Newfies Afloat

[kpnut]

1 hour ago, Tempest said:

We first went to Pets at home for some raw food for Roxy and Yogi

I feed Finlay raw food too Warren, usually ‘the dogs butcher’. And can manage 12 days food in the fridge/freezer at a push. 
For you, with two dogs and both being about twice the size of Finlay, I’m interested to know how you manage on the boat. 

Also, did you know there’s a raw food specialist shop on the way into Norwich. Raw Dog Food Company in Taverham. 
Unit 3
Beech Avenue Business Park,
Beech Avenue,
Taverham,
Norwich
NR8 6HW
Tel: 01603 869707

Sounds like you’ve had a wonderful first day’s holiday. 

[Tempest]

12 hours ago, kpnut said:

Unit 3
Beech Avenue Business Park,
Beech Avenue,
Taverham,
Norwich
NR8 6HW
Tel: 01603 869707

Thanks for the heads up with this as I wasn't aware

Our supplier is a local farm who supplies wholesale and retail

They are a 5 minute drive from our house

https://www.petaroni.com/

But they supply raw foods in rolls which are quite large and we struggle to get many in the freezer compartment, so when away we tend to get the Pets at Home ones which come in blocks as you can fit more of these in the freezer

If coming for a fortnight we also bring a mobile freezer box which keeps them chilled until we need them

They have only one block shared (half each) with a dry biscuit mix (Roxy one cup, Yogi 2 cups) and they share a can of pilchards which are mixed in with the raw food and biscuits because the fish oil is good for their coats

So we tend to come away with 7 blocks, 7 tins of pilchards and a bag of dry food which lasts us the week

For breakfast Roxy just has half a cup of dry food and Yogi has a full cup

Roxy has less because she is an older dog and we are trying to keep her weight under control

She got up to 76Kg and currently she is 70Kg which is around 11 stone!

What a beautiful morning

This is our current view

[kpnut]

You’re right, the shape makes a big difference to the storage. I have plastic boxes that hold just the right amount for a day. And luckily 4 fit very neatly inside the freezer compartment on the boat. Another 8 in the bottom of the fridge. I defrost so they are just cutable at home, portion them out and refreeze. They stay pretty much frozen in the bottom of the fridge until I need each one. If I’m there longer, Finlay goes into a cold pressed biscuit thing called ‘Guru’. It goes rather mushy if I add water, but he likes it well enough. 

I like the idea of the Pilchards. I sometimes buy whole fish to add, but usually buy an ‘oily fish and tripe’ pack. But it’s a bit watery and disgusting compared with the meat packs. I’ll often buy a pack of chicken mince, 50% bone and do half and half with an ox and lamb no bone mix (has the meat and offal) it’s cheaper than a ‘complete’. Maybe two days a week with that as the bone content is still a bit high. 
 

I went in the pet shop in Wroxham, by the bridge, but their cheaper frozen raw were from a firm I don’t like, smelly and far too much bone. And the other brands they stock are expensive. Hence finding the one in Norwich, but not exactly easy to get to halfway through a trip on the boat!

 

Anyway, maybe this all ought to be in a different thread -feeding dogs on boats - so I won’t take up any more of your holiday blog with it. 
 

The day looks stunning already. Enjoy. I’m hoping to get the tail end of it by coming down halfway through the week. 

[Tempest]

Not long now and we are back and it seems such a looooooooooooooooooooooong time ago since we were here!

Well it was!!

We arrive in Norfolk on 1st May for 2 days at Bumble Barn (The B&B of the Cross Keys, Dilham with the wonderful Paul and Karen as the owners) with Roxy and Yogi. 

We have to be more careful with Roxy these days as she is approaching 10 years of age which is a good age for a Newfie and she is starting to get a little stiff in the back legs.

Just a couple of chill days before making our way to Horning Pleasurecraft to pick up Moonlight Shadow on Friday 3rd May.

