Week Ending 27th April 2008
Week ending 27th April As usual we have had a very busy week with everyone working flat out. Monday saw a mass launch of several boats that have had worked carried out on them. From the slipway shed, 'Redshank' a brown boat we look after was lowered into the water from our gantry. The motor tender to Solace was launched from the garage along with Nigel's own boat 'Willing Boats' which as always took on lots of water until finally she 'took up' a couple of days later. Also lowered into the water by the gantry was m/c 'Patience' after having a new skeg fitted. Pulled out in the slipway shed at the moment is Royall Tiger our dayboat having a much needed paint up. Amongst all this we had to turn round Velvet 3 which went our on hire for 10 days. A few small final tidying up jobs were done on pleasure wherry 'Solace' in preparation for her return to her summer berth on Wroxham Broad. Several private boats were de-winterised ready for another season of enjoyment for their owners. Most of the week however was taken up with finishing up the work on our latest addition to the fleet 'Royall Oak'. It took several days to thoroughly clean every inch inside. The new upholstery was put on, along with hanging the new curtains. New lino and carpet was laid (with much swearing by Nigel who hates this particular job). A lot of work has been carried out on her during the winter, amongst other things fitting a new Nanni engine, new wiring, new gas pipes, new central heating unit, new 240 volt inverter, new cooker & fridge etc etc the list goes on. Next week we hope to take her up river for a photo session so we can get some pictures up here on the website. Royall Oak goes out for hire for the first time on the 3rd of May. Friday afternoon saw Nigel, Paul & myself helping search for Jill the tortoise which was holidaying in Royall Retreat with her owner. Jill (50 years old) had been brought on holiday as she had just come out of hibernation and whilst in a temporary pen on the grass in front of Royall Retreat, she disappeared. Fearing the worst that she might have fallen in the river we were frantically searching all the undergrowth and surrounds for her. Nigel even crawled under the bungalow with a torch to no avail but at last she was spotted snoozing under the Leylandii hedge by Paul the now newly promoted Tortoise Hunter!
 Obviously we had boats go out on Thursday, Friday and Saturday as well. I dashed off late Saturday afternoon with Tillie to do a charity collection outside a supermarket in Cromer for the charity Kerry Greyhounds, this is where Tillie came from. Nigel was supposed to help but had to stay at the boatyard to see a late arrival away. £344 was raised so this was a good result. |
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