June was a month of glorious weather for sailing; just the right amount of wind, good weather and calm waters. It's during these times that life on the water is at its finest, it really is as good as it looks. Our marina filled up with customers' boats with those being launched and those staying, [...]
'Ne're cast a clout 'til May be out' - referring to hawthorn (not the month) but it's fitting as the sun has peeped out from the rain clouds a little longer this month, creating stunning rainbows over the river and beyond. Mornings on the yard were greeted with the sight of sun kissed mud, freshly [...]
Finally the sun shone. It burst out of the clouds with a 24 degree blast that, for a couple of days, made life on the yard the envy of office-wallers. The phrase, "I wish I had a job like yours" rang in the air again; something we never hear in those dark months of ice, [...]
The cold never seemed to lift from the yard this month. Days and days of wind, rain and grey skies made for miserable working conditions. Everyone dreamt of sunny days or even just enough warmth to lift of a jumper or two, but none came. This month the dredging had to be done; delayed by [...]
It snowed and it froze - but life on the yard continued at a pace. The worst of the weather saw heavy snowfall and icy blasts that closed schools and blocked roads with drifts four feet deep. Even the Deben slowed to sluggish slush with pancake ice and mini icebergs forming unusual sights as they [...]
And so we begin a new year. It's been a gloomy month, filled with dank dark days. Grey clouds and rain have held the light back making the river dull and uninviting. The wind has blown hard but not full blast. Squally gusts closed the Orwell Bridge three times and got yard hands scurrying out [...]
'The North Wind does blow and we shall have snow' and what does a boat yard do then? "Work as usual", comes the stalwart reply. Two extra jumpers, a pair of under trousers and a strong spirit is all that is required by those used to being out in all weathers. December brought rain and [...]
Those trying to get the most out of the season, have finally given up their fight and come in from the cold. It's been a busy month for the travel hoist. Nearly all our customers are here at last for their winter lay up, causing a flurry of activity to get them all ashore at once [...]
Clear blue skies and sunny spells have kept boats afloat longer this month, extending the season that usually ends in October for most waterborne folk. We are seeing this year after year - just as the traditional season comes to an end - a month of good weather falls upon us - and this year [...]
Excitement prevails on the yard this month, as we greet the arrival of a new crane. The old one, purchased by Mel in 1991 was already an elderly lady from the '60s, but she has served the yard well over the years and was certainly the stalwart of the yard until the travel hoist arrived [...]