Week Ending 9th November 2008
November 9th 2008 Well it has been ages since last posting. I knew this blog was going to be difficult to keep up and most weeks not a lot different happens and other things take precedence over our time, so apologies for not making this as regular as I initially wanted. Since last posting, Nigel and I enjoyed a rare trip out on one of our own boats, Royall Oak. We found her to be a really comfortable, manoeuvrable craft, super as a very spacious 2 berth but also ideal for a family of four. We liked the raised double driving position and also the little corner seat to the left of the driver was nice too.
 Royall Oak at Beccles Yacht Station Aug 2008 We had planned on motoring straight over to the ‘dark side’, the Southern Broads. Our aim was to head to Norwich which on reflection wasn’t really practical as we only had from Saturday evening after a busy day until the following Wednesday morning. In the end we didn’t reach Norwich but enjoyed ourselves nevertheless visiting, Reedham, Beccles, Loddon & Langley amongst other places. To read a full account from the prospective of Brendan one of our foster greyhounds go to the Journal section of the website. The weather was fantastic and on the Sunday in Beccles the temperature reached about 29c, so hot in fact we didn’t know what to do with ourselves! Whilst cruising we saw nearly all our boats out and about which was fun. It had been over 20 years since I had been over to the Southern Broads so it was really enjoyable, as I couldn’t remember much from the previous visit. If you have the time, it is well worth a trip across Breydon – which is always a treat because of the fantastic bird life. We are already looking forward to our next trip on the Broads next August. Back to the boatyard. Graham & Ros, who holiday regularly with us, in October, completed 7 weeks afloat on our boats this year. They had 2 weeks on Royall Solitaire, 2 weeks on Royall Stuart, 1 week on Royall Ambassador 3 and in October had 2 weeks on Royall Oak. I think this makes them our most frequent visitor this year! Here’s to maybe 8 weeks next year Graham & Ros! (NOTE - since first writing this blog, Graham has been in contact and informed me it was their 41st year on the Broads - WOW!).
 Graham & Ros after their 7th week afloat! Last week saw Royall Sovereign go to her new owners. After being tidied up and thoroughly cleaned inside and out we handed the keys over to Sue & Pete. They haven’t taken her far and if we crane our heads whilst standing in the car park we can just about see her over in the Marina on the other side of the road. We have been really busy right up until the end of October this year and still have a few boats going out until the end of November. Work has already started on winter maintenance. Royall Diamond is pulled out in the shed opposite for painting and compounding, Royall Ambassador 2 is pulled out on the car park where she is going to have her bow thrusters fitted. Nigel has started work on the wherry Solace and all her accompanying craft.
 Wherry Solace & accompanying boats coming back from the Broad for the winter Several private boats we look after have now been winterised. It’s that time of year where I can’t move for piles of blankets, duvets and curtains. Hopefully next week most of it will go to the laundry and then I can stow it all away in the loft once it comes back. We do not hire in December or January but start again with a few boats from the beginning of February. Apart from January, Royall Retreat is let throughout the year but we always reserve January for doing maintenance and this year a new gas boiler is being installed in there. The article I mentioned in an earlier blog has now been published in the November/December edition of Anglia Afloat – thanks to Pam for this! Whilst driving over the Wroxham Bridge last Tuesday, we saw the Thames Barge Cygnet moored right near the bridge, apparently on a visit to the Norfolk Broads. It was a great sight to see as we always enjoy looking at Thames Barges on our visits to places like Pin Mill & Maldon.
 Thames Barge Cygnet
 Brendan On the greyhound front, Brendan went to his forever home in September and for the last two weeks we have been looking after Dante (we called him Archie), who is a lively little chap about 11 months old who was found half dead in Ireland and was nursed back to health by Amanda (the founder of Kerry Greyhound Connection) in Ireland. On Saturday he went to his new forever home in North Walsham – I was sorry to see him go and was very tempted to keep him myself but once again realised that I am more help to the charity if I keep fostering.
  Archie In the meantime I am currently looking after Reggie Royall Greyhound a distant cousin of Tillie's who by far is the easiest Greyhound I have ever looked after!!
 Reggie Royall
   I must just say a big thank you to all visitors to the boatyard that contributed to the charity I volunteer for Kerry Greyhound Connection, by donating in the collecting box, buying the second hand books for sale in the office and purchasing the knitted toys and items, I and my mother make (Thank you Ma for all your fantastic knitting!!). In September I mailed the charity a cheque for the staggering amount of £559.88 which is truly marvellous. Rest assured this will be well spent in rescuing and rehabilitating unwanted ex racing greyhounds from Ireland.
 Crochet ducks on Nigel's gun punt Plover |
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