February 8th 2009
2009-02-08

We are now into February all ready – not sure where the time went from Christmas until now. We have now started hiring out again after a short break in December and January. It’s been really cold here on and off but luckily we escaped the wintry snowy weather that other parts of the country got. The dyke from the boatyard to the main river has been frozen over most of last week, so we had to make sure the ice was broken every morning to allow the dayboat from Royall Retreat and Royall Velvet 3 which was let but was only used in the daytime to get out. Luckily this chore was shared with Steve from next door.

Our Steve is pressing on and making his way through the entire fleet – pulling out, painting, gelcoat repairs and polishing up. I think the Royall Solitaire is out of the water at the moment and having a spruce up. Poor old Royall Ambassador sustained some damage on launch and is now sitting on the car park out of the water awaiting a bit of attention.

Royall Velvet 2 has her new red engine in and running and is due to go out on its maiden voyage on Friday. Royall Oak & Royall Ambassador 2 have their new bow thrusters in and ready to go.

The photo is the launch of Royall Commander 2 into the half frozen dyke - this was immediately before a classic 'lifeboat' launch, where they let go and hope for the best as it the boat roars down the slipway!

Royall Retreat has had lots of jobs done to it – new work tops, dishwasher fitted, new 3 piece suite, new vinyl flooring, new gas boiler amongst other things and has been hired out since the beginning of the month.

I am working my way through each boat spring cleaning the galleys, washing curtains and generally checking the contents of all boats. I am also compiling a new manual for each boat with a detailed ‘trial run’ of each boat which hopefully will help new hirers come to grips with everything on board.

Nigel is working through the boats, varnishing, repairing and changing taps and work tops as needed as well as trying to spend one day a week working on ‘Solace’.

Some cleaning staff started back this week to continue spring cleaning the boats I have started and to get ready the few boats that are going out for half term.

Paul is working through all the boats, gas testing, pat testing and general dewinterising – although he had to quickly rewinterise them on Friday as the forecast predicted the temperatures to go down to -5c this last weekend.

I usually like the winter weather but I shall not be sorry to see the dry and warm weather of spring return once again. The other day we had a nice walk from Beccles in the frost (those who know us, know we are a little obsessed with Beccles particularly Twyfords tea rooms and Prezzo restaurant!). The dyke at the Yacht station was frozen but it was a beautiful day and we enjoyed our walk along the river bank but especially enjoyed our delicious baguette and cake at the end of the walk! Beccles is a lovely market town and if you are ever on the Southern Broads well worth a visit and the mooring at the yacht station is nice too.

Greyhound wise - we looked after Jerry an ex racer over the Christmas period as the charity will not rehome with all the upheaval of Christmas going on. He was a super boy but took quite an interest in poor old Ali our geriatric black and white cat, who was last seen legging it up the road with his zimmer frame! Jerry has since been rehomed with a family from Cambridge.