Carried Away By A Moonlight Shadow...

[YnysMon]

Monday 13th

I woke early this morning, not long after 6, with heavy rain drumming on the roof. I dozed again until seven, when the dogs woke and wanted attention. As it had stopped raining, I thought it a good opportunity to take them out. Graham joined me and we walked part way down the lane behind the Granary Stores.

 

 

We didn’t budge today, as gusts of over 40mph were forecast from mid-morning onwards. We had porridge for breakfast again, with blueberries again. As the morning wore on the day brightened up, and by late morning we had brilliant sunshine.

I made us another brunch type lunch. Sausages, bacon, mushrooms, tomato, rosti potato, spinach and scrambled egg.

Vegetarian version:

Meat version:

 

After lunch we took the dogs out again, this time going further down the lane behind the stores, wading through fairly deep water near farm at the end of the lane, before it turns into the bridleway that eventually leads to the South Walsham road. The dogs had a great time, though we did put them back on the lead for a while in places where the fences weren’t robust. We didn’t want another deer chasing episode!

The view over Ranworth marshes.

 

For the rest of the day we did very little, though I did roast some veggies in the oven for meals later in the week. That helped with keeping the boat warm. The TV signal wasn’t good, so we whiled away the time reading and, in my case, doing crossword puzzles. In the evening I made some bechamel sauce flavoured with nutritious yeast (instead of cheese) which we had as a sauce over some pasta.

We had to dig into the emergency stock of electric cards, that is kept on board, as we were running low. That’ll teach us – we seem to have used more cards than usual on this trip, probably because of the cost of electricity currently.

We stayed a second night at Ranworth as the wind didn't die down until after sunset.

 

 

[YnysMon]

Tuesday 14th November

We left Ranworth shortly after sunrise this morning (shortly after 7) and made our way to our home mooring at HPC.

 

When we got back to HPC we found the water levels had only dropped slightly. Seren still needed to be carried across to the car.

 

The priority today was to get some more electric cards. We could have gone to Tidings Newsagents in Horning, but I wanted to buy a good stock, so that we had plenty for our next few trips and had enough to replenish the boat’s emergency stock, so I decided to have a trip to Norwich for the day. I had been wanting to go to Norwich in any case, to visit Waterstone’s and the fabric shop in Magdalen Street. I have some lovely red and green brushed cotton tartan fabric to make a pair of PJ pants for Graham and was in search of some red or green cotton jersey fabric to make a PJ top. Graham had plans to take the dogs for a beach walk at Caister on Sea.

I booked an e-ticket for a mid-morning train, and we set off for Hoveton in such good time that we were able to visit Boulter’s chandlery (located in an industrial estate on the edge of Hoveton) on the way. I walked to the station from Roy’s car park as Graham was planning to pick up a few bits and pieces in their food hall.

The view from the train crossing the Bure.

 

Once I got to Norwich I turned right out of the station and walked the short distance up Thorpe Road to Yare House, BA HQ, where I was able to purchase electric cards.

Yare House.

 

After that I made my way to Waterstone’s. I really shouldn’t be trusted to visit book stores. Having intended to just buy one book (‘Caxton’, a book about the natural history of the area around the village of Caxton, near the Beauchamp Arms, that I had bought for a ex-work friend and also for Kate, both of whom had given good reports of it, so thought it was about time I bought a copy for myself), but I came away with four books.

By that time I was finished in Waterstones it was getting on for mid-day, so I made my way to Tombland, opposite the Cathedral Close, to have lunch in the Japanese Restaurant Shiki. I sent off a couple of photos to son Harry, just to make him jealous.

 

Whilst I was there Graham sent me a photo of his dog walk at Caister on Sea.

 

After my delicious lunch it was time to visit the fabric store. I couldn’t see what I wanted in their displays, but a very helpful young man explained that their summer stock of cotton jerseys had been moved to their upstairs storage area. He brought me a folder of fabric samples and fetched down my choice of red cotton jersey. So my task when I get home is to make Graham a pair of PJs.

Having had such helpful service in the fabric shop, I realised that if I walked briskly, I would probably be able to catch the 13:45 train back to Hoveton, which worked out fine. Sometimes you get days when everything seems to work like clockwork. I texted Graham to tell him I was on my way back, and by the time I had walked from the Station Graham had arrived back in the Roy’s car park.

So, we arrived back at the boat early afternoon and had a relaxing time using the Wi-Fi to catch up on things like YouTube.

This evening Graham ‘grazed’ on some bits and pieces that he’d picked up in Caister Tesco’s (vegetarian sausage rolls, a dip and olives), whilst I treated myself to a bacon butty, using the bacon that Graham had picked up in Roy’s earlier.

What a relaxing evening...

 

[YnysMon]

Wednesday 15th

We fancied having another try at getting into the BA Stokesby moorings today. It was a glorious morning to be cruising, but with a lot fresher wind than the BBC weather apps’ forecast of a ‘moderate breeze’.

