Towing the Little Lady to Brooms of Brundall and launching it there on a dry but cold and breezy day, taking delivery of The Lady which had been safely transported and then a short cruise to Norwich to stay at the Yacht Station and to take a walk around Norwich as more cold winds and rain are forecast. The US are sending minesweepers to the Gulf to protect their US-flagged Kuwaiti oil tankers after one was hit by a mine
All things ready for a prompt start this morning, but Diana and Debbie were the first up, being both well awake and dressed by the time I was called with my morning tea. Soon up and to the en-suite for a shave and shower. Down to a simple and brief cereal breakfast, then we all packed the remaining things and loaded them on to the Little Lady. A last minute check, the water & gas off and all unnecessary electrical appliances switched off and then I drove out the Range Rover and trailer and we set off at 7.45am. A steady journey at 40-50 mph and it took about 2 ¼ hours to get to Brundall.
Though the roads were busy, they were not too congested and, as our speed was limited by our load anyway, we were not delayed unduly by the holiday traffic. Straight to Brooms of Brundall and immediately spotted The Lady tied up close to the gantry. A walk round the yard on foot to get our bearings and then we backed up the trailer close to the mother ship and unloaded the contents. Left Di to stow as much as possible and to try to cope with the girls at the same time, whilst Daniel and I launched Little Lady and parked the trailer and car. All united on board and an hour or two putting everything in its place and stowing it all away. Eventually ready to set off. In the course of transport much of the contents had been shifted for’d, but we managed to get it straight in the end. Then all aboard and we set off. Stopped at the Broom riverfront shop for some milk, water and supplies, then steamed upstream for our first cruise. Past Surlingham, Bramerton and Thorpe St Andrew. Quite pleasant landscape, but the river wide and quite tidal. Through the industrial areas on the outskirts of Norwich, where scruffy riverside quays are lined with stores of chemical drums for the food business there. Under a swing rail & road bridge to the head of navigation at Norwich Yacht Station. A helpful harbour master, who agreed to our two boats mooring together as one for a single fee and a day and a halves’ grace until early on Monday at that. Di made up a nice tea of tomato soup and raspberries to follow and then she bathed and bedded the girls, whilst I lay in my cabin and listened to the test match cricket on TV. England are building a big innings in reply to that of Pakistan. After this, Di and I went on a walk round Norwich town centre and realised that we are not going to be here on the best day tomorrow, as the shops are shut. We intend to go swimming in the morning, eat a McDonalds lunch, then see the Castle & Cathedral in the afternoon. Daniel watched a Carry On film on TV and looked after the girls whilst we were gone and had the heating on in The Lady when we got back. The day had been dry, but with a cold breeze and clouds, but ended with a clear blue sky. News today is of US plans to send minesweepers into the Gulf to protect tankers flying the US flag. This follows the damage to a Kuwaiti tanker, damaged by an exploding mine and the US warship having to shelter in its wake to avoid the mines themselves. A man held people at gunpoint in Bournemouth today, but was overpowered by police. The weather forecast is unchanged, with more cold winds and showers tomorrow and then rain moving across the country to test our cabin roofs again.