Its a bit of a mix this time as our son, daughter in law and granddaughter with their dog Bleu were meant to join us Saturday until Tuesday, but the thought of 4 adults, 1 grandchild, 2 newfies and a welsh collie on board sent shivers down my spine!

As such we booked Conway Bridge from Bridgecraft as a treat for them and selfishly to give us a little more space, but we have some Motorola PMR446 2-Way Walkie Talkies to communicate as we travel and we will just be focussing on doing things that benefit a 19 month old granddaughter who has never visited the broads, so lots of feeding the birds, running around and enjoying life "safely" around the water.

Salhouse looks like one of our stops!!

As such we will be travelling down to Acle on the Saturday and meet them before a few days of fun before returning to Acle Monday evening for a family meal at the Bridge Inn before they leave the broads on Tuesday morning.

Then a quiet day Tuesday before meeting some more friends who have a mobile home and have booked a pitch at Ludham near the Dog Inn, so we have planned to meet them at Ludham bridge on Wednesday morning to take them up to Wroxham, and back before finishing off the evening at the Dog Inn before they retire.

Its getting closer now and I cant wait!!

It has been far too looooooooong!

[petersjoy]

38 minutes ago, Tempest said:

Then a quiet day Tuesday before meeting some more friends who have a mobile home and have booked a pitch at Ludham near the Dog Inn, so we have planned to meet them at Ludham bridge on Wednesday morning to take them up to Wroxham, and back before finishing off the evening at the Dog Inn before they retire.

Would that be on the Broadlands Site or Manor Farm, Our first visit back to the Broads since we sold the boat will be in July with the caravan at Manor Farm. that will be 18mths since selling. Looking forward to it,  still not missing the boat but enjoying caravanning.

Edited April 3 by petersjoy
Added month

[Tempest]

16 minutes ago, petersjoy said:

Would that be on the Broadlands Site or Manor Farm, Our first visit back to the Broads since we sold the boat will be in July with the caravan at Manor Farm. that will be 18mths since selling. Looking forward to it,  still not missing the boat but enjoying caravanning.

I believe they are staying at the Dog Inn site but not 100% sure

https://thedoginnludham.co.uk/camping/

They previously stayed at the Norfolk Broads Campsite

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/club-sites/england/east-anglia/norfolk/norfolk-broads-club-campsite/?utm_source=localsearch&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb

But on this occasion they are travelling around the East coast and decided to stop off at Ludham for a couple of nights and as they had never been on the rivers we said we would take them up to Wroxham for lunch and then "bimble" back stopping off at Salhouse, Horning or elsewhere as we make our way back to Ludham bridge for the night and then a walk to the Dog Inn for evening meal and drinks so they are back "home" and we can head back to the boat

 

[Tempest]

28 minutes ago, petersjoy said:

Would that be on the Broadlands Site or Manor Farm, Our first visit back to the Broads since we sold the boat will be in July with the caravan at Manor Farm. that will be 18mths since selling. Looking forward to it,  still not missing the boat but enjoying caravanning.

I still recall mooring alongside you at Oulton Broad and a lovely evening that was..

Sad that you have sold your boat, but fully understand as we once considered purchasing a boat outright but now feel that syndicate membership suits us to the ground. We are now considering purchasing a second share ion a boat but have moved away from full ownership as the costs are just ridiculous!!

I fully understand the appeal of a motorhome and wish you the very best as i am currently looking at options for Silverstone for the British GP in 2025 which I WILL be attending and a motorhome option is high up on in my options!!

[Happy]

15 minutes ago, petersjoy said:

Would that be on the Broadlands Site or Manor Farm, Our first visit back to the Broads since we sold the boat will be in July with the caravan at Manor Farm. that will be 18mths since selling. Looking forward to it,  still not missing the boat but enjoying caravanning.

Hi.  You probably did'nt know that I was the sales manager of a touring caravan sales centre for a number of years.  We were quite successfull but every time I sold a new or used caravan I used to think 'you could buy a boat for that money'!   When we sold our last boat on the 'Broads' we bought a rather nice motor caravan but always seemed to go back to the 'Broads' with it.  With the now increasing mooring fees ro pay it seemed a good choice.  However, as a salesman at heart, I was offered a good profit and sold it.  We then bought a nice touring caravan so that we and my son and his partner an our grandkids could use it.  Its sat on my mates farm for the last 2 years, unused.  Maybe time I sold that too? 

