Mermaid’s Meanderings

[gancanny]

24 minutes ago, Lulu said:

We’ve decided not to bother with any gauges as we can work it out now. How many days on board and just using a torch to peer into see what fuel is left. 

i had a safari for a fair number of years and i made a dipstick out of timber with marks every 3 inches, it does give you a good idea of the amount of fuel in the tank,  keep the dipstick in the gas locker

[Lulu]

Friday 29th March

Surprisingly, we all slept really well despite the wind. The plan was to go back to the marina early. We were moving berths as Luna’s old berth was for larger boats but we now had a lovely spot further down. I knew where it was from land but approaching from the river everything looked different! We went past, turned around and found our new berth.  
 

Next job was Graham to take up our anti slip treads from the old berth and put down on our new pontoon. All set up we unloaded as much as we could and packed the car.   A little while later we had our second visitor onboard, JawsOrca. Absolute pleasure to see you Alan and meet you properly after only a brief meet at Horning Boat show many years ago.  We had a good chat and I hope you can get Orca back in the water soon.

We decided to stay in the marina for the last night. The weather forecast was calm but a bit chilly. In the evening I went to fetch the ceramic heater from behind the bedroom door and it was wet. There was also a large puddle of water on the floor. I should have checked under that window after the leak on the other side after the torrential rain. Looking under the shelf there was white fungus stuff and the drawers also had it when we pulled them out.  We had wondered why the drawers had never shut well. All week Id been saying I didnt think we needed drawers and wanted a cupboard or just an open space to put our holdalls in so decision made, drawers removed, panelling cleaned up and Graham temporarily covered the leaking window.  The third leak we came across was from the shower taps but we have already bought a shower bar so that will get rid of that issue.  
 

I will admit I was a bit disheartened about the leaks  but Graham is his usual practical self and said its all fixable.  Also it resolved my indecision about the drawers.  I’m also glad we were onboard to find these things during bad weather before it dried out again and we wouldnt have known. 
 

On Saturday morning, we packed the rest of our belongings into the car and set up the dehumidifier so that will help the drying out process before we go up at the weekend to fix the windows. 
 

Overall a fantastic first week on Mermaid, met great people as ever, incredibly lucky with the weather when cruising, learned a huge amount about Mermaid, her handling quirks, tank capacities, finding places for everything, what we do need and what we dont and finding the faults and  a plan to rectify things.  Thank you Mermaid x 

 

[CambridgeCabby]

Agreed , @grendel would you be able to move the you tube discussions over to the YouTube thread please ?

[grendel]

1 hour ago, CambridgeCabby said:

Agreed , @grendel would you be able to move the you tube discussions over to the YouTube thread please ?

done

[Lulu]

Renovation episode

Last weekend we went up for the day to sort out the rotten drawer situation in the bedroom.  Desmond and I stayed out of the way in the saloon. Lots of noise and splitting wood, then an ominous silence followed by ‘Sam, you’d better have a look at this’ . Worse than we thought.  I could have cried. Graham just said it would set him back for the other jobs planned and would concentrate on that side of the boat.A couple of hours later…..rebuilt and primer on

We did manage to put up our bargain buy of another grey cupboard which boosted our spirits. We now have all the galley space we need.

This weekend Graham finished the ‘holdall cupboard’ which is now a fantastic space for our bags so out of the horror that we found, it’s actually done us a huge favour for space and storage.   We have now decided to add a shelf above the bags as we think we can put the microwave in there and handily there are already some sockets above unlike in the galley where we have to run an extension lead each time. The damp meter showed 19% so considering it had all been saturated the week before we and it has rained since, we were very pleased.

Next job was to see if there was any more horrors on the other side. There had been a small leak which Graham had fixed previously but now it was about seeing if there was any hidden rot.   The vinyl under the gunnel? (Think that’s what its called) was all brittle, split and falling off but the wood was completely dry now so got covered in some vinyl flooring. No one can see it but we know its there and smart!  
Next job was fitting the shower bar and new sink taps. Unfortunately after dismantling the old fittings, we didnt have all the parts so they are now on order. Not a problem as the plumbing jobs Graham can do while we are out and about.   We hope that is it, at least for a while or anything else will just be what we call ‘pottering jobs’ and we can enjoy the season, fingers crossed.  Beautiful sunset last night to finish off a very successful day.

 

[kpnut]

The photo of the new cupboards in the galley look like they’re in a house, rather than a boat. Very smart indeed!

[Lulu]

16 minutes ago, kpnut said:

The photo of the new cupboards in the galley look like they’re in a house, rather than a boat. Very smart indeed!

