Newfies Afloat

[Tempest]

Last full day as we all left Salhouse Broad around 9.30 with our planned destination Ranworth and luckily for us we managed to get in due to a wonderful couple who shouted that they were leaving shortly, so I waited and as they moved off I slipped into the mooring they had vacated.

Met some wonderful people whilst at Ranworth including Andy (youtuber Boatyman) and @CambridgeCabby as we had a relaxing afternoon on the green

 

We then made our way to Boulter's Marine for our 3pm refuel and pump out, before heading back into our home Marina at Horning Pleasurecraft.

 

Yogi was naughty as he thought he could lie on the furniture!

We then spent the afternoon cleaning, polishing and packing for our trip home tomorrow.

 

 

 

We then went for a walk to the New Inn at Horning and had a couple of drinks in the beer garden and I was pretty impressed with the "new Gus" who appeared to be sorting arrivals and supporting their mooring, just as well as the master!

We even met a family who said "excuse me but were you in the Ferry House Surlingham last May?"

Because they remembered the dogs but not us ..... obviously!

We then had a great chat with them.

We then made our way to the Swan Hotel as we had booked a meal for 6.30pm and I must say it was excellent and great value.

 

Julie had a scallop and prawn starter and I had lamb kofta

Both were delicious!

For main course we both went for Gammon, Egg and chips and you could tell the Gammon had been cooked on a fire pit or griddle because it was smokey and again delicious

 

As this week was Julie's birthday week we were even offered a complimentary bottle of prosecco!

So 2 starters, 2 main courses, a pint and half of Amstel lager (I ordered them before I knew we had a bottle coming!) and a bottle of prosecco for £48!

The food was great, the staff were wonderful and I actually think that was great value!

We then sauntered back towards Horning Pleasurecraft, but stopped off at the Ferry Inn

All the venue's we visited have been so welcoming, dog friendly and can't do enough for you

 

I just hope those who live or visit the broads support them so they can remain viable

We are now back on the boat for our last night prior to an early start tomorrow as we head home

Can't wait for our next visit

Xx

 

 

 

 

[CambridgeCabby]

It was a pleasure to meet you both and your furry crew mates 

[YnysMon]

You lovely placid crew mates look just about the opposite in temperament to our manic Collie crew! (Though we love her to bits.)

[Tempest]

7 hours ago, YnysMon said:

lovely placid crew

They are very placid and our son has a Welsh collie and we call him Duracell because he doesn't stop.....so I know what you mean!

He is lovely though as prefer to sit and relax whilst watching the world go by and don't even attempt taking them on a very long walk, or they may just lie down and say "nope ...that's far enough for me!"

Try moving a 70 kilo Newfie that doesn't want to move!

🤣😂🤣

[Tempest]

OHHHH we cant wait!

We travel down to Norfolk next Thursday 16th March as we are staying at Bumble Barn B&B for one night https://bumblebarnbandb.co.uk/ and we are meeting some friends for food at the Smallburgh Crown that evening https://www.smallburghcrown.co.uk/ before a week on Moonlight Shadow https://moonlightshadow.net/ 

We have no idea where we will end up on our week, but a loose plan is River Ant on the Friday, Acle area on the Saturday, River Thurne or Womack Sunday, Ranworth or Salhouse Monday, Coltishall Tuesday, back to Horning Wednesday and then a clean, refill and pump out Thursday before getting some food late afternoon and then the travel home.

Whether that loose plan comes to fruition is anyone's guess, but certainly looking forward to getting back out on the water

We are then back down in June and August this year so hopefully at least one of them will involve a bit of sun!!

Come and say hello, if you see us around

[BroadAmbition]

So you have no idea? Really?

Looks like a good Navplan to me

Griff

[NeilB]

Smallborough Crown is very nice, within staggering distance of the moorings at Dilham.  Garlic mushroom starter was enough for 3 people!!

[YnysMon]

Have a good time Warren. 

[Tempest]

We arrived in Norfolk on Thursday just after 3pm to stay overnight at the wonderful Bumble Barn B&B which is the home for landlord and landlady of the Cross Keys at Dilham, with a number of rooms converted from a barn or stable block

 

Yogi certainly likes it

Although Roxy can take or leave it!

The property itself is lovely

With everything you need 

The bathroom has a walk in shower

The breakfast is made to order and was plentiful and delicious

We left Bumble Barn around 9am and made our way to Horning Pleasurecraft to board Moonlight Shadow, but before doing so we took some instructional videos for the syndicate, which included the weed and flush filters, the various switches and dials and just some advice which hopefully will support our current and future members.

We had a walk to Boulter's and booked the pump out and refuel and asked if they had any updated instructions on their breakdown service which we could provide to the members, but was told, just ring the marine number 24/7 365 days a year and they will do the rest.

The peace of mind having this available is worth the membership fee in my opinion.

We set off from HPC around 11am and headed off towards the Ant, as we did so we saw Blue Mist, Cerise Lady and a number of hire boats on the rivers.

It lashed it down between 12 and 3.30pm but we managed to moor at Ludham Bridge to give the dogs a break whilst the worst of it came down.

Willy Weather was saying it would stop around 3pm so we set off from Ludham Bridge at that time with a view to mooring at Irstead, Gayes Staithe or Barton Turf and lucky for us the mooring (without electricity) at Irstead was available so we stopped there for the evening.

What a lovely spot, the rain had stopped and it would be our first ever overnight mooring here.

And what a peaceful place this is....

I am very impressed with Moonlight Shadow also as previously we had no end of problems with the batteries failing, the inverter not functioning correctly and the heater kicking out after 30 minutes of use if you weren't on shore power or running the engine.