 

Shortly after passing Acle, we decided that we’d be subjected to far too much bow slap at Stokesby and turned the boat around to head upriver again. Acle moorings also got a pass. Clippersby Drainage Mill is having some good work done on it. I wish the guy would wear a safety harness though.

We cruised all the way back to Ranworth. Ranworth seemed at first sight a lot busier than earlier in the week, though a closer look revealed that there were only three boats there, all moored side on. Fortunately, the boat moored near the taxi rank turned on their ropes to stern moor after a while, otherwise there wouldn’t have been room for the three boats that turned up later in the day.

We had a hearty lunch. Sausage (Roy's meaty ones for me, veggie for Graham) with mash, carrots, broccoli and gravy. After that we took the dogs down Farm Lane again. The flood down the lane had only subsided slightly, but we had a lovely walk nevertheless.

 

Seren does love her 'sticks'.

 

Back on the boat we just relaxed. In fact, we both dropped off and had a nice doze. I woke around 3.30 and noticed that the wind had lessened somewhat, so we decided that we had enough daylight left to return to HPC. We did leave almost a £1 left on the electric post, but hey-ho, it was still the right decision.

The sunset, as we were making our way back up the Bure was lovely,

 

and what wind that was left was blowing directly onto our mooring, so no issues of being blown sideways. It always helps if the boat that is usually moored next to you (Evening Shadow) is out and about too.

A very relaxing evening again. I reheated some of the roasted veg that I’d prepared earlier in the week, which we had with a warmed sachet of mixed grains and houmous.

[YnysMon]

Thursday 16th

We had planned to go on a visit to Holt by car today, but when we woke up this morning we just felt too lazy for that. The weather was pretty miserable anyway. After a very leisurely start, we had some porridge with blueberries then went by car to Latham’s.

Their car park was still awash.

 

We didn’t buy much there, the main thing being buying some of those disposable dehumidifying thingies to leave on Moonlight Shadow over the winter.

Back on the boat, we had another brunchy type lunch, using left up mashed potato and carrot to make potato cakes.

Meat version:

 

Veggie version, with not very nice looking bacon substitute:

 

After lunch we drove to the St Benedict’s (Horning’s church) car park. We followed the footpath from there which skirts a field and then took the lane opposite that leads to Horning Hall. It was very wet underfoot, and still drizzling, but nothing that our wellies and waterproofs couldn’t cope with. The dogs disappeared into a field at one point, which was a bit concerning, but other than that we had a good walk, turning around before we got to the end of the lane.

Another lazy evening was had. I’d intended to make some quesadillas, but was too lazy even for that. We just ‘grazed’.

Oy! You're in my seat!

[YnysMon]

Friday 17th

Our final day. Although the water level had dropped somewhat, we decided not to risk driving the car around to the back of the boat, so we went to Ranworth again - Graham by car and me by boat.

The water levels at Cockshoot Dyke have certainly dropped.

 

I did enjoy this final cruise.

 

At Ranworth.

 

On the way back I popped into Boulter's to get our refuel and pump-out, which made us slightly late for our agreed meet-up time with Malcolm (@Mouldy) back at HPC. The lady who is going to do our re-upholstery and curtains had brought around some additional fabric samples. Malcolm and I eventually decided on a greyish-blue fabric (or is it bluey grey?). I'm sure it won't please everyone, but we thought it was the best option to go with our saloon seating fabric. There have been calls for a pattern, and not for more blue, but the sofa material has a self pattern and blue is the theme of the boat.

 

After Malcolm left we had the most of the cleaning to do, so we didn't get away until about 2.30, which is after our normal leave time. Luckily I'd arranged for our turnaround check to be done next week, as the boat won't be occupied next week.

We aren't on board again until March. Too long!

[Tempest]

Excellent write up Helen

I look forward to receiving the Moonlight Shadow website version

https://moonlightshadow.net/

 

[YnysMon]

12 minutes ago, Tempest said:

Excellent write up Helen

I look forward to receiving the Moonlight Shadow website version

https://moonlightshadow.net/

 

Oo, er, yes. Will do that later. 

[kpnut]

Your photos are just lovely. That one of Pozzic resting his head in Graham’s lap makes my heart sing for his new life. 
I love the one of the swans on the marsh at Ranworth too. 

[Broads01]

Excellent write up and photos as always, Helen, thank you. I'm guessing as you have a largeish estate but you still need a trailer Pozzick and Seren need a fair bit of luggage. I always surprise myself by how much gubbins I need just for a small dog.

[YnysMon]

4 hours ago, Broads01 said:

Excellent write up and photos as always, Helen, thank you. I'm guessing as you have a largeish estate but you still need a trailer Pozzick and Seren need a fair bit of luggage. I always surprise myself by how much gubbins I need just for a small dog.

Ooo, I wish we had a largish estate. That would set us up nicely.

Seriously though, the estate car that we have does help, plus trailer and top box. Having the dogs adds a fair amount of luggage, what with rugs and blankets that we need to cover up the upholstery.

[YnysMon]

13 hours ago, kpnut said:

Your photos are just lovely. That one of Pozzic resting his head in Graham’s lap makes my heart sing for his new life. 
I love the one of the swans on the marsh at Ranworth too. 