Definitely made it feel more homely. £37 off good ole Amazon

[addicted]

That really does look good Sam. You must have felt wretched when you found ll that hidden damp damage. Let's hope that is the last of nasty surprises for you on  Mermaid and it's all plain sailing from now on or should that be cruising?

 

Carole x

[Selsie]

Sam certainly felt wretched , I thought ‘ here we go again’ , just another fix on another boat!!

As my mate JanetAnn told me many moons ago ‘ it’s a boat…it gets wet’ 😂 

All is well on the wonderful Mermaid, thanks to Sam telling me what I’m going to do ……… on a closing note, I would like to personally congratulate Sam on putting 5 and I do mean 5 draw handles on draws, all on her own….. oh and looking after Desmond.😁

 

[Lulu]

Only four door handles, please don’t exaggerate my new found skill with flatpack furniture! 

[Karizma]

Nice work Graham (and Sam)

When you've done on Mermaid, Tracy has a list to keep you going if you run out of jobs !!!!

[Lulu]

Thursday 2nd May

Graham and I both left work around midday and set off to Norfolk. Beautiful day and it was my birthday. 
 
We loaded our bags on board and didnt hang about and were on the river by 2.30 with the roof slid back for the first time since we brought her back from Horning.   Absolutely perfect boating weather and we decided on 
Luna’s Nook. It was lovely to see Hathor back.   I took Desmond for a longish walk before buying a birthday icecream from Toad Cottage. Yum

A nice chilled out rest of the day and evening watching the snooker and our usual first night on board pasta dinner. 
3rd May

What a night. Im going to probably upset some birdwatchers but we had virtually no sleep. Started off fine for a couple of hours but then a combination of a bittern booming close by all night every few minutes. (It got to the point we were anticipating the next boom), then Desmond wasnt well and I had to take him out about three times. At 4.30am i was outside, Desmond trying to be sick, the bittern booming and then the cuckoo started!   I eventually got back to bed and slept for a couple of hours before being worken up by torrential rain and thunder. Shattered, I said I would look up when the bittern mating season is over before we go back to How Hill again 😂

Knowing the weather was going to be pretty dire for the rest of the day, we decided for the safe option of keeping cosy with the electric and knowing we usually sleep well at Acle, we set off before the rain really set in.   Huge difference from the day before when we had a fan on to keep cool, we now had the heating on for most of the cruise. It was a lovely cruise, despite the drizzle. We dont have windscreen wipers but the Rainex we spray on is absolutely brilliant.    We had a quiet day at Acle, boat watching and Desmond tucked up in his pjs. I may have got a cake from Dunes cafe….  We had a visitor who knocked on the window, bless him. The afternoon/evening got very busy with hire boats arriving really quite late in the day, one virtually in the dark.
 

Saturday 4th May

Wonderful night’s sleep. Fully recharged we set off back to the marina in absolutely glorious weather.  Graham wanted to fit the shower bar before our week’s holiday coming up and a few other jobs on the list.  The cruise was a delight. We passed our neighbours boat at How Hill so I got all brave and decided I would reverse Mermaid into our berth for the first time knowing I had two berths to play with if all went wrong. I admit I got in a muddle when she did her usual crabbing thing but after gathering myself together, I got her in safely.  We so miss a bow thruster! After Graham fitted the shower bar, we set off for home. Graham unfortunately had to work some of the Bank holiday but it wont be long before we can go back again. 
 

[SwanR]

Belated Happy Birthday Sam. 

I didn't hear any rain or thunder on that Thursday night although agree completely about the contrast between Thursday and Friday's weather!!

Hopefully you're now sorted for a nice holiday on board soon. 

[Lulu]

Thank you Jean x

There’s always a list of jobs to do but at least the shower is sorted. Everything else isnt a priority 

[Gracie]

Happy Belated Birthday wishes from me too Sam 

Loving the pics of Desmond snuggled up, hope he is feeling better now

Grace x

[Mouldy]

Belated birthday greetings from me too, Sam!

9 hours ago, Lulu said:

There’s always a list of jobs to do . . . . . . . 

Yep, it’s a boat!   Always seems to be something to do on ours too!

[CambridgeCabby]

Happy (belated)Birthday Wishes from Katie and I 

[YnysMon]

Belated birthday wishes from us too. Desmond looks like he’s very happy on Mermaid.

When will you be around next? We are on MS the first two weeks of June, but with plans to go south for at least a week.

[Lulu]

6 hours ago, YnysMon said:

When will you be around next? We are on MS the first two weeks of June, but with plans to go south for at least a week.