[Tempest]

14 minutes ago, Happy said:

We then bought a nice touring caravan so that we and my son and his partner an our grandkids could use it.  Its sat on my mates farm for the last 2 years, unused.  Maybe time I sold that too?

Its the thought that counts!

We have always tried to offer experiences and have had a static caravan, speedboat we used to take to Lake Windermere (when they allowed water-skiing!!), when we sold that we bought a touring caravan and had loads of great holidays, had a place in Spain we stopped at regularly and basically did as many things as possible to give our son "life experiences"

We have done many City breaks around the world and F1 is also a passion.

The Broads though were always seen as an annual "given" and they were always the place our son, our dogs, our friends and ourselves...............enjoyed the most!

Hence why we are still visiting today and introducing our granddaughter this year!

[petersjoy]

There is a story behind me selling the boat, at the time it wasn't financial but the way things have gone i probably did it at the right time.

The biggest decision i had was either a caravan or a motorhome, all my life from 17 i wanted motorhome, ' read all the mags in the 70's ' never wanted a caravan. After a lot of thinking about what would be best for us it had to be a caravan. So here i am after never wanting one or wanting to tow one, got one and loving it. Trouble is now thinking about a bigger one .

All this from spending 4hrs on a ride on lawnmower cutting a 4 acre field

[dom]

2 hours ago, Happy said:

We then bought a nice touring caravan so that we and my son and his partner an our grandkids could use it.  Its sat on my mates farm for the last 2 years, unused.  Maybe time I sold that too? 

I'd look for someone local who could clean it for you then let it out on AirBnB. Farmers are being told to diversify, so you can probably come to an arrangement with your mate so everyone's happy. Most areas you could probably get £100 a night, or go cheap, aim for the itinerant tradesman market and let it 5 days a week year round.

[Happy]

13 hours ago, dom said:

I'd look for someone local who could clean it for you then let it out on AirBnB. Farmers are being told to diversify, so you can probably come to an arrangement with your mate so everyone's happy. Most areas you could probably get £100 a night, or go cheap, aim for the itinerant tradesman market and let it 5 days a week year round.

Good thought but to be honest my buddy raises young cattle and with all the rain has'nt been able to let them out to graze.  He has used all of his farm produced hay to feed them and has had to buy food in at astronomical prices which I think might bring him down unfortunately so it will need to be moved/sold anyway 

[Tempest]

We usually stay at Bumble Barn near Dilham prior or after being on Moonlight Shadow and if anyone wants an insight into what it's like it will be on the channel 4 show, 4 in a bed all next week at 6pm 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/fFjhvjHQJUm9tyV2/

[Tempest]

We arrive in Norfolk on Wednesday 1st May before making our way to Horning Pleasurecraft in Friday to pick up Moonlight Shadow and just wanted to outline my appreciation to Bridgecraft for their wonderful service and support.

I booked Conway Bridge for my son, his partner, our granddaughter and their dog from Saturday to Tuesday morning as they wanted to spend the Bank Holiday weekend with us.

We initially considered them joining us on Moonlight Shadow, but thought better of it!!

4 adults, a 19 month old granddaughter, 2 Newfoundlands and a Welsh Collie all on Moonlight Shadow? Nah!!! 

🥴🥴

So I made the booking with Bridgecraft and sent them a note explaining the situation 

Stephanie and the team there have been brilliant, ringing me to confirm details, then ringing my son who asked if it would be ok to park his vehicle at Bridgecraft early that Saturday morning as I planned to pick them up and go back to Horning to get onboard Moonlight Shadow and cruise down to Acle to collect Conway Bridge whenever it was available.

They not only agreed, but did better than that confirming a member of staff would be there to open the gates for them and get them parked up securely.

