Invalid Displayed Gallery
Despite the miserable day of rain which preceded it, Sunday September 11th dawned warm and sunny, and remained so all day. A perfect day for boating, with clear blue skies, but not hot enough to risk exposure to heat stroke!
Five craft gathered at Church End House for a 1pm departure: John and Liz Harrison hosted a couple of dozen aboard the big ‘Alie’, which along with our own ‘Dino III’ sported the official Horningsea flag, courtesy of Michael Harrison. Also there was Chris and Hélène’s ‘Nora’ and Andy and Sam’s ‘Restless’. Guest of honour was John Wilson’s delightful steam launch ‘Sirrius’ which is a charming sight when under way.
The flotilla set off shortly after 1pm with a contingent of over 50 souls. The sight of the heavily-laden convoy passing The Bridge must have caused much interest in the busy garden. If I’d seen it, and I didn’t already live there, I’d want to move to Horningsea!
I’d caused a little unrest this year by declaring that we on ‘Dino III’ intended to stop at the GOBA moorings at Bottisham Lock for a picnic, and that if the other boats wanted to turn there and return straight to the bridge, then they could, and I would catch them up. As it was, the GOBA moorings were empty (extraordinary for a perfect summer Sunday afternoon!) and we all stopped there for an impromptu picnic. The presence of some big cylindrical straw bales provided fun for the children, and a few folk braved a swim.
After an hour or so we set sail again and rafted up outside The Bridge. We enjoyed a welcome drink there even though some of the staff seemed to be ‘tired and emotional’. We were back at Church End House by 5pm in good time for those who wanted to disport themselves at the Karaoke Night at the Plough and Fleece.
It’s difficult to imagine a better way to spend a day, or a better place in which to spend it.