Gavin Hastings missing an easy penalty kick under the posts
Gavin Hastings missing an easy penalty kick under the posts

Our cruise on Paxton Princess from Oulton Broad, along Oulton Dyke and The Waveney and through Somerleyton and St Olaves Bridges to Breydon Water. Across and carefully under the Bure Bridges to moor up at The Yarmouth Yacht Station. All on a day with a little sun and milder south-easterly breeze.

I watched a very exciting semi-final of the Rugby World Cup in which England beat Scotland by nine points to six in a closely fought contest and then more tv drama.

I slept well enough after a very late night. I had stayed up to install the new copy of my Wayplan software and, because it was one of my few chances to get time with shore-power and the information aboard, I felt it was worth getting on with it until it was done. I was pleased with the results in the end. Di just had a few minutes to go over to the shop after breakfast and then I got the boat ready and set off just as many more of the BMYC boats were arriving for their rally. we cruised gently across Oulton Broad and similarly so along Oulton Dyke so as not to disturb the anglers. Those that were appreciative and friendly had no problem but those who failed to acknowledge our courtesy saw us speed up as we passed them!

** "Read More" BELOW for the complete story **

We kept on cruising up the Waveney and then I folded down all we could to get under Somerleyton Swing Bridge that was preoccupied with the rail traffic again. Turned right under the equally low St Olaves Bridge and on to Breydon Water with the equipment still down in anticipation of the Yarmouth Bridges. Unfortunately, we arrived at Yarmouth just on High Water and there was then a nerve-racking few minute as we went under the first of the Bure Bridges as the low headroom, the following tide and the projecting bolts threatened to damage our boat but I threaded my way through with less than a couple of inches to spare, narrowing missing the bolts in the process. We took no chances with the second bridge; landing and hauling the Paxton Princess through, and then moored up at the yacht station at which there was no attendant at this time of year to collect a fee.

Lunch and then the girls went off into Great Yarmouth as I watched a very exciting semi-final of the Rugby World Cup in which England beat Scotland by nine points to six in a closely fought contest with Gavin Hastings missing an easy penalty kick under the posts. I joined the family at the Pizza Hut at 5.00pm for a meal and then we went ten-pin bowling afterwards at which both I and Debbie played very well so that poor Della was beaten into an upsetting fourth place. Ice cream at the cinema kiosk but we did not watch a film as there was nothing suitable. Back to the boat and, once the girls were in bed, Diana and I watched our favourite House of Elliott TV programme. To bed much earlier than yesterday at the end of a fine day that even saw some little sun and less cold now that the breeze has veered round to the Southeast.