I started up The Paxton Princess, airing it out.
I started up The Paxton Princess, airing it out.

A working visit to Ropes Hill Dyke, fearful of the reported floods and cold weather forecast for the weekend, but it was some three inches short of the earlier level.

I called in at Shepherds Grove Park, Stanton, to find none of the mobile homes selling at the moment.

I started up The Paxton Princess, airing it out. Some good training with Sam and practise downloading facsimile weather charts.

Fearful of the reported floods and cold weather forecast for the weekend, I had decided to take an overnight trip to Horning; opting to arrive in the light of morning rather than last night after dark. Did not compete too badly with the girls when getting out and made good time on my journey; arriving in Shepherds Grove Park, Stanton, just after the park office opened. A chat to Sue Buss, the manageress, about the transfer of the park home to Freda and the chances of selling it. She has around 28 up for sale and is selling none at present.

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

Still got away and off to Norwich quite early. I did a few chores on the way in, picking up my new washer jet from Mann Egerton and then collecting the new library books for the girls from Wroxham library. Some sea food for tea and then to Ropes Hill Dyke to see how the flooding was doing. It had come up like before but some three inches short of the earlier level. With the wind now backed from the north-west to the south-east, the levels were falling, and I had timed my arrival well. Doris Vincent was very pleased to see me, and we chatted for a while. Mrs Burton opposite had been very depressed lately and, being the worse for drink as well, and had been troubling Doris with her miseries.

A little walk for Sam and then I got down to work in the cold but bright sunshine. Heronshaw had survived the frosts so far but the first thing I did was to drain its water system. Then I tended The Paxton Princess, starting up the engines and airing it out. The heaters and de-humidifier were adjusted, and hatches opened so that the inside of the boat could stay dry and protected from the frost. I did a bow to stern search of cupboards and found most of the equipment to bring home to be able to come in and try receiving facsimile chart broadcasts for a while. Then it was time to walk Sam and I took him across the stubble fields.

He got covered in lime and came back an eery white colour which worried me but seemed none the worse for it! He had found a cock pheasant and pointed it satisfactorily but still edged forward too soon and flushed it before being asked to. A nice tea of seafood salad and the rest of the evening receiving weather faxes until it was time for a bath and to go to bed. I heard from Jim on the way over and arranged for a joint training session with our dogs in the morning.