The Paxton Princess moored at Great Yarmouth Town Hall Quay
The Paxton Princess moored at Great Yarmouth Town Hall Quay

A half-term holiday cruise on The Paxton Princess leaving Heronshaw and making our way downstream to Great Yarmouth, mooring at the Town Hall Quay. Then time at Wally’s Windmill and then 10-pin bowling before snuggling up on board to sleep.

We had a good night, but it was very cold and I woke up accordingly once or twice. It was raining this morning and then it cleared up later which gave us the chance to get right ready and to cast off about 10.00am. Coffee on the way and Debbie took the helm as I finished off getting things ready once we were on passage. Di took over later and, despite the weather, it was interesting to see just how many other boats were out. Most of them were hire cruisers out for the school half-term holidays loaded up with children.

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We cruised slowly past the Horning river front as I took a little time to see how the other thatched bungalows were managing. Then more speed as we went past Ant Mouth and then Thurne Mouth, Stokesby et al. Lunch on the way with me at the helm this time and then we came into more wet weather as we approached Yarmouth. Fortunately, it was just about low tide as we approached the Bure Bridges, but I still had to lower the mast and canopy so that we were getting the boat wet. I radioed on channel 12 to the Yarmouth Port Radio and got clearance to come under the Haven Bridge and to tie up at the Town Quay.

Once there, crew of the old fishing museum boat, Alicia May (the last of the steam drifters) invited us to tie up alongside her and we were pleased to do so. All ashore to go to Wally's Windmill by taxi but, horror of horrors, they have a new rule that under 8's cannot be left alone. In truth, Debbie was also higher than the gage mark, but they let her in. We had to stay with them, therefore, and we all went along the front to do some shopping after. Tea at the Pizza Hut where the service was poor and then to go bowling when Della and Debbie had their first attempts at this sport. Back to the boat and to switch the heating on and the Paxton Princess was soon snug and warm for us all to go to bed.