Also due to our circumstances and to help they would turnaround Conway Bridge quickly for them so they could get onboard from 11am, which means we can pick them up and run down to Bridgecraft on our granddaughters (Eleanor or Ellie) first ever Norfolk cruise in the morning and they will be all aboard by early afternoon 

Great service, great contact and great support 

👏👏👏👏

 

[Broads01]

I've hired from Bridgecraft twice, including Conway 1 last year and had excellent service from them both times. I know many others have experienced the same and in fact I don't think I've seen anything negative written about them, at least not on this forum.

[NorfolkNog]

Must agree with Warren and Simon. Bridgecraft really are excellent. Warren's experience just shows how they will go the extra mile. Being a smaller family run yard you really do get that personal attention and they are prepared to be flexible which the big yards are less willing or able to do. I've been with Bridgecraft for a good few years now and can't speak highly enough of them. Cracking yard 

[Tempest]

Lovely drive across to Norfolk yesterday as we set off just after 9am, crossed the Pennines, picked up the A1 and made our way down to the A17 at Newark.

Our first stop around 2 1/2 hours into the journey was at Sleaford for some lunch and to let the dogs stretch their legs.

But we were soon on our way again and Julie had to take a picture as we crossed Sutton Bridge 

We then had a second stop in a picnic layby along the A47 around 30 minutes before Norwich and 5 minutes before the Wood Lane turning.

This is a usual stop for us as the picnic area is set back from the busy road , it has benches and bins and it allows the dogs to again stretch their legs, although on this occasion the grassed area was a little overgrown.

After this second break we set off again and decided we would make for the Rising Sun, Coltishall to get our first glimpse of the riverside and have a drink beside it, before making our way to Bumble Barn.

We arrived at the Rising Sun around 2.30pm just over 5 1/4 hrs after setting off from the North West which was a very good run in my opinion.

The outdoor seating was busy and they have a strict table service system which I believe causes more issues than it is trying to solve.

We parked in the car park, got the dogs out and walked to the beer garden where there was a sign stating wait to be seated, which we did.

A waiter then approached us and took us to a table and said they would be across shortly 

We waited a couple of minutes and nobody came, so Julie got up and went to the bar but was sent packing as "it's table service and someone will come to you"

Julie reported there was nobody in the pub apart from staff behind the bar "twiddling their thumbs"

So we sat down and waited and a couple of minutes later a waiter came and took our drinks order and asked if we were eating, to which we declined as we only wanted a drink.

It was a lovely day beside the river, but we both thought they were over thinking it at the Rising Sun as by all means offer waiter service for those who are eating, but the casual drinker should surely be able to go to the bar and it would no doubt alleviate frustrations by some visitors, keep the bar staff occupied and take some of the unnecessary work off the waiters.

Once we were ready to go we had to try and get the attention of a waiter and request a bill.

I think we will try the Kings Head next time.

We then made our way to Anchor Street, Tunstead and the wonderful Bumble Barn which did not disappoint.

That evening we made our way to the Cross Keys, Dilham and I had the roast turkey dinner and Julie the roast beef.

They currently have a midweek deal which is £7.95 for a roast and £4.00 for a desert.

The food was plentiful and delicious.

Julie saw the winning "Four in a Bed" plaque behind the bar so had to take a picture.

We also noted the addition in the beer garden of the 2 wooden beers Yogi and Boo Boo, so I had to take a few pictures of our Yogi and Roxy sat with them

We then headed back to Bumble Barn and retired early as the long journey and a full stomach had taken its toll

 

 

 

[NorfolkNog]

4 minutes ago, Tempest said:

The outdoor seating was busy and they have a strict table service system which I believe causes more issues than it is trying to solve.

 

4 minutes ago, Tempest said:

We waited a couple of minutes and nobody came, so Julie got up and went to the bar but was sent packing as "it's table service and someone will come to you"

Ridiculous and un-necessary. Apart from anything else I ilike to look at the bar to see what beers are available and Mrs Nog likes to scan the gins. How do you know what the prices are? Too late when it's delivered. Avoid like the plague. The best pub IMHO is the Red Lion but sadly the opening hours are a bit limited. Otherwise as suggested go in the Kings Head or walk down to the Recruiting Sergeant. 