I love the Google pixel phone that I got a few months ago. It’s a ‘second hand’ one but I’m really pleased with the camera on it. The zoom that I used to take that photo of the swans is brilliant.

[DAVIDH]

The photo of the Grebe is great. 

I keep trying to take a similar one but being mostly single-handed on the boat, by the time I've set up to take the image, the grebe has ducked under..... dive, dive, dive.

[YnysMon]

5 hours ago, DAVIDH said:

The photo of the Grebe is great. 

I keep trying to take a similar one but being mostly single-handed on the boat, by the time I've set up to take the image, the grebe has ducked under..... dive, dive, dive.

That’s always happened to too, until this opportunity, when I was single handed, so don’t give up hope! 

[SwanR]

Wonderful write up and photos. We often wish we had more than an hourly train into Norwich from Hoveton and Wroxham. I don't know if it was ever more frequent in the days before the pandemic given how services have adjusted since then.

You certainly made good use of Ranworth. It's so relaxing when it's quiet there.

[YnysMon]

1 hour ago, SwanR said:

Wonderful write up and photos. We often wish we had more than an hourly train into Norwich from Hoveton and Wroxham. I don't know if it was ever more frequent in the days before the pandemic given how services have adjusted since then.

You certainly made good use of Ranworth. It's so relaxing when it's quiet there.

Ranworth was our haven this time around. I don’t think we’ve ever moored on the Staithe during the summer. To be honest, we don’t generally find stern mooring like sardines that appealing, though places like Loddon, Beccles and Oulton Broad where there’s electric are usually fine. I just don’t want to be sat next to a boat running their engine.

[YnysMon]

Whoopee, it looks like we’ll be on the boat for a week from 5th January. Eldest son Harry is going to join us too. 

[Broads01]

Nice, electric a must I assume? Hope the ice keeps away for you.

[YnysMon]

6 hours ago, Broads01 said:

Nice, electric a must I assume? Hope the ice keeps away for you.

Yes, at this time of the year electric is a must for us. We could cope, but why not opt for cosiness? 

If it’s promising to ice up we’ll either stay put on our home mooring and visit places by car or cruise on the river and avoid places that are more likely to ice up (such as Ranworth). We certainly don’t want to damage the gel coat by moving the boat through ice. If it’s very cold and icy at the end of our week the tricky bit might be when we need to get refuelled etc. That might need a bit of negotiation with the people that will follow us.

The main thing we need to do is keep an eye on the weather forecast and plan accordingly. We aren’t particularly bothered if we can’t cruise much as just being on board is a bonus. 

[bucket]

The forecast for your week is looking pretty decent (at the moment), so hopefully the river levels will continue to fall and you will have a lovely relaxing, moor wherever you choose week.

The water levels at the marina should be better too.

I look forward to reading about your week......sounds like an excellent way to start 2024!

[Mouldy]

1 hour ago, bucket said:

The forecast for your week is looking pretty decent (at the moment), so hopefully the river levels will continue to fall and you will have a lovely relaxing, moor wherever you choose week.

The water levels at the marina should be better too.

I look forward to reading about your week......sounds like an excellent way to start 2024!

Seen on FB that The Ferry Inn is open again and that access from the road is now possible.  The winds for the next week are generally southerly (south easterly/south westerly) which should help the river levels to drop too.

[webntweb]

We did Boxing Day to Jan 2 on Moonlight some years back. It was a dry, sunny but cold week. As we were moored on our own almost every night, we just used the boats heating and remember it being quite cosy. We stayed south and some days didn't see another boat moving. The Broads are superb at this time of year. Enjoy.

[YnysMon]

26 minutes ago, webntweb said:

We did Boxing Day to Jan 2 on Moonlight some years back. It was a dry, sunny but cold week. As we were moored on our own almost every night, we just used the boats heating and remember it being quite cosy. We stayed south and some days didn't see another boat moving. The Broads are superb at this time of year. Enjoy.

We prefer not to use the boat’s heating on overnight, hence our preference for being on electric. There’s a small dimplex that we left on board, but we’ll take a second one for the other cabin for son Harry and underblankets for all three of us. It does mean we’ll be spending a couple of quid on electric each night, depending how cold it is, but at least we’ll be lovely and toasty. 

[YnysMon]

More good news. The boat isn’t occupied at present, so we’ve decided to travel to the boat on Wednesday instead of waiting until Friday. Bonus!

[YnysMon]

Belatedly realised that Harry didn’t have any wellies, so a last minute dash to Go Outdoors was in order this afternoon. Cheapo £18 ones but they should do the trick if we have to wade to the boat. 

[MargeandParge]

20 minutes ago, YnysMon said:

Belatedly realised that Harry didn’t have any wellies, so a last minute dash to Go Outdoors was in order this afternoon. Cheapo £18 ones but they should do the trick if we have to wade to the boat. 

In layman's terms "that's nine quid a foot" . Enjoy your trip we can see your keen 

Kindest Regards Marge and Parge