Will let you know Helen.  It would be great to finally meet in person rather than just the mad wave 😂 Definitely not planning on going south 

[addicted]

A belated Happy Birthday from Tony and Me Sam. Loved the photos. Thank you for the interesting log too.

 

 

Carole

[Lulu]

Friday 31st May

Graham finished work mid morning as he was owed a few hours and he packed the car so everything was ready when I finished work at lunchtime . The usual Friday snarl up at Barton Mills but apart from that a good run.   Arrived at the marina early afternoon and very pleased to see Jeckells had fitted the new aft canopy. This will give us peace of mind with the the well deck not filling up with water, leaves and grass clippings. Also means when we stay in the marina we won’t get the electric post light shining directly into the bedroom.   We decided to stay in the marina that night. Take our  time unpacking, doing the checks etc Saturday 1st June

We had a plan to avoid the three rivers but realised I’d messed up. (We had booked the wrong week off at work for a start 🙄and I didn’t think the race went down Fleet Dyke where we had planned to hide until it was all over) then Kate let me know they do go down there!  Oh well,  we needed a pumpout and had decided to go to Marine tech so carried on with our plan.  We love the service there, easy to get into and so we left the marina at 7am and went straight to South Walsham. We then moored on the straight and decided to risk it. Around midday I think the first lot of sailies started coming down , then a lot , lot more.  It started off really exciting then it got very stressful. Our bow seemed to be an aiming point. Incredibly intimidating as they power towards you then turn at the very last minute. We did get one who caught our fenders and some other very near misses. Never again will we pick this week, or we stay at the top of the Ant! We met a lovely couple moored in front of us and later on Doug and Hele arrived on beautiful Papaver. It was lovely to catch up and see Nippers, Nippers, Nipper 

[Lulu]

Sunday 1st June 

A peaceful night apart from a couple of sailies go by in the early hours.  We got up early as usual and as I sat drinking my tea ann otter climbed the safety ladder and looked at me. I slowly reached for my phone and just got him crawling back down the ladder. Wished I’d got a picture of his face, so cute.  
 

We set off for Stokesby to finally meet Helen, Graham and the hounds on Moonlight Shadow.  On the way between St Benets and Thurne mouth I saw a bitten fly across the river into the reeds. Such strange shaped birds!  No photo sadly. 
 

Helen kept us informed on how many spaces there were and we picked the far end farm mooring.  What a delightful spot.  It was lovely to meet the Moonlight Shadow crew after all these years of waving at eachother. I have to say Seren rather stole my heart! Pozzie absolutely adorable too. Such different personalities. He’s so laid back. He certainly landed on his feet when he was rescued.  
 

We think we all saw a seal or it was a huge otter! Helen and Graham set off south and we decided to stay at Stokesby. The weather was absolutely perfect.  I took Desmond for a few walks , might have got a cake from the shop and then we decided to get a takeaway from the pub for our evening meal.   I had an halloumi burger and as usual the food was excellent.   The only thing that didn’t make the day absolutely perfect was no sunset! 

[Lulu]

Monday 2nd June 

We were very tempted to stay another night at Stokesby but knew the weather wasn’t going to be as perfect as the day before so we set off early and made our way to Womack Dyke. We’ve decided to hold off on Womack Staithe until the winter as we not keen on sardines and it looked quite busy. 

We passed Maud at Upton Dyke who later passed us on Womack Dyke.  Womack Dyke was quiet for most of the day. Graham went to drop off the rubbish and then go to Ludham butchers (because it’s law to do so) while I did a thorough clean of the boat inside and out but apart from that another lazy day followed. Honestly, we realise we don’t do a lot . Bliss 😁
 

 

[Ray]

Desmond looking very regal... or hungry, definitely one or the other 🐾😁

[Lulu]

Tuesday 3rd June 

A lot of dithering on where to go. First plan was Wroxham and pay to stay at Barnes and think about going through Wroxham bridge but then we decide the weather was a bit off with more rain due.  We left Womack Dyke at around 8  and after having  a think, we decided to see if Horning staithe was free, it wasn’t so we carried half way to Salhouse then turned around. A space was free at Horning but we just missed it with someone else going in before us.

A duck hitched a ride

We carried on deciding on the church moorings but a boat was in the middle of mooring up across the middle so we decided not to wait to see if there would be space and carried on to St Benets where we picked a spot at the start of the moorings by a BA workboat.  Again, quite quiet for most of the day.   I took Desmond to the abbey. Unfortunately it’s still cordoned off so you can’t go inside.  The weather then turned rather miserable. Kate came to see us in the evening and we had a good natter. Thank you for the gingerbread men Kate!  The weather was pretty awful, wind, heavy rain and poor Kate left in the middle of it all.