All at sea

We set off at half past eight this morning, out of Lowestoft Harbour and onto THE SEA. Everything went wonderfully well. The sun was shining and there was only a very light wind (most of the time), and not very big waves. We never lost sight of the coast, which made it more interesting. Having started to get a grasp at the deges of the rudiments of navigation, my appetite is whetted to learn more. We have decided that my total lack of any sense of direction can only be a help, as it means I won't be distracted by perfidious instincts from what the charts tell us.

The engine, which was a slightly unknown quantity, didn't miss a beat, and five and a half hours after leaving Lowestoft we were making our way through the Walton backwaters to Frank Halls and Sons' boatyard. On the way we passed Sizewell power station and Felixtowe and Harwich; Orfordness Lighthouse, and miles of sandy, beach hut bedecked coastline.



When we arrived Jim set off to get the train to Brundall, thence to collect the car. While I was sitting on the cabintop reading, an eledrly gentleman came along to see Singapore; he was Frank Halls senior, who had undertaken the extensive restoration work in the 1990s. He told me some interesting stories and I am sure there will be more to hear while we are here.



Singapore should be coming out of the water next week and going straight into the shed, which means we don't have to worry about her being exposed to the elements. I'm sitting in the cockpit as I write this, smelling the sea and listening to the squelch and sigh of the barnacles on the wall as we settle gently into the mud.



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