A Weekend At Beccles Yacht Station

[Hockham Admiral]

Finally it was getting towards dark!

 

 

 

And time for me to put my camera away and enjoy a few bevvies!

More to follow when we return from our adventure to the Geldeston Locks for our lunchtime session!     

 

 

 

 

[Hockham Admiral]

Just now, deebee29 said:

Looks like you had a great weekend 

It ain't finished yet!    

[Chelsea14Ian]

Glad you had a good time.Question,who runs the us now and do they take bookings on the phone/radio.

Ian

[deebee29]

1 hour ago, Hockham Admiral said:

It ain't finished yet!    

Even better 

[Hockham Admiral]

3 hours ago, Chelsea14Ian said:

Glad you had a good time.Question,who runs the us now and do they take bookings on the phone/radio.

Ian

"us"?

[Chelsea14Ian]

Should have said YS. Can you book a moorings over the phone and or radio. 

[Hockham Admiral]

Ian, sure.

Beccles and Oulton YS are basically run by Sentinel Leisure although Waveney have taken Beccles over this year in order to renovate all the moorings.

[Hockham Admiral]

We set off for the Locks at 11.00 this morning; onboard we had Paul, Frank & Tanja and Simon & Katie. John on Nyx had gone ahead as he was staying the night.

After 15 mins or so we caught Nyx up and took these pics as we slowly motored by:

 

 

 

[JennyMorgan]

John, did I just spot an NBN burgee sales opportunity? 

[Hockham Admiral]

We arrived at The Locks at 11.55 after a lovely relaxed cruise up one of the Broads' most lovely waterways. Both our visiting couples onboard were enchanted with the beauty of it.

We quickly moored in the remaining slot right up to the pub garden,,,,,, Oh for two fit (?) young men to moor us up all the time! (Paul & Simon take a bow!)         

 

Then on to the bar, just before the Big Rush!

We soon settled down to our usual occupation!

 

 

 

[Hockham Admiral]

Frank & Tanja wondered about a typical pub-grub meal. Frank said that at home they wouldn't' get the salad!

 

Meanwhile the Brits got on with their version of Sunday Lunch....

 

 

 

 

 

[SwanR]

We might be down that way on a day boat next weekend. I've never done the stretch beyond Beccles before. High tide is the middle of the day but I'm hoping that a Pilot day boat has a low enough air draft to still get under Beccles Old Bridge. I've looked on a map and can see that the river splits. Do we keep to the left fork to get round to the Locks? Is there much mooring room down there?

[Hockham Admiral]

Jean, Hi.

I've never seen less than 5 ft under the old bridge, whatever the tide or weather; so it shouldn't be a problem. Today we had about 9ft going out at 11.00 and 7ft 6ins on return at 14.30 (LW 12.16).

Yes, turn left but nowadays it's signposted.

You should fit a day boat in, regardless of others, I'm sure.

[Hockham Admiral]

Finally, we were entertained by Morris Dancers.

Well applauded for their excellent performances.        

 

 

 

 

As we left at about half past one, the garden was fast filling up and the Big Dog Ferry was bringing in 12 passengers at a time!

 

[Hockham Admiral]

As we slowly meandered back to Beccles, courtesy of Paul at the helm

 

And Karie admiring the scenary

 

 

We finally arrived on the outskirts of Beccles

 

 

Where we passed by the Lido

 

 

and the Waveney House Hotel

 

 

then towards the Old Bridge

 

 

And finally into our mooring

 

 

So it's just about "Goodbye" to our tales about our travels on the good ship "Friday Girl".

Tomorrow will be our last night onboard before she goes to the Boat Sales........... I can't say much more as it's a pretty emotional moment. Goodnight, Peeps.    

[deebee29]

I haven't like'd this last post John as this must be a very sad time for you.

I really feel for you.

Thank you for keeping us up to date on a what looked like a very special weekend with good company and for the great photos.

All our Best Wishes

David

 

[riyadhcrew]

Memories John. Someone will take the boat - but they can't take the memories. They stay with you.

[Gracie]

John, thank you for the lovely photos and keeping us updated with the goings on at the meet, you have brightened my weekend no end, your last sentence brought a tear to my eye

This must be such an emotional time for you and Mary Jane after so many years afloat, I wish you both all the very best and sent to you with much love and affection

Like Eric so beautifully put, no one can take away your memories, hopefully you will continue to share them with us on here

All the very best to you both

Grace

[Hockham Admiral]

How kind you all are!

Perhaps I should have explained more?

I 'kneed' two complete new ones and my first op will be in the Autumn. Then it's another year before I can have the second one done and a further 6 months or so before I'm fully mobile again. 

At that time who knows? We most probably won't buy another one but the £3000+ per year costs will certainly allow us to hire the odd one or three for future Meets. So you're not getting rid of our company quite yet!

"The beginning of a new era" rather than "the ending of an old one" is how we like to think of it.

Grace, I met Mary-Jane on a blind date on Friday, 19th December 1980. You might say that she's my "Friday Girl", hence all our boats' names.  I'd had a boat on the Broads for a year already; so it's been an exciting and happy 38 years. And since we joined the NBN in 2008 we've met and made so many new friends and have wonderful memories (and vids/pics) of those memorable years.   

[Gracie]

Wow, a blind date, bless you both..........I went on one of those once and sat in awkward silence for most of the evening but it clearly worked for you both. I just know this isn't the end of your boating adventures, bring it on I say

Grace

[Regulo]

On 15/07/2017 at 11:34 AM, Hockham Admiral said:

I'll try, Grace, but.................

John broke his helm seat on Nyx

 

 

He gets fatter every time I see him! 

[Wench]

Dont we all its the booze .

Wench

[SwanR]

Lovely story behind "Friday Girl" :)

[diesel falcon]

Good luck John , you have been an inspiration to people on this forum ,bringing a lifetime of experience ,and balanced views ,i think we would all hope that you could continue to be a part of nbn ,as a mod ....(insert the the who) ,,,,all the best you old mucker!

 

[JennyMorgan]

End of one era, start of another, all the best John and thanks for being here.