Sunday Fun on the Salt Marshes

Sydney loved his walk on the salt marshes yesterday. So much so that we will definitely be taking him back there sometime soon. He loved all of the different sounds, smells and landscapes.

Heading to the beach

The key to the marshes?

Wintertime on the marshes

Looking out towards the Wash. It looked lovely and calm.

The edge of the dunes

Charging around in the long grass

This is fun

Is anybody home?

Collection of whale bones found on the marshes

The tide still flowing out of the creek

We finally found a pub! Our first two choices were full of ramblers with no room at the inn!

One exhausted dog.

Mild Sunday

As it is such a mild January Sunday and we couldn't go far by boat today we decided to head back to the marina and go out in the car.

We eventually settled on heading to the nature reserve at Gibraltar Point on the Lincolnshire coast.

We had a lovely couple of hours walking which Sydney loved, a nice cup of coffee in the new visitor centre and are currently on our way home. We have had a quick pit stop at a pub  in Wragby to break up the journey home.

We have a nice beef shin casserole cooking on the boat for later this evening when we get back to the boat.

Topped Up

And so our final weekend in the water begins. It has been a slow start with a lie in, a few coffees, both of us needing showers and breakfast before heading across to the fuel berth to top up with diesel.

Well I say top up but it took 166 litres so it wasn't really a top up but more of a fill up!

We are now out on the river for a little run into Saxilby which will make for a pleasant spot to spend the day.

Back Again Already

It seemed odd this morning to be packing the car up and heading back to the boat, well after work anyway. It only seems like two minutes ago we were coming back. I have not even caught up with the washing yet!

This weekend will be Naughty-Cal's last in the water for a while. She gets lifted out next month for at least three months. We will see how the work progresses on the boat and at home before we set a relaunch date. It doesn't matter this year if we are not back in the water for Easter as we will be away anyway. So if needs be she can stay out of the water for an extra few weeks this year.

We are not quite sure what we are going to do with this final weekend. We know that we need to fill up with diesel. There is certainly not enough in the tank to keep the diesel heating running for the period that we are ashore. So that needs dealing with. But other then that. Who knows?

Tonight we will have a night in. No point heading out tonight only to come back again. So I have a nice side of lightly oak smoked salmon that I have gotten out of the freezer which I will serve with some noodles and stir fried vegetables for dinner tonight.

Looking back at 2018 Part 2

After our return from Norfolk it was fancy dress time

A summer of good weather and fine cruising

Good weather again

The weed enjoyed the sunshine also though

Sydney was reunited with his brother Woody.

And he had plenty of new places to explore

We also did plenty of local cruising

As well as heading further afield and to France this time

Cruising the gentle waters of Brittany.

The boat, Capri being the only real let down of the holiday. It was very basic and not very well cleaned or looked after.

But the scenery made up for that.

Once back it was a halloween cruise to High Marnham

Sydney had his birthday

And the continued low rainfall played havoc with our local water supply levels. The reservoirs being their lowest for almost 30 years with the remains of the old village of Ashopton being visible for the first time in a long time.

We have had plenty of walks at home.

Visits from family over Christmas

Walks with family.

And wet soggy walks for us three

Christmas finally came and went

Still time to visit the coast though

And time for a last cruise of 2018

Before it is time to see in the new year!

Total Miles Travelled = 937 Miles

Total Locks = 32

Total Fuel = 661 litres

Total Fuel Cost = £520.55

Average MPG = 6.38mpg

2018 was another great year for us certainly helped by the weather gods. Now to look forward to what 2019 will bring.

Looking back at 2018 Part 1

2018 turned out to be a good year for us. Not one of our most adventurous cruising years but with the addition of a new crew member things were always going to take some time to get going properly.

Here is a quick look back:

Winter cruising

Spending a bit of time in Sheffield

A flurry of snow

The first trip to West Stockwith of the year wasn't without incident.

Our first foray abroad together to Amsterdam

Meeting the new crew

Family visit to Scotland

Getting used to the water

The sun has come out

Onto the Trent

Used to the dinghy now

On our holidays

Where we had beautiful weather

Boiling hot again

Back at home after a couple of weeks away.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all our our readers.

Here's looking forward too another great year afloat.