[Smoggy]

Loving the big bears pic!

[YnysMon]

1 hour ago, NorfolkNog said:

 

Ridiculous and un-necessary. Apart from anything else I ilike to look at the bar to see what beers are available and Mrs Nog likes to scan the gins. How do you know what the prices are? Too late when it's delivered. Avoid like the plague. The best pub IMHO is the Red Lion but sadly the opening hours are a bit limited. Otherwise as suggested go in the Kings Head or walk down to the Recruiting Sergeant. 

I wonder if the Recruiting Sergeant has the same policy…aren’t they owned by the same people?

[LizG]

2 minutes ago, YnysMon said:

I wonder if the Recruiting Sergeant has the same policy…aren’t they owned by the same people?

Yes same chain plus the Lodge at Salhouse and a few others away from the river.

If I am right in thinking the Rising Sun doesn't take bookings though so it is first come first served.  All the other pubs in the group you can book a table.

[NorfolkNog]

23 minutes ago, YnysMon said:

I wonder if the Recruiting Sergeant has the same policy…aren’t they owned by the same people?

It is indeed owned/run by Colchester Inns, but no, we've never had a problem ordering at the bar. Mrs Nog likes to look at the gins and cocktails and the staff are generally friendly and helpful. Which makes the Rising Sun policy even more baffling. It must be quiet there at the moment too, don't suppose much is getting through the bridge.

[chrisdobson45]

We've had hit & miss experiences of the Rising Sun of late. It was one of my favourites, based on memories of many years ago and I've returned with Kath & the kids on a number of occasions, and each time has been a bit of a voyage of discovery, anything from great to poor. The last time we were there the service was awful, we went next door.

No doubt we'll try again at the end of May, fingers crossed we find them on a good day...

[Tempest]

What a glorious day...☀️☀️☀️☀️

So much so, that my head is burning! 🥵 

We started the day with a great full English at Bumble Barn 

Then we headed off to our first destination of the day and that was Black Barn Farm, Salhouse which has a number of shops and stalls on the ground floor and a cafe on the 1st floor

It was a delightful dog friendly place

https://www.facebook.com/share/CLJ89VPpZAuD83b4/

We then made our way to Ranworth where we stayed for a couple of hours resting on the benches overlooking Malthouse Broad, chatting with anyone who wanted to meet the dogs and strolling around the area, up to the church and back to the staithe

There was lots of space available whilst we were there and I noted the 2 moorings with the yellow stakes are still out of action

We used to moor at Broom Boats and were regular visitors to the Yare Public House, although we hadn't been since it's transformation to the White Heron so we thought we would have a drive across to see what they had done to the old place.

I must say we where impressed. I could still see the old place within, but it was now modern and good to see popular, when we visited.

Roxy and Yogi even had their photo taken and got a mention on the White Heron Facebook page 

https://www.facebook.com/share/K3TFC9qkKQmhs348/

I had a shandy and Julie went for the obligatory glass of Pinot Grigio!

We also hadn't been to the Ferry House, Surlingham for a while so decided to drive across and get some late afternoon food as the breakfast had put paid to any ideas of lunch!!!

It was around 3.30pm by now

Julie went for the jacket potato with prawns and I went for the Tuna Baguette with chips.

I had another shandy and Julie another Pinot Grigio!!

Then we headed back in the direction of Bumble Barn but decided to have a stop off at the Cross Keys for yes...you guessed it another Pinot Grigio for Julie and I had a beer.

The beer garden had recently been cut and the dogs just loved chilling on the grass

Around 6pm we headed back to Bumble Barn to feed the dogs and chill for the rest of the evening 

A wonderful day with just Julie and the dogs visiting places we love

[kpnut]

Sounds a perfect day. Thanks for sharing.