Dragonsong

Thanks Broadsword, OBY ? Currently sat in the Acle travelodge ,came down this morning to reattach various fittings,etc . Finishing fitting and cleaning tomorrow ready for launching. If all goes to plan we will be back at the weekend for a 4 day shake down. John

Hi, don't know if you can get above PH bridge,but last year we saw otters twice .Once was at the end of the 24 hour moorings just upstream of the new bridge, the other was by the reeds just upstream of the Horsey turn heading towards Hickling. Enjoy your trip. John

Poppy thanks for explaining that ,I doubt my IT skills would be up to including diagrams. Barry,thanks for the kind offer . I am down next week so I will have a run out to Catfield and see if I can find them. It has just dawned on me that I may have had a brief conversation with you soon after Springsong went back in the water . You were moored in the dyke alongsideone of the big yachts( America etc..) I followed the restoration on another forum ,fascinating !! John

Morning all, Well spotted Stumpy, the original plan was to name her after our daughter,Menolly,but she was not keen! We played around with various names on the theme. The character Menolly appeared in Dragonsinger but that seemed a it of a mouthful but that gave use the idea for the name we settled on . John

Morning , I did a search for Ashby Hall and found a facebook page from 2012 all about a closing down sale. The link posted by JanetAnne is listed under "health and beauty" so I suspect there has been a change of use ! thanks again for all your comments. John

Yet more interesting ideas, I think I will ring some saddlers. thanks again John

Thanks for the various ideas. Alan . The jaws are wooden and were previously lined just on the inside with a canvas like material stuck on with impact adhesive . Polly. I will have a look at that website,thanks. I have looked at some of the classic boat sites. There seem to be a lot of examples of the leather being soaked and bound to the jaws and then nailed on with copper nails,which maybe easier than sewing . John

Thanks for the welcome! I am planning to come down next weekend in order to get sorted for the season. Hopefully I'll manage a quick trip up to the Pleasure Boat for a pint or two. John

Thanks Alan ,interesting idea ! john

Thanks , I did wonder about a saddler, I will have to do some phoning round if nothing else comes up . John

Hi , The gaff jaws of Dragonsong need re-lining with leather,unfortunately Martham boats no longer have anybody able to do this. Can anyone point me in the direction of someone able to do this ? John

Hi, I have been lurking for years and finally decided it's time to say hello! I first visited the Broads as 3 year old,60 years ago on a boat called" Gypsy Maid" and have been coming down ever since. In my early twenties I hired Javelin ,from Martham Boats beginning my love of rags and sticks! Two years ago.we finally bought a 22' gaff rigged river cruiser built in 1948 at Porter and Haylet in Wroxham. Dragonsong will be back on the water next week having spent the winter in the DIY shed at Martham. Give us a wave if you see us . John