Freda with mum Grace at Redgrave
Freda with mum Grace at Redgrave

Off to Norfolk, and the Paxton Princess via Redgrave to see Mum and Freda’s family had settled in and installed Mum’s new video and tape of Dad. Then on to Wroxham to see Steve Bloom at the Wroxham Marina to help him with their new boat before driving on to unlock Heronshaw and the boat and unload my things. The rest of the day securing the boat’s cupboards and catches and planning a boat trip to the Wash in two weeks’ time when the tides seem favourable

I made a game attempt to get up and out early but, as always, I was a bit delayed. I drove to Redgrave Village Stores to find the Butterfields in occupation and Mum as the guest of honour. They seemed settled in and so I bought my weekend's groceries there and had a chat. They have changed the shop round a bit and seem to be enjoying the enterprise. I had brought the video recorder and tape of Dad to give to her and I set it up there and then in the bed-sitting room for her to see and she was very taken with it. Before long, I had to leave, and I drive on to Wroxham to see Steve Bloom at the Wroxham Marina.

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He was having trouble with their latest boat and I stayed to help him for a while before taking him to Wroxham Chandlers to buy him a new VHF Aerial and swivel bracket which was in thanks for the long anchor chain that he had previously given me. Once we had got it, I also took him to the Black Horse pub in Horning to buy him lunch and to make contact with Jack Edwards who is a regular. This afternoon, I unlocked the house and boat and unloaded my things. I had to clear the lawn of goose droppings which was a bind! I tried to get on with the boat this afternoon, but the weather was hot, and I was also unsure of how to best do my main job. I needed to secure the cupboards and catches against the boat rolling without making them difficult to open at other times. I returned to Wroxham to look at fastenings and bought some more. Later, I made myself a tea of cheese sandwiches and ate strawberries from the tub in the garden as a tasty desert. I worked until quite late on these catches and then sat and schemed about the best date and time to take the boat round to The Wash next month. The tides seem quite favourable for two weeks' time.