyke at 8.10 and also left a brand new rhond anchor so someone will have been able to claim a nice shiney new one dammit.   (When we bought Luna we couldn’t find any rhond anchors, so bought a new pair.  We later discovered in the depths of a locker, 6 other rhond anchors!  We had a chat and said we can give a few away. After leaving one at Thurne Dyke, we will keep all our spares as no doubt it will happen again...)

We arrived at Stokesby at 10.10.  It was a lovely cruise, hardly anyone about. We of course had to visit the shop. Oh the cakes!  Selsie got a scotch egg and I got a brownie. Anyone who knows me, knows I love chocolate.  That brownie beat me! it was so rich and umptious that I could only eat half (obviously i ate the other half later). Selsie said the scotch egg was the best he had tasted. 

As before, we spent the rest of the day just sitting boat watching in the sunshine. This was to be the routine for the week, short, early cruises, moor up for the rest of the day, do nothing.   After a while, we saw boat after boat going by, all heading south. It was like the M25 at times.  We were very happy as maybe it would mean the northern broads would be quiet 
 

We ordered a takeaway from the Ferry Inn, fish and chips this time which were perfectly cooked.  Again, easy and efficient system. The pub was busy all day and evening which was great to see and glad we could help support the pubs, although this ended up being the last pub we visited.  I was also singing the praises of the cakes to others and i believe I helped with sales that day! 

After dinner, we watched a bit of tv then watched the sunset. It was so magical and people were coming out of their boats to watch. An amazing end to a fantastic day.   We retired to bed again at 10.00.