No such issues now, as we settled down to watch some TV on our new smart telly, the inverter functioning as it should, the heater keeping the boat lovely and toastie and the batteries showing no signs of drain!

The only issue I have with this mooring is the "race" to get back to Richardsons by some hire boaters as we have already had 2 former Swan boats going way over the 4mph speed limit as they head up the Ant

But they have gone and all I can currently hear is the morning bird songs ❤️

 

[Lulu]

We gave you a wave as we passed Irstead earlier. Have a lovely rest of your holiday 

[SwanR]

Sounds idyllic. We’ve moored overnight at Irstead a couple of times now and love it there. During the closed season for fishing it must be even better. 

[Tempest]

1 hour ago, Lulu said:

We gave you a wave as we passed Irstead earlier. Have a lovely rest of your holiday 

Just at Ludham Bridge now

Got a couple of photos of you as we passed you at How Hill

Have a great time 

 

[Tempest]

32 minutes ago, SwanR said:

During the closed season for fishing it must be even better. 

It is wonderful

Closest to wild mooring without the wild mooring......🤣

[Lulu]

We made a snap decision after you passed us at How Hill and went back to Irstead which was totally empty 😁

[Tempest]

4 minutes ago, Lulu said:

e made a snap decision after you passed us at How Hill and went back to Irstead which was totally empty

Enjoy...

👍

[kpnut]

Good to read about you being out and about on moonlight shadow again. Looking forward to the next instalment. 

[Tempest]

We had a nice break at Ludham Bridge and now we are at Ranworth Staithe which will be our overnight destination 

We are moored right beside the taxi rank on the very first mooring, hooked up to the electric and are now going to grab some lunch before taking the dogs for a good walk and then call in the Malsters for a couple of pints.

If anyone is intending to get to Ranworth this afternoon, there are plenty of spaces

This morning we passed Concerto 1 down river of Irstead at 8.50am and no doubt they were rushing back to Stalham as they could have got a water skier on the back, they were going that fast!

Despite me beckoning him to slow down, the skipper had eyes forward only and darent look my way!

We also passed Silver Cloud and Evening Shadow as I note most of the syndicate boats were out on the water, at a more sedate pace I hasten to add.

We had one other interesting event as we bimbled down Ranworth Dam at around 3mph but still catching up to a yacht which was going straight down the dam towards Ranworth Staithe.

Then as I got about 5 feet from his stern to his port side, he decided without warning to tack straight across my bow, which required quick reverse throttle

I calmly said "I thought you would give me some warning that you were about to tack" to which the skipper replied "I was going to let you pass first but you slowed down"

I didn't even touch the throttle lever until I had to hit reverse!

I then passed after he had tacked and just slowly shook my head in disbelief

Never mind...calm is restored and all I can hear is bird song, the odd person on the green chatting and the occasional aircraft

Bliss!!!

 

[YnysMon]

Glad you are having a good time Warren. We did manage to hook up to the Irstead electric point last time we were on the mooring that’s on the other side of the mini dyke, using the extension lead and draping it carefully along one side of the little bridge. Mind you, I think we might have been pointing upstream. 

[Tempest]

1 minute ago, YnysMon said:

Glad you are having a good time Warren. We did manage to hook up to the Irstead electric point last time we were on the mooring that’s on the other side of the mini dyke, using the extension lead and draping it carefully along one side of the little bridge. Mind you, I think we might have been pointing upstream. 

We didn't bother and the batteries and heater worked perfectly fine so didn't need shore power 

Shortly off to the Malsters for a couple of Saturday afternoon drinks...Then going to ring Ali Spice and see if they deliver to Ranworth Staithe as quite fancy a curry tonight and they never disappoint 

[CambridgeCabby]

We are at home this weekend , as matters cropped up preventing us being afloat sadly ; glad to see the taxi rank is being kept warm 

[Tempest]

1 minute ago, CambridgeCabby said:

 ; glad to see the taxi rank is being kept warm 

Saving it for you!

[YnysMon]

14 minutes ago, Tempest said:

We didn't bother and the batteries and heater worked perfectly fine so didn't need shore power 

Shortly off to the Malsters for a couple of Saturday afternoon drinks...Then going to ring Ali Spice and see if they deliver to Ranworth Staithe as quite fancy a curry tonight and they never disappoint 

Glad to hear that our batteries and heater problems have been resolved at long last!

Let us know if Ali Spice come up good. If they don’t deliver to Ranworth Acle Spice might be an alternative, though their reviews aren’t as good.

[Tempest]

10 minutes ago, YnysMon said:

Acle Spice might be an alternative, though their reviews aren’t as good.

I have used them before and sorry, but not great 

 

[BrundallNavy]

3 hours ago, Tempest said:

We had a nice break at Ludham Bridge and now we are at Ranworth Staithe which will be our overnight destination 

We are moored right beside the taxi rank on the very first mooring, hooked up to the electric and are now going to grab some lunch before taking the dogs for a good walk and then call in the Malsters for a couple of pints.

If anyone is intending to get to Ranworth this afternoon, there are plenty of spaces

Never mind...calm is restored and all I can hear is bird song, the odd person on the green chatting and the occasional aircraft

Bliss!!!

 

You are lucky, the Rico’s boat next to us have started his engine 5 times now and he’s only been here 30 minutes, Hele had a word and calm now restored. 

[BrundallNavy]

Just now, BrundallNavy said:

You are lucky, the Rico’s boat next to us have started his engine 5 times now and he’s only been here 30 minutes, Hele had a word and calm now restored. 

Make that 6.